Enhancements to DSCP-based paging policy differentiation

Abstract

A method is provided for facilitating paging policy differentiation performed by a session management function (SMF). The method includes determining (325) that a paging policy differentiation function is supported by a user plane function (UPF). The method includes sending a message to the UPF (325) instructing the UPF (325) to insert a paging policy indicator (PPI) value (110) into downlink packets based on a differentiated services code point (DSCP) value (106). The message includes DSCP to PPI control information.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to extending DSCP-based paging policy differentiation. [Background technology]

[0002] Paging policy differentiation (PPD) is a feature that allows an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) to apply different paging strategies for different traffic or service types provided within the same Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, based on operator configuration. If a 5G system (5GS) supports the PPD feature, a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) value (Type of Service (ToS) in IPv4 / Traffic Class (TC) in IPv6) is set by the application to inform the 5GS which paging policy should be applied to a particular Internet Protocol (IP) packet.

[0003] For a UE in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state, the Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) may enforce a specific paging policy in case of NG-RAN paging based on the 5G Quality of Service (QoS) Identifier (5QI), Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP), and Paging Policy Indicator (PPI) associated with the incoming downlink (DL) PDU. To enable this, the Session Management Function (SMF) instructs the User Plane Function (UPF) to detect the DSCP in the IP header ToS (IPv4) / TC (IPv6) value of the DL PDU (by using the DL Packet Detection Rule (PDR) with the DSCP for this traffic) and to forward the corresponding PPI in the Core Network (CN) tunnel header (by using the QoS Enforcement Rule (QER) with the PPI value). The NG-RAN may then utilize the received PPI in the CN tunnel header of the incoming DL PDU to apply the corresponding paging policy when the UE needs to be paged while in RRC inactive state. Operators shall be able to configure the SMF such that the paging policy differentiation feature applies only to a specific Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN), Data Network Name (DNN), and 5QI.

[0004] In case of Home-Routed roaming, the Visiting SMF (V-SMF) is responsible for controlling the UPF set of the PPI. In case of a PDU session with an Intermediate SMF (I-SMF), the I-SMF is responsible for controlling the UPF set of the PPI.

[0005] 1, the UPF 102 may have an incoming DL PDU 104 that includes a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U) layer 104a and a GTP-U payload 104b. In the IP header of the GTP-U payload 104b is a user data DSCP value 106. This value 106 may be mapped to a PPI 110 in the DL PDU session information 108.

[0006] Chapter 5.4.3.2 Paging Policy Differentiation of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) Technical Specification (TS) 23.501 V17.3.0(2021-12) and Chapter 5.4.3.2 Transfer of DL PDU Session Information of TS 38.415 V16.6.0(2021-12) provide further information. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to the existing Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) protocol, the SMF must provision a PPI in the QER, so that the UPF sets the PPI for DL ​​traffic that matches the PDR to which the QER is associated. The PDR is provisioned to detect the DSCP code, i.e., the SMF is configured with a DSCP code(s) to PPI mapping table. This can work when the SMF knows which DSCP code is set by the application server. For example, it can work for I / V-UPF where service level detection is not required. For example, when a PDU Session Anchor (PSA) UPF is directly connected to the NG-RAN, there is a problem because the SMF does not know which DSCP code is set by the application server for a particular Service Data Flow (SDF). Therefore, to be compliant with the standard, it seems that the SMF must blindly provision all possible DSCPs for the same SDF, especially when (1) an application ID is used to match incoming packets, (2) a list of SDF filters with different DSCP values ​​(ToS / TC) is associated with the same PDR, or (3) the DSCP value of the SDF is not known by the SMF (e.g., it is not defined as a match criterion for DL ​​packets by the Policy Control Function (PCF)). Therefore, to support the PPI function, the SMF must create different DL PDRs corresponding to all possible DSCP values ​​that match incoming packets. However, this is impractical considering the number of DSCP values: {af11 | af12 | af13 | af21 | af22 | af23 | af31 | af32 | af33 | af41 | af42 | af43 | be | cs1 | cs2 | cs3 | cs4 | cs5 | cs6 | cs7 | ef}.

[0008] Therefore, under the existing PFCP protocol, the SMF needs to provision additional SDF filters to address all possible DSCP values ​​for each of the SDFs. This may mean that up to 64 SDF filters (corresponding to 64 possible DSCP values) must be provisioned per SDF. The SMF needs to provision these additional PDR / QERs for each SDF. This may mean that up to 8 PDR / QERs (corresponding to 8 possible PPI values) per SDF may need to be provisioned to address the SA2 requirement to allow DSCP to be mapped to PPIs.

[0009] Figure 2 shows the connection between the PDR and the QER (indicating the PPI). As shown in Figure 2, the DSCP value (ToS / TC) is defined in the SDF filter as a match condition for the incoming packet (such as DL PDR 200), and the PPI in the QER is used to indicate the corresponding PPI in the CN tunnel header of the incoming packet.

[0010] Another problem is that the PPI value is not needed when the UE is in RRC connected state, since the PPI value is used by NG-RAN to apply the corresponding paging policy when the UE needs to be paged when in RRC inactive state. However, the SMF / UPF does not know the RRC state and sets the PPI value for all DL packets in the DL PDU, which is too much cost for the performance considering the PPI value mapping from DSCP in the ToS(IPv4) / TC(IPv6) value in the IP header of each DL PDU.

[0011] If the PPD function is enabled for a particular HPLMN, DNN, and / or 5QI in the SMF, the SMF instructs the UPF to detect the DSCP of the ToS(IPv4) / TC(IPv6) value in the IP header of the DL PDU and forward the corresponding PPI in the CN tunnel header. The instruction can be per PFCP session or 5QI or service. The UPF marks the PPI mapping from the DSCP of the incoming packet. The DSCP to PPI mapping can be configured in the UPF or can be instructed by the SMF. The SMF can instruct the UPF to forward the corresponding PPI only in the first few DL packets (e.g., the first 10 packets) after a threshold-exceeding period in the absence of uplink (UL) and DL payload, during which the UE is assumed to have entered the RRC_Inactive state.

[0012] Advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein include that such embodiments enable operators to fully support PPD functionality defined in TS23.501 V17.3.0(2021-12).

[0013] According to some embodiments, a method is provided for facilitating paging policy differentiation performed by a Session Management Function (SMF). The method includes determining that a paging policy differentiation function is supported by a User Plane Function (UPF) and that the paging policy differentiation function is applicable to a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session. The method includes sending a message to the UPF instructing the UPF to insert a Paging Policy Indicator (PPI) value into outgoing packets based on a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) value. The message includes DSCP to PPI control information.

[0014] In some embodiments, the message instructs the UPF to insert the PPI value into a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U) layer extension header of a GTP-U packet that encapsulates the payload packet, and the DSCP value is in the IP header of the payload packet. In some embodiments, the DSCP-to-PPI control information further includes one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information, one or more Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers (QFIs), and a timer. In some embodiments, the timer is configured to cause the UPF to insert the corresponding PPI value into a fixed number of outgoing packets only after a period determined by the timer when there are no incoming or outgoing packets. In some embodiments, the one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS Flows the payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information pertain to. In some embodiments, the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information includes one of: (1) an index for enabling the UPF to select a preconfigured DSCP-to-PPI mapping table in the UPF; and (2) a table that maps the DSCP of the payload packet to a corresponding PPI. In some embodiments, the message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message. In some embodiments, the PFCP message is one of a PFCP Session Establishment Request or a PFCP Session Modification Request.

[0015] According to another embodiment, a method is provided for facilitating paging policy differentiation performed by a user plane function (UPF). The method includes receiving a message from a session management function (SMF) including DSCP-to-PPI control information requesting the UPF to insert a paging policy indicator (PPI) value into an outgoing packet. The method includes retrieving a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) value in an Internet Protocol (IP) header of an incoming payload packet. The method includes determining a PPI value for the outgoing packet based on the DSCP value and the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information. The method includes inserting the PPI value into the outgoing packet.

[0016] In another aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing circuit, cause the processing circuit to perform any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0017] In another aspect, there is provided a carrier comprising a computer program as disclosed herein, The carrier may be one of an electrical signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer readable storage medium.

[0018] In another aspect, an apparatus configured to perform any of the methods disclosed herein is provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows the relationship between the DSCP value and the PPI value in a DL PDU.

[0020] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows DL PDR.

[0021] [Diagram 3] Figure 3 shows a reference architecture for a 5G communication system.

[0022] [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a message flow diagram illustrating message flow according to some embodiments.

[0023] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a message flow diagram illustrating message flow according to some embodiments.

[0024] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a message flow diagram illustrating message flow according to some embodiments.

[0025] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a process according to some embodiments.

[0026] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process according to some embodiments.

[0027] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a physical machine according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a reference architecture of a communication system 300 according to an embodiment. In the illustrated example, the system 300 is a 5G system. More specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a UE 301 connected to an access network (AN) 303, which may be a radio access network (RAN). The AN 303 is connected to an access and mobility management function (AMF) 326 via an N2 reference point, which is further connected to a user plane function (UPF) 325 via an N3 reference point. The UPF 325 is adapted to be connected to a session management function (SMF) 327 via an N4 reference point, which is adapted to be connected to a data network (DN) 320 via an N6 reference point. The DN may be, for example, an operator service, an internet access, or a third party service. The UE 301 is further connected to the AMF 326 via an N1 reference point. As further shown in FIG. 3, the system 300 further includes the following additional network functions: an authentication server function (AUSF) 328, a network slice selection function (NSSF) 329, a network publishing function (NEF) 330, an NRF 331, a policy control function (PCF) 332, a unified data management (UDM) 333, and an application function (AF) 334. Each of the network functions 326-334 represents a service-based interface. For example, the service-based interface represented by the NSSF 329 is referred to as "Nnssf". Similarly, the service-based interface represented by the AMF 326 is referred to as "Namf".

[0029] The UE 301 may be any communication device, mobile or fixed, capable of communicating over a wireless channel (e.g., a radio channel) with an access point (e.g., a base station) of the AN. For example, the UE 301 may be, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a sensor, a meter, a vehicle, an appliance (home, medical, etc.), a media player, a camera, a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, or any type of consumer electronic device, such as a television, a radio, a lighting device, a tablet computer, a laptop, or a personal computer (PC). The UE 301 may be portable, pocketable, handheld, computer-mounted, or vehicle-mounted and may be capable of communicating voice and / or data with another entity, such as another UE or a server, over a wireless access network. The AN 303 may include an access point (not shown in FIG. 1 ), such as a NodeB, an eNodeB, a gNB, a Wi-Fi access point, or any other access point capable of communicating over a wireless carrier with the UE 301. The abbreviations AN and RAN may be used interchangeably. AN may include both 3GPP radio access networks and non-3GPP access networks. A typical non-3GPP access network is a Wi-Fi network.

[0030] As mentioned above, under the current specification of the PPD, it is unclear how to address all the requirements in the PFCP protocol, and doing so may lead, for example, to irrelevant provisioning of PDRs. Consider an example. If the requirement to configure PPIs is not taken into account, for an SDF corresponding to application 1, the SMF may provision a PDR to identify DL application traffic: PDR1: Packet Detection Information (PDI) is configured with App-ID=1, UE IP address, along with Forwarding Action Rule (FAR) FAR1 for forwarding traffic to NG-RAN, and QER for QoS;

[0031] Now consider the requirement that the SMF instructs the UPF to set the PPI according to the DSCP code. For the purposes of this example, the DSCP code to PPI mapping is configured per operator's paging policy, e.g., as shown below. Such a mapping is needed here because there are 64 DSCP codepoints while there are 8 PPI values, and such a mapping can be configured per DNN / Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Identifier (S-NSSAI). DSCP to PPI mappings: --up to 8 per index Paging Policy Indicator=1 DSCP=EF DSCP=AF42 DSCP to PPI mapping: Paging Policy Indicator=1 DSCP=AF11 DSCP=AF12 DSCP=AF13 For other DSCP codes, the PPI is set to 3. Using the above DSCP to PPI mapping, the SMF provides the following PDR and QER: PDR1: PDI is set to App-ID=1 and DSCP EF and DSCP AF42, with QER 1, and PPI is set to 1; PDR1: PDI is set to App-ID=1 and DSCP AF11 and DSCP AF12 and AF13, with QER 2, and PPI is set to 2; PDR1: PDI is set to App-ID=1 and PPI=3 with QER 3;

[0032] Therefore, for each SDF, the SMF needs to provision (1) additional PDRs with the same application detection logic but with different DSCP codes (mapped to different PPIs) and (2) additional QERs with the same QoS requirements for different PPIs.

[0033] In addition, since the PPI is only intended to be used by the NG-RAN in case of NG-RAN paging, there is no need to configure the PPI for all DL packets, which would add extra processing load to the UPF.

[0034] Thus, embodiments provide enhanced provisioning of PPI. For example, in embodiments: 1. Since different DNN / S-NSSAI may have different paging policies, such DSCP-to-PPI mapping should be configured for each PFCP session, and therefore, the SMF may instruct the UPF if such DSCP-to-PPI mapping is required, and if necessary, the SMF may provide a DSCP-to-PPI mapping table; 2. Since such a DSCP-to-PPI mapping is only needed for NG-RAN paging when the UE is in RRC inactive state, the SMF may provide a timer to the UPF, so that the UPF inserts PPI for the first few DL packets after a period of no UL and no DL payload, a period during which it may be assumed that the UE may enter RRC inactive state. 3. Optionally, add a list of QoS Flow Identifiers (QFIs), ie, apply such DSCP-to-PPI mapping only to packets related to the requested QoS flow.

[0035] For example, the SMF detects the DSCP in the ToS(IPv4) / TC(IPv6) value in the IP header of the DL PDU and instructs the UPF to forward the corresponding PPI in the CN tunnel header. The instruction can be done per PFCP session or 5QI or service. The UPF marks the PPI mapping from the DSCP of the incoming packet, and the DSCP-to-PPI mapping can be configured in the UPF or instructed by the SMF. The SMF can instruct the UPF to forward the corresponding PPI only in the first few downlink packets (e.g., the first 10 packets) after a period of no uplink and downlink payload, during which the UE can be assumed to enter an RRC_Inactive state.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a flow diagram according to one embodiment. As shown, the SMF enables paging policy per application for all services across 5QI sessions or services. The SMF indicates to the UPF to enable PPD for all incoming packets. For example, in a PFCP Session Establishment (or Modification) Request 410, the SMF 327 may include DSCP to PPI control information. The UPF 325 may acknowledge this in returning a PFCP Session Establishment (or Modification) Response 412.

[0037] Exemplary details of the information elements (IEs) are shown in Tables 1-4 below.

[0038] Table 1: PFCP Session Establishment Request TIFF2025504718000002.tif44153

[0039] Table 2: DSCP to PPI Control Information in a PFCP Session Establishment Request TIFF2025504718000003.tif154153

[0040] Table 3: DSCP to PPI Mapping Information The PPI value in octet 5 of TIFF2025504718000004.tif44153 is encoded as a value between 0 and 7, as specified in clause 5.5.3.7 of 3GPP TS 38.415.

[0041] Table 4: PFCP Session Modification Request TIFF2025504718000005.tif31153

[0042] Figure 5 shows a flow diagram according to one embodiment. As shown, the SMF enables paging policy on a per application basis. The SMF indicates to the UPF that PPD should be enabled for all incoming packets. For example, in a PFCP session establishment (or modification) request 510, the SMF 327 may include DSCP to PPI control information and Create / Update QER information (as shown in Figure 4). The UPF 325 may acknowledge this by returning a PFCP session establishment (or modification) response 512.

[0043] Exemplary details of the information elements (IEs) are shown in Tables 5-6 below.

[0044] Table 5: Create QER TIFF2025504718000006.tif37153

[0045] Table 6: Update QER TIFF2025504718000007.tif26153

[0046] 6 shows a flow diagram according to one embodiment. As shown, the DSCP to PPI mapping information may be configured in the UPF or may be indicated by the SMF at the node level when provisioned from the SMF. For example, in a PFCP session establishment (or modification) request or response 610, the SMF 327 may include the DSCP to PPI mapping information.

[0047] 7 shows a flow chart illustrating a process 700 according to some embodiments. The process 700 may begin at step s702 and is a method for facilitating paging policy differentiation performed by a session management function (SMF), such as SMF 327.

[0048] Step s702 includes determining that the paging policy differentiation function is supported by the User Plane Function (UPF) (325) and that the paging policy differentiation function is applicable to the protocol data unit (PDU) session.

[0049] Step s704 includes sending (106) a message to the UPF (325) instructing the UPF (325) to insert a Paging Policy Indicator (PPI) value (110) into outgoing packets based on the Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) value.

[0050] Step s706 includes that the message includes DSCP to PPI control information.

[0051] In some embodiments, the message instructs the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U) layer extension header of a GTP-U packet that encapsulates the payload packet, and the DSCP value is in the IP header of the payload packet. In some embodiments, the DSCP to PPI control information further includes one or more DSCP to PPI mapping information, one or more Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers (QFIs), and a timer. In some embodiments, the timer is configured to cause the UPF to insert the corresponding PPI value into a fixed number of outgoing packets only after a period determined by the timer when there are no incoming or outgoing packets.

[0052] In some embodiments, the one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS Flows the payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information pertain to. In some embodiments, the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information includes one of: (1) an index to enable the UPF to select a preconfigured DSCP-to-PPI mapping table in the UPF; and (2) a table that maps the DSCP of the payload packets to a corresponding PPI. In some embodiments, the message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) Session message. In some embodiments, the PFCP message is one of a PFCP Session Establishment Request or a PFCP Session Modification Request.

[0053] 8 shows a flow chart illustrating a process 800 according to some embodiments. The process 800 may begin at step s802 and is a method for facilitating paging policy differentiation performed by a user plane function (UPF), such as UPF 325.

[0054] Step s802 involves receiving a message from a Session Management Function (SMF) (327) containing DSCP to PPI control information requesting the UPF (325) to insert a Paging Policy Indicator (PPI) value (110) into outgoing packets.

[0055] Step s804 includes extracting a Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) value in an Internet Protocol (IP) header of the incoming payload packet.

[0056] Step s806 includes determining a PPI value for the outgoing packet based on the DSCP value and the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information.

[0057] Step s808 involves inserting the PPI value into the outgoing packet.

[0058] In some embodiments, the message requests the UPF (325) to insert a PPI value into a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U) layer extension header of an outgoing GTP-U packet that encapsulates the payload packet. In some embodiments, the DSCP-to-PPI control information further includes one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information, one or more Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers (QFIs), and a timer. In some embodiments, the timer is configured to insert the corresponding PPI value into a fixed number of outgoing packets only after a period of time determined by the timer when there are no incoming or outgoing packets, and further includes determining, based on the timer, that there have been no incoming or outgoing packets for a period of time, and inserting a PPI value into a fixed number of outgoing packets as a result of determining, based on the timer, that there have been no incoming or outgoing packets for a period of time.

[0059] In some embodiments, the one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS flows the payload packets eligible for PPI insertion relate to based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information, and further include determining that the outgoing packet matches a QFI of the one or more QFIs before inserting the PPI value into the outgoing packet. In some embodiments, the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information includes one of: (1) an index to enable the UPF to select a pre-configured DSCP-to-PPI mapping table in the UPF; and (2) a table that maps the DSCP of the payload packet to a corresponding PPI. In some embodiments, the message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message. In some embodiments, the PFCP session message is one of a PFCP session establishment request or a PFCP session modification request.

[0060] Overview of Various Embodiments A method for facilitating paging policy differentiation performed by a Session Management Function (SMF) (327), comprising: determining that a paging policy differentiation function is supported by a User Plane Function (UPF) (325) and that the paging policy differentiation function is applicable to a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session; sending a message to the UPF (325) instructing the UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into outgoing packets based on a DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value (106); The message includes DSCP to PPI control information. A2. The method of embodiment A1, comprising: The method, wherein the message instructs the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a GTP-U (GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) layer extension header of a GTP-U packet that encapsulates a payload packet, and the DSCP value is in an IP header of the payload packet. A3. The method of embodiment A1 or A2, The method, wherein the DSCP-to-PPI control information further includes one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information, one or more QFIs (Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers), and a timer. A4. The method of any one of embodiments A1 to A3, comprising: The method, wherein the timer is configured to cause the UPF to insert a corresponding PPI value into a fixed number of outgoing packets only after a period determined by the timer in the absence of any incoming or outgoing packets. A5. The method of any one of embodiments A2 to A4, comprising: The one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS flows relate to payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information. A6. The method of any one of embodiments A2 to A5, comprising: The method, wherein the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information includes one of: (1) an index for enabling the UPF to select a DSCP-to-PPI mapping table pre-configured in the UPF; and (2) a table for mapping the DSCP of a payload packet to a corresponding PPI. A7. The method of any one of embodiments A1 to A6, comprising: The method, wherein the message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message. A8. The method of embodiment A7, wherein the PFCP message is one of a PFCP session establishment request or a PFCP session modification request.

[0061] B1. A method for facilitating paging policy differentiation performed by a User Plane Function (UPF) (325), comprising: receiving a message from a Session Management Function (SMF) (327) containing DSCP to PPI control information requesting said UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into outgoing packets; Extracting the DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value in the IP (Internet Protocol) header of the incoming payload packet; determining a PPI value for an outgoing packet based on the DSCP value and the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information; inserting the PPI value into the outgoing packet; A method comprising: B2. The method of embodiment B1, comprising: The message requests the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a GTP-U (General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) layer extension header of an outgoing GTP-U packet that encapsulates a payload packet. B3. The method of embodiment B1 or B2, The method, wherein the DSCP-to-PPI control information further includes one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information, one or more QFIs (Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers), and a timer. B4. The method of embodiment B3, comprising: the timer is configured to cause the UPF to insert a corresponding PPI value into a fixed number of outgoing packets only after a period determined by the timer in the absence of incoming or outgoing packets; determining, based on the timer, that there are no incoming or outgoing packets for a period of time; inserting the PPI value into the fixed number of outgoing packets as a result of determining, based on the timer, that there are no incoming packets or no outgoing packets for a period of time; The method further comprises: B5. The method of embodiment B3 or B4, The one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS flows relate to payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information; The method further includes, prior to inserting the PPI value into the outgoing packet, determining that the outgoing packet matches a QFI of the one or more QFIs. B6. The method of any one of embodiments B3-B5, comprising: The method, wherein the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information includes one of: (1) an index for enabling the UPF to select a DSCP-to-PPI mapping table pre-configured in the UPF; and (2) a table for mapping the DSCP of a payload packet to a corresponding PPI. B7. The method of any one of embodiments B1-B6, comprising: The method, wherein the message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message. B8. The method of embodiment B7, wherein the PFCP session message is one of a PFCP session establishment request or a PFCP session modification request.

[0062] C1. A computer program (943) comprising instructions (944) that, when executed by a processing circuit (902), cause the processing circuit (902) to perform the method of any one of embodiments A1-A8 and B1-B8. C2. A carrier containing the computer program of embodiment C1, the carrier being one of an electrical signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer-readable storage medium (942). D1. An apparatus (900), the apparatus being configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments A1-A8 and B1-B8.

[0063] E1. A SMF (Session Management Function) (327) node, said node comprising: determining that a paging policy differentiation function is supported by a User Plane Function (UPF) (325) and that the paging policy differentiation function is applicable to a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session; sending a message to the UPF (325) instructing the UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into outgoing packets based on a DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value (106); The message includes DSCP to PPI control information. E2. A node according to embodiment E1, The method, wherein the message instructs the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a GTP-U (GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) layer extension header of a GTP-U packet that encapsulates a payload packet, and the DSCP value is in an IP header of the payload packet. E3. A node according to embodiment E1 or E2, The DSCP-to-PPI control information further includes one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information, one or more QFIs (QoS (Quality of Service) Flow Identifiers) and a timer. E4. A node of any one of embodiments E1 to E3, The timer is configured to cause the UPF to insert a corresponding PPI value into a fixed number of outgoing packets only after a period determined by the timer in the absence of any incoming or outgoing packets. E5. The node of any one of embodiments E2 to E4, The one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS flows relate to payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information. E6. The node of any one of embodiments E2 to E5, The DSCP-to-PPI mapping information includes one of: (1) an index for enabling the UPF to select a DSCP-to-PPI mapping table pre-configured in the UPF; and (2) a table for mapping the DSCP of a payload packet to a corresponding PPI, the node. E7. The node of any one of embodiments E1 to E6, The message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message. E8. The node of embodiment E7, wherein the PFCP message is one of a PFCP session establishment request or a PFCP session modification request.

[0064] F1. A UPF (User Plane Function) (325), the node comprising: receiving a message from a Session Management Function (SMF) (327) containing DSCP to PPI control information requesting said UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into outgoing packets; Extracting the DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value in the IP (Internet Protocol) header of the incoming payload packet; determining a PPI value for an outgoing packet based on the DSCP value and the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information; inserting the PPI value into the outgoing packet; A node that is configured to: F2. A node of embodiment F1, The message requests the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a GTP-U (GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) layer extension header of an outgoing GTP-U packet that encapsulates a payload packet of the node. F3. A node of embodiment F1 or F2, The DSCP-to-PPI control information further includes one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information, one or more QFIs (Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers), and a timer. F4. The node of embodiment F3, The timer is configured to cause the UPF to insert a corresponding PPI value into a fixed number of outgoing packets only after a period determined by the timer in the absence of any incoming or outgoing packets, and the node further comprises: determining, based on the timer, that there are no incoming or outgoing packets for a period of time; inserting the PPI value into the fixed number of outgoing packets as a result of determining, based on the timer, that there are no incoming packets or no outgoing packets for a period of time; A node that is configured to: F5. The node of embodiment F3 or F4, The one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS flows relate to payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information; The node is further configured to determine that the outgoing packet matches a QFI of the one or more QFIs prior to inserting the PPI value into the outgoing packet. F6. The node of any one of embodiments F3 to F5, The DSCP-to-PPI mapping information includes one of: (1) an index for enabling the UPF to select a DSCP-to-PPI mapping table pre-configured in the UPF; and (2) a table for mapping the DSCP of a payload packet to a corresponding PPI, the node. F7. The node of any one of embodiments F1 to F6, The message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message. F8. The node of embodiment F7, wherein the PFCP session message is one of a PFCP session establishment request or a PFCP session modification request.

[0065] G1. An apparatus (900), the apparatus being configured to perform the method of any one of embodiments A1-A8 and B1-B8 above.

[0066] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a physical machine (or “device”) 900 according to some embodiments that may be used to execute any one of the UPF 325 and the SMF 327. As shown in FIG. 9 , the device 900 includes a processing circuit (PC) 902, which may include one or more processors (P) 955 (e.g., a general purpose microprocessor and / or one or more other processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.), where the processors may be co-located in a single enclosure or in a single data center, or may be geographically distributed (i.e., the device 900 may be a distributed computing device); a network interface 948 comprising a transmitter (Tx) 945 and a receiver (Rx) 947 (e.g., the network interface 948 may be wirelessly connected to the network 110, in which case the network interface 948 is connected to an antenna device) to enable the device 900 to transmit and receive data to and from other machines connected to a network 910 (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP) network) to which the network interface 948 is connected (directly or indirectly); and a local storage unit (a.k.a. “data storage system”) 908, which may include one or more non-volatile storage devices and / or one or more volatile storage devices. In embodiments in which the PC 902 includes a programmable processor, a computer program product (CPP) 941 may be provided. The CPP 941 includes a computer readable medium (CRM) 942 that stores a computer program (CP) 943 that includes computer readable instructions (CRI) 944. The CRM 942 may be a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as a magnetic medium (e.g., a hard disk), an optical medium, a memory device (e.g., a random access memory, a flash memory), or the like. In some embodiments, the CRI 944 of the computer program 943, when executed by the PC 902, is configured to cause the device 900 to perform steps described herein (e.g., steps described herein with reference to a flowchart). In other embodiments, the device 900 may be configured to perform steps described herein without the need for code.That is, for example, the PC 902 may consist only of one or more ASICs. Thus, features of the embodiments described herein may be implemented in hardware and / or software.

[0067] While various embodiments have been described herein, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

[0068] Additionally, while the processes described above and illustrated in the figures are shown as a series of steps, this is done for illustrative purposes only, and it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be rearranged, and some steps may be performed in parallel.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating paging policy differentiation, performed by a Session Management Function (SMF) (327), comprising: determining that a paging policy differentiation function is supported by a UPF (User Plane Function) (325); sending a message towards the UPF (325) instructing the UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into downlink packets based on a DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value (106); The message includes DSCP-to-PPI control information.

2. 2. The method of claim 1 , The message instructs the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a GTP-U (General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) layer extension header of a GTP-U packet that encapsulates a payload packet.

3. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The method, wherein the DSCP-to-PPI control information further comprises one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information and / or one or more QFIs (Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers).

4. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The method further includes determining that the paging policy differentiation function is applicable to a PDF (Protocol Data Unit) session before sending a message to the UPF (325) instructing the UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into downlink packets based on a DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value (106).

5. 5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: The one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS flows relate to payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information.

6. 6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising: The method of claim 1, wherein the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information comprises a table that maps the DSCP of a payload packet to a corresponding PPI, the table including one or more DSCP identifiers that correspond to a PPI identifier.

7. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: The method, wherein the message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the PFCP message is one of a PFCP Session Establishment Request or a PFCP Session Modification Request.

9. A method for facilitating paging policy differentiation performed by a User Plane Function (UPF) (325), comprising: receiving a message including DSCP-to-PPI control information from a Session Management Function (SMF) (327) requesting said UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into downlink packets; Extracting a DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value in an IP (Internet Protocol) header of an incoming payload packet; determining a PPI value for a downlink packet based on the DSCP value and the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information; inserting the PPI value into the downlink packet; A method comprising:

10. 10. The method of claim 9, The message requests the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a downlink GTP-U (GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) GTP-U layer extension header of a GTP-U packet that encapsulates a payload packet.

11. 11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, The method, wherein the DSCP-to-PPI control information further comprises one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information and / or one or more QFIs (Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers).

12. 5. The method of claim 4, The message instructs the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a GTP-U (General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) layer extension header of a GTP-U packet that encapsulates a payload packet.

13. 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, The one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS flows relate to payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information; The method further includes, prior to inserting the PPI value into the downlink packet, determining that the downlink packet matches a QFI of the one or more QFIs.

14. 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising: The method of claim 1, wherein the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information comprises a table that maps the DSCP of a payload packet to a corresponding PPI, the table including one or more DSCP identifiers that correspond to a PPI identifier.

15. 15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, comprising: The method, wherein the message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the PFCP session message is one of a PFCP Session Establishment Request or a PFCP Session Modification Request.

17. A computer program (943) comprising instructions (944) which, when executed by a processing circuit (902), cause the processing circuit (902) to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. 20. A carrier containing the computer program of claim 17, the carrier being one of an electrical signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, and a computer readable storage medium (942).

19. An apparatus (900), said apparatus being configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A SMF (Session Management Function) (327) node, said node comprising: determining that a paging policy differentiation function is supported by a UPF (User Plane Function) (325); and sending a message towards the UPF (325) instructing the UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into downlink packets based on a DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value (106); The message includes DSCP to PPI control information.

21. 21. A node according to claim 20, The message instructs the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a GTP-U (GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) layer extension header of a GTP-U packet that encapsulates a payload packet.

22. 22. A node according to claim 20 or 21, The DSCP-to-PPI control information further comprises one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information and / or one or more QFIs (Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers).

23. 21. A node according to claim 20, The node is further configured to determine that the paging policy differentiation function is applicable to a PDF (Protocol Data Unit) session before sending a message towards the UPF (325) instructing the UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into downlink packets based on a DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value (106).

24. 24. A node according to any one of claims 21 to 23, comprising: The one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS flows relate to payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information.

25. 25. A node according to any one of claims 21 to 24, comprising: The DSCP-to-PPI mapping information includes a table that maps the DSCP of a payload packet to a corresponding PPI, the table including one or more DSCP identifiers that correspond to a PPI identifier.

26. 26. A node according to any one of claims 20 to 25, The message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message.

27. 27. The node of claim 26, wherein the PFCP message is one of a PFCP Session Establishment Request or a PFCP Session Modification Request.

28. A UPF (User Plane Function) (325) node, said node comprising: receiving a message including DSCP-to-PPI control information from a Session Management Function (SMF) (327) requesting said UPF (325) to insert a PPI (Paging Policy Indicator) value (110) into downlink packets; Extracting a DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) value in an IP (Internet Protocol) header of an incoming payload packet; determining a PPI value for a downlink packet based on the DSCP value and the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information; inserting the PPI value into the downlink packet; A node that is configured to:

29. 29. A node according to claim 28, comprising: The message requests the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a GTP-U layer extension header of a downlink GTP-U (GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) packet that encapsulates a payload packet.

30. 30. A node according to claim 28 or 29, The DSCP-to-PPI control information further comprises one or more DSCP-to-PPI mapping information and / or one or more QFIs (Quality of Service (QoS) Flow Identifiers).

31. 24. A node according to claim 23, comprising: The message instructs the UPF (325) to insert the PPI value into a GTP-U (GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Tunneling Protocol User Plane) layer extension header of a GTP-U packet that encapsulates a payload packet.

32. 32. A node according to claim 30 or 31, The one or more QFIs indicate to the UPF which QoS flows relate to payload packets that are eligible for PPI insertion based on the DSCP-to-PPI mapping information; The node is further configured to determine that the downlink packet matches a QFI of the one or more QFIs before inserting the PPI value into the downlink packet.

33. 33. A node according to any one of claims 30 to 32, comprising: The DSCP-to-PPI mapping information includes a table that maps the DSCP of a payload packet to a corresponding PPI, the table including one or more DSCP identifiers that correspond to a PPI identifier.

34. 34. A node according to any one of claims 28 to 33, comprising: The message is a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session message.

35. 35. The node of claim 34, wherein the PFCP session message is one of a PFCP Session Establishment Request or a PFCP Session Modification Request.

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