Network quality parameter measurement method and related equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a network quality parameter measurement method and related equipment, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the following steps that: a session management function network element generates a service quality measurement request, wherein the service quality measurement request comprises service quality detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured; and the session management function network element respectively sends the service quality measurement request to the user plane function network element and the network equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method for measuring network quality parameters, a communication device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] With the development of wireless networks, wireless communication systems adopt a Quality of Service (QoS) mechanism. Extended Reality and Media (XRM) services and interactive media services need to comprehensively consider the QoS characteristics of the relevant data streams of the services. In an application scenario, functions for processing each Protocol Data Unit Set (PDU Set) of the XRM service data stream are enhanced to support enhanced QoS awareness and guarantee as well as enhanced Quality of Experience (QoE) for the XRM service data stream. However, the problem of measuring QoS parameters for PDU Sets has not been proposed yet. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for measuring network quality parameters, which is executed by a session management function network element. The method includes: generating a quality of service measurement request, where the quality of service measurement request includes service quality detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured; and separately sending the quality of service measurement request to a user plane function network element and a network device.

[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for measuring network quality parameters, which is executed by a user plane function network element. The method includes: receiving a quality of service measurement request sent by a session management function network element, where the quality of service measurement request includes service quality detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured; in response to the quality of service measurement request, obtaining a measurement value of the service quality detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; and sending the obtained measurement value of the service quality detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured.

[0005] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for measuring network quality parameters, which is executed by a network device. The method includes: receiving a quality of service measurement request sent by a session management function network element, where the quality of service measurement request includes service quality detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured; in response to the quality of service measurement request, obtaining relevant measurement information of the service quality detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; and sending the obtained relevant measurement information of the service quality detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured to a user plane function network element.

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a session management function network element, including: a processing unit, configured to generate a quality of service measurement request, where the quality of service measurement request includes quality of service detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured; and a sending unit, configured to send the quality of service measurement request to a user plane function network element and a network device respectively.

[0007] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a user plane function network element, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive a quality of service measurement request sent by a session management function network element, where the quality of service measurement request includes quality of service detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured; a processing unit, configured to respond to the quality of service measurement request and obtain a measurement value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; and a sending unit, configured to send the obtained measurement value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured.

[0008] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive a quality of service measurement request sent by a session management function network element, where the quality of service measurement request includes quality of service detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured; a processing unit, configured to respond to the quality of service measurement request and obtain relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; and a sending unit, configured to send the obtained relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured to a user plane function network element.

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, including: one or more processors; and a memory, configured to store one or more programs, where when the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the communication device implements the network quality parameter measurement method described in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, where when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer implements the network quality parameter measurement method described in the embodiments of the present disclosure when executed.

[0011] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program product, including a computer program, where when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer implements the network quality parameter measurement method described in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 is a system architecture diagram of a 5G network provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3 Schematically shows a flowchart of a network quality parameter measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 4 Schematically shows an interaction diagram of a network quality parameter measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 5 Schematically shows an interaction diagram of a network quality parameter measurement method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 6 Schematically shows an interaction diagram of a network quality parameter measurement method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 7 Schematically shows an interaction diagram of a network quality parameter measurement method according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 8 Schematically shows an interaction diagram of a network quality parameter measurement method according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 9 Schematically shows an interaction diagram of a network quality parameter measurement method according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 10 Schematically shows a flowchart of a network quality parameter measurement method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 11 Schematically shows a flowchart of a network quality parameter measurement method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 12 Schematically shows a block diagram of a session management function network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 13 Schematically shows a block diagram of a user plane function network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 14 Schematically shows a block diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 15 Schematically shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation manners

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements throughout. It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0028] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, 5G system, or future evolved mobile communication systems, etc.

[0029] Exemplarily, the communication system 100 to which the embodiments of the present disclosure are applied is as Figure 1As shown. The communication system 100 may include a network device 110, which may be a device that communicates with a terminal 120 (or referred to as a communication terminal, terminal). The network device 110 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and may communicate with terminals located within the coverage area. Optionally, the network device 110 may be a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in a GSM system or a CDMA system, may also be a Node B (NB) in a WCDMA system, may also be an Evolutional Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, may also be a base station in a 5G communication system, or a radio controller in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN), or the network device may be a mobile switching center, a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a hub, a switch, a bridge, a router, a network-side device in a 5G network, or a network device in a future-evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc.

[0030] The communication system 100 further includes at least one terminal 120 within the coverage area of the network device 110. As used herein, "terminal" includes, but is not limited to, being connected via a wired line, such as via a Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), digital cable, direct cable connection; and / or another data connection / network; and / or via a wireless interface, such as, for a cellular network, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), digital television network such as a DVB-H network, satellite network, AM-FM broadcast transmitter; and / or a device configured to receive / transmit communication signals for another terminal; and / or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. A terminal configured to communicate via a wireless interface may be referred to as a "wireless communication terminal", "wireless terminal" or "mobile terminal". Examples of mobile terminals include, but are not limited to, satellite or cellular phones; Personal Communications System (PCS) terminals that can combine cellular radiotelephone with data processing, facsimile, and data communication capabilities; PDAs that may include radiotelephones, pagers, Internet / intranet access, web browsers, notebooks, calendars, and / or Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers; and conventional laptop and / or palmtop receivers or other electronic devices including radiotelephone transceivers. A terminal may refer to an access terminal, User Equipment (UE), user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile device, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. An access terminal may be a cellular phone, cordless phone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, a terminal in a 5G network, or a terminal in a future evolved PLMN, etc.

[0031] Optionally, Device to Device (D2D) communication may be performed between terminals 120.

[0032] Figure 1Exemplarily, a network device and two terminals are shown. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple network devices, and the coverage range of each network device may include other numbers of terminals. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this.

[0033] Optionally, the communication system 100 may further include other network elements such as a policy control function network element and an access and mobility management function network element. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this.

[0034] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a device with communication functions in a network / system may be referred to as a communication device. Taking Figure 1 the shown communication system 100 as an example, the communication devices may include a network device 110 and a terminal 120 with communication functions. The network device 110 and the terminal 120 may be the specific devices described above and will not be elaborated here.

[0035] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably in this article. The term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a system architecture diagram of the 5G network according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 2 shown, the devices involved in the 5G network system include: a terminal (UE), a radio access network (RAN), a user plane function (UPF) network element, a data network (DN), an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, an application function (AF) network element, an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, and a unified data management (UDM) network element.

[0037] In the technology of optimizing streaming media transmission, a transmission optimization mechanism for PDU Set is proposed, and relevant QoS parameters are defined. However, the measurement problem of QoS parameters for PDU Set has not been proposed, that is, how the network calculates the PDU Set parameters during the actual service flow transmission to evaluate whether the current network transmission quality meets the requirements of the service flow for the QoS parameters of PDU Set. The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a method for a network to measure the QoS detection parameters of PDU Set.

[0038] Figure 3 Schematically shows a flowchart of a network quality parameter measurement method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 The embodiment can be executed by a session management function (SMF) network element, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it can also be executed by other network elements capable of performing the same function in the network. As Figure 3 shown, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0039] In S310, a quality of service measurement request is generated, and the quality of service measurement request includes quality of service detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured.

[0040] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the SMF network element can generate a QoS measurement request including the QoS detection parameters of the PDU Set to be measured. The SMF network element can generate the QoS measurement request in various ways. For example, it can refer to the following Figures 4 to 9 embodiment. It can be understood that the QoS measurement request can have different commands, such as a QoS detection request or a PDU Set QoS measurement request, etc. The present disclosure does not limit this. As long as the request carries the QoS detection parameters of the PDU Set to be measured, it is sufficient to request the measurement of the QoS detection parameters corresponding to the PDU Set to be measured or detected.

[0041] It can be understood that the QoS measurement request including the QoS detection parameters of the PDU Set to be measured can be sent to a network device such as a base station as part of a quality of service profile (QoS profile).

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the PDU Set QoS detection parameter to be measured includes the transmission delay of the PDU Set, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, it may also include the error rate of the PDU Set, that is, the ratio of relevant packet loss when there is no congestion. When the PDU Set QoS detection parameter to be measured includes the error rate of the PDU Set, the network device may perform relevant measurements and transmit the measured value of the error rate of the PDU Set to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element then reports it to the target NF network element such as the SMF network element according to the reporting requirements. The information reported by the UPF network element may include the measured value of the error rate of the PDU Set.

[0043] In some other embodiments, when the PDU Set QoS detection parameter in the QoS measurement request includes the error rate of the PDU Set, when the network device receives the QoS measurement request, the network device may perform relevant measurements and transmit the measured value of the error rate of the PDU Set to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element then forwards the received measured value of the error rate of the PDU Set to the SMF network element. That is, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the measured value of the error rate of the PDU Set may be reported to the SMF network element through the user plane or the control plane.

[0044] A QoS flow includes at least one packet group; a packet group includes at least one packet. Here, the packet may be a PDU; the packet group may be a PDU group; a PDU group includes at least one PDU. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one may be one or more. For the receiving party, each packet in each PDU Set may be an integral whole and none of them can be missing.

[0045] The transmission delay of a PDU Set defines the transmission latency between a PDU Set between the UE and the N6 termination point at the UPF. For example, the duration between the reception time of the first PDU (at the N6 termination point for downlink (DL) or the UE for uplink (UL)) and the time when all PDUs in a PDU Set have been successfully received (at the UE for DL or the N6 termination point for UL). Among them, the upper limit value of the PDU Set transmission delay is the QoS parameter PSDB of the PDU Set (The PSDB defines an upper bound for the delay that a PDU Set may experience for the transfer between the UE and the N6 termination point at the UPF, i.e. the duration between the reception time of the first PDU (at the N6 termination point for DL or the UE for UL) and the time when all PDUs of a PDU Set have been successfully received (at the UE for DL or N6 termination point for UL).).

[0046] That is, the transmission delay of the PDU Set is divided into two types: uplink and downlink

[0047] For uplink data packets, the transmission delay of the PDU Set refers to the time between the UE receiving the first PDU in the PDU Set and the UPF receiving the last PDU in the PDU Set. Here, "the UE receiving the first PDU in the PDU Set" can be that the UE receives the first PDU from other UEs, or it can refer to the uplink data packet generated by the application (APP) installed on the UE being sent to the chip of the UE. The present disclosure does not limit this

[0048] For downlink data packets, the transmission delay of the PDU Set refers to the time between the UPF receiving the first PDU in the PDU Set and the UE receiving the last PDU in the PDU Set

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the QoS measurement request sent to the user plane function UPF network element and containing PDU Set QoS detection parameters may further include a reporting requirement. Therefore, the request sent by the SMF network element to the UPF network element can also be referred to by similar names such as QoS measurement and reporting request. The present disclosure does not limit this. The reporting requirement means that after the UPF network element receives the above QoS measurement request containing PDU Set QoS detection parameters, in response to the QoS measurement request containing PDU Set QoS detection parameters, after obtaining the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters indicated in the QoS measurement request, the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters is reported according to the reporting requirement.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the reporting requirement includes a reporting type. The reporting type can be, for example, periodic reporting or event-triggered reporting. Periodic reporting means reporting the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters according to a reporting period. Event-triggered reporting means that when a set event occurs, it triggers the reporting of the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters and / or related events (event information).

[0051] The event information in the embodiments of the present disclosure means that when the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters exceeds and / or is lower than a set threshold value, a reporting indication is triggered to indicate the event that the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters exceeds and / or is lower than the threshold value.

[0052] When the reporting type in the reporting requirement is periodic reporting, the reporting requirement may further include a reporting period parameter, and the reporting period parameter indicates the reporting period of the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters.

[0053] When the reporting type in the reporting requirement is event-triggered reporting, the reporting requirement may further include a threshold value of the protocol data unit group service quality detection parameters to be measured. For example, the set event can be that when the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters exceeds or is lower than the threshold value, it triggers the reporting of the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters and / or event information.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the reporting requirement further includes the target network function (NF) network element information for receiving the reported information.

[0055] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the SMF network element sends a QoS measurement and reporting request to the UPF network element, the reporting requirement may further carry the target NF network element information for receiving the reported information, so as to instruct the UPF network element to send the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameter obtained in response to the QoS measurement and reporting request to the target NF network element indicated by the target NF network element information. The target NF network element information may be, for example, the identity (ID) of the target NF network element or any information that can uniquely identify the target NF network element. The reported information received by the target NF network element includes the measurement value of the PDU Set QoS detection parameter.

[0056] In S320, the quality of service measurement requests are respectively sent to the user plane function network element and the network device.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure further includes: respectively receiving response messages returned by the user plane function network element and the network device; wherein the response messages indicate whether the user plane function network element and the network device accept the quality of service measurement request.

[0058] When the SMF network element sends a QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameter to be measured to the UPF network element and the network device (such as a base station) respectively, after receiving the QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameter, the UPF network element and the network device can respectively judge whether to accept or reject the QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameter according to their respective capability information and / or current status, so as to generate their respective response messages, and return their respective generated response messages to the SMF network element respectively. The response message returned by the UPF network element includes an indication of whether the UPF network element accepts the QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameter. The response message returned by the network device includes an indication of whether the network device accepts the QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameter.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure further includes: receiving the measurement value of the PDU Set service quality detection parameter to be measured reported by the user plane function network element.

[0060] After the UPF network element and the network device accept the QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured, the UPF network element obtains the measurement values of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters. When the target NF network element information carried in the reporting requirement includes this SMF network element, or when the target NF network element information is not carried in the reporting requirement, the UPF network element reports the obtained measurement values of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured to this SMF network element.

[0061] In the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the SMF network element can implement sending QoS measurement requests carrying the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured to the UPF network element and the network device respectively, to instruct the UPF network element and the network device to measure the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured, thereby realizing the measurement of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, generating a quality of service measurement request includes: receiving, from a policy control function network element, a policy and charging control rule (PCC rule) including a quality of service detection parameter measurement policy, where the quality of service detection parameters to be measured in the quality of service detection parameter measurement policy include the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured; generating the quality of service measurement request according to the policy and charging control rule. That is, in some embodiments, when implementing the measurement policy and distribution of the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured, such as the transmission delay parameter of the PDU Set, the SMF network element can generate the above QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured according to the PCC rule received from the PCF network element. The following combines Figure 4 to give an example. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the network device is taken as a base station for example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. As Figure 4 shown, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0063] In S41, the PCF generates a PCC rule.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the policy control function network element is configured to receive a request for measurement value information of quality of service detection parameters of an open service data stream from an application function network element, and generate the policy and charging control rule according to the request, where the request includes information on quality of service detection parameters to be opened, and the quality of service detection parameter information includes the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured; or, is configured to generate the policy and charging control rule according to the local policy or configuration of the policy control function network element.

[0065] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the PCF may generate a PCC rule including a QoS detection parameter measurement policy according to an indication from the AF or the local policy or configuration of the PCF. The QoS detection parameters to be measured in the QoS detection parameter measurement policy include PDU Set QoS detection parameters, such as the transmission delay of the PDU Set and / or the error rate of the PDU Set.

[0066] Among them, the indication received by the PCF from the AF may be, for example, a request from the AF to the PCF to directly or indirectly (through a Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element) send the measurement value information of the QoS detection parameters of the open service data stream. The request includes the QoS detection parameter information requested by the AF to be opened, and the QoS detection parameter information includes the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured.

[0067] In S42, the PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

[0068] After the PCF determines that the PDU Set QoS detection parameters need to be measured based on the information provided by the AF and / or the local configuration of the PCF, the PCF generates a PCC rule including a QoS detection parameter measurement policy, and the PCF sends the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured as a part of the PCC rule to the SMF network element.

[0069] In S43, the SMF generates a QoS measurement request.

[0070] After receiving the above PCC rule including the QoS detection parameter measurement policy from the PCF network element, the SMF network element generates a QoS measurement request according to the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured included in the QoS detection parameter measurement policy. Among them, the QoS measurement request includes the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured.

[0071] In S44, the SMF sends the QoS measurement request to the UPF.

[0072] For example, when the QoS measurement request also includes a reporting requirement, the QoS measurement request can also be referred to as a QoS detection parameter measurement and reporting request. The SMF sends a QoS detection parameter measurement and reporting request to the UPF. The QoS detection parameter measurement and reporting request contains the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured, such as the transmission delay parameter of the PDU Set. If the QoS detection parameter measurement and reporting request also includes a reporting requirement, the reporting requirement may include specific reporting requirements. For example, the reporting requirement may include the reporting type, such as periodic reporting or event-triggered reporting. When the reporting type is periodic reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a reporting period parameter; if the reporting type is event-triggered, the reporting requirement further includes a threshold value of the QoS detection parameters of the PDU Set, such as the threshold value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set, and is set to report the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set and / or event information when the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set exceeds or is lower than the threshold value.

[0073] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, how to report the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set to be measured by the UPF network element can be determined according to network requirements and / or configurations. In some embodiments, the threshold value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set included in the reporting requirement may include a first threshold value. In the reporting requirement, it can be set that when the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set is greater than the first threshold value, the UPF is triggered to report the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set and / or event information. In other embodiments, the threshold value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set included in the reporting requirement may also include a second threshold value. In the reporting requirement, it can be set that when the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set is less than the second threshold value, the UPF is triggered to report the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set and / or the event information. By setting both the first threshold value and the second threshold value in the reporting requirement, the network can be informed of how to correctly configure the transmission resources. For example, initially, the network configures a normal network transmission resource. When the network receives the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set reported by the UPF network element exceeding the first threshold value, the network learns that the current network transmission delay is large. Therefore, reconfiguration can be performed, such as adjusting the transmission resources of the base station or adjusting the user plane transmission path. When the UPF network element detects that the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set is lower than the second threshold value, the UPF network element can trigger another report to notify the network of the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set that is lower than the second threshold value. In this way, the network can learn from the received information that the current network transmission delay has returned to a lower level. At this time, the network can reconfigure again, such as restoring to the normal network transmission resources. That is, a mechanism is provided such that the network can dynamically and appropriately configure the transmission resources according to the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set, achieving reasonable resource scheduling and avoiding resource waste.

[0074] In other embodiments, the threshold value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set included in the reporting requirement may further include a third threshold value. In the reporting requirement, it can be set that when the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set is greater than the third threshold value, the UPF is triggered to report the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set and / or the event information; when the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set returns from being greater than the third threshold value to being less than the third threshold value, the UPF is triggered to report the measurement value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set and / or the event information.

[0075] In some other embodiments, the reporting requirement includes a threshold value for the transmission delay of the PDU Set. In the reporting requirement, it can be set that when the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set is greater than the threshold value, the UPF is triggered to report the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set. When triggering the reporting, a timer and / or a timestamp and / or a time span are carried at the same time. If the timing duration set by the timer is exceeded, or if the time offset exceeds the duration of the timestamp, or if it is outside the time span, and the UPF network element detects again that the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set exceeds the threshold value, the UPF triggers to report the measured value of the transmission delay of the new PDU Set again, so that the target NF network element receiving the reporting information can perform adaptive network resource configuration. If the timer duration is not exceeded, or the timestamp duration is not exceeded, or the time span is not exceeded, the UPF does not trigger the reporting of the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set within the timing duration, so that the target NF network element will not receive new reporting information again within the timing duration. If no new reporting information is received outside the timing duration, the target NF network element considers that the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set has returned below the threshold value and automatically restores the network resource configuration to the normal level. That is, another mechanism is provided to enable the network to dynamically perform appropriate configuration of transmission resources according to the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set, realizing reasonable scheduling of resources and avoiding resource waste.

[0076] In S45, the UPF sends a response message to the SMF.

[0077] When the UPF receives a QoS measurement request sent by the SMF that includes the QoS detection parameters of the PDU Set to be measured, it can, according to its own capability information (such as whether the UPF supports the measurement of the transmission delay of the PDU Set) or the current state (such as whether the UPF is in a congested state, etc.), return a response message to the SMF indicating whether the UPF accepts or rejects the QoS measurement request that includes the QoS detection parameters of the PDU Set to be measured. If the UPF rejects the QoS measurement request that includes the QoS detection parameters of the PDU Set to be measured, a rejection reason value can be further included in the response message. The SMF receives the response message sent by the UPF.

[0078] In S46, the SMF sends a QoS measurement request to the base station.

[0079] For example, the SMF sends the QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured to the NG-RAN, and the QoS measurement request may be included in the QoS Profile as a part of the QoS Profile. The PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured include the transmission delay of the PDU Set and / or the error rate of the PDU Set.

[0080] In S47, the base station sends a response message to the SMF.

[0081] When the base station receives the QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured sent by the SMF, it can return a response message to the SMF to indicate whether the base station accepts or rejects the QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured based on its own capability information (for example, whether the base station supports the measurement of the transmission delay of the PDU Set) or the current state (for example, whether the base station is in a congested state, etc.). If the base station rejects the QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured, the response message may further include a rejection reason value. The SMF receives the response message sent by the base station.

[0082] It should be noted that the execution order of the above S44, S45 and S46, S47 is not limited, and they can be executed in parallel, or S46, S47 can be executed first and then S44, S45. The present disclosure does not limit this.

[0083] The disclosed embodiment proposes a measurement method for QoS detection parameters of PDU Set, such as the transmission delay of PDU Set, and realizes the measurement of PDU Set related parameters, so that the mobile network can accurately grasp the implementation status of the related parameters and also realize the opening of the parameter measurement value to the outside world.

[0084] When the PCF generates a PCC rule containing PDU Set QoS detection parameters based on the information provided by the AF, the following can be used: Figure 5 or Figure 6 The method shown obtains information provided by AF directly or indirectly from AF.

[0085] like Figure 5 As shown, the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0086] In S51, the AF sends a request to the NEF.

[0087] AF requests the network to open the measurement value information of the QoS detection parameters of the service data flow. AF can send this request to PCF indirectly (through NEF). The request can include the following information:

[0088] - QoS detection parameter information to be opened, which may include the transmission delay parameter of the PDU Set and / or the error rate of the PDU Set in this information.

[0089] - The AF identification information and / or relevant information of the service data flow:

[0090] -- The AF identification information (AF ID) is used for the network to authenticate and authorize the AF request.

[0091] - The relevant information of the service data flow may be the IP (Internet Protocol) triple or quintuple information of the data packet, the Data Network Name (DNN), the Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), etc.

[0092] In S52, the NEF returns a response message to the AF.

[0093] After receiving the above request sent by the AF, the NEF can authenticate and authorize the request, generate a corresponding response message, and return the response message to the AF network element. The response message may include indication information on whether to agree to the request. If the request is authenticated and authorized, the indication information indicates agreement to the request; if the request is not authenticated and authorized, the indication information indicates rejection of the request. Optionally, it may also include a rejection reason value.

[0094] In S53, the NEF sends the request to the PCF.

[0095] After the NEF receives the above request sent by the AF, the NEF can forward the request to the PCF network element. After receiving the request from the NEF, the PCF network element can generate a PCC rule including the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured according to the request received from the NEF.

[0096] Although Figure 5 the embodiments are described by taking the AF network element and the PCF network element interacting through the NEF network element as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the AF network element can also communicate directly with the PCF network element, that is, the PCF network element directly obtains the above request from the AF network element; the NEF network element can also store the information of the AF request in the UDR network element, and the PCF network element can receive this information from the UDR network element.

[0097] As Figure 6 shown, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0098] In S61, the AF sends a request to the PCF.

[0099] The AF requests the network for the measurement value information of the QoS detection parameters of the open service data flow. The AF can directly send this request to the PCF. The request may include the following information:

[0100] - Information on the QoS detection parameters to be opened, which may include the transmission delay parameter of the PDU Set and / or the error rate of the PDU Set.

[0101] - The AF identification information and / or the related information of the service data flow:

[0102] -- The AF identification information (AF ID) is used for the network to authenticate and authorize the AF request.

[0103] - The related information of the service data flow may be the IP triple or quintuple information of the data packet, DNN, S-NSSAI and other information.

[0104] In S62, the PCF returns a response message to the AF.

[0105] After receiving the above request sent by the AF, the PCF can authenticate and authorize the request, generate a corresponding response message, and return the response message to the AF network element. The response message may include indication information on whether to agree to the request. If the request is authenticated and authorized, the indication information indicates agreement to the request; if the request is not authenticated and authorized, the indication information indicates rejection of the request. Optionally, it may also include a rejection reason value.

[0106] After the PCF accepts the request, it can generate a PCC rule containing the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured according to the request received from the AF.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment, generating a quality of service measurement request includes: receiving a request for measurement value information of quality of service detection parameters of an open service data flow from an application function network element, the request including information on quality of service detection parameters to be opened, the quality of service detection parameter information including the PDU set quality of service detection parameters to be measured; generating the quality of service measurement request according to the request.

[0108] In an exemplary embodiment, the request further includes application function network element identification information and related information of the service data flow.

[0109] In some embodiments, when the network is simplified, the SMF network element can also directly or indirectly receive an indication from the AF network element to generate a QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured. The following combinationFigure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate by way of example.

[0110] As Figure 7 shown, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0111] In S71, the AF sends a request to the SMF.

[0112] The AF requests the measurement value information of the QoS detection parameters for the open service data flow from the SMF. The AF may directly send this request to the SMF. The request may include the following information:

[0113] - Information on QoS detection parameters to be opened, which may include the transmission delay parameter of the PDU Set and / or the error rate of the PDU Set.

[0114] - The AF identification information and / or related information of the service data flow:

[0115] -- The AF identification information (AF ID) is used for the network to authenticate and authorize the AF request.

[0116] - The related information of the service data flow may be the IP triple or five-tuple information of the data packet, DNN, S-NSSAI and other information.

[0117] After receiving the above request sent by the AF, the SMF may authenticate and authorize the request, generate a corresponding response message, and return the response message to the AF network element. The response message may include indication information on whether to agree to the request. If the request is authenticated and authorized, the indication information indicates agreement to the request; if the request is not authenticated and authorized, the indication information indicates rejection of the request. Optionally, it may also include a rejection reason value.

[0118] In S72, the SMF generates a QoS measurement request according to the request.

[0119] After the SMF network element receives the above request from the AF, it may generate a QoS measurement request including the QoS detection parameters of the PDU Set to be measured according to the request.

[0120] In S73, the SMF sends the QoS measurement request to the UPF. The UPF receives the QoS measurement request sent by the SMF including the QoS detection parameters of the PDU Set to be measured.

[0121] In S74, the UPF sends a response message to the SMF. The SMF receives the response message sent by the UPF.

[0122] In S75, the SMF sends a QoS measurement request to the base station.

[0123] In S76, the base station sends a response message to the SMF.

[0124] Figure 7 For other content of the embodiment, reference may be made to the above other embodiments.

[0125] As Figure 8 shown, the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0126] In S81, the AF sends a request to the SMF through the NEF.

[0127] The AF requests the NEF for the measured value information of the QoS detection parameters of the open service data flow. That is, the AF can indirectly send this request to the SMF through the NEF. The request may include the following information:

[0128] - The QoS detection parameter information to be opened, which may include the transmission delay parameter of the PDU Set and / or the error rate of the PDU Set.

[0129] - The AF identification information and / or the relevant information of the service data flow:

[0130] -- The AF identification information is used for the network to authenticate and authorize the AF request.

[0131] - The relevant information of the service data flow may be the IP triple or quintuple information of the data packet, DNN, S-NSSAI and other information.

[0132] After receiving the above request sent by the AF, the NEF can authenticate and authorize the request, generate a corresponding response message, and return the response message to the AF network element. The response message may include the indication information of whether to agree to the request. If the request is authenticated and authorized, the indication information indicates agreement to the request; if the request is not authenticated and authorized, the indication information indicates rejection of the request. Optionally, it may also include the rejection reason value.

[0133] When the NEF accepts the request, the NEF forwards the request to the SMF.

[0134] In S82, the SMF generates a QoS measurement request according to the request.

[0135] In S83, the SMF sends a QoS measurement request to the UPF.

[0136] In S84, the UPF sends a response message to the SMF. The SMF receives the response message sent by the UPF.

[0137] In S85, the SMF sends a QoS measurement request to the base station.

[0138] In S86, the base station sends a response message to the SMF.

[0139] Figure 8 For other content of the embodiment, reference may be made to the above-mentioned other embodiments.

[0140] The NEF network element may also store the information requested by the AF in the UDR network element, and the SMF network element may receive this information from the UDR network element.

[0141] In an exemplary embodiment, generating a quality of service measurement request includes: generating the quality of service measurement request according to the local configuration of the session management function network element. That is, the SMF network element may also generate the above-mentioned QoS measurement request including the PDU Set QoS detection parameters to be measured according to its own local configuration.

[0142] As Figure 9 shown, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0143] In S91, the SMF generates a QoS measurement request according to the local configuration.

[0144] In S92, the SMF sends the QoS measurement request to the UPF.

[0145] In S93, the UPF sends a response message to the SMF. The SMF receives the response message sent by the UPF.

[0146] In S94, the SMF sends the QoS measurement request to the base station.

[0147] In S95, the base station sends a response message to the SMF.

[0148] Figure 9 For other content of the embodiment, reference may be made to the above-mentioned other embodiments.

[0149] Taking the PDU Set QoS detection parameter to be measured including the transmission delay parameter of the PDU Set as an example, the measurement method of the transmission delay parameter of the PDU Set is introduced below.

[0150] After the UPF accepts the measurement request for the transmission delay parameter of the PDU Set, the following measurement method may be executed:

[0151] (1) When the UPF receives a downlink data packet, it marks the PDU Set information according to the detection rules of a specific PDU Set. The PDU Set information may include the following content:

[0152] - PDU Set Sequence Number (PDU Set serial number).

[0153] -Indication of End PDU of the PDU Set (Indication information of the last PDU of the PDU Set).

[0154] -PDU Sequence Number within a PDU Set (PDU sequence number within the PDU Set).

[0155] -PDU Set Size in bytes (PDU set size in bytes).

[0156] -PDU Set Importance, which identifies the relative importance of a PDU Set compared to other PDU Sets within a QoS Flow (Importance of the PDU Set, which indicates the relative importance of a PDU Set compared to other PDU Sets within a QoS flow).

[0157] For example, the UPF can mark the above PDU Set information in the header of the User Plane Part of GTP (GTP-U) of the PDU or in the extended information of the header. Among them, GTP is the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Tunneling Protocol (GPRS Tunneling Protocol).

[0158] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UPF further adds the timestamp information T1 (first reception time information) of receiving the first PDU of the PDU Set to the GTP-U header of the first PDU of the PDU Set. Optionally, the UPF can also further add the timestamp information T2 (second reception time information) of receiving the last PDU of the PDU Set to the GTP-U header of the last PDU of the PDU Set.

[0159] (2) The UPF sends the PDU packet marked with the PDU Set information to the base station. The base station records the time T4 (fourth reception time information) of receiving the last PDU of the PDU Set. Optionally, the base station can also further record the time information T3 (third reception time information) of receiving the first PDU of the PDU Set.

[0160] In this way, the base station can calculate the transmission time information of the downlink PDU Set of this QoS flow: t1 = T4 - T1. Here, t1 can be referred to as the downlink transmission delay of the network-side PDU Set or the downlink transmission delay of the CN (Core Network) PDU Set, which is unidirectional.

[0161] The base station can further measure the round-trip transmission delay of the PDU Set over the air interface, that is, the total time of the uplink and downlink transmission delays of the PDU Set between the base station and the UE, and record it as t2. t2 can be referred to as the uplink and downlink transmission delay of the PDU Set over the air interface, or the uplink and downlink transmission delay of the AN (access network) PDU Set, which is round-trip. Optionally, the base station can further calculate the unidirectional uplink and downlink transmission delay of the PDU Set over the air interface as t2 / 2.

[0162] If it is considered that the uplink and downlink transmission performance of the network is symmetric, then the base station can further calculate the uplink and downlink (round-trip) transmission delay of this QoS flow as: t = 2 * t1 + t2. Optionally, the base station can further calculate the unidirectional transmission delay of the PDU Set as t' = t / 2.

[0163] The base station reports to the UPF in one of the following multiple ways:

[0164] First, the base station reports t1 and t2 to the UPF, and then after receiving them, the UPF calculates t = 2 * t1 + t2 according to t1 and t2;

[0165] Second, the base station reports t1 and t2 / 2 to the UPF, and then after receiving them, the UPF calculates t' = t1 + t2 / 2, or calculates t = 2 * t1 + t2;

[0166] Third, the base station reports t or t' to the UPF.

[0167] (3) The base station includes the relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the PDU Set in the GTP-U header or the extended information of the header of the uplink data packet, such as the total information of the uplink and downlink transmission delays: t = 2 * t1 + t2.

[0168] If there is no uplink data packet, the base station generates an uplink data packet and includes the relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of this PDU Set in the GTP-U header or the extended information of the header.

[0169] (4) After receiving the relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the PDU Set reported by the base station, the UPF reports the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set to the target NF network element according to the reporting requirements.

[0170] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the PDU Set sent by the base station to the UPF may directly be the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set, or may not be. If not, the UPF may further calculate the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU Set based on the relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the received PDU Set. For example, if the UPF receives t from the base station, and the UPF needs to report the unidirectional transmission delay information of the PDU Set, the UPF will further calculate the unidirectional transmission time t' of the PDU Set = t / 2; and then report t'.

[0171] The method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can measure the relevant parameters of the PDU Set, so that the mobile network can accurately master the implementation of the relevant parameters, and can also realize the external disclosure of the measured values of the parameters.

[0172] Figure 10 The flowchart of the network quality parameter measurement method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown. Figure 10 The method provided by the embodiment may be executed by the user plane function network element, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it may also be executed by other network elements. As Figure 10 shown, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0173] In S1010, receive a quality of service measurement request sent by the session management function network element, where the quality of service measurement request includes the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured.

[0174] In S1020, in response to the quality of service measurement request, obtain the measured value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured.

[0175] In an exemplary embodiment, in response to the quality of service measurement request, obtaining the measured value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured includes: determining whether to accept the quality of service measurement request according to the capability information and / or status information of the user plane function network element; returning a response message to the session management function network element, where the response message includes an indication of accepting or rejecting the quality of service measurement request.

[0176] In an exemplary embodiment, the quality of service (QoS) detection parameter of the protocol data unit (PDU) group to be measured includes the transmission delay of the PDU group. Wherein, obtaining the measured value of the QoS detection parameter of the PDU group to be measured includes: when receiving a PDU belonging to the PDU group, adding first reception time information of receiving the first PDU to the first PDU of the PDU group; sending the PDUs in the PDU group to a network device; receiving relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the PDU group returned by the network device; and obtaining the measured value of the transmission delay of the PDU group according to the relevant measurement information.

[0177] In an exemplary embodiment, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure further includes: adding second reception time information of receiving the last PDU to the last PDU of the PDU group.

[0178] In S1030, send the measured value of the QoS detection parameter of the PDU group to be measured obtained.

[0179] In an exemplary embodiment, the QoS measurement request further includes a reporting requirement, and the reporting requirement includes a reporting type. When the reporting type is periodic reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a reporting period parameter, and the measured value is sent according to the reporting period parameter; when the reporting type is event-triggered reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a threshold value of the QoS detection parameter of the PDU group to be measured, and the measured value and / or event information is sent when the measured value exceeds and / or is lower than the threshold value.

[0180] In an exemplary embodiment, if the reporting requirement further includes target network function network element information for reporting, the measured value is sent to the target network function network element; if the reporting requirement does not include target network function network element information for reporting, the measured value and / or event information is sent to the session management function network element.

[0181] The QoS measurement request sent by the SMF may further include the target NF information for receiving the reported information. If this parameter is included, the UPF will report the measured parameter value (measured value) and / or event information to this target NF; if this parameter is not included, the UPF will report the measured parameter value and / or event information to the SMF. The target NF may be, for example, one or more of the SMF, AF, PCF, NEF, Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), etc.

[0182] Figure 11The flowchart of a network quality parameter measurement method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown. Figure 11 The method provided by the embodiment may be executed by a network device (such as a base station). As Figure 11 shown, the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the following steps.

[0183] In S1110, a quality of service measurement request sent by a session management function network element is received, and the quality of service measurement request includes quality of service detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured.

[0184] In S1120, in response to the quality of service measurement request, relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured is obtained.

[0185] In an exemplary embodiment, the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured include the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group. Among them, obtaining the relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured includes: receiving protocol data units in the protocol data unit group from the user plane function network element, and the first protocol data unit includes first reception time information; recording the fourth reception time information of the last protocol data unit in the received protocol data unit group; calculating the radio interface two-way protocol data unit group transmission delay time between the network device and the terminal device; determining the relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group according to the first reception time information, the fourth reception time information, and the radio interface two-way protocol data unit group transmission delay time.

[0186] In an exemplary embodiment, the method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure further includes: recording the third reception time information of the first protocol data unit in the received protocol data unit group.

[0187] In S1130, the relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured obtained is sent to the user plane function network element.

[0188] Figure 11 For other contents of the embodiment, reference may be made to the above other embodiments.

[0189] As Figure 12 shown, the embodiment of the present disclosure provides a session management function network element 1200, including a processing unit 1210 and a sending unit 1220. The processing unit 1210 is used to generate a quality of service measurement request, and the quality of service measurement request includes quality of service detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured. The sending unit 1220 is used to send the quality of service measurement request to the user plane function network element and the network device respectively.

[0190] In an exemplary embodiment, the session management function network element 1200 further includes a receiving unit, configured to receive, from a policy control function network element, a policy control charging rule including a service quality detection parameter measurement policy, where the service quality detection parameters to be measured in the service quality detection parameter measurement policy include the service quality detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured. The processing unit 1210 is further configured to generate the service quality measurement request according to the policy control charging rule.

[0191] Wherein, the policy control function network element is configured to receive, from an application function network element, a request for measurement value information of service quality detection parameters of an open service data flow, and generate the policy control charging rule according to the request, where the request includes information on service quality detection parameters to be opened, and the service quality detection parameter information includes the service quality detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; or, is configured to generate the policy control charging rule according to the local policy or configuration of the policy control function network element.

[0192] In an exemplary embodiment, the session management function network element 1200 further includes a receiving unit, configured to receive, from an application function network element, a request for measurement value information of service quality detection parameters of an open service data flow, where the request includes information on service quality detection parameters to be opened, and the service quality detection parameter information includes the service quality detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured. The processing unit 1210 is further configured to generate the service quality measurement request according to the request.

[0193] In an exemplary embodiment, the request further includes application function network element identification information and related information of the service data flow.

[0194] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 1210 is further configured to generate the service quality measurement request according to the local configuration of the session management function network element.

[0195] In an exemplary embodiment, the service quality measurement request sent to the user plane function network element further includes a reporting requirement, and the reporting requirement includes a reporting type. When the reporting type is periodic reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a reporting period parameter; when the reporting type is event-triggered reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a threshold value of the service quality detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured.

[0196] In an exemplary embodiment, the reporting requirement further includes target network function network element information for receiving the reported information.

[0197] In an exemplary embodiment, the session management function network element 1200 further includes a receiving unit, configured to receive the measurement values of the service quality detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured reported by the user plane function network element.

[0198] In an exemplary embodiment, the quality of service detection parameter of the protocol data unit group to be measured includes the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group.

[0199] In an exemplary embodiment, the session management function network element 1200 further includes a receiving unit, configured to receive response messages returned by the user plane function network element and the network device respectively. The response message indicates whether the user plane function network element and the network device accept the quality of service measurement request.

[0200] Figure 12 For other contents of the embodiment, reference may be made to the above other embodiments.

[0201] As Figure 13 shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a user plane function network element 1300, including a receiving unit 1310, a processing unit 1320, and a sending unit 1330. The receiving unit 1310 is configured to receive a quality of service measurement request sent by the session management function network element, and the quality of service measurement request includes a quality of service detection parameter of the protocol data unit group to be measured. The processing unit 1320 is configured to respond to the quality of service measurement request and obtain a measurement value of the quality of service detection parameter of the protocol data unit group to be measured. The sending unit 1330 is configured to send the obtained measurement value of the quality of service detection parameter of the protocol data unit group to be measured.

[0202] In an exemplary embodiment, the quality of service detection parameter of the protocol data unit group to be measured includes the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group.

[0203] Wherein, the processing unit 1320 is further configured to add first reception time information of receiving the first protocol data unit to the first protocol data unit of the protocol data unit group when receiving a protocol data unit belonging to the protocol data unit group. The sending unit 1330 is further configured to send the protocol data units in the protocol data unit group to the network device. The receiving unit 1310 is further configured to receive relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group returned by the network device. The processing unit 1320 is further configured to obtain a measurement value of the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group according to the relevant measurement information.

[0204] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 1320 is further configured to add second reception time information of receiving the last protocol data unit to the last protocol data unit of the protocol data unit group.

[0205] In an exemplary embodiment, the quality of service measurement request further includes a reporting requirement, and the reporting requirement includes a reporting type. When the reporting type is periodic reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a reporting period parameter, and the measurement value is sent according to the reporting period parameter; when the reporting type is event-triggered reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a threshold value of the quality of service detection parameter of the protocol data unit group to be measured, and the measurement value and / or event information is sent when the measurement value exceeds and / or is lower than the threshold value.

[0206] In an exemplary embodiment, if the reporting requirement further includes the target network function network element information to be reported, the measurement value and / or event information is sent to the target network function network element; if the reporting requirement does not include the target network function network element information to be reported, the measurement value and / or event information is sent to the session management function network element.

[0207] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 1320 is further configured to determine whether to accept the quality of service measurement request according to the capability information and / or status information of the user plane function network element. The sending unit 1330 is further configured to return a response message to the session management function network element, and the response message includes an indication of accepting or rejecting the quality of service measurement request.

[0208] Figure 13 For other contents of the embodiment, reference may be made to the above other embodiments.

[0209] As Figure 14 shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device 1400, including a receiving unit 1410, a processing unit 1420, and a sending unit 1430. The receiving unit 1410 is configured to receive a quality of service measurement request sent by a session management function network element, and the quality of service measurement request includes quality of service detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured. The processing unit 1420 is configured to respond to the quality of service measurement request and obtain relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured. The sending unit 1430 is configured to send the obtained relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured to a user plane function network element.

[0210] In an exemplary embodiment, the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured include the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group.

[0211] Among them, the receiving unit 1410 is further configured to receive a protocol data unit in the protocol data unit group from the user plane function network element, and the first protocol data unit includes first reception time information. The processing unit 1420 is further configured to record fourth reception time information of the last protocol data unit in the received protocol data unit group; measure a radio air interface two-way protocol data unit group transmission delay time between the network device and the terminal device; and determine relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group according to the first reception time information, the fourth reception time information, and the radio air interface two-way protocol data unit group transmission delay time.

[0212] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing unit 1420 is further configured to record third reception time information of the first protocol data unit in the received protocol data unit group.

[0213] Figure 14 For other contents of the embodiment, reference may be made to the above other embodiments.

[0214] Figure 15 A schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown. The communication device may be a terminal such as a UE, or may be a network device such as a base station, or may also be a PCF network element and / or a NEF network element and / or an AF network element and / or an AMF network element and / or an SMF network element and / or a UPF network element. Figure 15 The shown communication device 1500 includes a processor 1510, and the processor 1510 may call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0215] Optionally, as Figure 15 shown, the communication device 1500 may further include a memory 1520. Among them, the processor 1510 may call and run a computer program from the memory 1520 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0216] Among them, the memory 1520 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1510, or may be integrated in the processor 1510.

[0217] Optionally, as Figure 15 shown, the communication device 1500 may further include a transceiver 1530, and the processor 1510 may control the transceiver 1530 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, the processor 1510 may send information or data to other devices, or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0218] Among them, the transceiver 1530 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 1530 may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0219] Optionally, the communication device 1500 may specifically be various network elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the communication device 1500 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by each network element in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0220] Optionally, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a network device of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the communication device 1500 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0221] Optionally, the communication device 1500 may specifically be a mobile terminal / terminal of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the communication device 1500 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0222] It should be understood that the processor of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps of the above method embodiments may be completed by the integrated logic circuit in the hardware of the processor or by instructions in software form.

[0223] The above-mentioned processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the various methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present disclosure may be directly embodied as being executed and completed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0224] It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include but not be limited to these and any other suitable types of memory. It should be understood that the above memories are by way of example but not limitation.

[0225] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program.

[0226] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0227] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to each network element in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by each network element in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0228] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0229] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer program product, including computer program instructions.

[0230] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0231] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to each network element in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by each network element in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0232] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0233] Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer program.

[0234] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure. When the computer program runs on the computer, it causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the network device in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0235] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to each network element in the embodiments of the present disclosure. When the computer program runs on the computer, it causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by each network element in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0236] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the mobile terminal / terminal in the embodiments of the present disclosure. When the computer program runs on the computer, it causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the mobile terminal / terminal in the various methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein again.

[0237] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians 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 disclosure.

[0238] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be elaborated herein.

[0239] In several embodiments provided by the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed.

[0240] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0241] In addition, in each embodiment of the present disclosure, the functional units can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0242] If the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essence of the technical solution of the present disclosure, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present disclosure. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0243] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure, and all should be covered by the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for measuring network quality parameters, characterized in that The method is executed by a session management function network element, and the method includes: Generating a quality of service measurement request, where the quality of service measurement request includes quality of service detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured; Sending the quality of service measurement request to a user plane function network element and a network device respectively.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Generating a quality of service measurement request, including: Receiving a policy control charging rule containing a quality of service detection parameter measurement policy from a policy control function network element, where the quality of service detection parameters to be measured in the quality of service detection parameter measurement policy include the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; Generating the quality of service measurement request according to the policy control charging rule; Among them, the policy control function network element is used to receive a request for measurement value information of quality of service detection parameters of an open service data stream from an application function network element, and generate the policy control charging rule according to the request, where the request includes information on quality of service detection parameters to be opened, and the quality of service detection parameter information includes the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; or, used to generate the policy control charging rule according to the local policy or configuration of the policy control function network element.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein Generating a quality of service measurement request, including: Receiving a request for measurement value information of quality of service detection parameters of an open service data stream from an application function network element, where the request includes information on quality of service detection parameters to be opened, and the quality of service detection parameter information includes the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; Generating the quality of service measurement request according to the request.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein Generating a quality of service measurement request, including: Generating the quality of service measurement request according to the local configuration of the session management function network element.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The quality of service measurement request sent to the user plane function network element further includes a reporting requirement, and the reporting requirement includes a reporting type; When the reporting type is periodic reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a reporting period parameter; When the reporting type is event-triggered reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a threshold value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Further includes: Receiving the measured value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured reported by the user plane function network element.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured include the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein Further includes: Receiving response messages returned by the user plane function network element and the network device respectively; Among them, the response message indicates whether the user plane function network element and the network device accept the quality of service measurement request.

9. A method for measuring network quality parameters, characterized in that The method is executed by a user plane function network element, and the method includes: Receiving a quality of service measurement request sent by a session management function network element, where the quality of service measurement request includes quality of service detection parameters of a protocol data unit group to be measured; Responding to the quality of service measurement request, and obtaining the measured value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; Sending the obtained measured value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured include the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group; Among them, obtaining the measured value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured includes: When receiving a protocol data unit belonging to the protocol data unit group, adding the first reception time information of receiving the first protocol data unit to the first protocol data unit of the protocol data unit group; Sending the protocol data units in the protocol data unit group to a network device; Receiving the relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group returned by the network device; Obtaining the measured value of the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group according to the relevant measurement information.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein It further includes: Adding the second reception time information of receiving the last protocol data unit to the last protocol data unit of the protocol data unit group.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The quality of service measurement request further includes a reporting requirement, and the reporting requirement includes a reporting type; When the reporting type is periodic reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a reporting period parameter, and the measured value is sent according to the reporting period parameter; When the reporting type is event-triggered reporting, the reporting requirement further includes a threshold value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured, and the measured value and / or event information are sent when the measured value exceeds and / or is lower than the threshold value.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein If the reporting requirement further includes the target network function network element information to be reported, the measured value is sent to the target network function network element; If the reporting requirement does not include the target network function network element information to be reported, the measured value and / or event information are sent to the session management function network element.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein Responding to the quality of service measurement request and obtaining the measured value of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured includes: Determining whether to accept the quality of service measurement request according to the capability information and / or status information of the user plane function network element; Returning a response message to the session management function network element, and the response message includes an indication of accepting or rejecting the quality of service measurement request.

15. A method for measuring network quality parameters, characterized in that, The method is executed by a network device, and the method includes: Receiving a quality of service measurement request sent by a session management function network element, and the quality of service measurement request includes the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; Responding to the quality of service measurement request and obtaining the relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured; Sending the obtained relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured to a user plane function network element.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured include the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group; Among them, obtaining the relevant measurement information of the quality of service detection parameters of the protocol data unit group to be measured includes: Receiving the protocol data units in the protocol data unit group from the user plane function network element, and the first protocol data unit includes the first reception time information; Recording the fourth reception time information of the last protocol data unit received in the protocol data unit group; Measure the transmission delay time of the radio interface bi-directional protocol data unit group between the network device and the terminal device; Determine the relevant measurement information of the transmission delay of the protocol data unit group according to the first reception time information, the fourth reception time information, and the transmission delay time of the radio interface bi-directional protocol data unit group.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein Further includes: Record the third reception time information of the first protocol data unit in the received protocol data unit group.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: One or more processors; A memory configured to store one or more programs, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the communication device to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8; or, The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14; or, The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

19. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program runs on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8; or, The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14; or, The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

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