Content caching method and device, communication equipment, medium and product

Abstract

The invention relates to a content caching method and device, communication equipment, a medium and a product, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method is applied to a network data analysis function NWDAF network element, and comprises the following steps: receiving a policy analysis request sent by a policy control function PCF network element; in response to the policy analysis request, subscribing to cache policy reference data from other network elements in the core network; generating a target caching strategy according to the caching strategy reference data; and according to the target caching strategy, sending a strategy updating instruction to a target user plane function (UPF) network element through the PCF network element, so that the target UPF network element updates own caching content according to the target caching strategy. According to the technical scheme, the cache hit rate and the resource utilization efficiency are remarkably improved, and the supporting capacity of the network for low-delay and high-quality content access requirements is enhanced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a content caching method and device, a communication device, a medium and a product. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the rapid development of Internet applications and the continuous growth of user demand for low-latency and high-quality content access, traditional content delivery networks (CDNs) usually rely on fixed preset caching strategies and passive content update mechanisms for content caching and updating.

[0003] However, the traditional CDN architecture lacks deep cooperation with the core network, which makes the CDN unable to perceive real-time changes in the network and changes in user demand, and further makes the CDN's content caching lack judgment of user behavior models and business difference values, further causing low utilization of cache space and low cache hit rate. SUMMARY

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a content caching method, device, communication device, medium and product to flexibly perceive network changes and user demand changes, so as to improve the utilization of cache space and the cache hit rate.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a content caching method applied to a network data analysis function (NWDAF) network element, comprising:

[0006] receiving a policy analysis request sent by a policy control function (PCF) network element;

[0007] In response to the policy analysis request, subscribing to cache policy reference data from other network elements in the core network;

[0008] generating a target cache policy according to the cache policy reference data;

[0009] According to the target cache policy, sending a policy update instruction to a target user plane function (UPF) network element through the PCF network element, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target cache policy.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cache policy reference data includes content access features; according to the cache policy reference data, the target cache policy is generated, including: determining content evaluation data of at least one candidate content according to the content access features; selecting a target content from the at least one candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content; generating a cache content list in the target cache policy; the cache content list includes the target content.

[0011] In some embodiments, the target content is selected from the at least one candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content, including: determining a content priority of each candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content; and selecting the target content from the at least one candidate content according to the content priority of each candidate content.

[0012] In some embodiments, the network state data in the associated historical period corresponding to the to-be-predicted moment is included in the cache strategy reference data; and the target cache strategy is generated according to the cache strategy reference data, including: determining a target network congestion level in the to-be-predicted moment according to the network state data in the associated historical period; and selecting candidate content matching the target network congestion level to construct a key cache content list in the target cache strategy.

[0013] In some embodiments, the candidate content matching the target network congestion level is selected to construct the key cache content list in the target cache strategy, including: selecting a target service matching the target network congestion level according to a preset correspondence between different network congestion levels and services supported by the content; and constructing the key cache content list in the target cache strategy according to candidate content corresponding to the target service.

[0014] In some embodiments, the terminal location information in the associated historical period corresponding to the to-be-predicted moment is included in the cache strategy reference data; and the target cache strategy is generated according to the cache strategy reference data, including: determining a target terminal location in the to-be-predicted moment according to the terminal location information in the associated historical period; determining cache migration information in the target cache strategy according to the target terminal location; and the cache migration information including a target UPF network element to which the target content belongs and / or a cache validity period of the target content.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a content cache method applied to a PCF network element, including:

[0016] sending a policy analysis request to a NWDAF network element, so that the NWDAF network element generates a target cache strategy according to cache strategy reference data subscribed from other network elements in a core network in response to the policy analysis request;

[0017] receiving the target cache strategy sent by the NWDAF network element, and generating a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache strategy;

[0018] sending the policy update instruction to a target UPF network element according to the target cache strategy, so that the target UPF network element updates cache content according to the target cache strategy.

[0019] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a content cache method applied to a UPF network element, including:

[0020] statistic the hit rate data of the cached content of the content cache device in a preset period;

[0021] in a case where the hit rate data meets the invalidation update condition, send a cache policy update request to a PCF network element, so that the PCF network element, in response to the cache policy update request, sends a policy analysis request to a NWDAF network element;

[0022] the policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target cache policy according to cache policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in a core network; and the target cache policy is used to update the cached content of the target UPF network element.

[0023] In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides a content cache device configured in a NWDAF network element, comprising:

[0024] a first receiving module configured to receive a policy analysis request sent by a policy control function (PCF) network element;

[0025] a first subscribing module configured to subscribe, in response to the policy analysis request, cache policy reference data from other network elements in a core network;

[0026] a first generating module configured to generate a target cache policy according to the cache policy reference data;

[0027] a first sending module configured to send, according to the target cache policy, a policy update instruction to a target user plane function (UPF) network element through the PCF network element, so that the target UPF network element updates the cached content according to the target cache policy.

[0028] In a fifth aspect, the present application further provides a content cache device configured in a PCF network element, comprising:

[0029] a second sending module configured to send a policy analysis request to a NWDAF network element, so that the NWDAF network element, in response to the policy analysis request, generates a target cache policy according to cache policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in a core network;

[0030] a second receiving module configured to receive the target cache policy sent by the NWDAF network element and generate a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache policy;

[0031] the second sending module is further configured to send, according to the target cache policy, the policy update instruction to a target UPF network element, so that the target UPF network element updates the cached content according to the target cache policy.

[0032] In a sixth aspect, the present application further provides a content cache device applied to a UPF network element, comprising:

[0033] a statistical module configured to statistically record the hit rate data of the cached content of the content cache device in a preset period;

[0034] The third sending module is configured to, in a case where the hit rate data satisfies the invalidation update condition, send a cache policy update request to a PCF network element, so that the PCF network element sends a policy analysis request to a NWDAF network element in response to the cache policy update request;

[0035] The policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target cache policy according to cache policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; and the target cache policy is used to update the self cache content of the target UPF network element.

[0036] In a seventh aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, which comprises a memory, a transceiver and a processor, the memory stores a computer program, the transceiver is configured to receive or send data under the control of the processor, and the processor implements the steps of the method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect when executing the computer program.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program implements the steps of the method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect when executed by a processor.

[0038] In a ninth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program, and the computer program implements the steps of the method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect when executed by a processor.

[0039] The above content cache method, device, communication device, medium and product achieve deep coupling between the native cache function of the NWDAF network element and the UPF network element by receiving the policy analysis request of the PCF network element, and generating and issuing the target cache policy by subscribing to the cache policy reference data from other network elements in the core network, thereby constructing a content distribution closed loop of dynamically sensing cache policy reference data, intelligently deciding a target cache policy and accurately sending a policy update instruction, significantly improving cache hit rate and resource utilization efficiency, and enhancing the support capability of the network for low-latency and high-quality content access demand.

[0040] In addition, the PCF network element sends the policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element, triggers intelligent analysis of the NWDAF based on multi-dimensional data in the core network, generates a dynamically optimized target cache policy, and finally drives the UPF network element to accurately update the cache content, thereby significantly improving cache hit rate and resource utilization, and further reducing hardware deployment, operation and maintenance and bandwidth costs through reuse of infrastructure and automatic policy adjustment.

[0041] Further, the UPF network element periodically counts cache hit rate data, and initiates a policy update process when the hit rate decreases or fails, thereby realizing adaptive optimization of cache performance: when the cache efficiency is detected to decrease (e.g., the hit rate does not meet the standard), the system automatically requests the NWDAF to generate a dynamic cache policy based on multi-dimensional data (user behavior, network state, etc.), and drives the UPF to accurately adjust the cache content. This closed-loop mechanism significantly improves the utilization rate of cache resources, avoids resource waste caused by static policies, and further reduces bandwidth costs by reducing invalid cache and back-end requests. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1 A flowchart of a content caching method provided for an embodiment is shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] Figure 2 A flowchart of a step of generating a target cache policy provided for an embodiment is shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] Figure 3 A flowchart of a step of generating a target cache policy provided for another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3.

[0045] Figure 4 A flowchart of a step of generating a target cache policy provided for another embodiment is shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] Figure 5 A flowchart of a content caching method provided for another embodiment is shown in FIG. 5.

[0047] Figure 6 A flowchart of a content caching method provided for another embodiment is shown in FIG. 6.

[0048] Figure 7A A flowchart of a content caching method provided for another embodiment is shown in FIG. 7.

[0049] Figure 7B A flowchart of a content caching method provided for another embodiment is shown in FIG. 8.

[0050] Figure 7C A flowchart of a content caching method provided for another embodiment is shown in FIG. 9.

[0051] Figure 8A A block diagram of a content caching device provided for an embodiment is shown in FIG. 10.

[0052] Figure 8B A block diagram of a content caching device provided for another embodiment is shown in FIG. 11.

[0053] Figure 8C A block diagram of a content caching device provided for another embodiment is shown in FIG. 12.

[0054] Figure 9Fig. 1 is a diagram of an internal structure of a communication device in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and should not be used to limit the present application.

[0056] In order to facilitate understanding, first, the communication terms involved in the present application are introduced.

[0057] AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) is used to perform registration, connection, reachability and mobility management, provide a session management message transmission channel for user equipment (User Equipment, UE) and session management function (Session Management Function, SMF), and provide authentication and authorization functions when the user accesses the terminal and the core network access control plane access point.

[0058] CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a distributed network architecture that caches website, video, software download and other content to a location closer to the user by deploying edge servers (nodes) globally, thereby accelerating access speed and reducing source station load.

[0059] NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function) is used to collect, analyze data and provide valuable insights to service providers. NWDAF can intelligently determine the user service experience state and trigger network side protection, thereby playing a key role in protecting user experience and optimizing the network.

[0060] OAM (Operation Administration and Maintenance) refers to the actual needs of network operation of the operator, and the management of the network is usually divided into three categories, namely operation (Operation), management (Administration) and maintenance (Maintenance).

[0061] PCF (Policy Control Function) is responsible for dynamically formulating and managing network policies to ensure that business requirements (such as low latency and high bandwidth) match network resource allocation.

[0062] SMF (Session Management Function, session management function), responsible for interaction with the separated user plane, establishment, modification, release of session, IP address allocation and management, etc.

[0063] TTL (Time To Live, time to live), is the core control parameter of content caching, indicating the effective storage time length of cached content in the edge node, with the unit of second / millisecond, and the traditional CDN adopts fixed TTL.

[0064] UPF (User plane Function, user plane function), including routing and forwarding of user data packets, data interaction with external data network (Data Network, DN), quality of service (Quality of Service, QoS) processing of user plane, flow control rule implementation (such as gating, redirection, traffic steering) and the like.

[0065] URL (Uniform Resource Locator), is a string uniquely identifying and locating resources on the Internet.

[0066] Referring to Figure 1 The content caching method shown in the figure is applied to the NWDAF network element, and includes the following steps:

[0067] S110, receiving a policy analysis request sent by a policy control function PCF network element.

[0068] The policy analysis request can be understood as a message sent by a network entity (such as a PCF network element) to a NWDAF network element with network data analysis function, for requesting to generate dynamic optimization policy (such as caching policy, resource allocation policy) based on specific network state, user behavior or service demand data.

[0069] In some embodiments, the PCF network element acquires the service identifier of the locally stored policy analysis service; according to the service identifier, the policy analysis request is generated and sent to the NWDAF network element; the NWDAF network element receives the policy analysis request sent by the PCF network element.

[0070] S120, in response to the policy analysis request, subscribing to cache policy reference data from other network elements in the core network.

[0071] The core network can be understood as the central network portion of a communication network that undertakes key functions such as data transmission, signaling processing, user management, and billing. It is responsible for connecting the access network with other networks and implementing user data routing and control. Other network elements can be understood as independent functional devices or nodes (such as base stations, routers, servers, etc.) in the core network of the communication network, excluding the NWDAF network element. These elements are capable of performing specific transmission, switching, or processing tasks and interact with the core network through interfaces. Optionally, network elements in the core network may include at least one of the following: NWDAF network element, UPF network element, SMF network element, PCF network element, and OAM network element.

[0072] In this context, subscription can be understood as a method in network management where other network elements send requests to the policy control function network element to obtain dynamically updated policies or data, thereby achieving automated adaptation of resource configuration.

[0073] The caching strategy reference data can be understood as reference data used to guide caching decisions. Optionally, the caching strategy reference data may include at least one of the following: content access characteristics, user behavior profiles, network status data, and terminal location information at historical moments. For example, content access characteristics may include at least one of the following: real-time hit counts of each cache item and access trajectories of hot content; user behavior profiles may include at least one of the following: user access business characteristics (business type, content URL, frequency and traffic characteristics, etc.) and business experience (packet loss rate, latency jitter, etc.); network status data may include at least one of the following: UPF network element central processing unit (CPU) utilization, memory usage, and network bandwidth utilization.

[0074] Optionally, in response to a policy analysis request, the NWDAF network element may subscribe to cached policy reference data from other network elements in the core network in the following ways: It may subscribe to content access characteristics, user behavior profiles, and network status data from the UPF network element in the core network. Alternatively, it may subscribe to terminal location information from the OAM network element in the core network. It may also subscribe to content-level access characteristics, user-level behavior profiles, and network-level load status from the UPF network element in the core network, and / or subscribe to historical terminal location information from the OAM network element in the core network. There are various ways to subscribe to cached policy reference data from other network elements in the core network, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0075] S130: Generate the target caching strategy based on the caching strategy reference data.

[0076] The target cache strategy can be understood as a cache resource allocation and content management rule defined in advance according to a network state, user demand or service characteristics, and is used to guide the UPF network element to optimize data storage, update and delivery mode, so as to achieve the specific target of reducing transmission delay, improving access efficiency or saving network bandwidth.

[0077] Optionally, the target cache strategy is generated according to the cache strategy reference data in the following ways: the target cache strategy containing a target content list of the target content that the user is likely to be interested in at a future time is generated according to the content access characteristics and user behavior portrait; the target cache strategy containing a key cache content list matched with the network congestion level at a future time is generated according to the network congestion level predicted according to the network level load state; and the target cache strategy containing the target UPF network element to which the target terminal location belongs is generated according to the target terminal location predicted according to the terminal location information at a historical time. It should be noted that each optional implementation of generating the target cache strategy according to the cache strategy reference data can only implement one optional implementation, or multiple optional implementations can be implemented in parallel. The way of generating the target cache strategy according to the cache strategy reference data is various, and the embodiment does not limit the way.

[0078] In S140, the PCF network element sends a policy update instruction to the target user plane function UPF network element according to the target cache strategy, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target cache strategy.

[0079] The policy update instruction can be understood as an instruction issued by the PCF network element for dynamically adjusting the cache configuration parameters in the UPF network element, containing cache rule modification, content replacement strategy or resource allocation priority, and is used to optimize the cache performance to adapt to the real-time network demand. The self cache content can be understood as the data set currently stored in the UPF network element, including files, video streams, application data, etc., and the content composition, update frequency and storage location are determined by the cache strategy (such as popular content preloading and unpopular data elimination), which directly affects the terminal access efficiency and network load.

[0080] In some embodiments, the NWDAF network element sends the target cache strategy to the PCF network element; the PCF network element generates a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache strategy in response to the target cache strategy, and sends the policy update instruction to the target UPF network element; and the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target cache strategy.

[0081] The above content caching method realizes deep coupling between the network data analysis function NWDAF network element and the native caching function corresponding to the user plane function UPF network element by receiving a policy analysis request of the PCF network element and generating and delivering a target caching policy by subscribing to caching policy reference data from other network elements of the core network, constructs a content distribution closed loop of dynamically sensing caching policy reference data, intelligently deciding a target caching policy, and accurately sending a policy update instruction, and significantly improves the caching hit rate and resource utilization efficiency and enhances the support capability of the network for low-latency and high-quality content access requirements.

[0082] Figure 2 A flowchart for generating a target caching policy in an embodiment is shown. In the case of including content access features in the caching policy reference data, the embodiment refines the target caching policy generation step S130 as follows:

[0083] S210, determining content evaluation data of at least one candidate content according to the content access features.

[0084] The candidate content can be understood as a potential content set that is included in the evaluation range and may be selected for storage or replacement, including but not limited to files, videos, application data, etc., and the selection is based on preset conditions such as user access patterns, content popularity, or business requirements. The content evaluation data can be understood as multi-dimensional index data for quantitatively evaluating the value of the candidate content, and can include at least one of the evaluation data such as access frequency, user stay time, transmission bandwidth occupation, and content update period.

[0085] In some embodiments, based on the trained content evaluation model, for each candidate content, the content evaluation data of the corresponding candidate content is determined according to the content access features. For example, the content access features and the candidate content are input into the content evaluation model, and the content evaluation model can generate content evaluation data according to the matching degree between the candidate content and the content access features. The content evaluation model can be at least one of a machine learning model, a deep learning model, and a reinforcement learning model, or can also be a large language model, etc., and the embodiment does not limit this.

[0086] Further, in the process of determining the content evaluation data of the candidate content, the embodiment can consider the user behavior portrait in addition to the content access feature, so as to further improve the rationality and accuracy of the content evaluation data of the candidate content. For example, according to the content access feature and the user behavior portrait, the content evaluation data of at least one candidate content is determined, that is, according to the content access feature, the access evaluation data of the candidate content is determined; and according to the user behavior portrait, the behavior trend evaluation data of the candidate content is determined; according to the access evaluation data and the behavior trend evaluation data, the content evaluation data of the corresponding candidate content is determined. The access evaluation data can be understood as quantitative data for evaluating the access value of the candidate content at a future time; the behavior trend evaluation data can be understood as quantitative data for evaluating the possibility of triggering the corresponding candidate content by the user.

[0087] S220, selecting the target content from the at least one candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content.

[0088] In an optional embodiment, for each candidate content, the content evaluation score of the candidate content is determined according to the content evaluation data of the candidate content; and the candidate content with a content evaluation score greater than a preset score threshold is selected as the target content.

[0089] In another optional embodiment, the content priority of each candidate content is determined according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content; and the target content is selected from the at least one candidate content according to the content priority of each candidate content. The advantage of this setting is that by quantitatively evaluating the content evaluation data of the candidate content and determining the priority, the target content with the highest value for the current network environment and user demand can be scientifically and dynamically screened out, so that the high-priority content is preferentially cached, the utilization rate of the cache resource and the user access efficiency are effectively improved, and the redundant storage of inefficient content is further reduced.

[0090] For example, for each candidate content, the content priority of the corresponding candidate content is determined according to the content evaluation data of the candidate content; and the candidate contents are sorted in descending order of the content priority, and the candidate contents in the front of the order are selected as the target content.

[0091] For example, the content priority of the corresponding candidate content is determined according to the content evaluation data in the following manner: the content evaluation data matching the content evaluation data is found from a preset content priority table; or the content evaluation score matching the candidate content is determined according to the content evaluation data of the candidate content; and the content priority corresponding to the score interval to which the content evaluation score belongs is determined as the content priority of the corresponding candidate content.

[0092] S230, generate a cache content list in the target cache strategy.

[0093] The cache content list can be understood as a list for storing cache content, and the target content is included in the cache content list. Optionally, the cache content list can have various types, such as an added cache content list, a deleted cache content list, and a preloaded cache content list.

[0094] Optionally, the way of generating the cache content list in the target cache strategy can include at least one of the following: generating an added cache content list according to the target content; generating a deleted cache content list according to the to-be-deleted content; and generating a preloaded cache content list according to the preloaded content. The to-be-deleted content can be historical cache content that has been cached in advance but does not match the content access characteristics of the user and / or the user behavior portrait, such as content with low popularity, no longer being a point of interest of the user, or not belonging to a high-frequency access type of the user, and the like. The preloaded content can be data that has a high probability of being requested by the user in the future, so that the content can be directly displayed after the user performs page switching.

[0095] It should be noted that in addition to generating the cache content list in the target cache strategy, the embodiment can also generate an updated time to live (TTL) in the target cache strategy according to the business characteristics and the user behavior portrait. For example, the TTL of a live event is taken as an example for illustration. In the pre-match warm-up stage (such as 2 hours before the match), the TTL of static content such as event previews, participating team / player information, and the like is updated to a long period (such as 24 hours); during the match, the TTL of dynamic content such as scores and highlights is updated to a short period (such as 1-5 minutes); in the post-match review stage (such as within 1 hour after the match), the TTL of content such as event highlights and statistical data is updated to a medium period (such as 30 minutes-2 hours), and the like. The specific way of generating the updated TTL in the target cache strategy is not limited in this embodiment.

[0096] In this embodiment, by quantitatively evaluating the value of the candidate content based on the content access characteristics, the target content that meets the user demand and the network efficiency requirement can be accurately screened out, and the cache list containing the optimal content is generated accordingly, thereby effectively improving the cache hit rate, reducing the backhaul traffic, reducing the transmission delay, and further optimizing the storage resource utilization.

[0097] Figure 3 A flowchart of the step of generating the target cache strategy in one embodiment is shown. In the case where the cache strategy reference data includes network state data in the associated historical period corresponding to the to-be-predicted moment, the embodiment refines the target cache strategy generation step of S130, including the following steps:

[0098] S310, determine the target network congestion level at the to-be-predicted time according to the network state data in the associated historical period.

[0099] The target network congestion level can be understood as a quantitative index obtained by dividing the current load state of the network into different levels (such as low, medium, high, and severe congestion) according to key indicators such as the delay, packet loss rate, and throughput of data packets in the network transmission process, and is used to quantify the degree of network resource shortage. Optionally, the target network congestion level can include at least one of a light congestion level and a heavy congestion level.

[0100] Optionally, the way to determine the target network congestion level at the to-be-predicted time according to the network state data in the associated historical period can be: selecting a network congestion level that matches the network state data in the associated historical period from a preset network congestion level table as the target network congestion level at the to-be-predicted time. Alternatively, inputting the network state data in the associated historical period into a trained congestion level prediction model, and using the congestion level prediction model to predict the network congestion level at the to-be-predicted time as the target network congestion level. Optionally, the congestion level prediction model can be trained based on at least one of a long short-term memory (LSTM), a time sequence attention model (Transformer), and a gated recurrent unit (GRU).

[0101] S320, select candidate content matching the target network congestion level to construct a key cache content list in the target cache strategy.

[0102] The key cache content list can be understood as a set of key data that needs to be stored in priority, which is pre-screened and explicitly identified according to the business priority, user access frequency, data timeliness, or system performance requirement.

[0103] In an optional embodiment, candidate content matching the target network congestion level is selected from a pre-set cache content table, and a key cache content list in the target cache strategy is constructed according to the candidate content.

[0104] In another alternative embodiment, according to a preset correspondence between different network congestion levels and content supported services, a target service matching the target network congestion level is selected; and according to the candidate content corresponding to the target service, a key cache content list in the target cache strategy is constructed. The advantage of this setting is that through the mapping relationship between the preset network congestion level and the service type, the target service that needs to be preferentially guaranteed under the current network congestion state can be accurately identified, and the key candidate content supporting these services is screened out to construct the key cache list, so that the smooth running of high-value services is preferentially guaranteed when the resources are limited, the cache hit rate is effectively improved, and the network resource allocation efficiency is further improved.

[0105] For example, a mapping relationship between different network congestion levels and target services is constructed in advance; according to the target network congestion level, a target service matching the target network congestion level is selected, and the content supporting the target service is taken as candidate content; and according to the candidate content, a key cache content list in the target cache strategy is constructed. For example, for a severe congestion level, a target service (such as P0 level service) matching the severe congestion level can be selected, and according to the candidate content corresponding to the target service, a key cache content list in the target cache strategy is constructed. For a mild congestion level, a target service (such as real-time content) matching the mild congestion level can be selected, and according to the candidate content corresponding to the target service, a key cache content list in the target cache strategy is constructed.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the target network congestion level at the to-be-predicted time is accurately predicted by analyzing the historical period network state data, and the candidate content matching the current network congestion condition is dynamically screened out to construct the key cache content list, thereby effectively improving the cache resource utilization rate, preferentially guaranteeing the fast access of high-demand content under the congested network, reducing the transmission delay and lag, and further reducing the overall network load.

[0107] Figure 4 A flowchart for generating a target cache strategy in an embodiment is shown. In the case where the terminal location information in the associated historical period corresponding to the to-be-predicted time is included in the cache strategy reference data, the target cache strategy generation step of S130 in the above embodiment is refined, including the following steps:

[0108] S410, according to the terminal location information in the associated historical period, the target position of the terminal at the predicted time is determined.

[0109] In some embodiments, based on the pre-trained position prediction model, the terminal position information in the associated historical period is input into the position prediction model, and the position prediction model predicts the target position of the terminal at the prediction time. Optionally, the position prediction model can be at least one of a Spatio-Temporal Graph Convolutional Network (ST-GCN), a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and a Transformer-based Sequence Model.

[0110] S420, determining the cache migration information in the target cache strategy according to the target position of the terminal.

[0111] The cache migration information can be understood as relevant metadata and state information of the transfer of cache data from the original storage device (such as a source server or node) to the target device (such as another server or edge node). The cache migration information can include at least one of the target content, the target UPF network element to which the target content belongs, and the cache validity period of the target content.

[0112] In some embodiments, due to the change of the target position of the terminal, the UPF network element to which the target position of the terminal belongs may be different from the UPF network element to which the terminal position in the associated historical period belongs. Therefore, the present embodiment can determine the target UPF network element to which the target content in the target cache strategy belongs according to the target UPF network element to which the target position of the terminal belongs.

[0113] In some embodiments, due to the different change rates and stay times of the target position of the terminal, the update frequency and validity period of the cache content may be different. Therefore, the present embodiment can also determine the terminal moving rate and the terminal stay time according to the target position of the terminal; and generate the cache validity period of the target content in the target cache strategy according to the terminal moving rate and the terminal stay time.

[0114] It should be noted that the present embodiment can determine only the target UPF network element to which the target content belongs according to the target position of the terminal, or can determine only the cache validity period of the target content according to the target position of the terminal; or can determine the target UPF network element to which the target content belongs and the cache validity period of the target content simultaneously according to the target position of the terminal. The specific determination manner of the cache migration information is not limited in the present embodiment.

[0115] In the above embodiments, the target terminal position at a future time is accurately predicted by associating historical terminal position data, and a cache migration strategy is dynamically planned based thereon, and the target UPF network element to which the target content should be migrated and the cache validity period are determined, so that seamless switching and on-demand allocation of cache resources are realized during terminal movement, content acquisition delay is effectively reduced, repeated downloading or cache redundancy is avoided, network edge resource utilization is further optimized, and network transmission efficiency in a mobile scenario is improved.

[0116] The above optional embodiments take the NWDAF network element as the execution subject, and the content caching process is described in detail to construct a content distribution closed loop of dynamically sensing cache strategy reference data, intelligently deciding a target cache strategy, and accurately sending a strategy update instruction, thereby enhancing the support capability of the network for low-latency and high-quality content access requirements. In the following, the content caching process and performance are described in detail with the PCF network element as the execution subject.

[0117] Referring to Figure 5 The content caching method belongs to the technical field of the PCF network element, and comprises the following steps.

[0118] S510, a strategy analysis request is sent to the NWDAF network element, so that the NWDAF network element generates a target cache strategy according to cache strategy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network in response to the strategy analysis request.

[0119] In some embodiments, the PCF network element acquires a service identifier of a strategy analysis service stored locally; generates a strategy analysis request according to the service identifier, and sends the strategy analysis request to the NWDAF network element; and the NWDAF network element receives and responds to the strategy analysis request, and generates a target cache strategy according to cache strategy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network.

[0120] Optionally, the PCF network element can periodically acquire the service identifier of the strategy analysis service, thereby generating and sending a strategy analysis request to the NWDAF network element; or in the case that the PCF network element has a cache strategy update requirement, the service identifier of the strategy analysis service is acquired, thereby generating and sending a strategy analysis request to the NWDAF network element.

[0121] For example, the case that the PCF network element has a cache strategy update requirement can include at least one of the following: the PCF network element responds to a cache strategy update request sent by the UPF network element; and the PCF network element responds to a cache strategy update request triggered by itself.

[0122] S520, the target cache strategy sent by the NWDAF network element is received, and a strategy update instruction corresponding to the target cache strategy is generated.

[0123] The policy update instruction can be understood as a command or message for dynamically modifying, adjusting, or replacing the current execution policy.

[0124] In some embodiments, the PCF network element receives a target cache policy sent by the NWDAF network element; and generates a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache policy according to the target cache policy.

[0125] In some embodiments, the PCF network element receives a target cache policy sent by the NWDAF network element; and generates a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache policy according to the target cache policy.

[0126] Optionally, the PCF network element can directly send the policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache policy to the target UPF network element, or the PCF network element can send the policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache policy to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element can send the policy update instruction to the target UPF network element.

[0127] For example, the target UPF network element can update its own cache content according to the target cache policy in at least one of the following ways: updating the target UPF network element's own cache content according to the cache content list in the target cache policy; adding the content in the focus cache content list to the target UPF network element's own cache content according to the focus cache content list in the target cache policy; and updating the target UPF network element's own cache content according to the cache migration information in the target cache policy.

[0128] For example, when the cache content list is a new cache content list, the target content in the new cache content list is added to the target UPF network element; when the cache content list is a delete cache content list, the content to be deleted in the delete cache content list is deleted from the target UPF network element's own cache content; when the cache content list is a preloaded cache content list, the preloaded content in the preloaded cache content list is added to the target UPF network element's own cache content; and when the cache migration information is the cache validity period of the target content, the cache validity period of the target UPF network element's own cache content is updated.

[0129] In the above embodiments, the PCF network element sends a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element, triggers the NWDAF to perform intelligent analysis based on core network multi-dimensional data, generates a dynamically optimized target cache policy, and finally drives the UPF network element to accurately update the cache content, significantly improving the cache hit rate and resource utilization, and further reducing the hardware deployment, operation and maintenance, and bandwidth costs through reuse of infrastructure and automatic policy adjustment.

[0130] The above optional embodiments take the NWDAF network element or the PCF network element as the execution subject, and specifically describe the content caching process to construct a content distribution closed loop of dynamically perceived caching strategy reference data, intelligent decision target caching strategy, and accurate sending strategy update instruction, thereby enhancing the support capability of the network for low latency and high quality content access requirements. The following will take the UPF network element as the execution subject to specifically describe the content caching process and performance.

[0131] Referring to Figure 6 The content caching method belongs to the technical field of the UPF network element, and comprises the following steps:

[0132] S610, statistics of the hit rate data of the cached content in the preset period.

[0133] The hit rate data can be understood as the proportion of the number of triggered cached content to the total number of requests in the preset period, and is usually presented in percentage form.

[0134] In some embodiments, the UPF network element pulls the target cached content from the target source station according to the preset caching strategy for caching; in response to the statistics request, the number of triggered content in the cached content in the preset period is counted; and the hit rate data of the cached content in the preset period is determined according to the ratio between the number of content and the total amount of corresponding content of the cached content.

[0135] For example, the preset caching strategy in this embodiment can be stored locally in the UPF network element, or can be sent to the UPF network element by the PCF network element through the SMF network element, that is, the PCF network element sends a caching request corresponding to the preset caching strategy to the SMF network element; and the SMF network element sends the caching request corresponding to the preset caching strategy to the UPF network element. The caching request corresponding to the preset caching strategy carries at least one of user demand and operator configuration demand; the preset caching strategy can include cached content URL, caching time TTL, source station Internet Protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) / domain name, allowed maximum number of concurrent connections, and service priority, etc.; the service priority is related to service urgency and demand amount, etc., and the service with high service priority will be responded in this embodiment. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the length of time when the cached content exists in the UPF network element will affect the utilization rate of the cache space, therefore, if there is no access for a preset length of time (24 hours), the corresponding cached content can be deleted.

[0136] S620, in the case that the hit rate data meets the invalidation update condition, a caching strategy update request is sent to the PCF network element, so that the PCF network element sends a strategy analysis request to the NWDAF network element in response to the caching strategy update request.

[0137] The policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target cache policy according to cache policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; and the target cache policy is used to update the self cache content of the target UPF network element.

[0138] In some embodiments, it is determined whether the hit rate data meets the invalidation update condition; in the case that the hit rate data meets the invalidation update condition, a cache policy update request is sent to the PCF network element, so that the PCF network element sends a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element in response to the cache policy update request; and in the case that the hit rate data does not meet the invalidation update condition, the current cache policy is maintained.

[0139] For example, the manner of determining that the hit rate data meets the invalidation update condition can include at least one of the following: in a first preset period (such as 1h), the hit rate data is less than a preset hit rate threshold (60%); and in a second preset period (such as 24h), a decrease ratio of the hit rate data exceeds a preset change threshold (20%).

[0140] In the above embodiments, the UPF network element periodically counts the cache hit rate data, and actively triggers a policy update process when the hit rate decreases or becomes invalid, so as to realize adaptive optimization of cache performance: when it is detected that the cache efficiency is reduced (such as the hit rate is not up to standard), the system automatically requests the NWDAF to generate a dynamic cache policy based on multi-dimensional data (user behavior, network state, etc.), so as to drive the UPF to accurately adjust the cache content. This closed-loop mechanism significantly improves the cache resource utilization rate, avoids resource waste caused by a static policy, and further reduces bandwidth costs by reducing invalid cache and back-to-source requests.

[0141] On the basis of the technical solutions in the above embodiments, the present application further provides an optional embodiment, in which the communication process between devices under a network system architecture is described from the perspective of multi-party interaction.

[0142] Referring to Figure 7A The content cache method shown in the figure comprises:

[0143] S701A, the UPF network element counts hit rate data of self cached content in a preset period.

[0144] S702A, the UPF network element sends a cache policy update request to the PCF network element in the case that the hit rate data meets the invalidation update condition.

[0145] S703A, the PCF network element sends a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element in response to the cache policy update request.

[0146] The policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target cache policy according to cache policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; and the target cache policy is used to update the self cache content of the target UPF network element.

[0147] In S704A, the NWDAF network element subscribes cache policy reference data from other network elements in the core network in response to the policy analysis request.

[0148] In S705A, the NWDAF network element determines content evaluation data of at least one candidate content according to the content access feature in the cache policy reference data.

[0149] In S706A, the NWDAF network element determines content priority of each candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content.

[0150] In S707A, the NWDAF network element selects a target content from the at least one candidate content according to the content priority of each candidate content.

[0151] In S708A, the NWDAF network element generates a cache content list in the target cache policy.

[0152] The cache content list includes the target content.

[0153] In S709A, the NWDAF network element sends the target cache policy to the PCF network element.

[0154] In S710A, the PCF network element receives the target cache policy sent by the NWDAF network element, and generates a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache policy.

[0155] In S711A, the PCF network element sends the policy update instruction to the target UPF network element according to the target cache policy.

[0156] On the basis of the technical solutions of the above-mentioned embodiments, the present application further provides an optional embodiment, which details the communication process between devices under the network system architecture from the perspective of multi-party interaction.

[0157] Referring to the content caching method shown in Figure 7B The content caching method comprises the following steps.

[0158] In S701B, the UPF network element statistics hit rate data of the self cached content in a preset period.

[0159] In S702B, the UPF network element sends a cache policy update request to the PCF network element when the hit rate data meets the invalid update condition.

[0160] S703B, the PCF network element sends a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element in response to the cache policy update request.

[0161] The policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target cache policy according to cache policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network.

[0162] The target cache policy is used to update the self cache content of the target UPF network element.

[0163] S704B, the NWDAF network element subscribes cache policy reference data from other network elements in the core network in response to the policy analysis request.

[0164] S705B, the NWDAF network element determines a target network congestion level at a to-be-predicted time according to network state data in a historical time period associated with the to-be-predicted time in the cache policy reference data.

[0165] S706B, the NWDAF network element selects a target service matching the target network congestion level according to a preset correspondence between different network congestion levels and services supported by content.

[0166] S707B, the NWDAF network element constructs a key cache content list in the target cache policy according to candidate content corresponding to the target service.

[0167] S708B, the NWDAF network element sends the target cache policy to the PCF network element.

[0168] S709B, the PCF network element receives the target cache policy sent by the NWDAF network element, and generates a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache policy.

[0169] S710B, the PCF network element sends the policy update instruction to the target UPF network element according to the target cache policy.

[0170] On the basis of the technical solutions of the above embodiments, the present application further provides an optional embodiment, in which the communication process between devices under a network system architecture is described from the perspective of multi-party interaction.

[0171] Referring to Figure 7C The content cache method includes:

[0172] S701C, the UPF network element statistics hit rate data of the content cached by itself in a preset period.

[0173] S702C, the UPF network element sends a cache policy update request to the PCF network element when the hit rate data meets the invalidation update condition.

[0174] S703C, the PCF network element sends a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element in response to the cache policy update request.

[0175] The policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target cache policy according to cache policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; and the target cache policy is used to update the self cache content of the target UPF network element.

[0176] S704C, the NWDAF network element subscribes cache policy reference data from other network elements in the core network in response to the policy analysis request.

[0177] S705C, the NWDAF network element determines a target location of a terminal at a prediction time according to terminal location information in a historical time period associated with the prediction time in the cache policy reference data.

[0178] S706C, the NWDAF network element determines cache migration information in the target cache policy according to the target location of the terminal.

[0179] The cache migration information includes a target UPF network element to which target content belongs and / or a cache validity period of the target content.

[0180] S707C, the NWDAF network element sends the target cache policy to the PCF network element.

[0181] S708C, the PCF network element receives the target cache policy sent by the NWDAF network element, and generates a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache policy.

[0182] S709C, the PCF network element sends the policy update instruction to the target UPF network element according to the target cache policy.

[0183] It should be understood that although each step in the flowchart involved in each of the above embodiments is displayed in sequence according to the arrow, these steps are not necessarily executed in sequence according to the arrow. Unless otherwise stated herein, the execution of these steps is not strictly limited in sequence, and these steps can be executed in other sequences. Moreover, at least part of the steps in the flowchart involved in each of the above embodiments can include multiple steps or multiple stages, which are not necessarily executed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and the execution sequence of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be executed in rotation or alternation with at least part of other steps or steps or stages in other steps.

[0184] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiments of the present application also provide a content caching device for implementing the above-mentioned content caching method. The implementation scheme for solving the problem provided by the device is similar to the implementation scheme described in the above method, so the specific limitations in one or more content caching device embodiments provided below can refer to the limitations of the content caching method in the foregoing, which will not be described here again.

[0185] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 8A A content caching device is provided, configured in a NWDAF network element, comprising a first receiving module 810A, a first subscription module 820A, a first generating module 830A and a first sending module 840A. Among them,

[0186] The first receiving module 810A is configured to receive a policy analysis request sent by a policy control function (PCF) network element;

[0187] The first subscription module 820A is configured to subscribe to cache policy reference data from other network elements in the core network in response to the policy analysis request;

[0188] The first generating module 830A is configured to generate a target cache policy according to the cache policy reference data;

[0189] The first sending module 840A is configured to send a policy update instruction to a target user plane function (UPF) network element through the PCF network element according to the target cache policy, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target cache policy.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first generating module 830A further comprises: a content determining unit configured to determine content evaluation data of at least one candidate content according to the content access feature; a content selecting unit configured to select a target content from the at least one candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content; and a content generating unit configured to generate a cache content list in the target cache policy, wherein the cache content list includes the target content.

[0191] In some embodiments, the content selecting unit is specifically configured to determine a content priority of each candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content; and select a target content from the at least one candidate content according to the content priority of each candidate content.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first generating module 830A further comprises: a level determining unit configured to determine a target network congestion level at a to-be-predicted time according to network state data in an associated historical period; and a list building unit configured to select a candidate content matching the target network congestion level and build a key cache content list in the target cache policy.

[0193] In some embodiments, the list construction unit is specifically configured to: select a target service matched with the target network congestion level according to a preset correspondence between different network congestion levels and services supported by the content; and construct a list of key cache contents in the target cache strategy according to candidate contents corresponding to the target service.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first generation module 830A is specifically configured to: determine a target position of the terminal at the prediction time according to the terminal position information in the association history period; determine cache migration information in the target cache strategy according to the target position of the terminal; and the cache migration information includes a target UPF network element to which the target content belongs and / or a cache validity period of the target content.

[0195] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 8B a content cache device configured in a PCF network element is provided, which includes a second sending module 810B, a second receiving module 820B, and a second sending module 830B. Among them,

[0196] The second sending module 810B is configured to send a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element, so that the NWDAF network element generates a target cache strategy according to cache strategy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network in response to the policy analysis request;

[0197] The second receiving module 820B is configured to receive the target cache strategy sent by the NWDAF network element, and generate a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache strategy;

[0198] The second sending module 830B is further configured to send the policy update instruction to the target UPF network element according to the target cache strategy, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target cache strategy.

[0199] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 8C a content cache device configured in a UPF network element is provided, which includes a statistical module 810C and a third sending module 820C. Among them,

[0200] The statistical module 810C is configured to count hit rate data of its own cached content in a preset period;

[0201] The third sending module 820C is configured to send a cache strategy update request to the PCF network element in the case that the hit rate data meets the invalidation update condition, so that the PCF network element sends a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element in response to the cache strategy update request; the policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target cache strategy according to cache strategy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; and the target cache strategy is used to update its own cache content of the target UPF network element.

[0202] The modules in the content cache device can be implemented by software, hardware, and combinations thereof, in whole or in part. The modules can be embedded in or independent of a processor in the communication device in hardware form, or stored in a memory in the communication device in software form, so as to be invoked and executed by the processor to perform operations corresponding to the modules.

[0203] In an embodiment, a communication device, which can be a server, has an internal structure diagram as shown in Figure 9 The communication device includes a processor, a memory, a network interface, and a transceiver connected by a system bus. The processor of the communication device is configured to provide computing and control capabilities. The memory of the communication device includes a non-volatile storage medium and an internal memory. The transceiver of the communication device is configured to perform operations of receiving or sending data under the control of the processor. The non-volatile storage medium stores an operating system, a computer program, and a database. The internal memory provides an environment for running the operating system and the computer program in the non-volatile storage medium. The database of the communication device is configured to store data such as uplink short messages and downlink short messages. The network interface of the communication device is configured to connect communication with terminals outside through a network. The computer program is executed by the processor to implement a content cache method.

[0204] Those skilled in the art can understand that Figure 9 The structure shown in the above embodiment is only a block diagram of part of the structure related to the scheme of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the communication device to which the scheme of the present application is applied. The specific communication device can include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have a different arrangement of components.

[0205] In an embodiment, a communication device includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program. The processor executes processing logic in the computer program to implement the following steps:

[0206] Receiving a policy analysis request sent by a policy control function (PCF) network element;

[0207] In response to the policy analysis request, subscribing to cache policy reference data from other network elements in a core network;

[0208] Generating a target cache policy according to the cache policy reference data;

[0209] According to the target cache policy, sending a policy update instruction to a target user plane function (UPF) network element through the PCF network element, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target cache policy.

[0210] In an embodiment, the processor, when executing the processing logic in the computer program, further implements the following steps: determining content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content according to the content access feature; selecting the target content from the at least one candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content; generating a cache content list in the target cache strategy; and the target content is included in the cache content list.

[0211] In an embodiment, the processor, when executing the processing logic in the computer program, further implements the following steps: determining a content priority of each candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content; and selecting the target content from the at least one candidate content according to the content priority of each candidate content.

[0212] In an embodiment, the processor, when executing the processing logic in the computer program, further implements the following steps: determining a target network congestion level at the predicted time according to the network state data in the associated historical period; and selecting a candidate content matching the target network congestion level to construct a key cache content list in the target cache strategy.

[0213] In an embodiment, the processor, when executing the processing logic in the computer program, further implements the following steps: selecting a target service matching the target network congestion level according to a preset correspondence between different network congestion levels and services supported by the content; and constructing a key cache content list in the target cache strategy according to the candidate content corresponding to the target service.

[0214] In an embodiment, the processor, when executing the processing logic in the computer program, further implements the following steps: determining a target terminal location at the predicted time according to the terminal location information in the associated historical period; determining cache migration information in the target cache strategy according to the target terminal location; and the cache migration information includes a target UPF network element to which the target content belongs and / or a cache validity period of the target content.

[0215] In an embodiment, another communication device is also provided, including a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor implementing the following steps when executing the processing logic in the computer program:

[0216] sending a policy analysis request to a NWDAF network element, so that the NWDAF network element generates a target cache strategy according to cache strategy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network in response to the policy analysis request;

[0217] receiving the target cache strategy sent by the NWDAF network element, and generating a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache strategy;

[0218] According to the target cache policy, a policy update instruction is sent to the target UPF network element, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target cache policy.

[0219] In one embodiment, another communication device is also provided, including a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing processing logic in the computer program to implement the following steps:

[0220] Statistics of the hit rate data of the content cached by itself in a preset period are collected.

[0221] In the case that the hit rate data meets the invalid update condition, a cache policy update request is sent to the PCF network element, so that the PCF network element responds to the cache policy update request and sends a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element;

[0222] The policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target cache policy according to cache policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; and the target cache policy is used to update the cache content of the target UPF network element.

[0223] In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium or computer program product is provided, which stores a computer program, and processing logic in the computer program is executed by a processor to implement the following steps:

[0224] Receiving a policy analysis request sent by a policy control function PCF network element;

[0225] In response to the policy analysis request, cache policy reference data is subscribed from other network elements in the core network;

[0226] According to the cache policy reference data, a target cache policy is generated;

[0227] According to the target cache policy, a policy update instruction is sent to the target user plane function UPF network element through the PCF network element, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target cache policy.

[0228] In one embodiment, the processing logic in the computer program is also executed by the processor to implement the following steps: according to the content access characteristics, content evaluation data of at least one candidate content is determined; according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content, a target content is selected from the at least one candidate content; a cache content list in the target cache policy is generated; and the target content is included in the cache content list.

[0229] In an embodiment, the processing logic in the computer program, when executed by the processor, further implements the following steps: determining a content priority of each candidate content according to the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content; and selecting a target content from the at least one candidate content according to the content priority of each candidate content.

[0230] In an embodiment, the processing logic in the computer program, when executed by the processor, further implements the following steps: determining a target network congestion level at the predicted time according to the network state data in the associated historical period; and selecting a candidate content matching the target network congestion level to construct a key cache content list in the target cache strategy.

[0231] In an embodiment, the processing logic in the computer program, when executed by the processor, further implements the following steps: selecting a target service matching the target network congestion level according to a preset correspondence between different network congestion levels and services supported by the content; and constructing a key cache content list in the target cache strategy according to the candidate content corresponding to the target service.

[0232] In an embodiment, the processing logic in the computer program, when executed by the processor, further implements the following steps: determining a target location of the terminal at the predicted time according to the terminal location information in the associated historical period; determining cache migration information in the target cache strategy according to the target location of the terminal; and the cache migration information includes a target UPF network element to which the target content belongs and / or a cache validity period of the target content.

[0233] In an embodiment, another computer-readable storage medium or computer program product is also provided, which stores a computer program, and the processing logic in the computer program, when executed by the processor, implements the following steps: sending a policy analysis request to a NWDAF network element, so that the NWDAF network element generates a target cache strategy according to cache strategy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network in response to the policy analysis request; receiving the target cache strategy sent by the NWDAF network element, and generating a policy update instruction corresponding to the target cache strategy; and sending the policy update instruction to a target UPF network element according to the target cache strategy, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target cache strategy.

[0234] In one embodiment, another computer readable storage medium or computer program product is also provided, and the computer program stored thereon implements the following steps when the processing logic in the computer program is executed by a processor: counting hit rate data of the cached content of the self within a preset period; in the case that the hit rate data meets the invalidation update condition, sending a cache policy update request to a PCF network element, so that the PCF network element sends a policy analysis request to a NWDAF network element in response to the cache policy update request; the policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target cache policy according to cache policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; and the target cache policy is used to update the cached content of the self of the target UPF network element.

[0235] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user equipment information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in the present application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties.

[0236] Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer readable storage medium, and when the computer program is executed, the processes of the above-mentioned embodiments of the methods can be included. Any reference to memory, database or other medium used in the embodiments provided in the present application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical storage, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive memory (ReRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. The volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. As an illustration but not limitation, the RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), etc. The database involved in the embodiments provided in the present application can include at least one of a relational database and a non-relational database. The non-relational database can include a distributed database based on a block chain, etc., without being limited thereto. The processor involved in the embodiments provided in the present application can be a general-purpose processor, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a digital signal processor, a programmable logic device, a data processing logic device based on quantum computing, etc., without being limited thereto.

[0237] Any combination of the technical features of the above embodiments can be made. In order to make the description simple, all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are not described, however, as long as the combination of the technical features does not exist, it should be considered as the scope of the present application.

[0238] The above embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present application, and the description is more specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as a limitation on the scope of the patent of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary skilled in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, a number of modifications and improvements can be made, which are within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A content caching method, characterized in that, Network elements used in NWDAF (Network Data Analysis Function) include: Receive policy analysis requests sent by PCF network elements; In response to the policy analysis request, cache policy reference data is subscribed from other network elements in the core network; Generate a target caching strategy based on the caching strategy reference data; According to the target caching policy, the PCF network element sends a policy update instruction to the target UPF network element, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cached content according to the target caching policy.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The caching strategy reference data includes content access characteristics; The step of generating a target caching strategy based on the caching strategy reference data includes: Based on the content access characteristics, content evaluation data for at least one candidate content is determined; Based on the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content, select target content from the at least one candidate content; Generate a list of cached content in the target caching strategy; the list of cached content includes the target content.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of selecting target content from the at least one candidate content based on the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content includes: Based on the content evaluation data of the at least one candidate content, the content priority of each candidate content is determined; The target content is selected from the at least one candidate content according to the content priority of each candidate content.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The caching strategy reference data includes network status data for the historical time period corresponding to the time to be predicted; generating the target caching strategy based on the caching strategy reference data includes: Based on the network status data of the associated historical time period, determine the target network congestion level at the time to be predicted; Select candidate content that matches the target network congestion level to construct a list of key cached content in the target caching strategy.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The step of selecting candidate content that matches the target network congestion level and constructing a list of key cached content in the target caching strategy includes: Based on the preset correspondence between different network congestion levels and the services supported by the content, select the target service that matches the target network congestion level; Based on the candidate content corresponding to the target business, construct a list of key cached content in the target caching strategy.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The caching strategy reference data includes terminal location information for the historical time period corresponding to the time to be predicted; generating a target caching strategy based on the caching strategy reference data includes: Based on the terminal location information under the associated historical time period, determine the terminal target location at the predicted time. Based on the target location of the terminal, determine the cache migration information in the target caching strategy; the cache migration information includes the target UPF network element to which the target content belongs and / or the cache validity period of the target content.

7. A content caching method, characterized in that, Applied to PCF network elements, including: Send a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element so that the NWDAF network element responds to the policy analysis request and generates a target caching policy based on the caching policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; Receive the target caching policy sent by the NWDAF network element, and generate a policy update instruction corresponding to the target caching policy; According to the target caching policy, the policy update instruction is sent to the target UPF network element so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target caching policy.

8. A content caching method, characterized in that, Applied to UPF network elements, including: Statistically analyze the hit rate data of its own cached content within a preset period; If the hit rate data meets the failure update condition, a cache policy update request is sent to the PCF network element, so that the PCF network element responds to the cache policy update request and sends a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element. The policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target caching policy based on caching policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; the target caching policy is used to update the target UPF network element's own cached content.

9. A content caching device, characterized in that, Configured in NWDAF network elements, including: The first receiving module is used to receive policy analysis requests sent by the policy control function (PCF) network element; The first subscription module is used to subscribe to cached policy reference data from other network elements in the core network in response to the policy analysis request; The first generation module is used to generate a target caching strategy based on the caching strategy reference data; The first sending module is used to send a policy update instruction to the target user plane function UPF network element through the PCF network element according to the target caching policy, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target caching policy.

10. A content caching device, characterized in that, Configured in PCF network elements, including: The second sending module is used to send a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element so that the NWDAF network element responds to the policy analysis request and generates a target caching policy based on the caching policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; The second receiving module is used to receive the target caching policy sent by the NWDAF network element and generate a policy update instruction corresponding to the target caching policy. The second sending module is further configured to send the policy update instruction to the target UPF network element according to the target caching policy, so that the target UPF network element updates its own cache content according to the target caching policy.

11. A content caching device, characterized in that, Applied to UPF network elements, including: The statistics module is used to calculate the hit rate data of its own cached content within a preset period; The third sending module is used to send a cache policy update request to the PCF network element when the hit rate data meets the failure update condition, so that the PCF network element responds to the cache policy update request and sends a policy analysis request to the NWDAF network element. The policy analysis request is used to instruct the NWDAF network element to generate a target caching policy based on caching policy reference data subscribed from other network elements in the core network; the target caching policy is used to update the target UPF network element's own cached content.

12. A communication device comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, characterized in that, The transceiver is used to receive or send data under the control of the processor, wherein the processor, when executing the computer program, implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-8.

13. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method described in any one of claims 1-8.

14. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When executed by a processor, the computer program implements the steps of the method described in any one of claims 1-8.

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