Broadcast Message Transmission Method, Apparatus, Network Function, and Storage Medium

Abstract

The present disclosure proposes a method, apparatus, network function, and storage medium for transmitting broadcast messages. Among them, the method includes a first SMF creating and / or modifying and / or releasing a first MBS session for a first VN group, and the first MBS session is used to transmit at least one group cast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group to at least one first terminal, and the first terminal represents a terminal within the first VN group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to Related Applications This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202210547476.1, filed in China on May 18, 2022, and all of its content is incorporated herein by reference. This disclosure relates to the field of wireless technologies, and in particular, to a method, apparatus, network function, and storage medium for transmitting broadcast messages.

Background Art

[0002] In related technologies, the Multicast and Broadcast Service (MBS) mode is for transmitting external broadcast data and cannot realize broadcast between terminals in a 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G) Local Area Network (LAN).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] To solve the problems in related technologies, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, apparatus, network function, and storage medium for transmitting broadcast messages.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure are realized as follows.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for transmitting a broadcast message applied to a first Session Management Function (SMF), and the method includes Performing a first operation for a first Virtual Network (VN) group, the first operation including: creating a first MBS session, modifying the first MBS session, releasing the first MBS session, deleting the first MBS session, and including at least one of prohibiting the use of the first MBS session. The first MBS session is used to transmit at least one groupcast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group to at least one first terminal, and the first terminal represents a terminal within the first VN group.

[0006] Among them, in the above aspect, the groupcast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group includes some or all of the broadcast messages from the internal interface of the first VN group and / or some or all of the groupcast messages.

[0007] In the above aspect, the broadcast message and / or groupcast message within the first VN group is transmitted from the first user plane function (UPF) serving the first VN group to the first base station via the first MBS session, and then transmitted from the first base station to the first terminal in a point-to-point (PTP) or point-to-multipoint (PTM) manner. The first base station represents a base station connected to the first UPF and serving the first VN group.

[0008] In the above aspect, the first SMF determines the creation of the first MBS session according to at least one of the contract information of the first VN group, the local configuration information of the first VN group, the capabilities of the first UPF serving the first VN group, the capabilities of the first SMF, the number of terminals accessed by the first UPF, and the first instruction of the first network function. The first instruction is used to instruct the first SMF to create an MBS session for the first VN group.

[0009] In the above aspect, performing the first operation for the above-mentioned first VN group includes performing the first operation for the first VN group on at least one first UPF. The first UPF represents the UPF serving the first VN group.

[0010] In the above aspect, performing the first operation for the above-mentioned first VN group includes sending a first request to the first UPF. The first request is used to request the creation of the first MBS session, and the first request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session.

[0011] In the above aspect, the first request further carries at least one piece of information of the first MBS session, including a first Packet Detection Rule (PDR), and a first Forwarding Action Rule (FAR).

[0012] In the above aspect, the method further includes sending a second request to the first Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). The first AMF represents an AMF corresponding to a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a first terminal served by a first UPF within the first VN group. The second request is used to request the establishment of session resources for the first MBS session, and the first identifier and first information are carried in the second request. The first information represents PDU session information of terminals within the VN group associated with the first AMF.

[0013] In the above aspect, performing a first operation for the above-mentioned first VN group includes sending a third request to the first UPF, wherein the third request is used to request the modification or prohibition of use of the first MBS session, and the first identifier for identifying the first MBS session and the first PDR and / or first FAR of the first MBS session are carried in the third request.

[0014] In the above aspect, performing a first operation for the above-mentioned first VN group includes sending a fourth request to the first UPF, wherein the fourth request is used to request the release or deletion of the first MBS session, and the first identifier for identifying the first MBS session is carried in the fourth request.

[0015] In the above aspect, creating the first MBS session for the first VN group includes sending a fifth request to the first UPF, wherein the fifth request is used to request the establishment or modification of a PDU session for the first terminal, and the PDR and / or FAR of downlink groupcast messages and / or broadcast messages are not carried in the fifth request.

[0016] In the above aspect, the method Further comprising transmitting a sixth request to a Radio Access Network (RAN) via the first AMF, The sixth request is used to request to create a first context of the first MBS session and / or to request to establish a mapping between the first context and a second context of the first PDU session and / or to request to allocate N3 interface tunnel resources for the first MBS session.

[0017] In the above aspect, a broadcast message and / or a multicast message on an internal interface of the first VN group are subjected to matching and forwarding of a downlink data packet in a first PDR and / or a first FAR of the first MBS session.

[0018] In the above aspect, a source interface of the first PDR includes an internal interface of the first VN group, a destination address of the first PDR includes a broadcast address and / or a multicast address, and the first FAR is used to instruct to forward a broadcast message and / or a multicast message matched with the first PDR through an N3 interface tunnel of the first MBS session and / or to instruct to forward a broadcast message and / or a multicast message matched with the first PDR through an N9 interface tunnel of the first MBS session.

[0019] In the above aspect, a second PDR and / or a second FAR of a PDU session of the first terminal do not support matching of a downlink broadcast message and / or a multicast message and do not support forwarding of a downlink broadcast message and / or a multicast message.

[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure are transmission devices for broadcast messages, comprising a session management unit for creating and / or modifying and / or releasing a first MBS session for a first VN group, wherein the first MBS session is used to transmit at least one groupcast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group to at least one first terminal, and the first terminal represents a terminal within the first VN group, and further provides a transmission device for broadcast messages.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure are a first SMF including a first processor and a first communication interface, wherein the first communication interface is used to create and / or modify and / or release a first MBS session for a first VN group, wherein the first MBS session is used to transmit at least one groupcast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group to at least one first terminal, and the first terminal represents a terminal within the first VN group, and further provides a first SMF.

[0022] Embodiments of the present disclosure are a first SMF including a first processor and a first memory for storing a computer program operable by the processor, when the first processor is used to operate the computer program, it further provides a first SMF that executes the steps of any one of the methods described above.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium storing a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of any one of the methods described above are realized.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] In the method, apparatus, network function, and storage medium for transmitting a broadcast message according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first SMF creates and / or modifies and / or releases a first MBS session for a first VN group, and the first MBS session is used to transmit at least one group cast message and / or broadcast message in the first VN group to at least one first terminal, and the first terminal represents a terminal in the first VN group. Based on the above aspect, it is possible to realize the transmission of group cast messages and / or broadcast messages within a LAN, so as to save the bandwidth of the N3 interface and the air interface. As a result, the service delay is reduced and the reliability of data transmission is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)) standard, 5G LAN provides a broadcast function between terminals. When a terminal issues a broadcast message or receives a broadcast message sent from the N6 interface or N19 interface, the UPF replicates the broadcast data according to the broadcast transfer principle and sends the broadcast message to other terminals via the sessions of all members of the currently accessed 5G VN group. When broadcast data is transmitted within 5G LAN, there is duplicate transmission of the same data packet between the Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) and the UPF, and between the NG-RAN and the terminal. If the number of terminals is extremely large, the bandwidth of the N3 interface and the air interface will be significantly occupied at the same time. Also, when the requirements for delay and reliability of terminal services are high, a large amount of simultaneously generated broadcast data will also affect network performance.

[0027] In related technologies, an MBS mode for broadcast messages has been proposed. This mode is for transmitting external broadcast data. However, the broadcast messages in 5G LAN may be sent from terminals or received from the N6 interface / N19 interface. Also, since the data transfer rules of 5G LAN are established on the internal interface of 5G VN, this MBS mode is not applicable to 5G LAN.

[0028] Based on this, in each embodiment of the present disclosure, the first SMF creates and / or modifies and / or releases a first MBS session for the first VN group, wherein the first MBS session is used to transmit group cast messages and / or broadcast messages within the first VN group to at least one first terminal, and the first terminal represents a terminal within the first VN group. Based on the above aspect, since the transmission of group cast messages and / or broadcast messages within the LAN can be realized, the bandwidth of the N3 interface and the air interface is saved. As a result, the service delay is reduced and the reliability of data transmission is improved.

[0029] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments.

[0030] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for transmitting broadcast messages applied to a first SMF. As shown in FIG. 1, the method includes: Step 101 of performing a first operation for the first VN group, and the first operation includes: Creating a first MBS session, Modifying the first MBS session, Releasing the first MBS session, Deleting the first MBS session, At least one of prohibiting the use of the first MBS session is included.

[0031] Among them, the first MBS session is used to transmit group cast messages and / or broadcast messages within the first VN group to at least one first terminal, and the first terminal represents a terminal within the first VN group.

[0032] Here, the first SMF may be an SMF that supports the creation of an MBS session. The MBS session may refer to a session of a multicast service and / or a broadcast service, or may refer to a session of a groupcast service and / or a broadcast service.

[0033] In actual applications, the first SMF determines the creation of the first MBS session according to at least one of the contract information of the first VN group, the local configuration information of the first VN group, the capabilities of the first UPF serving the first VN group, the capabilities of the first SMF, the number of terminals accessed by the first UPF, and the first instruction of the first network function. The first instruction is used to instruct the first SMF to create an MBS session for the first VN group.

[0034] Among them, the contract information of the first VN group includes the contract information of the first terminal in the operator network of the first VN group, and may be an indicator, which is used to indicate that the first VN group needs to transmit groupcast data and / or broadcast data via an MBS session. The local configuration information of the first VN group includes the local configuration information of the first terminal in the first VN group. The capabilities of the UPF or SMF include the ability to support the creation of an SMF session. Here, the first UPF refers to the UPF serving the first VN group. Usually, one VN group can be served by one or more UPFs. The first instruction may be a policy issued for the first SMF from network functions such as the Policy Control Function (PCF) and Unified Data Management (UDM) of the 5G core network. The corresponding policy content is to instruct the first SMF to create an MBS session for the 5G VN group.

[0035] In one embodiment, the group cast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group includes some or all of the broadcast messages from the internal interface of the first VN group and / or some or all of the group cast messages.

[0036] That is, the aspect according to the present disclosure transmits internal broadcast data, that is, the group cast message and / or broadcast message is from the internal interface of the LAN. Exemplarily, the internal interface of the first VN group may be a 5G VN internal interface.

[0037] In one embodiment, after the broadcast message and / or group cast message within the first VN group is transmitted from the first UPF serving the first VN group to the first base station via the first MBS session, it is transmitted by the first base station to the first terminal in a PTP or PTM manner, among which, The first base station represents a base station connected to the first UPF and serving the first VN group.

[0038] Specifically, the group cast message and / or broadcast message transmitted to the first terminal is transmitted from the UPF serving the first terminal in the first VN group to the first base station of the first terminal via the first MBS session, and then transmitted by the first base station to the first terminal in a PTP or PTM manner.

[0039] Also, from the perspective of the data plane, the broadcast message and / or group cast message at the internal interface of the first VN group undergoes matching and forwarding of downlink data packets in the first PDR and / or first FAR of the first MBS session.

[0040] In one embodiment, performing the first operation for the above-mentioned first VN group is performing a first operation for the first VN group on at least one first UPF, wherein the first UPF represents a UPF serving the first VN group.

[0041] In actual applications, creating an MBS session for a VN group includes the following two cases. Case 1: One or more UPFs serving the VN group have already provided PDU session services to one or more terminals of the VN group, but the VN group has not created an MBS session. At this time, an MBS session is created for the VN group on one or more UPFs serving the VN group. Case 2: Along with the PDU session start procedure of the terminals in the VN group, a first MBS session is created for the VN group on the UPF serving the VN group.

[0042] For the above Case 1, in one embodiment, performing the first operation for the first VN group as described above includes sending a first request to the first UPF.

[0043] Among them, the first request is used to request the creation of the first MBS session, and the first request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session, for example, an MBS session identifier.

[0044] Here, the first identifier is used to identify the first MBS session throughout the creation, modification, and release processes of session management.

[0045] Also, in one embodiment, the first request further carries at least one piece of information of the first MBS session, a first PDR, and a first FAR.

[0046] Here, the first PDR is used to detect broadcast messages and / or groupcast messages within the VN group in the downlink direction, that is, it is a downlink PDR. Specifically, the source interface of the first PDR includes the internal interface of the first VN group. Exemplarily, in a downlink PDR for detecting broadcast messages and / or groupcast messages within a 5G VN group in the downlink direction, the source interface is set to "5G VN internal". The destination address of the first PDR includes a broadcast address and / or a groupcast address.

[0047] The first FAR is used to broadcast and / or group-cast a broadcast message and / or a group-cast message to a terminal in a broadcast and / or group-cast manner via the first MBS session. The first FAR corresponds to the first PDR. Specifically, it is used to instruct to transfer a broadcast message and / or a group-cast message matched with the first PDR via the N3 interface tunnel of the first MBS session, and / or to instruct to transfer a broadcast message and / or a group-cast message matched with the first PDR via the N9 interface tunnel of the first MBS session. Specifically, the first FAR is used to instruct that the destination interface is the access side, and optionally, is used to instruct the N3 interface and / or N9 tunnel information related to the first MBS session. Among them, for the information synchronization method of the N3 interface and / or N9 tunnel interface, multicast transport over the current 3GPP standard N3mb or N19mb or unicast transport over N3mb or N9mb may be adopted.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is also supported to modify or prohibit the use of the MBS session of the created VN group. Among them, in one embodiment, performing the first operation for the above-mentioned first VN group includes sending a third request to the first UPF.

[0049] Among them, the third request is used to request the modification or prohibition of use of the first MBS session, and the third request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session and a first PDR and / or a first FAR of the first MBS session.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, releasing or deleting an MBS session of a created VN group is also supported. Among them, in one embodiment, performing a first operation for the first VN group described above is including sending a fourth request to the first UPF.

[0051] Among them, the fourth request is used to request the release or deletion of the first MBS session, and the fourth request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session.

[0052] Also, after creating a first MBS session on the first UPF, it is necessary to establish session resources for the first MBS session. Based on this, in one embodiment, the method further includes sending a second request to the first AMF.

[0053] Among them, the first AMF represents an AMF corresponding to a PDU session of a first terminal served by the first UPF. The second request is used to request the establishment of session resources related to the first MBS session, and the second request carries the first identifier and first information. The first information represents PDU session information of terminals within a VN group associated with the first AMF.

[0054] Here, after receiving the second request, the first AMF subsequently requests the RAN to create session resources for the first MBS session. In one embodiment, the method further includes transmitting a sixth request to the RAN via the first AMF.

[0055] Among them, the sixth request is used to request to create a first context of the first MBS session, and / or to request to establish a mapping between the first context and a second context of the first PDU session, and / or to request to allocate N3 interface tunnel resources for the first MBS session.

[0056] Here, the sixth request may be an N2 message request. Specifically, the first SMF may call the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service of the AMF and carry the PDU session identifier of the first terminal and the session identifier of the MBS session in the call request. After the RAN executes the request content according to the N2 message request, it returns an N2 message response to the AMF.

[0057] Hereinafter, in conjunction with the schematic diagram of the principle of MBS session management shown in FIG. 2, Case 1 of the creation of the MBS session will be further described through the example of the interaction flow in FIG. 3.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, the UPF1 provides PDU session services to a plurality of terminals within the 5G LAN, but an MBS session (in the example of FIG. 2, this MBS session is referred to as a LAN-MBS session) regarding the 5G VN group composed of the plurality of terminals has not been created on the UPF1 yet. If the SMF decides to create an MBS session for the 5G VN group on the UPF1, the following will occur.

[0059] Step 1: The SMF initiates a LAN-MBS session establishment request to the UPF1, carrying the session ID of the LAN-MBS session and the PDR and / or FAR information related to the LAN-MBS session. Here, the UPF1 is the UPF serving the 5G VN group.

[0060] Step 2: UPF1 returns the LAN-MBS session establishment response to the SMF.

[0061] Step 3: The SMF initiates a request for establishing LAN-MBS session resources to AMF1, carrying the session ID of the LAN-MBS session and the PDU session information of the terminals in the 5G VN group associated with AMF1. Here, AMF1 is the AMF corresponding to the PDU session of the terminals within the 5G VN group that serves UPF1.

[0062] Step 4: AMF1 sends an N2 message request to the NG-RAN. 1. Request / notify the NG-RAN to create a LAN-MBS session context. 2. Request / notify the NG-RAN to map the relationship between the LAN-MBS session context and the context corresponding to the PDU session information of the terminals in the 5G VN group. 3. Request the NG-RAN to allocate the downlink (DL) tunnel information (Tunnel Infor) of the N3mb interface.

[0063] Step 5: The NG-RAN returns an N2 message request to AMF1. If the NG-RAN adopts unicast transport over N3mb, the DL Tunnel Infor of the N3mb interface is carried.

[0064] Step 6: AMF1 sends a response to the request for establishing LAN-MBS session resources to the SMF.

[0065] Step 7: The SMF initiates a request for modifying the LAN-MBS session to UPF1, carrying the session ID of the LAN-MBS and the PDR and / or FAR information related to the LAN-MBS session. Here, if the NG-RAN adopts unicast transport over N3mb or N9mb, it is instructed in the FAR to transfer the N3 / N9 tunnel information related to the LAN-MBS session for data transfer.

[0066] Step 8: UPF1 returns a session modification response to the SMF.

[0067] Step 9: The SMF sends a session modification request to UPF1 and requests to release, delete, or prohibit the use of the PDR and / or FAR information related to the LAN-MBS session.

[0068] Step 10: UPF1 returns a session modification response to the SMF.

[0069] For the above Case 2, in one embodiment, performing the first operation for the first VN group described above includes sending a fifth request to the first UPF.

[0070] Among them, the fifth request is used to request to establish or modify a PDU session for the first terminal, and the PDR and / or FAR of the downlink group cast message and / or broadcast message are not carried in the fifth request.

[0071] In one embodiment, the second PDR and / or second FAR of the PDU session of the first terminal do not support the matching of the downlink broadcast message and / or group cast message, and do not support the transfer of the downlink broadcast message and / or group cast message.

[0072] In a request for establishing or modifying a PDU session, since the PDR and / or FAR of downlink groupcast messages and / or broadcast messages are not carried, the transfer of broadcast data and / or groupcast data does not occur on the PDR and / or FAR of the PDU session of each related terminal. As a result, the broadcast data and / or groupcast data sent to the corresponding terminal will be transmitted to the terminal via the MBS session.

[0073] Hereinafter, in conjunction with the schematic diagram of the MBS session management principle shown in FIG. 2, Case 1 of creating an MBS session will be further described through the interaction flow example in FIG. 4.

[0074] Steps 1 to 4: The terminals in the 5G VN group start a 5G LAN session establishment request. The SMF obtains the subscription data of the terminals. Here, optionally, the subscription data of the terminals may carry the characteristics of the 5G LAN, and broadcast and / or groupcast transmissions need to be performed using the LAN-MBS session.

[0075] Step 5: The SMF sends the PDU session establishment request of the terminal to UPF1, and the PDR / FAR rules do not include PDR / FAR information related to broadcast / groupcast.

[0076] Step 6: UPF1 returns a PDU session establishment response to the SMF.

[0077] Step 7: The SMF calls the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service of the AMF, carrying the PDU session ID and MBS session ID of the terminal UE. In this way, if the MBS session context has not been created on the NG-RAN yet, it requests the NG-RAN to create the MBS session context and notifies the NG-RAN of the relationship between the MBS session context and the UE's PDU session context to make the mapping.

[0078] Step 8: The AMF sends an N2 PDU session request to the NG-RAN, carrying the current PDU session ID and MBS session ID of the terminal. 1. Request / notify the NG-RAN to create the MBS session context, and 2. Request / notify the NG-RAN to map the relationship between the MBS session context and the current UE's PDU session context.

[0079] Step 9: The NG-RAN and the UE establish a radio connection related to the MBS session.

[0080] Steps 10 - 14: The standard PDU session establishment flow is not referred to.

[0081] Based on the above manner, it is possible to realize the transmission of group cast messages and / or broadcast messages within the LAN. Therefore, by aggregating the group cast messages and / or broadcast messages, the bandwidth of the N3 interface and the air interface is saved. As a result, the service delay is reduced and the reliability of data transmission is improved.

[0082] To implement the method for transmitting a broadcast message according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a transmission device for a broadcast message provided in a first SMF. As shown in FIG. 5, the device includes A session management unit 601 for performing a first operation for a first VN group, the first operation including creating a first MBS session, and modifying the first MBS session, and releasing the first MBS session, and deleting the first MBS session, and prohibiting the use of the first MBS session, including at least one of The first MBS session is used to transmit at least one group cast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group to at least one first terminal, and the first terminal represents a terminal within the first VN group.

[0083] Among them, in one embodiment, the group cast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group includes some or all of the broadcast messages from the internal interface of the first VN group, and / or some or all of the group cast messages.

[0084] In one embodiment, the broadcast message and / or group cast message within the first VN group is transmitted from a first user plane function (UPF) serving the first VN group to a first base station via the first MBS session, and then transmitted by the first base station to the first terminal in a PTP or PTM manner, where The first base station represents a base station connected to the first UPF and serving the first VN group.

[0085] In one embodiment, the first SMF determines the creation of the first MBS session according to at least one of the contract information of the first VN group, the local configuration information of the first VN group, the capabilities of the first UPF serving the first VN group, the capabilities of the first SMF, the number of terminals accessed by the first UPF, and the first indication of the first network function, and the first indication is used to instruct the first SMF to create an MBS session for the first VN group.

[0086] In one embodiment, the session management unit 601 is used to execute a first operation for the first VN group on at least one first UPF, and the first UPF represents a UPF serving the first VN group.

[0087] In one embodiment, the session management unit 601 is used to send a first request to the first UPF, wherein the first request is used to request the creation of the first MBS session, and the first request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session.

[0088] In one embodiment, the first request further carries at least one piece of information of the first MBS session, which is the first PDR, and the first FAR.

[0089] In one embodiment, the session management unit 601 is further used to send a second request to the first AMF, among which, The first AMF represents the AMF corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal served by the first UPF. The second request is used to request the establishment of session resources for the first MBS session, and the first identifier and first information are carried in the second request. The first information represents the PDU session information of the terminals within the VN group associated with the first AMF.

[0090] In one embodiment, the session management unit 601 is used to send a third request to the first UPF. The third request is used to request the modification or prohibition of use of the first MBS session, and the first identifier for identifying the first MBS session and the first PDR and / or first FAR of the first MBS session are carried in the third request.

[0091] In one embodiment, the session management unit 601 is used to send a fourth request to the first UPF. The fourth request is used to request the release or deletion of the first MBS session, and the first identifier for identifying the first MBS session is carried in the fourth request.

[0092] In one embodiment, the session management unit 601 is used to send a fifth request to the first UPF. The fifth request is used to request to establish or modify a PDU session for the first terminal, and the PDR and / or FAR of the downlink group cast message and / or broadcast message are not carried in the fifth request.

[0093] In one embodiment, the session management unit 601 is further used to transmit a sixth request to the RAN via the first AMF, among which The sixth requirement is used to request to create a first context of the first MBS session, and / or is used to request to establish a mapping between the first context and a second context of the first PDU session, and / or is used to request to allocate N3 interface tunnel resources for the first MBS session.

[0094] In one embodiment, a broadcast message and / or a group cast message on an internal interface of the first VN group are matched and transferred for a downlink data packet in a first PDR and / or a first FAR of the first MBS session.

[0095] In one embodiment, a source interface of the first PDR includes an internal interface of the first VN group, a destination address of the first PDR includes a broadcast address and / or a group cast address, and the first FAR is used to instruct to transfer a broadcast message and / or a group cast message matched with the first PDR through an N3 interface tunnel of the first MBS session, and / or is used to instruct to transfer a broadcast message and / or a group cast message matched with the first PDR through an N9 interface tunnel of the first MBS session.

[0096] In one embodiment, a second PDR and / or a second FAR of a PDU session of the first terminal do not support matching of a downlink broadcast message and / or a group cast message, and do not support transfer of a downlink broadcast message and / or a group cast message.

[0097] In actual application, the session management unit 601 may be implemented by a communication interface in a transmission device of a broadcast message.

[0098] It should be noted that when the broadcast message transmission device according to the above embodiment performs broadcast message transmission, the division of each of the above program modules is described as an example. However, in actual applications, depending on the need, the above processing may be assigned to be performed by different program modules, that is, the internal structure of the device may be divided into different program modules to perform all or part of the processing described above. Further, the broadcast message transmission device according to the above embodiment belongs to the same concept as the embodiment of the broadcast message transmission method. For details of its specific implementation process, reference may be made to the method embodiment, and it will not be repeated here.

[0099] Based on the hardware implementation of the above program module and to implement the method on the first SMF side according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a first SMF. As shown in FIG. 6, the first SMF 700 includes a first communication interface 701 capable of exchanging information with other network nodes, a first processor connected to the first communication interface so as to realize information exchange with other network nodes. When the computer program operates, the first processor 702 is for executing the method according to one or more technical aspects on the first SMF side. On the other hand, the computer program is stored in the first memory 703.

[0100] Specifically, the first communication interface 701 is used to execute a first operation for the first VN group, and the first operation includes creating a first MBS session, modifying the first MBS session, releasing the first MBS session, deleting the first MBS session, prohibiting the use of the first MBS session, and includes at least one of them. The first MBS session is used to transmit at least one groupcast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group to at least one first terminal, and the first terminal represents a terminal within the first VN group.

[0101] Among them, in one embodiment, the groupcast message and / or broadcast message within the first VN group includes some or all of the broadcast messages from the internal interface of the first VN group and / or some or all of the groupcast messages.

[0102] In one embodiment, the broadcast message and / or groupcast message within the first VN group is transmitted from a first user plane function (UPF) serving the first VN group to a first base station via the first MBS session, and then transmitted by the first base station to the first terminal in a PTP or PTM manner, where The first base station represents a base station connected to the first UPF and serving the first VN group.

[0103] In one embodiment, the first SMF determines the creation of the first MBS session according to at least one of the subscription information of the first VN group, the local configuration information of the first VN group, the capabilities of the first UPF serving the first VN group, the capabilities of the first SMF, the number of terminals accessed by the first UPF, and the first instruction of the first network function. The first instruction is used to instruct the first SMF to create an MBS session for the first VN group.

[0104] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 701 is used to execute a first operation for the first VN group on at least one first UPF, The first UPF represents a UPF serving the first VN group.

[0105] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 701 is used to send a first request to a first UPF, wherein the first request is used to request creation of the first MBS session, and the first request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session.

[0106] In one embodiment, the first request further carries at least one of the following information of the first MBS session: a first PDR and a first FAR.

[0107] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 701 is further used to send a second request to a first AMF, where the first AMF represents an AMF corresponding to a PDU session of a first terminal served by a first UPF, the second request is used to request establishment of session resources related to the first MBS session, and the second request carries the first identifier and first information, where the first information represents PDU session information of terminals within a VN group associated with the first AMF.

[0108] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 701 is used to send a third request to a first UPF, wherein the third request is used to request modification or prohibition of use of the first MBS session, and the third request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session, and a first PDR and / or a first FAR of the first MBS session.

[0109] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 701 is used to send a fourth request to a first UPF, The fourth request is used to request the release or deletion of the first MBS session, and the fourth request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session.

[0110] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 701 is used to send a fifth request to the first UPF, the fifth request is used to request to establish or modify a PDU session for the first terminal, and the fifth request does not carry a PDR and / or FAR of a downlink group cast message and / or a broadcast message.

[0111] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 701 is further used to transmit a sixth request to the RAN via the first AMF, where the sixth request is used to request to create a first context of the first MBS session, and / or to request to establish a mapping between the first context and a second context of the first PDU session, and / or to request to allocate N3 interface tunnel resources for the first MBS session.

[0112] In one embodiment, a broadcast message and / or a group cast message in the internal interface of the first VN group are used for matching and forwarding downlink data packets in the first PDR and / or the first FAR of the first MBS session.

[0113] In one embodiment, the source interface of the first PDR includes the internal interface of the first VN group, the destination address of the first PDR includes a broadcast address and / or a group cast address, and the first FAR is used to instruct to transfer a broadcast message and / or a group cast message matched with the first PDR through the N3 interface tunnel of the first MBS session, and / or is used to instruct to transfer a broadcast message and / or a group cast message matched with the first PDR through the N9 interface tunnel of the first MBS session.

[0114] In one embodiment, the second PDR and / or the second FAR of the PDU session of the first terminal do not support matching of downlink broadcast messages and / or group cast messages, and do not support transfer of downlink broadcast messages and / or group cast messages.

[0115] It should be noted that for the specific processing procedures of the first processor 702 and the first communication interface 701, it is possible to understand with reference to the above method.

[0116] Of course, in actual applications, each component in the first SMF 700 is coupled via a bus system 704. Understandably, the bus system 704 is configured to realize connection communication between these components. The bus system 704 includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity in the description, in FIG. 6, all various buses are shown as the bus system 704.

[0117] The first memory 703 in the embodiments of the present disclosure is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the first SMF 700. Examples of such data include any computer program for operating on the first SMF 700.

[0118] The method disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure above may be applied within the first processor 702 or implemented by the first processor 702. The first processor 702 may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits that are hardware within the first processor 702 or by commands in software form. The first processor 702 described above may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The first processor 702 can implement or execute each method, step, and logic block diagram disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any common processor, etc. The combination with the steps in the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be completed as a direct implementation by execution by a hardware decoder processor, or may be completed by execution by a combination of hardware and software modules within the decoder processor. The software module may be located in a storage medium, and the storage medium is located within the first memory 703. The first processor 702 reads the information within the first memory 703 and, in combination with its hardware, completes the steps in the foregoing method.

[0119] In an exemplary embodiment, the first SMF 700 may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), DSPs, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, Micro Controller Units (MCUs), microprocessors, or other electronic components, and may be configured to execute the methods described above.

[0120] It should be understood that the memory (the first memory 703) in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM (registered trademark)), a flash memory, a magnetic surface memory, an optical disc, or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The magnetic surface memory may be a magnetic disk memory or a magnetic tape memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM) and is used as an external high-speed cache.By way of example, various types of RAM such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Synchronous Static Random Access Memory (SSRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDRSDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM), Direct Rambus Random Access Memory (DRRAM) are available, but not limited thereto. The memory described in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes these and any other suitable types of memory, but is not limited.

[0121] In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium, that is, a computer storage medium, specifically, a computer-readable storage medium, for example, including a first memory 703 storing a computer program, and the computer program can be executed by a first processor 702 of a first SMF 700 such that the steps described in the above-mentioned method on the first SMF side are completed. The computer-readable storage medium may be a memory such as FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disk, or CD-ROM. It should be noted that terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0122] In this specification, the term "and / or" is merely used to express the correlation relationship of related objects and indicates that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can indicate three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. Also, in this specification, the term "at least one" represents any one of a plurality or any combination of at least two of a plurality. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C can represent any one or more elements selected from the set consisting of A, B, and C.

[0123] In addition, the technical aspects described in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be arbitrarily combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0124] What is described above is merely a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting a broadcast message, which is applied to a first session management function (SMF), comprising: performing a first operation for a first virtual network (VN) group, the first operation including: creating a first Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) session; Modifying the first MBS session; Releasing the first MBS session; Deletion of the first MBS session; and prohibition of use of the first MBS session; A method for transmitting a broadcast message, wherein the first MBS session is used to transmit a groupcast message and / or a broadcast message to at least one first terminal in the first VN group, the first terminal representing a terminal in the first VN group.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the groupcast messages and / or broadcast messages within the first VN group include some or all of the broadcast messages and / or some or all of the groupcast messages from an internal interface of the first VN group.

3. The broadcast message and / or groupcast message in the first VN group is transmitted to a first base station via the first MBS session by a first user plane function (UPF) serving the first VN group, and then transmitted to a first terminal by the first base station in a point-to-point (PTP) or point-to-multipoint (PTM) manner; The method of claim 1 , wherein the first base station represents a base station connected to a first UPF and serving the first VN group.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first SMF determines to create the first MBS session according to at least one of contract information of the first VN group, local configuration information of the first VN group, a capability of a first UPF serving the first VN group, a capability of the first SMF, a quantity of terminals accessed by the first UPF, and a first instruction of a first network function, the first instruction being used to instruct the first SMF to create an MBS session for the first VN group.

5. Executing a first operation for the first VN group as described above includes: performing a first operation for the first VN group on at least one first UPF; The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a first UPF represents a UPF serving the first VN group.

6. Executing a first operation for the first VN group as described above includes: sending a first request to a first UPF; The method of claim 5 , wherein the first request is used to request creation of the first MBS session, and the first request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session.

7. The first request includes information about the first MBS session, A first packet detection rule (PDR); The method of claim 6 , further comprising carrying at least one of the following information: a first forwarding action rule (FAR);

8. The method comprises: sending a second request to a first Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first AMF represents an AMF corresponding to a protocol data unit (PDU) session of a first terminal served by a first UPF, the second request is used to request establishment of session resources for the first MBS session, and the second request carries the first identifier and first information, and the first information represents PDU session information of a terminal in a VN group associated with the first AMF.

9. Executing a first operation for the first VN group as described above includes: sending a third request to the first UPF; 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the third request is used to request modification or prohibition of the first MBS session, and the third request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session and a first PDR and / or a first FAR of the first MBS session.

10. Executing a first operation for the first VN group as described above includes: sending a fourth request to the first UPF; 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fourth request is used to request release or deletion of the first MBS session, and the fourth request carries a first identifier for identifying the first MBS session.

11. Executing a first operation for the first VN group as described above includes: sending a fifth request to the first UPF; The method according to claim 5, wherein the fifth request is used to request to establish or modify a PDU session for the first terminal, and the fifth request does not carry a PDR and / or FAR of a downlink groupcast message and / or broadcast message.

12. The method comprises: and transmitting a sixth request to a radio access network (RAN) via the first AMF; The method according to claim 8 or 11, wherein the sixth request is used to request creation of a first context of the first MBS session, and / or is used to request establishment of a mapping between the first context and a second context of the PDU session, and / or is used to request allocation of N3 interface tunnel resources for the first MBS session.

13. The method of claim 2 , wherein a broadcast message and / or a groupcast message on an internal interface of the first VN group is matched and forwarded to a downlink data packet in a first PDR and / or a first FAR of the first MBS session.

14. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein a source interface of the first PDR includes an internal interface of the first VN group, a destination address of the first PDR includes a broadcast address and / or a groupcast address, and the first FAR is used to instruct the first PDR to forward a matched broadcast message and / or groupcast message via an N3 interface tunnel of the first MBS session, and / or is used to instruct the first PDR to forward a matched broadcast message and / or groupcast message via an N9 interface tunnel of the first MBS session.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second PDR and / or the second FAR of the PDU session of the first terminal do not support matching of downlink broadcast messages and / or groupcast messages and do not support forwarding of downlink broadcast messages and / or groupcast messages.

16. A broadcast message transmission device, comprising: a session management unit for performing a first operation for a first VN group, the first operation including: Creating a first MBS session; Modifying the first MBS session; Releasing the first MBS session; Deletion of the first MBS session; and prohibition of use of the first MBS session; The first MBS session is used to transmit groupcast messages and / or broadcast messages to at least one first terminal in the first VN group, the first terminal being a transmission device representing a terminal in the first VN group.

17. a first SMF including a first processor and a first communications interface, The first communication interface is used to perform a first operation for a first VN group, the first operation including: Creating a first MBS session; Modifying the first MBS session; Releasing the first MBS session; Deletion of the first MBS session; and prohibition of use of the first MBS session; A first SMF, wherein the first MBS session is used to transmit groupcast messages and / or broadcast messages to at least one first terminal in the first VN group, the first terminal representing a terminal in the first VN group.

18. a first SMF including a first processor and a first memory for storing a computer program operable on the processor, A first SMF, which, when said first processor is used to run said computer program, performs the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. A storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program causing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 to be implemented when executed by a processor.

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