Methods for exchanging data over a data connection

Abstract

A method according to the invention is proposed for exchanging data via a data connection between an end device and an application server in a communication system. The communication system comprises at least one end device, at least one application server, a communication network including a radio access network, a switch network, and at least one router. A first communication connection exists between the end device and the radio access network, a second communication connection exists between the radio access network and the switch network, an internal communication connection exists between the switch network and the router, and a third communication connection exists between the router and the application server. The data connection comprises the first communication connection, the second communication connection, the internal communication connection, and the third communication connection.The identification of the first communication link is performed by an identification function of the communication network. Authentication of the first communication link is performed by an authentication function of the communication network. Encryption of the first communication link is performed by a data storage unit and a data management unit of the communication network.

Description

The invention relates to a method for exchanging data via a data connection between an end device and an application server in a communication system, wherein the communication system comprises at least one end device, at least one application server, a communication network comprising a radio access network, a switch network and at least one router. Communication networks are used to exchange data between participants, for example, between end devices and application servers. Wireless communication connections exist between the end devices and a communication network via radio channels. Well-known communication networks are based, for example, on the 5G mobile communications standard, which is also used in modern mobile networks. A 5G core network is accessible via 3GPP technologies according to the 5G mobile communications standard. A mobile device that operates according to the 3GPP standard is capable of establishing a communication connection to a radio access network that also operates according to the 3GPP standard. German patent application DE 10 2024 104 100 A1 discloses a generic method for exchanging data between an end device and an application server via a communication network. The communication network is based on the 5G mobile communications standard. The communication network enables data transmission between multiple end devices and an application server. A 5G core network, based on the 5G mobile communications standard, has various functions and is therefore relatively complex. These functions are defined in the 3GPP standard. They are necessary for operating a large communication system with an unknown and fluctuating number of end devices and other participants. A system and a method for dynamic network management are known from US patent 2025 / 0119822 A1. From JP 2023-106869 A, a system and a method for exchanging data in a network are known. A base switch sends and receives user data that is associated with a virtual network ID specified on the base switch, and does not send or receive user data that is not associated with this virtual network ID. US patent 11,792,096 B1 discloses a system and a method for managing access from end devices to an application server. The invention is based on the objective of further developing a method for exchanging data via a data connection between an end device and an application server in a communication system, in particular in a technical plant. The problem is solved by a method for exchanging data via a data connection between an end device and an application server in a communication system with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. A method according to the invention is proposed for exchanging data via a data connection between an end device and an application server in a communication system. The communication system comprises at least one end device, at least one application server, a communication network including a radio access network, a switch network, and at least one router. In this setup, there is a first communication connection between the terminal device and the radio access network, a second communication connection between the radio access network and the switch network, an internal communication connection between the switch network and the router, and a third communication connection between the router and the application server. The data connection encompasses the first communication connection, the second communication connection, the internal communication connection, and the third communication connection. The identification of the first communication link is performed by an identification function of the communication network. Authentication of the first communication link is performed by an authentication function of the communication network. Encryption of the first communication link is performed by a data storage unit and a data management unit of the communication network. The communication network is based on the 5G mobile communications standard and comprises a core network of a 5G communication network, or at least several components of a core network of a 5G communication network. The end device, the radio access network, and the first communication link are implemented according to the 3GPP standard. The switch network, the router, the application server, the second communication link, the third communication link, and the internal communication link are not implemented according to the 3GPP standard. This significantly simplifies the handling of the communication system, while still providing the high-performance air interface of a 5G communication network based on the 3GPP standard. Mobility management is completely excluded, and the routing functions of the core network are no longer available. Furthermore, the interface between the radio access network and the core network can be significantly reduced, and all information relating to mobility, session management, policy and charging can be set statically. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the radio access network comprises at least one base station, and the switch network comprises at least one data switch. The at least one base station of the radio access network is connected to the at least one data switch of the switch network via the second communication link. Instead of the mobility management and routing functions of the core network, the switch network, to which all base stations of the radio access network are directly connected, is used as the transition from the 5G communication network to a data network. The data network is preferably based on Ethernet / IP. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the radio access network comprises several base stations. First, a communication connection is established between the terminal device and a first base station, whereby the terminal device is assigned a first IP address, and subsequently, a communication connection is established between the terminal device and a second base station, whereby the terminal device is assigned a second IP address. Advantageously, this eliminates the need for the GTP-U tunnel specified in the 3GPP standard, as well as other signaling, which is used for user data within the core network and generates significant additional costs. On the network side, this reduces security to the component used in the radio access network for the air interface. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second IP address is identical to the first IP address. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second IP address is different from the first IP address. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first IP address and the second IP address are determined by means of an address resolution protocol. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the identification function establishes the first communication connection between the terminal device and the second base station if the quality of the first communication connection between the terminal device and the first base station falls below a defined limit. This ensures that the quality of the first communication link between the terminal device and a base station of the radio access network is sufficient and functional. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, information relating to mobility, session management, policy and charging is statically assigned to the first communication link by the identification function. This information typically remains unchanged throughout the initial communication connection. Therefore, a static assignment is less resource-intensive than a regular dynamic assignment. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the information assigned to the first communication link is selected by the identification function depending on the properties of the terminal device. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the management of the first communication connection is carried out by a session management function of the communication network. The interface between the radio access network and the session management function, as provided for in the 3GPP standard, can be used in a reduced form to assign static session parameters, such as priority, to individual terminal devices. The invention is not limited to the combination of features stated in the claims. For a person skilled in the art, further meaningful combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent, in particular from the problem statement and / or the problem arising from a comparison with the prior art. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the illustrations. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The illustrations only depict the subject matter of the invention schematically. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a communication system for exchanging data. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a communication system. Only the components of the communication system essential to the invention are shown. The communication system serves for the exchange of data in a technical system. The technical system is, for example, an industrial application, in particular a production plant or a paint shop. The communication system comprises a communication network 20. The communication network 20 is based on the 5G mobile communications standard. The communication network 20 comprises a core network of a 5G communication network, or at least several components of a core network of a 5G communication network. The communication system comprises several terminal devices 10. One terminal device 10 is shown here. In this case, terminal device 10 is an autonomously driving vehicle. Terminal device 10 is connected to the communication network 20 via a wireless radio connection. Terminal device 10 is implemented according to the 3GPP standard. The communication system comprises a switch network 32. Switch network 32 includes several data switches. Switch network 32 is connected to communication network 20 via several wired connections. Specifically, each data switch in switch network 32 is connected to communication network 20 via a wired connection. Alternatively, wireless connections are also possible. Switch network 32 is not implemented according to the 3GPP standard. The communication system includes a router 34. Router 34 is connected to switch network 32 via at least one wired connection. For example, each data switch in switch network 32 is connected to router 34 via a wired connection. Alternatively, the data switches in switch network 32 are interconnected via wired connections, and one or more data switches in switch network 32 are each connected to router 34 via a wired connection. Wireless connections are also possible. Router 34 is not implemented according to the 3GPP standard. The communication system also includes an application server 30. Application server 30 is a digital computer configured for controlling and monitoring processes within the technical system. Application server 30 is connected to router 34 via a wired connection. Alternatively, a wireless connection is also possible. Application server 30 is not implemented according to the 3GPP standard. Data exchange between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 is provided via the communication network 20, the switch network 32, and the router 34. Specifically, the transmission of user data from the terminal device 10 to the application server 30 and from the application server 30 to the terminal device 10 is provided. This user data includes, for example, information about transported goods or routes traveled. Communication network 20 includes a radio access network 23. Radio access network 23 is also referred to as a "Radio Access Network". Radio access network 23 is implemented according to the 3GPP standard. A first communication link 41 exists between terminal device 10 and radio access network 23. Radio access network 23 comprises several base stations. The first communication link 41 exists between terminal device 10 and a base station of radio access network 23. The first communication link 41 is implemented according to the 3GPP standard. The base stations of the radio access network 23 are additionally connected to the data switches of the switch network 32 via multiple communication links. For example, each base station of the radio access network 23 is connected to exactly one data switch of the switch network 32 via exactly one communication link. A second communication link 42 exists between the radio access network 23 and the switch network 32. This second communication link 42 is between a base station of the radio access network 23 and a data switch of the switch network 32. The second communication link 42 is not implemented according to the 3GPP standard. An internal communication link exists between switch network 32 and router 34. This internal communication link is between a data switch in switch network 32 and router 34. The internal communication link is not implemented according to the 3GPP standard. A third communication connection 43 exists between the router 34 and the application server 30. The third communication connection 43 is not implemented according to the 3GPP standard. The data connection comprises the first communication connection 41, the second communication connection 42, the internal communication connection, and the third communication connection 43. Data is exchanged between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 via this data connection. The communication network 20 includes an identification function 21. The identification function 21 is also referred to as the "access and mobility management function". Within the communication network 20, the identification function 21 performs all functionalities required for the mobility and access control of the end devices. In particular, the identification function 21 identifies the first communication connection 41. The communication network 20 includes an authentication function 36. The authentication function 36 is also referred to as the "authentication server function". Within the communication network 20, the authentication function 36 performs all the functionalities required for authenticating the end devices. In particular, the authentication function 36 authenticates the first communication connection 41. The communication network 20 includes a data storage unit 28. The data storage unit 28 is also referred to as the "Unified Data Repository". The data storage unit 28 contains configuration data and status data for the communication network 20. The keys required for encryption and decryption are also stored in the data storage unit 28. The communication network 20 includes a data management unit 37. The data management unit 37 is also referred to as "Unified Data Management". The data management unit 37 and the data storage unit 28 encrypt the first communication link 41. The communication network 20 optionally includes a session management function 22. The session management function 22 is also referred to as a "session management function". The session management function 22 manages communication connections between the terminal devices 10 and the radio access network 23. In doing so, the session management function 22 controls properties of these communication connections. This includes, among other things, the prioritization of data traffic and the security properties of the communication connections. In particular, the session management function 22 manages the first communication connection 41. The communication network 20 optionally includes a user-plane function 24. User-plane function 24 is also referred to as a "user-plane function". User-plane function 24 is configured to handle the routing of user data and the implementation of parameters specified by session management function 22, such as traffic prioritization. In this case, user-plane function 24 is not involved in the exchange of data between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 via the data connection. The communication network 20 optionally includes a network exposure function 25. The network exposure function 25 is also referred to as a "network exposure function". The network exposure function 25 is an additional external interface of the communication network 20 for exchanging control data, metadata, and configuration data. The user-level function 24 is not involved in the data exchange between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 via the data connection. The communication network 20 optionally includes a network repository function 27. The network repository function 27 is also referred to as a "Network Repository Function". In this case, the network repository function 27 is not involved in the exchange of data between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 via the data connection. The communication network 20 optionally includes a policy function 38. Policy function 38 is also referred to as a "policy-and-charging function". In this case, policy function 38 is not involved in the exchange of data between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 via the data connection. To exchange data between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 via the communication network 20, a first communication connection 41 is established between the terminal device 10 and one of the base stations of the radio access network 23. In this process, the identification of the first communication link 41 is carried out by the identification function 21 of the communication network 20. Information relating to mobility, session management, policy, and charging is statically assigned to the first communication connection 41 by the identification function 21. This information is selected by the identification function 21 based on the properties of the terminal device 10. Likewise, the first communication link 41 is authenticated by the authentication function 36 of the communication network 20. Encryption of the first communication link 41 is performed by the data storage unit 28 and the data management unit 37 of the communication network 20. If necessary, the session management function 22 manages the first communication connection 41. In doing so, the session management function 22 controls important properties of said communication connections, such as the prioritization of data traffic and the security properties. The second communication link 42 between the radio access network 23 and the switch network 32, the internal communication link between the switch network 32 and the router 34, and the third communication link 43 between the router 34 and the application server 30 are permanently established. By establishing the first communication link 41 between the terminal device 10 and one of the base stations of the radio access network 23, the data connection for exchanging data between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 is thus established. The user-level function 24, the network exposure function 25, the network storage function 27, and the policy function 38 are parts of the core network of the communication network 20. However, these functions are not required when exchanging data between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 via the data connection. Reference symbol list 10 End device 20 Communication network 21 Identification function 22 Session management function 23 Radio access network 24 User-level function 25 Network exposure function 27 Network storage function 28 Data storage unit 30 Application server 32 Switch network 34 Router 36 Authentication function 37 Data management unit 38 Policy function 41 First communication link 42 Second communication link 43 Third communication link

Claims

Method for exchanging data via a data connection between an end device (10) and an application server (30) in a communication system, comprising at least one end device (10), at least one application server (30), a communication network (20) comprising a radio access network (23), a switch network (32) and at least one router (34), wherein a first communication link (41) exists between the end device (10) and the radio access network (23), and a second communication link (42) exists between the radio access network (23) and the switch network (32), and an internal communication link exists between the switch network (32) and the router (34), and a third communication link (43) exists between the router (34) and the application server (30), wherein the data link is the first communication link (41), the second communication link (42),the internal communication link and the third communication link (43) includes, wherein an identification of the first communication link (41) is performed by an identification function (21) of the communication network (20), and wherein an authentication of the first communication link (41) is performed by an authentication function (36) of the communication network (20), and wherein an encryption of the first communication link (41) is performed by a data storage unit (28) and a data management unit (37) of the communication network (20). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radio access network (23) comprises at least one base station, and that the switch network (32) comprises at least one data switch, and that the at least one base station of the radio access network (23) is connected to the at least one data switch of the switch network (32) by means of the second communication link (42). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radio access network (23) comprises several base stations, and that first a first communication connection (41) is established between the terminal device (10) and a first base station, wherein a first IP address is assigned to the terminal device (10), and that subsequently a first communication connection (41) is established between the terminal device (10) and a second base station, wherein a second IP address is assigned to the terminal device (10). The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the second IP address is identical to the first IP address. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the second IP address is different from the first IP address. Method according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the first IP address and the second IP address are determined by means of an address resolution protocol. Method according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the first communication connection (41) between the terminal device (10) and the second base station is established by the identification function (21) if the quality of the first communication connection (41) between the terminal device (10) and the first base station falls below a defined limit value. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first communication link (41) is statically assigned by the identification function (21) information relating to mobility, session management, policy and charging. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the information assigned to the first communication link (41) is selected by the identification function (21) depending on the properties of the terminal device (10). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the management of the first communication connection (41) is carried out by a session management function (22) of the communication network (20).

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