A method and system for transmitting 6G data plane information

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of 6G network, specifically to a 6G data plane information transmission method and system, on the N2 interface between NG-RAN and AMF, the data plane resource request transmission information is carried by extending the NG Setup Request message, the information includes the downlink user plane address information of the NG-RAN side, and the corresponding UPF side uplink user plane address information is requested to be allocated by the network side for data plane information transmission; the beneficial effect is that based on the existing network architecture, the process and protocol between the base station and the core network are slightly adapted and modified, the bearing of 6G data plane information is realized. The NG-RAN and the UPF respectively allocate the resources for data plane information transmission, that is, the GTP-U tunnel endpoint information independent of UE, the N2 interface NG Setup process and the N4 interface PFCP coupling establishment / update process message are extended to exchange the corresponding opposite user plane address, the core network uses the UE independent information transmission service operation of the Namf interface to transparently transmit the address, which is used for GTP-U encapsulation of data plane information.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of 6G network, in particular to a 6G data plane information transmission method and system. BACKGROUND

[0002] 6G network takes "all things intelligent connection, digital twin" as the vision, in addition to expanding and improving the capabilities of existing 5G network, it also has new dimension capabilities such as ubiquitous connection, endogenous intelligence, and sensory fusion. The data transmitted in the network includes not only the traditional UE related data carried by PDU session, but also a large amount of sensing data, AI data, computing power data, network operation and other UE independent data. The existing PDU session mechanism cannot meet the new requirements of 6G new services for data processing, and it has become the industry consensus that 6G introduces a new data plane to complete the overall management of various data in terms of function.

[0003] In the current 5G / 5G-A network, GTP-U protocol is used to transmit UE related data between the base station and the core network. The user plane tunnel is established when the PDU session is established for the UE. The base station and the UPF exchange the IP address and the tunnel endpoint TEID of the UE specific uplink and downlink user plane through the PDU session management signaling, which cannot be directly used for the transmission of sensing, AI and other UE independent data plane information. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide a 6G data plane information transmission method and system. Based on the existing architecture, the process and protocol between the base station and the core network are slightly adapted and modified to realize the bearing of 6G data plane information, so as to solve the problems raised in the background technology.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the present application provides the following technical scheme: a 6G data plane information transmission method, the method comprising the following steps:

[0006] a) On the N2 interface between NG-RAN and AMF, the data plane resource request transmission information is carried by extending the NG Setup Request message, which includes the downlink user plane address information on the NG-RAN side, and requests the network side to allocate the corresponding uplink user plane address information on the UPF side for data plane information transmission;

[0007] b) After the AMF receives the data plane resource request transmission information, the information is transmitted to the SMF through the UE independent information transmission service operation of the core network service interface Namf;

[0008] c) The SMF transmits a PFCP Association Setup / Update Request message to the UPF through the N4 interface based on the received data plane resource request transmission information, and the message carries the opposite end point information for data plane information transmission, i.e., the downlink user plane address information of the NG-RAN side;

[0009] d) The UPF allocates the local uplink user plane address information in response to the request of the SMF, and returns the information to the SMF through a PFCP Association Setup / Update Response message;

[0010] e) The SMF requests the AMF to transmit the UPF side uplink user plane address information to the NG-RAN through the N2 interface for establishing a GTP-U tunnel for transmitting UE-independent 6G data plane information through a UE-independent information transmission service operation of the Namf interface;

[0011] f) The AMF returns an extended NGSetupResponse message to the NG-RAN, which carries the data plane resource response transmission information and returns the UPF side uplink user plane address information.

[0012] Preferably, the data plane resource request transmission information and the data plane resource response transmission information both contain data category information, which is used to indicate the data type carried by the GTP-U tunnel, and the data type includes but is not limited to sensing data, AI data, computing power information and network operation data.

[0013] Preferably, the data plane resource request transmission and the data plane resource response transmission information both include data item information, each data item information contains data category and corresponding downlink / uplink user plane tunnel information, which allows to establish GTP-U tunnels for different types of 6G data plane information respectively, and the data category includes but is not limited to UE-independent sensing data, AI data, computing power information and network operation data, and the NG-RAN and the UPF distinguish different types of UE-independent data according to different addresses in the GTP-U header.

[0014] Preferably, the method further includes an extension in the core network NF service operation, including:

[0015] a1) The SMF subscribes to the AMF for UE-independent data plane resource request transmission information through a Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoSubscribe service operation;

[0016] b1) The AMF notifies the SMF of the received data plane resource request transmission information through a Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoNotify service operation;

[0017] c1) The SMF requests the AMF to transfer the UPF-side uplink user plane address information to the NG-RAN through the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer service operation.

[0018] Preferably, in steps c) and d), the PFCP Association Setup / Update Request message and the PFCP Association Setup / Update Response message respectively extend the endpoint information for data plane information transmission, including downlink and uplink user plane address information, for GTP-U encapsulation of different types of UE-independent data plane information, distinguished by different addresses in the GTP-U header.

[0019] A 6G data plane information transmission system, applied to a 6G data plane information transmission method, the system comprises:

[0020] NG-RAN: Next Generation Radio Access Network, used to allocate downlink user plane address information, including IP address and TEID: Tunnel Endpoint Identifier, and send NG Setup Request message containing data plane resource request transmission information to AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function through N2 interface, to request network side to allocate uplink user plane address information of UPF: User Plane Function side;

[0021] AMF, used to receive the NG Setup Request message sent by the NG-RAN, and according to the data plane resource request transmission information in the message, to transmit the information to the SMF: Session Management Function through the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoNotify service operation;

[0022] SMF, used to subscribe to the data plane resource request transmission type of UE-independent information to the AMF, and receive the data plane resource request transmission information transmitted by the AMF, and send PFCP: Packet Forwarding Control Protocol Association Setup / Update Request message to the UPF through the N4 interface, the message carries the opposite endpoint information for data plane information transmission, i.e. the downlink user plane address information of the NG-RAN side, and receives the PFCP Association Setup / Update Response message returned by the UPF, the response message contains the uplink user plane address information allocated by the UPF for data plane transmission;

[0023] UPF, used to receive the PFCP Association Setup / Update Request message sent by the SMF, allocate uplink user plane address information for data plane transmission, and return the PFCP Association Setup / Update Response message to the SMF.

[0024] Preferably, the SMF is further configured to, after receiving the uplink user plane address information returned by the UPF, transmit the uplink user plane address information to the NG-RAN through the N2 interface by requesting the AMF through the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer service operation, so that the NG-RAN and the UPF establish a GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol for the User plane) tunnel for transmitting UE (User Equipment independent) data.

[0025] Preferably, the NG Setup Request message and the NG Setup Response message on the N2 interface are respectively extended with a data plane resource request transmission item and a data plane resource response transmission item, for carrying and returning the downlink user plane address information and the uplink user plane address information.

[0026] Preferably, the PFCP coupling establishment / update request message and the PFCP coupling establishment / update response message on the N4 interface are respectively extended with an endpoint information item for data plane transmission, which includes the downlink user plane address information and the uplink user plane address information, for the UPF and the NG-RAN to encapsulate the downlink and uplink UE independent data packets through GTP-U.

[0027] Preferably, the system supports transmission of multiple types of UE independent data, including perception data, AI (Artificial Intelligence) data, computing power data, and network operation data, and the NG-RAN and the UPF allocate different user plane addresses for different types of UE independent data, and distinguish different types of data through different addresses in the GTP-U header for different processing.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] The 6G data plane information transmission method and system provided by the present application realize the bearing of 6G data plane information based on the existing network architecture by making small adaptive modifications to the processes and protocols between the base station and the core network. The NG-RAN and the UPF respectively allocate resources for data plane information transmission, i.e., UE independent GTP-U tunnel endpoint information, and extend the N2 interface NG Setup process and the N4 interface PFCP coupling establishment / update process messages to exchange the corresponding opposite user plane addresses. The core network uses the Namf interface UE independent information transmission service operation to transparently transmit the address for GTP-U encapsulation of the data plane information. Different types of data plane information (such as perception data, AI data, computing power data, and network operation data) can be allocated different user plane addresses and distinguished through the GTP-U header. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 Flow chart of the method of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions of the present application clear, complete and the advantages more clear and obvious, the following will be further described in detail in combination with the drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments, and are only used to explain the embodiments of the present application, and do not limit the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0032] Embodiment one, please refer to Figure 1 The present application provides a technical solution: a 6G data plane information transmission method, the method comprising the following steps:

[0033] (I) Data plane resource establishment process

[0034] This process mainly involves the extension of N2 interface NGSetup process, N4 interface PFCP coupling establishment / update process, and calling the related service operation of NamfUE independent information transmission.

[0035] Step 0: The SMF sends the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoSubscribe message to the AMF to subscribe to the UE independent information transmitted by the NG-RAN node through the N2, and the subscribed information type is the data plane resource request transmission (DataPlaneResourceRequestTransfer) information;

[0036] Step 1: The NG-RAN sends the NGSetupRequest message to the AMF, and if the base station supports UE independent data plane information transmission, the message contains the data plane resource request transmission (DataPlaneResourceRequestTransfer) IE, which carries the downlink user plane address information (including IP address and TEID) on the NG-RAN side, and requests the network side to allocate the uplink user plane address information on the UPF side;

[0037] Step 2: The AMF judges that the message carries the data plane resource request transmission, and sends the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoNotify message to the SMF which has previously subscribed to this type of information, and transmits the data plane resource request transmission (DataPlaneResourceRequestTransfer) information received from the NG-RAN to the SMF.

[0038] Step 3: After receiving the data plane resource request transmission information transmitted by the AMF, the SMF sends a PFCP Association Setup / Update Request message (if the coupling between the SMF and the UPF has not been established, a PFCP Association Setup Request is used, and if it has been established, a PFCP Association Update Request is used) to the UPF, which carries the opposite end point information (i.e., the downlink user plane address of the NG-RAN side) for data plane information transmission, and informs the UPF to use the information to perform GTP-U encapsulation on the downlink data packet;

[0039] Step 4: The UPF sends a PFCP Association Setup / Update Response response message to the SMF, returning the end point information allocated by the UPF for data plane transmission, i.e., the uplink user plane address information;

[0040] Step 5: The SMF invokes the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer service operation to carry the data plane resource response transmission (i.e., the uplink user plane address of the UPF side) through the N2 message container, and requests the AMF to transmit it to the NG-RAN through the N2 interface;

[0041] Step 6: The AMF returns an NGSetupResponse message to the NG-RAN, which carries the data plane resource response transmission (DataPlaneResourceResponseTransfer) IE, and returns the uplink user plane address information (including the IP address and TEID) of the UPF side.

[0042] (II) Related message extension

[0043] 1. N2 message extension

[0044] 1) NGSetupRequest message

[0045] If the base station supports UE-independent data plane information transmission, the NGSetupRequest message is extended with the data plane resource request transmission (DataPlaneResourceRequestTransfer) IE, as shown in Table 1, which carries the downlink user plane address information (including the IP address and TEID) of the NG-RAN side, and requests the network side to allocate the uplink user plane address information of the UPF side, for establishing a GTP-U tunnel for transmitting UE-independent data.

[0046] The UE-independent data can be perception data, AI data, computing power information, network operation data, etc. Different tunnel addresses can be allocated for different types of UE-independent data, different GTP-U tunnels are established, and the base station or UPF can distinguish different types of data according to the GTP-U header (i.e. different tunnel address information) and perform different processing.

[0047] Table 1 NGSetupRequest message extension

[0048]

[0049] Table 2 TNLInformation IE

[0050] IE / Group Name Presence Range IE type and reference Semantics description Transport Layer Information M Transport Layer Address Information >GTP tunnel GTP tunnel information >>Endpoint IP Address M Reference 3GPP TS 38.413 Transport Layer IP Address >>GTP-TEID M Reference 3GPP TS 38.413 Corresponding TEID

[0051] 2) NGSetupResponse message extension

[0052] If the DataPlaneResourceRequestTransfer item is extended in the NGSetupRequest message, the DataPlaneResourceResponseTransfer item is correspondingly extended in the NGSetupResponse message in response, which is used to return the uplink user plane address information on the UPF side, as shown in Table 3:

[0053] Table 3 NGSetupResponse message extension item

[0054]

[0055] 2. Core network NF service operation extension

[0056] 1) Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoSubscribe service operation

[0057] The Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoSubscribe service operation is used for the consumer network element (in this example, the SMF) to subscribe to the specific information about the UE-independent sent by the NG-RAN node to the AMF through N2. In this embodiment, the specific information about the UE-independent subscribed by the SMF to the AMF is the DataPlaneResourceRequestTransfer information

[0058] 2) Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoNotify service operation

[0059] The AMF uses this operation to inform a consumer network element (in this case, the SMF) that subscribed to specific information about the UE-independent specific N2 information received from the NG-RAN. In this embodiment, if the NG-RAN sends the AMF the DataPlaneResourceRequestTransfer information in the N2 message (NGSetupRequest), the AMF transmits it to the SMF.

[0060] 3) Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer service operation

[0061] The consumer network element (in this case, the SMF) is used to request the AMF to transmit UE-independent N2 messages to the NG-RAN through the N2 interface, and the N2 information to be transmitted is carried through the N2 message container. In this embodiment, after the SMF receives the user plane address allocated by the UPF for data plane information transmission (through the PFCP association establishment / update process), the SMF uses this operation to inform the AMF to include it in the DataPlaneResourceResponseTransfer IE and transmit it to the NG-RAN.

[0062] 3) N4 message extension

[0063] 1) PFCPAssociationSetup / Update Request message

[0064] After the SMF receives the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer message sent by the AMF, it initiates the PFCP association establishment or update process of the N4 interface (if the association between the SMF and the UPF has not been established at this time, establish the PFCP association between the two; if it has been established, update the PFCP association), and extend the PFCPAssociationSetup / Update Request message to carry the endpoint information for data plane transmission, i.e., the downlink user plane address information (including the IP address and TEID) of the opposite NG-RAN side, as shown in Table 4:

[0065] Table 4: PFCPAssociationSetup / Update Request message extension item

[0066]

[0067] 2) PFCP Association Setup / Update Response message

[0068] The UPF allocates endpoint information for data plane transmission, i.e., uplink user plane address information, and returns it to the SMF through an extended PFCP Association Setup / Update Response response message, as shown in Table 5:

[0069] Table 5: PFCP Association Setup / Update Response message extension

[0070]

[0071] Thereafter, the SMF requests the AMF to notify the NG-RAN of the uplink user plane address information through the N2 interface for transmitting UE-independent data plane information through the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer service operation.

[0072] In Embodiment Two, on the basis of Embodiment One, a 6G data plane information transmission system is proposed, which is applied to a 6G data plane information transmission method. The system comprises:

[0073] NG-RAN: next generation radio access network, used to allocate downlink user plane address information, including IP address and TEID: tunnel endpoint identifier, and send an NG Setup Request message containing data plane resource request transmission information to the AMF: access and mobility management function through the N2 interface, to request the network side to allocate the uplink user plane address information of the UPF: user plane function side; the NG Setup Request message and the NG Setup Response message on the N2 interface are respectively extended with data plane resource request transmission items and data plane resource response transmission items, for carrying and returning the downlink user plane address information and the uplink user plane address information; the PFCP coupling establishment / update request message and the PFCP coupling establishment / update response message on the N4 interface are respectively extended with endpoint information items for data plane transmission, which include the downlink user plane address information and the uplink user plane address information, for the UPF to perform GTP-U encapsulation on the downlink and uplink UE-independent data packets.

[0074] AMF, used to receive the NG Setup Request message sent by the NG-RAN, and according to the data plane resource request transmission information in the message, to transmit the information to the SMF: session management function through the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoNotify service operation;

[0075] The SMF is configured to subscribe to UE-independent information of a data plane resource request transmission type from the AMF, receive data plane resource request transmission information transmitted by the AMF, and send a PFCP (Packet Forwarding Control Protocol) coupling establishment / update request message to the UPF through an N4 interface, the message carrying opposite end point information for data plane information transmission, i.e., downlink user plane address information on the NG-RAN side, and receive a PFCP coupling establishment / update response message returned by the UPF, the response message containing uplink user plane address information allocated by the UPF for data plane transmission. The SMF is further configured to, after receiving the uplink user plane address information returned by the UPF, request the AMF to transmit the uplink user plane address information to the NG-RAN through an N2 interface by means of a Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer service operation, so as to establish a GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol for the User plane) tunnel between the NG-RAN and the UPF for transmission of UE-independent data.

[0076] The UPF is configured to receive the PFCP coupling establishment / update request message sent by the SMF, allocate uplink user plane address information for data plane transmission, and return the PFCP coupling establishment / update response message to the SMF.

[0077] The system supports transmission of multiple types of UE-independent data, including perception data, AI (Artificial Intelligence) data, computing power data, and network operation data. The NG-RAN and the UPF allocate different user plane addresses for different types of UE-independent data, and distinguish different types of data by different addresses in the GTP-U header for different processing.

[0078] Although embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications, substitutions, replacements and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present application, and the scope of the present application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting 6G data plane information, characterized in that: The method includes the following steps: a) On the N2 interface between NG-RAN and AMF, data plane resource request transmission information is carried by extending the NG Setup Request message. This information includes the downlink user plane address information on the NG-RAN side and requests the network side to allocate the corresponding uplink user plane address information on the UPF side for data plane information transmission. b) After receiving the data plane resource request transmission information, the AMF will pass the information through the UE-independent information transmission service operation of the core network service interface Namf to the SMF. c) Based on the received data plane resource request transmission information, the SMF sends a PFCP association setup / update request message to the UPF through the N4 interface. This message carries the peer endpoint information for data plane information transmission, namely the downlink user plane address information on the NG-RAN side. d) The UPF responds to the SMF's request, allocates the local uplink user plane address information, and returns it to the SMF via a PFCP association setup / update response message; e) The SMF requests the AMF to transmit the uplink user plane address information on the UPF side to the NG-RAN through the N2 interface via the UE-independent information transmission service operation of the Namf interface, in order to establish a GTP-U tunnel for transmitting UE-independent 6G data plane information. f) The AMF returns an extended NG SetupResponse message to the NG-RAN, carrying data plane resource response transmission information and returning the uplink user plane address information from the UPF side; Both data plane resource request transmission information and data plane resource response transmission information include data item information. Each data item information includes data category and corresponding downlink / uplink user plane tunnel information, allowing the establishment of GTP-U tunnels for different types of 6G data plane information. Data categories include UE-independent sensing data, AI data, computing power information and network operation data. NG-RAN and UPF distinguish different types of UE-independent data based on different addresses in the GTP-U header.

2. The method for transmitting 6G data plane information according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method also includes extensions to core network NF service operations, including: a1) The SMF requests and transmits information to the AMF through the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoSubscribe service operation to subscribe to UE-independent data plane resources. b1) The AMF notifies the SMF of the received data plane resource request transmission information through the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoNotify service operation; c1) The SMF requests the AMF to transmit the uplink user plane address information from the UPF side to the NG-RAN through the Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer service operation.

3. The method for transmitting 6G data plane information according to claim 1, characterized in that: In steps c) and d), the PFCP Association Setup / Update Request message and the PFCP Association Setup / Update Response message are respectively extended with endpoint information for data plane information transmission. The endpoint information extended by the PFCP Association Setup / Update Request message carries downlink user plane address information on the NG-RAN side, and the endpoint information extended by the PFCP Association Setup / Update Response message carries uplink user plane address information on the UPF side. This is used for GTP-U encapsulation of different types of UE-independent data plane information, which are distinguished by different addresses in the GTP-U header.

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