Service quality monitoring method, device and system and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a service quality monitoring method, device and system and a storage medium. In the application, an access network device receives indication information of an application, the indication information is used for indicating a service quality monitoring mode, and the access network device monitors time delay of an air interface part according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode and sends the time delay to a user plane function network element. And the user plane function network element calculates a complete time delay and sends the time delay to the application. Therefore, the access network equipment and the application can unify the service quality monitoring mode and accurately carry out service quality monitoring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, device, system and storage medium for monitoring quality of service (QoS). Background Art

[0002] Some communication services, such as ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) services, have high requirements for QoS. Therefore, it is particularly important to perform QoS monitoring (QoS monitoring) during the communication process. QoS monitoring mainly refers to monitoring the delay of data packets transmitted between the terminal and the user plane function (UPF) of the protocol data unit session anchor (PDU session anchor, PSA), including the delay of the data packet transmitted between the terminal and the access network device (i.e., the delay of the air interface part), and the delay of the data packet transmitted between the access network device and the anchor UPF (i.e., the delay of the core network part). Among them, monitoring the delay of the air interface part includes at least two monitoring methods. Therefore, the network does not know which monitoring method is used for feedback, and the application does not know which monitoring method the network uses to measure, so it is impossible to use the monitoring results accurately. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a service quality monitoring method, device, system and storage medium to determine the way to perform service quality monitoring and accurately perform service quality monitoring.

[0004] In the first aspect, a service quality monitoring method is provided, which can be executed by an access network device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the access network device, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0005] The method includes: the access network device receives first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate the service quality monitoring mode, and the indicated service quality monitoring mode includes the first service quality monitoring mode or the second service quality monitoring mode; the access network device monitors the first delay of transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode; and the access network device sends a second data packet to the user plane function network element, and the second data packet includes the first delay. The access network device receives indication information from the application, the indication information is used to indicate the service quality monitoring mode, and the access network device monitors the delay of the air interface part according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode and sends it to the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element calculates the complete delay and sends it to the application. Thereby, the access network device and the application can unify the service quality monitoring mode and accurately perform service quality monitoring.

[0006] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is determined by the application function network element according to the service. For example, the first service quality monitoring method has a small monitoring overhead and can count the delays of multiple data packets, but the monitoring accuracy is lower than that of the second service quality monitoring method; the second service quality monitoring method calculates the delay for each data packet separately, has high monitoring accuracy, but has a large monitoring overhead. The application can determine whether to use the first service quality monitoring method or the second service quality monitoring method according to the service.

[0007] In another possible implementation, the first indication information is carried in control plane signaling. The access network device obtains indication information about the service quality monitoring mode through the control plane signaling, and the access network device can monitor the delay of the air interface part of the one or more data packets according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode for one or more data packets.

[0008] In another possible implementation, the first indication information is carried in the first data. The access network device obtains the indication information about the service quality monitoring mode through user plane signaling (e.g., the first data), and the access network device monitors the delay of the air interface part of the data packet indicated by the user plane according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode.

[0009] In another possible implementation, the first service quality monitoring method is to calculate the average value of the delays of multiple data packets, and the second service quality monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet. The first service quality monitoring method has a small monitoring overhead and can count the delays of multiple data packets, but the monitoring accuracy is lower than that of the second service quality monitoring method; the second service quality monitoring method calculates the delay for each data packet separately, has high monitoring accuracy, but has a large monitoring overhead.

[0010] In another possible implementation, the indicated service quality monitoring mode is the second service quality monitoring mode, and the second data packet further includes a first correspondence relationship, and the first correspondence relationship is used to indicate the correspondence relationship between the second delay and the first delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device. Through the first correspondence relationship, the user plane function network element can align the second delay corresponding to each data packet and the first delay corresponding to each data packet to accurately obtain the third delay.

[0011] In another possible implementation, the first correspondence includes a correspondence between a GPRS tunneling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U) sequence number and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) sequence number at the user plane, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the user plane function network element and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal. The GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the UPF and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal. When transmitting a data packet between the UPF and the access network device, the GTP-U sequence number is carried to identify the data packet, and when transmitting a data packet between the access network device and the terminal, the PDCP sequence number is carried to identify the data packet. Therefore, the access network device can maintain the correspondence between the GTP-U sequence number and the PDCP sequence number, thereby maintaining the correspondence between the second delay and the first delay.

[0012] In another possible implementation, the first corresponding relationship includes a corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane function network element and the first delay. The access network device can know the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane function network element. Therefore, the above-mentioned first corresponding relationship can also be a corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane function network element and the first delay.

[0013] On the second aspect, a service quality monitoring method is provided, which can be executed by a user plane function network element, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the user plane function network element, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the user plane function network element functions.

[0014] The method includes: a user plane function network element receives a second data packet from an access network device, the second data packet includes a first delay for transmitting a first data packet between the access network device and a terminal, the first delay being obtained by monitoring by the access network device according to an indicated service quality monitoring method; the user plane function network element obtains a second delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device; the user plane function network element obtains a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the terminal according to the first delay and the second delay; and the user plane function network element reports the third delay.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: the user plane function network element receives a first request, the first request is used to request service quality monitoring, the first request includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring method, the indicated service quality monitoring method includes a first service quality monitoring method or a second service quality monitoring method; and the user plane function network element sends the first data packet to the access network device, the first data packet includes the first indication information.

[0016] In another possible implementation, the first indication information is determined by an application function network element according to a service.

[0017] In another possible implementation, the first quality of service monitoring method is to calculate an average value of delays of multiple data packets, and the second quality of service monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet.

[0018] In another possible implementation, the indicated service quality monitoring method is the second service quality monitoring method, and the second data packet also includes a first correspondence relationship, and the first correspondence relationship is used to indicate the correspondence between the second delay and the first delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device; and the user plane function network element obtains the third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the terminal according to the first delay and the second delay, including: the user plane function network element determines the first delay corresponding to the second delay according to the first correspondence relationship; the user plane function network element obtains the third delay according to the first delay and the second delay.

[0019] In another possible implementation, the first correspondence includes a correspondence between a GTP-U sequence number and a PDCP sequence number, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the user plane function network element and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal.

[0020] In another possible implementation, the first corresponding relationship includes a corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane functional network element and the first delay.

[0021] On the third aspect, a service quality monitoring method is provided, which can be executed by a session management function network element, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the session management function network element, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the session management function network element functions.

[0022] The method includes: a session management function network element receives first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, the indicated service quality monitoring mode includes a first service quality monitoring mode or a second service quality monitoring mode; and the session management function network element sends the first indication information.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is determined by an application function network element according to a service.

[0024] In a fourth aspect, a service quality monitoring method is provided. The method can be executed by an access network device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the access network device, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0025] The method comprises: the access network device monitors the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to the first service quality monitoring mode and the second service quality monitoring mode respectively, and obtains the first delay and the second delay; and the access network device sends a second data packet to the user plane function network element, and the second data packet includes the first information and the second information; wherein the first information includes the first delay and the first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first delay is obtained by monitoring according to the first service quality monitoring mode; the second information includes the second delay and the second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second delay is obtained by monitoring according to the second service quality monitoring mode. The access network device provides the user plane function network element with the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal monitored according to different service quality monitoring modes, and clearly indicates which service quality monitoring mode each delay is calculated according to, so that the user plane function network element can obtain two different delays of the first data packet transmitted between the user plane function network element and the terminal, and report them to the application, so that the application can select which monitoring result according to business needs, thereby improving the accuracy of service quality monitoring.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the first service quality monitoring method is to calculate the average value of the delay of multiple data packets, and the second service quality monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet. The first service quality monitoring method has a small monitoring overhead and can count the delays of multiple data packets, but the monitoring accuracy is lower than that of the second service quality monitoring method; the second service quality monitoring method calculates the delay for each data packet separately, has high monitoring accuracy, but has a large monitoring overhead.

[0027] In another possible implementation, the second information further includes a first correspondence relationship, and the first correspondence relationship is used to indicate a correspondence relationship between a third delay and the second delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device. Through the first correspondence relationship, the user plane function network element can align the third delay corresponding to each data packet and the second delay corresponding to each data packet to accurately obtain the fifth delay.

[0028] In another possible implementation, the first correspondence includes a correspondence between a GTP-U sequence number and a PDCP sequence number, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the user plane function network element and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal. The GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the UPF and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal. When transmitting a data packet between the UPF and the access network device, the GTP-U sequence number is carried to identify the data packet, and when transmitting a data packet between the access network device and the terminal, the PDCP sequence number is carried to identify the data packet. Therefore, the access network device can maintain the correspondence between the GTP-U sequence number and the PDCP sequence number, thereby maintaining the correspondence between the third delay and the second delay.

[0029] In another possible implementation, the first corresponding relationship includes the corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane function network element and the second delay. The access network device can know the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane function network element. Therefore, the above-mentioned first corresponding relationship can also be the corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane function network element and the second delay.

[0030] In the fifth aspect, a service quality monitoring method is provided, which can be executed by a user plane function network element, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the user plane function network element, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the user plane function network element functions.

[0031] The method comprises: a user plane function network element receives a second data packet from an access network device, the second data packet comprises first information and second information; wherein the first information comprises a first delay and first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first delay is obtained by monitoring the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to a first quality of service monitoring method; the second information comprises a second delay and second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the second delay is obtained by monitoring the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to a second quality of service monitoring method; the user plane function network element obtains the a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane functional network element and the access network device; the user plane functional network element respectively calculates the sum of the first delay, the second delay and the third delay to obtain a fourth delay and a fifth delay; and the user plane functional network element sends third information and fourth information, the third information includes the fourth delay and fourth indication information, and the fourth information includes the fifth delay and fifth indication information; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the fourth delay is obtained by monitoring according to the first quality of service monitoring method; and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the fifth delay is obtained by monitoring according to the second quality of service monitoring method.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the first service quality monitoring method is to calculate the average value of delays of multiple data packets, and the second service quality monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, a service quality monitoring method is provided, which can be executed by a service quality monitoring system.

[0034] The method includes: a session management function network element receives first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, and the indicated service quality monitoring mode includes a first service quality monitoring mode or a second service quality monitoring mode; the session management function network element sends the first indication information; the access network device monitors a first delay for transmitting a first data packet between the access network device and the terminal according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode; the access network device sends a second data packet to the user plane function network element, the second data packet includes the first delay; the user plane function network element obtains a second delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device; the user plane function network element obtains a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the terminal according to the first delay and the second delay; and the user plane function network element reports the third delay.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is determined by an application function network element according to a service.

[0036] In another possible implementation, the first indication information is carried in control plane signaling.

[0037] In another possible implementation, the first indication information is carried in the first data.

[0038] In another possible implementation, the first quality of service monitoring method is to calculate an average value of delays of multiple data packets, and the second quality of service monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet.

[0039] In another possible implementation, the indicated service quality monitoring method is the second service quality monitoring method, and the second data packet also includes a first correspondence relationship, which is used to indicate the correspondence between the second delay and the first delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane functional network element and the access network device.

[0040] In another possible implementation, the first correspondence includes a correspondence between a user-plane General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol GTP-U sequence number and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP sequence number, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the user plane functional network element and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal.

[0041] In another possible implementation, the first corresponding relationship includes a corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane functional network element and the first delay.

[0042] In another possible implementation, the session management function network element sends a first request to the user plane function network element, where the first request is used to request service quality monitoring, and the first request includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring method, and the indicated service quality monitoring method includes a first service quality monitoring method or a second service quality monitoring method; and the user plane function network element sends the first data packet to the access network device, and the first data packet includes the first indication information.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, a service quality monitoring method is provided, the method comprising: an access network device monitors the delay of a first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to a first service quality monitoring method and a second service quality monitoring method, respectively, to obtain a first delay and a second delay; the access network device sends a second data packet to a user plane function network element, the second data packet including first information and second information; wherein the first information includes the first delay and first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first delay is obtained by monitoring according to the first service quality monitoring method; the second information includes the second delay and second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the second delay is obtained by monitoring according to the second service quality monitoring method The user plane function network element obtains the third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device; the user plane function network element respectively calculates the sum of the first delay, the second delay and the third delay to obtain a fourth delay and a fifth delay; and the user plane function network element sends third information and fourth information, the third information includes the fourth delay and fourth indication information, and the fourth information includes the fifth delay and fifth indication information; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the fourth delay is obtained by monitoring according to the first service quality monitoring method; and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the fifth delay is obtained by monitoring according to the second service quality monitoring method.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the first service quality monitoring method is to calculate the average value of delays of multiple data packets, and the second service quality monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet.

[0045] In another possible implementation, the second information also includes a first correspondence relationship, where the first correspondence relationship is used to indicate a correspondence between a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device and the second delay.

[0046] In another possible implementation, the first correspondence includes a correspondence between a user-plane General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol GTP-U sequence number and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP sequence number, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the user plane functional network element and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal.

[0047] In another possible implementation, the first corresponding relationship includes a corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane function network element and the second delay.

[0048] In an eighth aspect, a service quality monitoring device is provided, which is used to implement the service quality monitoring method in the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect; or, it is used to implement the service quality monitoring method in the fourth aspect or any one of the implementations of the fourth aspect. The device can be an access network device, or a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the access network device, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device.

[0049] In a ninth aspect, a service quality monitoring device is provided, which is used to implement the service quality monitoring method in the second aspect or any one of the implementations of the second aspect; or, it is used to implement the service quality monitoring method in the fifth aspect or any one of the implementations of the fifth aspect. The device can be a user plane function network element, or a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the user plane function network element, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the user plane function network element functions.

[0050] In a tenth aspect, a service quality monitoring device is provided, which is used to implement the service quality monitoring method in the third aspect or any one of the implementations of the third aspect. The device can be a session management function network element, or a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the session management function network element, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the session management function network element.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the service quality monitoring device in the sixth to eighth aspects includes a module for respectively executing the method in any aspect or any implementation of the first to fifth aspects.

[0052] In another possible implementation, the service quality monitoring device in the sixth to eighth aspects above includes a processor coupled to a memory; the processor is configured to implement the device to perform the corresponding functions in the above-mentioned service quality monitoring method. The memory is used to couple with the processor, which stores the necessary programs (instructions) and / or data for the device. Optionally, the service quality monitoring device may also include a service quality monitoring interface for implementing service quality monitoring between the device and other network elements. Optionally, the memory may be located inside the service quality monitoring device or outside the service quality monitoring device.

[0053] In another possible implementation, the service quality monitoring device in the sixth to eighth aspects above includes a processor and a transceiver, the processor is coupled to the transceiver, and the processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction to control the transceiver to receive and send information; when the processor executes the computer program or instruction, the processor is also used to implement the above method through a logic circuit or execute code instructions. The transceiver may be a transceiver, a transceiver circuit or an input-output interface, which is used to receive signals from other service quality monitoring devices other than the service quality monitoring device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other service quality monitoring devices other than the service quality monitoring device. When the service quality monitoring device is a chip, the transceiver is a transceiver circuit or an input-output interface.

[0054] When the service quality monitoring device in the eighth to tenth aspects is a chip, the sending unit may be an output unit, such as an output circuit or a service quality monitoring interface; the receiving unit may be an input unit, such as an input circuit or a service quality monitoring interface. When the service quality monitoring device is a terminal, the sending unit may be a transmitter or a transmitter; the receiving unit may be a receiver or a receiver.

[0055] In an eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein a computer program or instruction is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program or instruction is executed, the methods described in the above aspects are implemented.

[0056] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed on a service quality monitoring device, the service quality monitoring device executes the methods described in the above aspects.

[0057] In a thirteenth aspect, a service quality monitoring system is provided, wherein the service quality monitoring system is used to implement the method described in the sixth aspect or any one of the implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0058] In a fourteenth aspect, a service quality monitoring system is provided, wherein the service quality monitoring system is used to implement the method described in the seventh aspect or any one of the implementations of the seventh aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Figure 1 A simplified schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of an access network device (e.g., gNB) provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 3aA schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system based on a service-oriented interface in a non-roaming scenario;

[0062] Figure 3b A schematic diagram of the architecture of a reference point-based communication system in a non-roaming scenario;

[0063] Figure 3c The schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system based on the service-oriented interface in the LBO roaming scenario;

[0064] Figure 3d The schematic diagram of the architecture of the reference point-based communication system in the LBO roaming scenario;

[0065] Figure 3e The following is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system based on a service-oriented interface in a HR roaming scenario;

[0066] Figure 3f The schematic diagram of the architecture of the reference point-based communication system in the HR roaming scenario;

[0067] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the delay composition provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Figure 5a A schematic diagram of sending a downlink data packet according to an example of an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Figure 5b A schematic diagram of an uplink data packet sent according to an example of an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a delay calculation process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of another delay calculation process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 8 A flow chart of a service quality monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Fig. 9 A flowchart of another service quality monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Fig.10 A flowchart of another method for monitoring quality of service provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a service quality monitoring device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of another service quality monitoring device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0078] The technology provided by the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the communication system can be a fourth generation (4 th generation, 4G) communication systems (such as long term evolution (LTE) systems), fifth generation (5 th The communication system provided in the present application may include a non-terrestrial communication network (NTN) and / or a terrestrial communication network (TN).

[0079] A network element in a communication system can send a signal to another network element or receive a signal from another network element. The signal may include information, signaling, or data, etc. The network element may also be replaced by an entity, a network entity, a device, a communication device, a communication module, a node, a communication node, etc. The network element is used as an example for description in this application. For example, a communication system may include at least one terminal and at least one access network device. The access network device may send a downlink signal to the terminal, and / or the terminal may send an uplink signal to the access network device. In addition, it can be understood that if a plurality of terminals are included in the communication system, the plurality of terminals may also send signals to each other, that is, the signal sending network element and the signal receiving network element may both be terminals.

[0080] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 A simplified schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1As shown, the communication system 1000 includes a wireless access network 100, a core network 200 and the Internet 300. Among them, the wireless access network 100 can be a next-generation (e.g., 6G or higher) wireless access network, or a traditional (e.g., 5G or 4G) wireless access network. One or more terminals (120a-120j, collectively referred to as 120) can be connected to each other or to one or more network devices (110a, 110b, collectively referred to as 110) in the wireless access network 100. The core network 200 may include one or more core network elements. Taking the 5G core network as an example, the 5G core network includes a session management function (SMF) network element responsible for session management, a user plane function (UPF) network element responsible for data packet routing and forwarding and QoS control on the user plane, and an application function (AF) network element. The above-mentioned core network elements can work independently or be combined together to implement certain control functions, such as: AF, SMF and UPF can be combined together as a core network element. The core network element in the embodiment of the present application may be any one of the above-mentioned AF, SMF, UPF, etc. Among them, Figure 1 This is just a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices. Figure 1 Not shown in the figure. For example, in actual applications, the communication system may include multiple network devices (also called access network devices) at the same time, and may also include multiple communication devices at the same time. A network device may serve one or more communication devices at the same time. A communication device may also access one or more network devices at the same time. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the number of communication devices and network devices included in the communication system.

[0081] The network device may be an entity on the network side for transmitting or receiving signals. The network device may be an access network device that accesses the communication device to the communication system in a wireless manner, such as a base station. The base station can broadly cover the following various names, or be replaced with the following names, such as: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB), access network equipment in open radio access network (O-RAN), relay station, access point, transmission point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), transmission point (transmitting point, TP), multi-standard wireless node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), centralized unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), radio unit (RU), centralized unit control plane (CU control plane, CU-CP) node, centralized unit user plane (CU user The base station may be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node or the like, or a combination thereof. The network device may also refer to a communication module, a modem or a chip that is arranged in the aforementioned device or apparatus. The network device may also be a mobile switching center and a device that performs the base station function in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, a network side device in a 6G network, and a device that performs the base station function in future communication systems. The network device may support networks with the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device.

[0082] All or part of the functions of the network device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The network device in this application can also be a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions.

[0083] The network equipment may be fixed or mobile. For example, the base stations 110 a and 110 b are stationary and are responsible for wireless transmission and reception in one or more cells from the communication device 120 . Figure 1 The helicopter or drone 120i shown in the figure can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move according to the location of the mobile base station 120i. In other examples, the helicopter or drone (120i) can be configured to be used as a communication device for communicating with the base station 110b.

[0084] In the present application, the communication device used to implement the above access network function can be an access network device, or a network device with some functions of accessing the network, or a device capable of supporting the implementation of the access network function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module, which can be installed in the access network device or used in combination with the access network device. In the method of the present application, the communication device used to implement the access network device function is an access network device for example.

[0085] The terminal 120 may be various devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users, and may communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (RAN). The terminal provided in the present application may be applied to various communication scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IOT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, aerospace equipment, drone equipment, etc. The communication device 120 may be a wireless device in the above various communication scenarios or a device for being set in a wireless device, such as a communication module, a modem or a chip in the above device. The communication device may also be referred to as a terminal, terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The communication device may also be a communication device in a future communication system. The communication device may be used in a dedicated network device or a general device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the communication device.

[0086] Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to act as a base station. For example, the UE may act as a scheduling entity that provides sidelink signals between UEs in V2X, D2D, or P2P, etc. Figure 1 As shown, the cell phone 120a and the car 120b communicate with each other using a sidelink signal. The cell phone 120a and the smart home device 120e communicate with each other without relaying the communication signal through the base station 110b.

[0087] In the present application, the communication device for implementing the functions of the above-mentioned terminal 120 may be a terminal device, or a module having some functions of the above-mentioned terminal, or a device capable of supporting the implementation of the functions of the above-mentioned terminal, such as a chip system, which may be installed in the terminal or used in combination with the terminal. In the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. In the technical solution provided in the present application, the communication device is described as a terminal or UE as an example.

[0088] The communication between the access network device and the terminal follows a certain protocol layer structure. The protocol layer structure may include a control plane protocol layer structure and a user plane protocol layer structure. For example, the control plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of the protocol layers such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer and the physical layer. For example, the user plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of the protocol layers such as the PDCP layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer and the physical layer. In a possible implementation, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer may also be included above the PDCP layer.

[0089] Exemplarily, the protocol layer structure between the access network device and the terminal may also include an AI layer for transmitting data related to the AI ​​function.

[0090] In one example, if Figure 2 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an access network device (such as gNB) provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the access network device may include a CU and a DU. Multiple DUs can be centrally controlled by one CU. As an example, the interface between the CU and the DU may be referred to as an F1 interface. Among them, the interface between the control plane (control panel, CP) of the CU and the DU may be F1-C, and the interface between the user plane (user panel, UP) of the CU and the DU may be F1-U. The CU and the DU may be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network: for example, the functions of the PDCP layer and above protocol layers are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the RLC layer and the MAC layer, etc.) are set in the DU; for another example, the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer are set in the DU.

[0091] It can be understood that the above-mentioned division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to the protocol layer is only an example, and it can also be divided in other ways, for example, CU or DU can be divided into functions with more protocol layers, and for example, CU or DU can also be divided into partial processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are set in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are set in the DU. In another design, the functions of the CU or DU can also be divided according to the service type or other system requirements, for example, according to the delay, the functions whose processing time needs to meet the delay requirements are set in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the delay requirements are set in the CU. In another design, the CU may also have one or more functions of the core network. Exemplarily, the CU can be set on the network side for centralized management. In another design, the RU of the DU is set remotely. Among them, the RU has a radio frequency function. In another design, the DU and the RU can be divided at the physical layer (PHY). For example, the DU can implement high-level functions in the PHY layer, and the RU can implement low-level functions in the PHY layer.

[0092] Exemplarily, the functions of the CU may be implemented by one entity, or may be implemented by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU may be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane are separated and implemented by different entities, namely, the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-CP entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-UP entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity may be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the functions of the access network device.

[0093] In the above architecture, the signaling generated by the CU can be sent to the terminal through the DU, or the signaling generated by the terminal can be sent to the CU through the DU. For example, the signaling of the RRC or PDCP layer will eventually be processed into the signaling of the physical layer and sent to the terminal, or converted from the received signaling of the physical layer. In this architecture, the signaling of the RRC or PDCP layer can be considered to be sent through the DU, or sent through the DU and the RU.

[0094] Exemplarily, any of the above-mentioned DU, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP and RU can be a software module, a hardware structure, or a software module + hardware structure, without limitation. Among them, the existence forms of different entities can be different, without limitation. For example, DU, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP are software modules, and RU is a hardware structure. These modules and their execution methods are also within the scope of protection of this application.

[0095] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the O-RAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU.

[0096] It should be understood that Figure 1 The number and type of each device in the communication system shown are for illustration only, and the present application is not limited thereto. In actual applications, the communication system may also include more terminals, more access network devices, more core network elements, and other network elements, such as network elements for implementing artificial intelligence functions.

[0097] It is understandable that all or part of the functions implemented by one or more of the terminals, access network devices, core network network elements, or network elements used to implement artificial intelligence functions can be virtualized, that is, implemented by one or more of the proprietary processors or general-purpose processors and corresponding software modules. Among them, the terminal and the access network device involve an interface for air interface transmission, and the transceiver function of the interface can be implemented by hardware. Exemplarily, one or more functions of the virtualized terminal, access network device, core network network element, or network element used to implement artificial intelligence functions can be implemented by cloud devices, such as cloud devices in an over the top (OTT) system.

[0098] The method provided in this application can be used for communication between access network equipment and core network elements, but is not limited to this.

[0099] In this application, "sending information to... (e.g., access network device)" or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination end of the information is the access network device. It can include sending information to the access network device directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from... (e.g., access network device)" or "receiving information from... (e.g., access network device)", or the related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the source end of the information is the access network device, which can include receiving information from the access network device directly or indirectly. The information may be processed as necessary between the source end and the destination end of the information transmission, such as format changes, etc., but the destination end can understand the valid information from the source end. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0100] The system architecture of the above communication system is different in different scenarios (including non-roaming scenarios and roaming scenarios). Taking the 5G communication system as an example, Figure 3a and Figure 3bThe architecture of a communication system based on a service-oriented interface and the architecture of a communication system based on a reference point in a non-roaming scenario are respectively illustrated; and Figure 3c to Figure 3f The architecture of the communication system based on the service-oriented interface and the architecture of the communication system based on the reference point in the roaming scenario are respectively illustrated. Among them, roaming can be divided into: local breakout (LBO) and home routing (HR). Figure 3c and Figure 3d The architecture of the communication system based on the service interface and the architecture of the communication system based on the reference point in the LBO roaming scenario are illustrated respectively. In the LBO roaming scenario, the service data flow is continued in the roaming location without returning to the user's home network. In this scenario, the SMF and PCF in the embodiment of the present application are both located in the visited public land mobile network (VPLMN). Figure 3e and Figure 3f The architecture of the communication system based on the service interface and the architecture of the communication system based on the reference point in the HR roaming scenario are illustrated respectively. In the HR roaming scenario, the SMF and PCF in the embodiment of the present application are both located in the home public land mobile network (HPLMN).

[0101] The embodiments of the present application mainly involve the following core network elements, whose functions are as follows:

[0102] SMF: Session Management Function Network Element. Its main functions are to control the establishment, modification and deletion of sessions, the selection of user plane nodes, etc.

[0103] UPF: User plane function network element. The main functions enable packet routing and forwarding, mobility anchor point, uplink classifier to support routing service flows to data networks, branch point to support multi-homing protocol data unit (PDU) sessions, etc.

[0104] AF: Application Function Network Element. Its main function is to cooperate with the Third Generation Partnership Project (3 rd The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) core network interacts to provide services, affecting service flow routing, access network capability exposure, policy control, etc.

[0105] Policy control function (PCF): The main function is to serve as a policy decision point, providing rules based on service data flow and application detection, gating, quality of service (QoS) and flow-based charging control.

[0106] like Figure 4 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the delay composition provided in an embodiment of the present application. The QoS monitoring in the present application mainly refers to monitoring the delay of the data packet transmitted between the terminal and the UPF, specifically including the delay of the data packet transmitted between the terminal and the access network device (i.e., the delay of the air interface part), and the delay of the data packet transmitted between the access network device and the anchor point UPF (i.e., the delay of the core network part).

[0107] The main process of service quality monitoring is as follows: PCF generates an authorized QoS monitoring policy for the service data flow based on the QoS monitoring request received from AF. PCF includes the authorized QoS monitoring policy in the policy and charging control (PCC) rules and provides it to SMF. When SMF receives the authorized QoS monitoring policy, SMF configures UPF(s) and access network equipment to perform delay measurement according to the selected method.

[0108] 1. QoS monitoring of the core network can be achieved mainly through flow granularity or node granularity monitoring:

[0109] (1) QoS monitoring at the flow granularity

[0110] SMF sends the QoS monitoring policy of the QoS flow to the anchor UPF through the PDU session establishment or modification process. Based on the QoS monitoring policy received from the PCF, the anchor UPF initiates the delay measurement of the data packets between the access network device and the anchor UPF, and the access network device initiates the delay measurement of the Uu interface uplink / downlink data packets (i.e. Figure 4 When the anchor UPF sends a downlink data packet, if all user plane nodes of the communication system are time synchronized (indicating that the uplink and downlink delays can be calculated separately), the anchor UPF adds a sending timestamp (such as Figure 4 The access network device receives the message based on the time (such as T1 in the figure) of receiving the message. Figure 4 The downlink delay is calculated by T2 in the figure, and the downlink delay and Uu port delay (downlink delay from access network device to UE) are sent to the anchor UPF in the uplink message. The uplink message can also include GTP-U. In the absence of uplink service data packets, the access network device can send an empty packet (Dummy uplink data packet) to the UPF as a QoS monitoring response packet. The anchor UPF responds to the QoS monitoring request based on the information reported by the access network device and the time when the access network device sends the uplink message (such as Figure 4 T3 in ) and the time when the data packet is received (such as Figure 4 The transmission delay of each segment of the uplink and downlink messages can be calculated using T4).

[0111] If the anchor UPF and the access network device do not support time synchronization, the anchor UPF records the local time when the downlink message is sent. The access network device provides the anchor UPF with the delay measurement results of the uplink / downlink data packets of the Uu interface and the time of local packet reception and transmission through the N3 interface. The anchor UPF can calculate the message loopback time based on the time when the uplink message is received locally and the information reported by the access network device. (If it is assumed that the uplink and downlink delays between the access network device and the UPF are symmetrical, the one-way delay can be obtained by dividing by 2, that is, the uplink and downlink delays cannot be calculated separately, and the one-way delay is obtained by offsetting the time difference).

[0112] The anchor UPF can report the QoS monitoring results to the SMF according to certain conditions (such as reaching the SMF reporting threshold) for subsequent application layer alarms or other QoS policy decisions.

[0113] (2) Node-level QoS monitoring

[0114] Node-level QoS monitoring can provide node-level granularity delay estimation results. Different from the QoS monitoring at the QoS flow level mentioned above, node-level monitoring estimates the core network message delay based on the GTP-U echo (Echo) request / response in the user plane transmission path. Simply put, the uplink / downlink data packet delay between the access network device and the anchor UPF in (1) is used to estimate the core network message delay using the GTP-U Echo request / response in the user plane transmission path.

[0115] 2. QoS monitoring of the air interface (i.e. Figure 4 Uu delay in

[0116] (I) One way is to calculate the average value of the delay of multiple data packets.

[0117] The access network device can collect downlink delay (DL delay) and / or uplink delay (UL delay). After collecting the uplink / downlink delay measurement information, the access network device reports it to the PSA UPF for calculating the delay between the UPF and the UE.

[0118] (1) Downlink delay

[0119] Downlink latency refers to the latency for access network equipment to send data packets to UE.

[0120] like Figure 5a As shown, it is a schematic diagram of a downlink data packet sent according to an example of an embodiment of the present application, and the downlink delay includes several parts as shown in Table 1:

[0121] Table 1 Delay segments of downlink delay

[0122]

[0123] The above delay segments are all average values ​​of delays of multiple data packets.

[0124] The downlink delay can be measured according to the granularity of UE or data radio bearer (DRB). Among them, the above D1-D4 are all measured by the access network equipment, and the measurement collection and reporting of the UE are not required.

[0125] (2) Uplink delay

[0126] Uplink latency refers to the latency for UE to send data packets to access network equipment.

[0127] like Figure 5b As shown, it is a schematic diagram of uplink sending data packets according to an example of an embodiment of the present application, and the uplink delay includes several parts as shown in Table 2:

[0128] Table 2 Delay segments of uplink delay

[0129]

[0130] The above delay segments are all average values ​​of delays of multiple data packets.

[0131] Uplink delay can be measured at UE or DRB granularity. D1 is measured and reported by UE; D2.1, D2.2, D2.3 and D2.4 are measured by access network equipment and do not require UE measurement, collection and reporting. The unit of all these delay segments is milliseconds (ms).

[0132] (ii) Another way is to calculate the delay of a single data packet.

[0133] In one example, it is a user plane solution, that is, the sending end can carry the timestamp in the user plane.

[0134] like Figure 6 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of a delay calculation process provided by an embodiment of the present application. In step S601, the access network device sends a measurement and control request to start measurement; in step S602, the access network device sends a first data packet to the UE through the user surface, and carries the packet assembly time T1 of the access network device; in step S603, the UE calculates the downlink delay of the first data packet according to the time T2 when the first data packet is received: T2-T1; in step S604, the UE feeds back the downlink delay calculation result to the access network device through the control surface; in step S605, the UE sends a second data packet to the access network device through the user surface at time T3, and carries the UE's sending time T3; and in step S606, the access network device calculates the uplink delay of the second data packet according to the time T4 when the second data packet is received: T4-T3.

[0135] In another example, a control plane solution is used, that is, the UE side feeds back the reception time of each downlink data packet and the transmission time of each uplink data packet through an RRC message. Figure 7 As shown, it is a flowchart of another delay calculation provided by an embodiment of the present application. In step S701, the access network device sends a measurement and control request to start measurement; in step S702, the access network device sends a first data packet to the UE through the user surface at time T1; in step S703, the access network device records the sending time 1 of the first data packet; the UE receives the first data packet at time T2, and in step S704, the UE feeds back the receiving time T2 and the PDCP sequence number (sequence number, SN) of the first data packet through the control surface of the access network device; in step S705, the access network device calculates the downlink delay of the first data packet according to the receiving time T2 when the UE receives the first data packet: T2-T1; in step S706, the UE sends a second data packet to the access network device through the user surface at time T3; in step S707, the access network device records the receiving time T4 of the second data packet; in step S708, the UE feeds back the sending time T3 and the PDCP sequence number (SN) of the second data packet through the control surface of the access network device. SN; and in step S709, the access network device calculates the uplink delay: T4-T3 according to the receiving time T4 of the second data packet.

[0136] As can be seen from the above, since there are multiple ways to monitor the QoS of the air interface, the network does not know which monitoring method is used to provide feedback, and the application does not know which monitoring method the network uses to perform measurements, and thus cannot accurately use the monitoring results.

[0137] In view of this, the embodiment of the present application provides a service quality monitoring solution, the access network device receives indication information from the application, the indication information is used to indicate the service quality monitoring mode, and the access network device monitors the delay of the air interface part according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode and sends it to the user plane function network element, and the user plane function network element calculates the complete delay and sends it to the application. Thus, the access network device and the application can unify the service quality monitoring mode and accurately perform service quality monitoring.

[0138] like Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for monitoring quality of service provided by an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the method may include the following steps:

[0139] S801. AF sends a first QoS monitoring request to PCF, wherein the first QoS monitoring request includes first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, and the indicated service quality monitoring mode may be a first service quality monitoring mode or a second service quality monitoring mode.

[0140] The main function of AF is to interact with core network elements to provide business services. For some services, such as URLLC services, high QoS requirements are required. In practical applications, in order to ensure latency and reliability, the network needs to be able to perceive link quality in a timely manner and make corresponding adjustments. Therefore, AF can initiate a QoS monitoring request to the network, or subscribe to QoS monitoring from the network.

[0141] In this embodiment, the AF sends a first QoS monitoring request to the PCF. The first QoS monitoring request is used to request the network to perform QoS monitoring.

[0142] Among them, QoS monitoring mainly refers to monitoring the delay of data packets transmitted between the terminal and UPF, including the delay of the data packet transmitted between the terminal and the access network device (i.e. the delay of the air interface part), and the delay of the data packet transmitted between the access network device and the anchor point UPF (i.e. the delay of the core network part). The delay monitoring of the air interface part includes at least two monitoring methods. If the AF and the network cannot know each other about the monitoring method used for the delay monitoring of the air interface part, the network does not know which monitoring method to use for the delay monitoring of the air interface part; after receiving the delay monitoring result, the AF cannot know which monitoring method the network uses, and thus cannot accurately use the delay monitoring result.

[0143] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first QoS monitoring request may include first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate the service quality monitoring method (QoS monitoring type) adopted by the network for the air interface part. Exemplarily, the first indication information may be the name of the service quality monitoring method, index, etc., which can indicate the specific "service quality monitoring method"; the first indication information may not be the specific "service quality monitoring method" information, but other information (such as AF's QoS requirements), and the network (such as PCF) can determine the indicated "service quality monitoring method" according to the request of AF. Exemplarily, the indicated service quality monitoring method may include the first service quality monitoring method or the second service quality monitoring method, and of course it can also be one of more service quality monitoring methods. The "first" and "second" here are only examples, and this application does not limit this. In addition, the network (such as PCF) can also determine the "service quality monitoring method" based on information such as the service slice or data network name (data network name, DNN) or local configuration.

[0144] For example, the first QoS monitoring method may be to calculate the average value of the delay of multiple data packets (i.e., the method of Table 1 or Table 2) (average QoS monitoring), and the second QoS monitoring method may be to calculate the delay of a single data packet (i.e., Figure 6 or Figure 7 The method shown) (per packet QoS monitoring).

[0145] The first service quality monitoring method has low monitoring overhead and can count the delays of multiple data packets, but the monitoring accuracy is lower than that of the second service quality monitoring method; the second service quality monitoring method calculates the delay for each data packet separately, has high monitoring accuracy, but has high monitoring overhead. AF can determine to use the first service quality monitoring method or the second service quality monitoring method according to the business.

[0146] By carrying the first indication information in the first QoS monitoring request, the AF can clearly indicate the service quality monitoring method adopted by the network for the air interface part, so that the adopted service quality monitoring method matches the application requirements.

[0147] S802. After receiving the first QoS monitoring request, the PCF generates an authorized QoS monitoring policy for the service data flow, and includes the authorized QoS monitoring policy in a PCC rule and provides it to the SMF. The PCC rule includes the first indication information.

[0148] After receiving the first QoS monitoring request, the PCF parses and obtains the first indication information, and carries the first indication information when generating the PCC rule.

[0149] S803. After receiving the PCC rule, the SMF sends a second QoS monitoring request (QoS monitoring request) to the access network device, wherein the second QoS monitoring request includes the first indication information.

[0150] That is, in this embodiment, the first indication information is carried in the control plane signaling.

[0151] The second QoS monitoring request is used to request QoS monitoring. After receiving the PCC rule, the SMF parses the PCC rule to obtain the first indication information, and carries the first indication information in the second QoS monitoring request to send to the access network device.

[0152] S804. After receiving the second QoS monitoring request, the access network device monitors the first delay of transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal according to the service quality monitoring method indicated by the first indication information.

[0153] After receiving the second QoS monitoring request, the access network device parses the first indication information therein and obtains the service quality monitoring method indicated by the first indication information. The access network device can monitor the air interface delay of the one or more data packets according to the service quality monitoring method for one or more data packets.

[0154] If the first indication information indicates a first service quality monitoring method, such as calculating the average value of the delays of multiple data packets, and if the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal is a downlink data packet, the access network device calculates the first delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to the method of Table 1; if the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal is an uplink data packet, the access network device calculates the first delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to the method of Table 2. The first data packet is one of several uplink / downlink data packets transmitted between the access network device and the terminal, the first delay is the average value of the delays of several uplink / downlink data packets transmitted between the access network device and the terminal, and the first delay is the sum of the delay segments in Table 1 / Table 2.

[0155] If the first indication information indicates a second service quality monitoring method, such as calculating the delay of a single data packet, the access network device performs the following steps: Figure 6 or Figure 7 The process shown calculates a first delay for transmitting a first data packet between an access network device and a terminal.

[0156] S805. The access network device sends a second data packet to the UPF, wherein the second data packet includes the first delay.

[0157] The access network device may carry the above-mentioned first delay in the uplink data packet (the second data packet in this embodiment). In the absence of an uplink service data packet, the access network device may send an empty packet (Dummy uplink data packet) to the UPF, in which the above-mentioned first delay is carried.

[0158] S806. UPF receives the second data packet and obtains the second delay for transmitting the first data packet between UPF and the access network device.

[0159] After receiving the second data packet, the UPF parses it to obtain the first delay carried by the second data packet.

[0160] In addition, UPF can also obtain the second delay of transmitting the first data packet between UPF and the access network device through the aforementioned flow granularity or node granularity monitoring method.

[0161] S807. UPF obtains a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between UPF and UE based on the first delay and the second delay.

[0162] After obtaining the first delay for transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal, and the second delay for transmitting the first data packet between the UPF and the access network device, the UPF can obtain the third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the UPF and the UE. Exemplarily, the third delay = the first delay + the second delay.

[0163] In addition, for the case where the first indication information indicates the second service quality monitoring method, since the first delay of a single data packet is calculated, in order to facilitate UPF to align the second delay corresponding to each data packet and the first delay corresponding to each data packet to accurately obtain the third delay, after step S804, the access network device can also maintain the following first correspondence: the correspondence between the second delay and the first delay. That is, for each data packet, one of the above-mentioned first correspondences is maintained. It can be understood that UPF obtains the second delay of the first data packet transmitted between UPF and the access network device through the aforementioned flow granularity or node granularity monitoring method, and the access network device can know the second delay of the first data packet, so that the access network device can establish the above-mentioned first correspondence after calculating the first delay of the first data packet.

[0164] In an example, the first correspondence may be a correspondence between a GTP-U sequence number and a PDCP sequence number, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify a first data packet transmitted between a UPF and an access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify a first data packet transmitted between an access network device and a terminal. Figure 5b In the protocol stack diagram shown, when transmitting data packets between UPF and access network equipment, GTP-U sequence number is carried to identify data packets, and when transmitting data packets between access network equipment and terminal, PDCP sequence number is carried to identify data packets. Therefore, the access network equipment can maintain the correspondence between GTP-U sequence number and PDCP sequence number, thereby maintaining the correspondence between the second delay and the first delay of the same first data packet. The access network equipment sends the first delay of the first data packet and the corresponding information identifying the data packet (such as GTP-U sequence number) to UPF in the second data packet; after calculating the second delay, UPF can also save the correspondence between GTP-U sequence number and the second delay, so that UPF can determine the first delay corresponding to the second delay based on the second delay calculated by itself and the information identifying the data packet corresponding to the second delay (such as GTP-U sequence number); then, UPF obtains the third delay of the first data packet based on the first delay and the second delay.

[0165] In another example, a first data packet is transmitted between an access network device and a UPF. Taking downlink transmission as an example, the access network device can learn the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the UPF. Therefore, the above-mentioned first correspondence can also be the correspondence between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the UPF and the first delay, thereby maintaining the correspondence between the second delay and the first delay of the same first data packet. The access network device sends the first delay of the first data packet and the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the UPF to the UPF in the second data packet; after calculating the second delay, the UPF itself can also save the correspondence between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the UPF and the second delay, so that the UPF can determine the first delay corresponding to the second delay based on the second delay calculated by itself and the time when the first data packet corresponding to the second delay arrives at the access network device from the UPF; then, the UPF obtains the third delay of the first data packet based on the first delay and the second delay.

[0166] S808. UPF sends a first QoS monitoring response to AF, wherein the first QoS monitoring response includes the third delay.

[0167] After obtaining the third time delay, the UPF may send a first QoS monitoring response to the AF, where the first QoS monitoring response is a response to the first QoS monitoring request, wherein the first QoS monitoring response includes the third time delay.

[0168] After receiving the first QoS monitoring response, the AF can accurately obtain the QoS of the link.

[0169] According to a service quality monitoring method provided by an embodiment of the present application, an access network device receives indication information of an application through control plane signaling, the indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, and the access network device monitors the delay of the air interface part according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode and sends it to the user plane functional network element, and the user plane functional network element calculates the complete delay and sends it to the application. Thus, the access network device and the application can unify the service quality monitoring mode and accurately perform service quality monitoring.

[0170] The above embodiment describes that the access network device obtains the indication information about the service quality monitoring mode through the control plane signaling, and the access network device can monitor the delay of the air interface part of the one or more data packets according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode for one or more data packets. The following embodiment will describe that the access network device obtains the indication information about the service quality monitoring mode through the user plane signaling, and the access network device monitors the delay of the air interface part of the data packet according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode for the data packet indicated by the user plane.

[0171] like Fig. 9FIG. 1 is a flow chart of another method for monitoring quality of service provided by an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the method may include the following steps:

[0172] S901. AF sends a first QoS monitoring request to PCF, wherein the first QoS monitoring request includes first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, and the indicated service quality monitoring mode includes a first service quality monitoring mode or a second service quality monitoring mode.

[0173] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 8 Step S801 of the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0174] S902. After receiving the first QoS monitoring request, the PCF generates an authorized QoS monitoring policy for the service data flow, and includes the authorized QoS monitoring policy in a PCC rule and provides it to the SMF. The PCC rule includes the first indication information.

[0175] After receiving the first QoS monitoring request, the PCF parses and obtains the first indication information, and carries the first indication information when generating the PCC rule.

[0176] S903. After receiving the PCC rule, the SMF sends a second QoS monitoring request to the UPF, wherein the second QoS monitoring request includes the first indication information.

[0177] That is, in this embodiment, the first indication information is carried in the control plane signaling. The access network device can monitor the delay of the air interface part of the data packet indicated by the user plane according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode.

[0178] The second QoS monitoring request is used to request QoS monitoring. After receiving the PCC rule, the SMF parses the PCC rule to obtain the first indication information therein, and carries the first indication information in the second QoS monitoring request to send to the UPF.

[0179] S904. After receiving the second QoS monitoring request, the UPF sends first data to the access network device, wherein the first data includes the first indication information.

[0180] After receiving the first data from the data network (DN), the UPF may carry the first indication information in the first data, that is, carry the first indication information through user plane signaling, so that the access network device may be informed of the service quality monitoring method indicated by the application.

[0181] S905. After receiving the second QoS monitoring request, the access network device monitors the first delay of transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal according to the service quality monitoring method indicated by the first indication information.

[0182] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 8 Step S804 of the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0183] S906. The access network device sends a second data packet to the UPF, wherein the second data packet includes the first delay.

[0184] The access network device may carry the above-mentioned first delay in the uplink data packet (the second data packet in this embodiment). In the absence of an uplink service data packet, the access network device may send an empty packet (Dummy uplink data packet) to the UPF, in which the above-mentioned first delay is carried.

[0185] S907. UPF receives the second data packet and obtains the second delay for transmitting the first data packet between UPF and the access network device.

[0186] After receiving the second data packet, the UPF parses it to obtain the first delay carried by the second data packet.

[0187] In addition, UPF can also obtain the second delay of transmitting the first data packet between UPF and the access network device through the aforementioned flow granularity or node granularity monitoring method.

[0188] S908. The UPF obtains a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the UPF and the UE based on the first delay and the second delay.

[0189] The specific implementation of this step can be found in Figure 8 Step S807 of the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0190] S909. UPF sends a first QoS monitoring response to AF, wherein the first QoS monitoring response includes the third delay.

[0191] After obtaining the third time delay, the UPF may send a first QoS monitoring response to the AF, where the first QoS monitoring response is a response to the first QoS monitoring request, wherein the first QoS monitoring response includes the third time delay.

[0192] After receiving the first QoS monitoring response, the AF can accurately obtain the QoS of the link.

[0193] According to a service quality monitoring method provided by an embodiment of the present application, an access network device receives indication information of an application through user plane signaling, the indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, and the access network device monitors the delay of the air interface part according to the indicated service quality monitoring mode and sends it to the user plane functional network element, and the user plane functional network element calculates the complete delay and sends it to the application. Thus, the access network device and the application can unify the service quality monitoring mode and accurately perform service quality monitoring.

[0194] The above embodiment describes that the access network device performs QoS monitoring according to the QoS monitoring mode indicated by the application. In the following embodiments, the application may not indicate the QoS monitoring mode, and accurate QoS monitoring results can also be obtained.

[0195] like Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of another method for monitoring quality of service provided by an embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the method may include the following steps:

[0196] S1001. AF sends a first QoS monitoring request to PCF.

[0197] The main function of AF is to interact with core network elements to provide business services. For some services, such as URLLC services, high QoS requirements are required. In practical applications, in order to ensure latency and reliability, the network needs to be able to perceive link quality in a timely manner and make corresponding adjustments. Therefore, AF can initiate a QoS monitoring request to the network, or subscribe to QoS monitoring from the network.

[0198] In this embodiment, the AF sends a first QoS monitoring request to the PCF. The first QoS monitoring request is used to request the network to perform QoS monitoring.

[0199] S1002. After receiving the first QoS monitoring request, the PCF generates an authorized QoS monitoring policy for the service data flow, and includes the authorized QoS monitoring policy in the PCC rule and provides it to the SMF.

[0200] S1003. After receiving the above PCC rules, the SMF sends a second QoS monitoring request to the access network device.

[0201] The second QoS monitoring request is used to request QoS monitoring.

[0202] S1004. The access network device monitors the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to the first service quality monitoring method and the second service quality monitoring method respectively, to obtain the first delay and the second delay.

[0203] In this embodiment, the access network device does not know which service quality monitoring method the application requires to monitor the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal. Therefore, the access network device monitors the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to the first service quality monitoring method and the second service quality monitoring method, respectively, to obtain the first delay and the second delay.

[0204] For example, the first QoS monitoring method may be to calculate the average value of the delay of multiple data packets (i.e., the method of Table 1 or Table 2) (average QoS monitoring), and the second QoS monitoring method may be to calculate the delay of a single data packet (i.e., Figure 6 or Figure 7 The method shown) (per packet QoS monitoring).

[0205] When calculating the delay according to the first service quality monitoring method, the access network device can calculate the sum of the segment delays of multiple data packets according to the method of Table 1 or Table 2 to obtain the first delay, wherein each segment delay is the average value of the delays of multiple data packets in the segment. Specifically, if the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal is a downlink data packet, the access network device calculates the first delay for transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal according to the method of Table 1; if the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal is an uplink data packet, the access network device calculates the first delay for transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal according to the method of Table 2. Among them, the first data packet is one of several uplink / downlink data packets transmitted between the access network device and the terminal, the first delay is the average value of the delays for transmitting several uplink / downlink data packets between the access network device and the terminal, and the first delay is the sum of the delay segments in Table 1 / Table 2.

[0206] When calculating the delay according to the second service quality monitoring method, the access network device can Figure 6 or Figure 7 The delay of a single data packet is calculated in the manner shown to obtain a second delay.

[0207] This embodiment takes two service quality monitoring methods to monitor the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal as an example. The present application is certainly not limited to the above two service quality monitoring methods. There can be more service quality monitoring methods to monitor the delay of the air interface part. Technical personnel in this field can refer to the above method to calculate the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to each service quality monitoring method.

[0208] S1005. The access network device sends a second data packet to the UPF.

[0209] After the access network device calculates the first delay and the second delay respectively according to the two service quality monitoring methods, the access network device can carry the above-mentioned first delay and second delay in the uplink data packet (the second data packet in this embodiment). In the absence of an uplink service data packet, the access network device can send an empty packet (Dummy uplink data packet) to the UPF, and the above-mentioned first delay and second delay are carried in the empty packet. In addition, in this embodiment, since the access network device calculates the first delay and the second delay respectively according to the two service quality monitoring methods, it is also necessary to indicate which service quality monitoring method the first delay and the second delay are calculated according to, so that the application can accurately use the QoS monitoring results.

[0210] Therefore, in this embodiment, the second data packet includes the first information and the second information.

[0211] The first information includes a first delay and first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first delay is obtained by monitoring according to a first quality of service monitoring method.

[0212] The second information includes a second delay and second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the second delay is obtained by monitoring according to a second service quality monitoring method.

[0213] Exemplarily, the first indication information and the second indication information may be 1 bit, and when the value of the 1 bit is "0", it is used to indicate the first service quality monitoring mode; when the value of the 1 bit is "1", it is used to indicate the second service quality monitoring mode. Or vice versa.

[0214] S1006. After receiving the second data packet, UPF obtains the third delay for transmitting the first data packet between UPF and the access network device.

[0215] UPF can obtain the third delay of transmitting the first data packet between UPF and the access network device through the aforementioned flow granularity or node granularity monitoring method.

[0216] S1007. The UPF calculates the sum of the first delay and the third delay to obtain a fourth delay; and calculates the sum of the second delay and the third delay to obtain a fifth delay.

[0217] When the service quality monitoring mode of the air interface part is the first service quality monitoring mode, after obtaining the first delay for transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal and the third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the UPF and the access network device, the UPF can obtain the fourth delay for transmitting the first data packet between the UPF and the UE. Exemplarily, the fourth delay = the first delay + the third delay.

[0218] When the service quality monitoring mode of the air interface part is the second service quality monitoring mode, after obtaining the second delay for transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal and the third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the UPF and the access network device, the UPF can obtain the fifth delay for transmitting the first data packet between the UPF and the UE. Exemplarily, the fifth delay = the second delay + the third delay.

[0219] In addition, for the case where the service quality monitoring method of the air interface part is the second service quality monitoring method, since the delay of a single data packet is calculated, in order to facilitate UPF to align the third delay corresponding to each data packet and the second delay corresponding to each data packet to accurately obtain the fifth delay, after step S1004, the access network device can also maintain the following first correspondence: the correspondence between the third delay and the second delay. That is, for each data packet, maintain the above-mentioned first correspondence. And in step S1005, the access network device can include the above-mentioned first correspondence in the second data packet. It can be understood that UPF obtains the third delay of the first data packet transmitted between UPF and the access network device through the aforementioned flow granularity or node granularity monitoring method, and the access network device can know the second delay of the first data packet, so that the access network device can establish the above-mentioned first correspondence after calculating the second delay of the first data packet.

[0220] In an example, the first correspondence may be a correspondence between a GTP-U sequence number and a PDCP sequence number, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify a first data packet transmitted between a UPF and an access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify a first data packet transmitted between an access network device and a terminal. Figure 5b In the protocol stack diagram shown, when transmitting data packets between UPF and access network equipment, GTP-U sequence number is carried to identify data packets, and when transmitting data packets between access network equipment and terminal, PDCP sequence number is carried to identify data packets. Therefore, the access network equipment can maintain the correspondence between GTP-U sequence number and PDCP sequence number, thereby maintaining the correspondence between the third delay and the second delay of the same first data packet. The access network equipment sends the second delay of the first data packet and the corresponding information identifying the data packet (such as GTP-U sequence number) to UPF in the second data packet; after calculating the third delay, UPF also saves the correspondence between GTP-U sequence number and the third delay, so that UPF can determine the second delay corresponding to the third delay based on the third delay calculated by itself and the information identifying the data packet corresponding to the third delay (such as GTP-U sequence number); then, UPF obtains the fifth delay of the first data packet based on the second delay and the third delay.

[0221] In another example, a first data packet is transmitted between an access network device and a UPF. Taking downlink transmission as an example, the access network device can learn the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the UPF. Therefore, the above-mentioned first correspondence can also be the correspondence between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the UPF and the second delay, thereby maintaining the correspondence between the third delay and the second delay of the same first data packet. The access network device sends the second delay of the first data packet and the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the UPF to the UPF in the second data packet; after calculating the third delay, the UPF also saves the correspondence between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the UPF and the third delay, so that the UPF can determine the second delay corresponding to the third delay based on the third delay calculated by itself and the time when the first data packet corresponding to the third delay arrives at the access network device from the UPF; then, the UPF obtains the fifth delay of the first data packet based on the second delay and the third delay.

[0222] S1008. UPF sends a first QoS monitoring response to AF.

[0223] After obtaining the fourth delay and the fifth delay respectively calculated according to the two service quality monitoring methods, the UPF can send a first QoS monitoring response to the AF. The first QoS monitoring response is a response to the first QoS monitoring request, and the first QoS monitoring response includes the third information and the fourth information.

[0224] The third information includes a fourth time delay and fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the fourth time delay is obtained by monitoring according to the first service quality monitoring method.

[0225] The fourth information includes the fifth time delay and fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the fifth time delay is obtained by monitoring according to the second service quality monitoring method.

[0226] By sending the delays between the UPF and the access network device calculated according to the two service quality monitoring methods to the AF, and clearly indicating which service quality monitoring method each delay is calculated according to through indication information, the AF can select which monitoring result according to business needs. Thus, the accuracy of service quality monitoring is improved.

[0227] According to a service quality monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the access network device provides the UPF with the delay of transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal monitored according to different service quality monitoring methods, and clearly indicates the service quality monitoring method according to which each delay is calculated. In this way, the UPF can obtain two different delays for transmitting the first data packet between the UPF and the terminal, and report them to the application, so that the application can select which monitoring result to use according to business needs, thereby improving the accuracy of service quality monitoring.

[0228] It can be understood that in the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the access network device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the access network device; the methods and / or steps implemented by the core network network element can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the core network network element.

[0229] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Accordingly, the embodiment of the present application also provides a service quality monitoring device, which is used to implement the above various methods. The service quality monitoring device can be an access network device in the above method embodiment, or a component that can be used for an access network device; or, the service quality monitoring device can be a core network element in the above method embodiment, or a component that can be used for a core network element. It can be understood that in order to implement the above functions, the service quality monitoring device includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0230] The embodiment of the present application can divide the service quality monitoring device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0231] Based on the same concept of the above service quality monitoring method, the present application also provides the following service quality monitoring device:

[0232] like Fig.11 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a service quality monitoring device provided in an embodiment of the present application, the service quality monitoring device 1100 includes a processing unit 1101 and an interface unit 1102; wherein:

[0233] When the service quality monitoring device is used to implement the function of the access network device in the above method embodiment, the processing unit 1101 is used to execute the following steps: Figure 8 The operation of S804 in the embodiment shown, and the interface unit 1102 is used to perform the following Figure 8 The operation of the access network device in S803 and S805 in the embodiment shown; or, the processing unit 1101 is used to perform the following Fig. 9 The operation of S905 in the embodiment shown in the figure, and the interface unit 1102 is used to perform the following Fig. 9 The operation of the access network device in S904 and S906 in the embodiment shown; or, the processing unit 1101 is used to perform the following Fig.10 The operation of S1004 in the embodiment shown in the figure, and the interface unit 1102 is used to perform the following Fig.10 The operation of the access network device in S1003 and S1005 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0234] When the service quality monitoring device is used to implement the function of the UPF in the above method embodiment, the processing unit 1101 is used to execute the following steps: Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the operations of S806 and S807, and the interface unit 1102 are used to perform the following operations: Figure 8 The operation of UPF in S805 in the embodiment shown; or, the processing unit 1101 is used to perform the following Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, the operations of S907 and S908, and the interface unit 1102 are used to perform the following operations: Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, the operations of UPF in S903, S904 and S906 are performed; or, the processing unit 1101 is used to perform the following Fig.10 In the embodiment shown, the operations of S1006 and S1007, and the interface unit 1102 are used to perform the following operations: Fig.10 The operation of the UPF in S1005 and S1008 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0235] When the service quality monitoring device is used to implement the function of the SMF in the above method embodiment, the interface unit 1102 is used to execute the following steps: Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the operation of the SMF in S802 and S803; or, the interface unit 1102 is used to perform the following Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown, the operation of the SMF in S902 and S903; or, the interface unit 1102 is used to perform the following Fig.10 The operation of the SMF in S1002 and S1003 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0236] For the specific implementation of the processing unit 1101 and the interface unit 1102, reference may be made to the description in the above method embodiment.

[0237] like Fig.12 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the structure of another service quality monitoring device provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the service quality monitoring device 1200 includes a processor 1201. Optionally, the service quality monitoring device 1200 may also include a memory 1203 (indicated by dotted lines in the figure). The memory 1203 is used to store instructions executed by the processor 1201, or to store input data required for the processor 1201 to run instructions, or to store data generated after the processor 1201 runs instructions. Optionally, the service quality monitoring device 1200 may also include an interface circuit 1202 (indicated by dotted lines in the figure), and the processor 1201 and the interface circuit 1202 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1202 can be a transceiver or an input-output interface. Among them, the processor 1201 is used to implement the above-mentioned Fig.11 The functions of the processing unit 1101 in the embodiment shown; and the interface circuit 1202 are used to implement the above Fig.11 Functionality of the interface unit 1102 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0238] When the above-mentioned service quality monitoring device is a chip applied to an access network device, the chip implements the functions of the access network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the access network device, and the information is sent by the core network element to the access network device; or the chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the access network device, and the information is sent by the access network device to the core network element.

[0239] When the above-mentioned service quality monitoring device is a chip applied to a core network element, the chip implements the functions of the core network element in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the core network element, and the information is sent by the access network device to the core network element; or the chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the core network element, and the information is sent by the core network element to the access network device.

[0240] In addition, it should be noted that the aforementioned interface unit and / or processing unit can be implemented through a virtual module, for example, the processing unit can be implemented through a software function unit or a virtual device, and the interface unit can be implemented through a software function or a virtual device. Alternatively, the processing unit or the interface unit can also be implemented through a physical device, for example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the interface unit can be an input-output circuit and / or a communication interface to perform input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operations) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operations); the processing unit is an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit.

[0241] The division of modules in this application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. In addition, each functional module in each example of this application may be integrated into one processor, or may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into one module. The above-mentioned integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules.

[0242] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0243] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in the above embodiment is implemented.

[0244] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in the above embodiments.

[0245] The embodiment of the present application also provides a service quality monitoring system, including the above-mentioned service quality monitoring device.

[0246] The embodiment of the present application also provides a circuit, which is coupled to a memory and is used to execute the method shown in the above embodiment. The circuit may include a chip circuit.

[0247] When the above-mentioned service quality monitoring device is a module applied to an access network device, the access network device module implements the functions of the access network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The access network device module receives information from other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the core network network element to the access network device; or, the access network device module sends information to other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the access network device to the core network network element. The access network device module here can be a baseband chip of the access network device, or it can be a CU, DU or other module, or it can be a device under the O-RAN architecture, such as an open CU, an open DU and other devices.

[0248] It should be noted that the above units or one or more of the units can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of the two. When any of the above units or units is implemented by software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and a processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow.

[0249] In this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in this application may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0250] When the above units or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processing (DSP) chip, a microcontroller unit (MCU), an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator or a non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or not rely on the software to execute the above method flow.

[0251] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: at least one processor and an interface, the at least one processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the at least one processor runs a computer program or instruction in the memory, the chip system executes a method in any of the above method embodiments. Optionally, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0252] The memory in the present application may also be a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store a desired program code in the form of an instruction or data structure and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. For example, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a digital versatile disc (DVD), a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM).

[0253] It should be understood that in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; wherein A and B can be singular or plural. Also, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, wherein a, b, c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that the words "first", "second", etc. do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first", "second", etc. do not limit them to be necessarily different. Meanwhile, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0254] The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof mentioned in the following description of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0255] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When loading and executing computer program instructions on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center.

[0256] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "one" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in a claim. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0257] It is understood that the various numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the sequence number of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0258] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0259] The components in the device of the embodiment of the present application can be merged, divided and deleted according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can combine or combine the different embodiments and features of the different embodiments described in this specification.

[0260] In the present application, under the premise of no logical contradiction, the examples may reference each other, for example, the methods and / or terms between method embodiments may reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments may reference each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device examples and method examples may reference each other.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring service quality, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access network device receives first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, where the indicated service quality monitoring mode includes a first service quality monitoring mode or a second service quality monitoring mode; The access network device monitors a first delay in transmitting a first data packet between the access network device and the terminal according to the indicated service quality monitoring method; The access network device sends a second data packet to the user plane function network element, where the second data packet includes the first delay.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first indication information is determined by the application function network element according to the service.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first indication information is carried in control plane signaling.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first indication information is carried in the first data.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first service quality monitoring method is to calculate the average value of the delays of multiple data packets, and the second service quality monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The indicated service quality monitoring method is the second service quality monitoring method, and the second data packet also includes a first correspondence relationship, which is used to indicate the correspondence between the second delay and the first delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane functional network element and the access network device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first correspondence includes the correspondence between the user-plane General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol GTP-U sequence number and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP sequence number, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the user-plane functional network element and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first corresponding relationship includes a corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane functional network element and the first delay.

9. A method for monitoring service quality, characterized in that: The method comprises: The user plane function network element receives a second data packet from the access network device, where the second data packet includes a first delay for transmitting the first data packet between the access network device and the terminal, where the first delay is obtained by monitoring by the access network device according to the indicated service quality monitoring method; The user plane function network element acquires a second delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device; The user plane function network element acquires, according to the first delay and the second delay, a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the terminal; The user plane functional network element reports the third delay.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The user plane function network element receives a first request, where the first request is used to request service quality monitoring, where the first request includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, where the indicated service quality monitoring mode includes a first service quality monitoring mode or a second service quality monitoring mode; The user plane function network element sends the first data packet to the access network device, where the first data packet includes the first indication information.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first indication information is determined by the application function network element according to the service.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The first service quality monitoring method is to calculate the average value of the delays of multiple data packets, and the second service quality monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The indicated service quality monitoring mode is the second service quality monitoring mode, the second data packet also includes a first corresponding relationship, and the first corresponding relationship is used to indicate the corresponding relationship between the second delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device and the first delay; The user plane function network element acquiring, according to the first delay and the second delay, a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the terminal, including: The user plane function network element determines, according to the first corresponding relationship, the first delay corresponding to the second delay; The user plane function network element obtains the third delay according to the first delay and the second delay.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first correspondence includes the correspondence between the user-plane General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol GTP-U sequence number and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP sequence number, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the user-plane functional network element and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first corresponding relationship includes a corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane functional network element and the first delay.

16. A method for monitoring service quality, characterized in that: The method comprises: The session management function network element receives first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, where the indicated service quality monitoring mode includes a first service quality monitoring mode or a second service quality monitoring mode; The session management function network element sends the first indication information.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first indication information is determined by the application function network element according to the service.

18. A method for monitoring service quality, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access network device monitors the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to the first service quality monitoring mode and the second service quality monitoring mode respectively, to obtain the first delay and the second delay; The access network device sends a second data packet to the user plane function network element, where the second data packet includes the first information and the second information; The first information includes the first delay and first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first delay is obtained by monitoring according to the first quality of service monitoring method; The second information includes the second delay and second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the second delay is obtained by monitoring according to the second quality of service monitoring method.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first service quality monitoring method is to calculate the average value of the delays of multiple data packets, and the second service quality monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: The second information also includes a first corresponding relationship, where the first corresponding relationship is used to indicate a corresponding relationship between a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device and the second delay.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein: The first correspondence includes the correspondence between the user-plane General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol GTP-U sequence number and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP sequence number, wherein the GTP-U sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the user-plane functional network element and the access network device, and the PDCP sequence number is used to identify the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein: The first corresponding relationship includes the corresponding relationship between the time when the first data packet arrives at the access network device from the user plane functional network element and the second delay.

23. A method for monitoring service quality, characterized in that: The method comprises: The user plane function network element receives a second data packet from the access network device, the second data packet includes first information and second information; wherein the first information includes a first delay and first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first delay is obtained by monitoring the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to a first quality of service monitoring method; the second information includes a second delay and second indication information, the second indication information is used to indicate that the second delay is obtained by monitoring the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to a second quality of service monitoring method; The user plane function network element obtains a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device; The user plane function network element calculates the sum of the first delay, the second delay and the third delay respectively to obtain a fourth delay and a fifth delay; The user plane function network element sends third information and fourth information, the third information includes the fourth delay and fourth indication information, and the fourth information includes the fifth delay and fifth indication information; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the fourth delay is obtained by monitoring according to the first quality of service monitoring method; and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the fifth delay is obtained by monitoring according to the second quality of service monitoring method.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein: The first service quality monitoring method is to calculate the average value of the delays of multiple data packets, and the second service quality monitoring method is to calculate the delay of a single data packet.

25. A method for monitoring service quality, characterized in that: The method comprises: The session management function network element receives first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a service quality monitoring mode, where the indicated service quality monitoring mode includes a first service quality monitoring mode or a second service quality monitoring mode; The session management function network element sends the first indication information; The access network device monitors a first delay in transmitting a first data packet between the access network device and the terminal according to the indicated service quality monitoring method; The access network device sends a second data packet to the user plane function network element, where the second data packet includes the first delay; The user plane function network element acquires a second delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device; The user plane function network element acquires, according to the first delay and the second delay, a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the terminal; The user plane functional network element reports the third delay.

26. A method for monitoring service quality, characterized in that: The method comprises: The access network device monitors the delay of the first data packet transmitted between the access network device and the terminal according to the first service quality monitoring mode and the second service quality monitoring mode respectively, to obtain the first delay and the second delay; The access network device sends a second data packet to the user plane function network element, where the second data packet includes the first information and the second information; The first information includes the first delay and first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first delay is obtained by monitoring according to the first quality of service monitoring method; The second information includes the second delay and second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the second delay is obtained by monitoring according to the second quality of service monitoring method; The user plane function network element obtains a third delay for transmitting the first data packet between the user plane function network element and the access network device; The user plane function network element calculates the sum of the first delay, the second delay and the third delay respectively to obtain a fourth delay and a fifth delay; The user plane function network element sends third information and fourth information, the third information includes the fourth delay and fourth indication information, and the fourth information includes the fifth delay and fifth indication information; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the fourth delay is obtained by monitoring according to the first quality of service monitoring method; and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the fifth delay is obtained by monitoring according to the second quality of service monitoring method.

27. A service quality monitoring device, characterized in that: The service quality monitoring device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-24.

28. A service quality monitoring device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory, wherein the memory is used to store instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

29. A service quality monitoring system, characterized in that: The method comprises an access network device, a user plane function network element and a session management function network element, wherein the access network device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the user plane function network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, and the session management function network element is used to execute the method according to claim 16 or 17.

30. A service quality monitoring system, characterized in that: It comprises an access network device and a user plane function network element, the access network device is used to execute the method as described in any one of claims 18-22, and the user plane function network element is used to execute the method as described in claim 23 or 24.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the service quality monitoring device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24 is implemented.

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