QOS parameter configuration method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application relates to the technical field of communications. Provided are a QoS parameter configuration method and a communication apparatus, which can solve the problem of air interface resource waste during service transmission. The method comprises: receiving a first QoS parameter; and sending a second QoS parameter, wherein the second QoS parameter is determined according to the first QoS parameter and compressed-data information, and the compressed-data information is used for indicating the proportion of compressed data or the proportion of non-compressed data in a transmitted unit data volume. The embodiments of the present application are applied to a QoS parameter configuration process in a scenario of combining a 5G system and a TSN / TSC architecture.

Description

QoS parameter configuration method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on June 29, 2023, with application number 202310791347.1 and application name “A QoS parameter configuration method and communication device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method for configuring quality of service (QoS) parameters and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] In the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G) system, in order to ensure the end-to-end service quality of the service, a 5G QoS framework based on QoS flow is proposed. This framework can use the same transmission processing (such as scheduling and admission thresholds) for data packets controlled by the same QoS flow. Among them, the transmission process of the QoS flow may include: when the terminal device, access network device and user plane function (UPF) establish a QoS flow, the access network device can allocate air interface resources for data transmission according to the QoS parameters.

[0004] In the industrial control scenario, when combining the 5G QoS framework and the time sensitive network (TSN) / time sensitive communication (TSC) system for service transmission, it is proposed that the TSN / TSC system can perform user-plane data compression based on service characteristics. For example, the padding portion of duplicate data packets and service data packets can be compressed and transmitted based on packet detection. For example, when the terminal device receives an uplink data packet from the TSN / TSC system, it compresses some fields in the received uplink data packet and sends it to the access network device. When the access network device receives the uplink data packet sent by the terminal device, it decompresses the compressed fields in the uplink data packet. However, if the TSN / TSC system still provides QoS guarantee according to the existing resource application, regardless of whether data compression is required, the access network device needs to reserve air interface resources according to the QoS parameters, which may result in waste of air interface resources.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a QoS parameter configuration method and a communication device, which solve the problem of air interface resource waste during service transmission.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions.

[0008] In a first aspect, a method for configuring quality of service (QoS) parameters is provided, the method comprising: receiving a first QoS parameter; sending a second QoS parameter, the second QoS parameter being determined based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information, the compressed data information being used to indicate the proportion of compressed data or the proportion of uncompressed data in a unit data volume transmitted.

[0009] The process of receiving the first QoS parameter and sending the second QoS parameter here can be, for example, performed by a policy control function (PCF) network element or a time sensitive communication time synchronization function (TSCTSF) network element, and is not limited in this application. The second QoS parameter can be used by the RAN network element to reserve air interface resources, for example, for reserving air interface resources for GBR.

[0010] In this way, if the second QoS parameter is determined based on the compressed data information, when the network device sends the second QoS parameter, it is equivalent to determining the second QoS parameter based on the current data compression status. If the second QoS parameter is sent to the radio access network side, such as a radio access network (RAN) network element, the RAN network element can reserve air interface resources based on the second QoS parameter. Compared to the prior art, because the RAN network element cannot know in advance the data size of the QoS flow to be transmitted, the RAN network element only reserves air interface resources according to the preconfigured air interface resource size, which may result in waste of air interface resources. In this application, when configuring QoS parameters for the RAN network element, the QoS parameters are adjusted based on the current compressed data information to provide QoS assurance. For example, if a RAN network element needs to reserve guaranteed bit rate (GBR) air interface resources, and the second QoS parameter received by the RAN network element is adjusted based on compressed data information, the proportion of compressed data in the currently transmitted QoS flow is taken into account when the second QoS parameter is delivered to the RAN network element. The size of the GBR air interface resources reserved when the delivered second QoS parameter is used to reserve air interface resources for the RAN network element is smaller than the size of the GBR air interface resources reserved when the first QoS parameter is used directly to reserve air interface resources for the RAN network element. In this way, the GBR air interface resources reserved by the RAN network element based on the second QoS parameter are only used to guarantee the resources required for the compressed data volume. This ensures that the GBR air interface resources reserved by the RAN network element not only provide QoS guarantees but also save GBR air interface resources.

[0011] In one possible design, the air interface resource size reserved by the network-side device using the second QoS parameter is smaller than the air interface resource size reserved by the network-side device using the first QoS parameter. This reduces the air interface resources required for the compressed data due to data compression during transmission. If the current data compression status is taken into account when issuing QoS parameters to RAN network elements, the second QoS parameters are set based on the current data compression status. When the RAN network element reserves air interface resources based on the second QoS parameter, it only reserves the air interface resources required for the compressed data, thus avoiding the resource waste associated with pre-set reserved air interface resource sizes.

[0012] In one possible design, receiving the first QoS parameter includes: receiving a request sent by an application function (AF) network element, the request including the first QoS parameter. For example, the PCF network element may receive the first QoS parameter requested by the AF network element. When the AF network element has a service control requirement, before the service data starts to be transmitted, or during the service transmission process, it may request the PCF network element to perform appropriate QoS parameter authorization based on the compressed data information and the first QoS parameter. When the PCF network element obtains the appropriate second QoS parameter, it may send it to the RAN network element so that the RAN network element can reserve air interface resources that match the current service requirements, thereby reducing resource waste.

[0013] In one possible design, the request also includes compressed data information. Exemplarily, when the TSCTSF network element is executed, the TSCTSF network element may receive the compressed data information and the first QoS parameter sent by the AF network element. The TSCTSF network element calculates the second QoS parameter based on the compressed data information and the first QoS parameter, and sends it to the PCF network element, requesting the PCF network element to authorize the second QoS parameter. Alternatively, when the PCF network element is executed, the PCF network element receives the first QoS parameter and compressed data information from the AF network element. The PCF network element determines the second QoS parameter based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and sends it to the RAN network element when authorized. In this way, the RAN network element can reserve air interface resources that match current service needs, reducing resource waste.

[0014] In one possible design, sending the second QoS parameter includes sending the second QoS parameter to a policy control function (PCF) network element. When the TSCTSF network element receives the first QoS parameter and sends the second QoS parameter, the TSCTSF network element may send a second QoS parameter authorization request to the PCF network element upon obtaining the second QoS parameter.

[0015] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving a third QoS parameter recommended by the PCF sent by the PCF network element; and sending a fourth QoS parameter to the AF network element, where the fourth QoS parameter is determined based on the compressed data information and the third QoS parameter. In this case, when the TSCTSF network element receives the first QoS parameter and sends the second QoS parameter, if the PCF network element determines that the second QoS parameter cannot be authorized based on the current network status, the TSCTSF network element may receive the recommended third QoS parameter sent by the PCF network element. The TSCTSF network element may then determine the fourth QoS parameter based on the recommended third QoS parameter and the compressed data information and send it to the AF network element, so that the AF network element can send the fourth QoS parameter to the RAN network element for resource reservation.

[0016] In one possible design, before receiving the first QoS parameter, the method further includes: receiving compressed data information sent by a session management function (SMF) network element or a user plane function (UPF) network element. In this design, receiving the first QoS parameter and sending the second QoS parameter can be performed by the PCF network element. That is, the compressed data information used by the PCF network element to calculate the second QoS parameter can be notified by the SMF network element or the UPF network element. For example, when the UPF network element determines that the compressed data ratio reaches a threshold, it may deem that there is a large amount of data that can be compressed at this time, and may send the compressed data ratio to the SMF network element, so that the SMF sends the compressed data ratio to the PCF network element, so that the PCF network element can calculate the second QoS parameter that meets the service requirements.

[0017] In one possible design, before receiving the compressed data information, the method further includes: sending a trigger indication to the SMF network element, the trigger indication being used to instruct the SMF network element to notify when the compressed data information changes. In this design, the PCF network element sends a compressed data information change trigger to the SMF network element, so that the SMF network element can execute a new N4 rule for subscribing to the compressed data information from the UPF network element.

[0018] In one possible design, before receiving the compressed data information sent by the UPF network element, the method further includes: sending a subscription indication to the UPF network element, where the subscription indication is used to instruct the UPF network element to report when the compressed data information meets the conditions. In this design, after the UPF network element is service-oriented, the PCF network element can subscribe to the compressed data information directly from the UPF network element without going through the SMF network element, which can make the subscription process of the compressed data information more convenient and reduce the resource usage of transmission signaling.

[0019] In one possible design, sending the second QoS parameter includes sending the second QoS parameter to a session management function (SMF) network element. In this design, when the PCF network element obtains and authorizes the second QoS parameter, the PCF network element may send the second QoS parameter to the SMF network element, so that the SMF network element can send the second QoS parameter to the RAN network element, thereby enabling the RAN network element to reserve air interface resources that meet current service requirements, thereby avoiding resource waste.

[0020] In one possible design, the method also includes: receiving a fifth QoS parameter sent by the SMF network element, the fifth QoS parameter including the QoS parameter adjusted by the SMF network element according to the second QoS parameter; and sending a sixth QoS parameter to the AF network element, the sixth QoS parameter being determined based on the fifth QoS parameter and compressed data information.

[0021] In this design, if the SMF network element sends a second QoS parameter to the RAN network element, but the RAN network element detects that the QoS flow resources corresponding to the second QoS parameter cannot be met, the RAN network element can notify the SMF network element that the SMF network element needs to perform a QoS flow modification process. Therefore, when the SMF network element needs to perform a QoS flow modification process, it can adjust the received second QoS parameter based on the resource usage of the RAN network element, obtain a fifth QoS parameter, and then send it to the PCF network element. The PCF network element can further redefine the QoS parameter based on the fifth QoS parameter and the compressed data information, obtain a sixth QoS parameter, and send it to the AF network element. The AF network element can send the sixth QoS parameter to the RAN network element, so that the RAN network element can reserve resources based on the sixth QoS parameter to avoid resource waste.

[0022] In one possible design, the second QoS parameter is a recommended QoS parameter when the seventh QoS parameter cannot be authorized after the seventh QoS parameter is determined based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information. In this design, if the PCF network element, upon obtaining the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, can calculate a new QoS parameter based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and if the new QoS parameter cannot be authorized, the PCF network element can send a recommended second QoS parameter based on the calculated new QoS parameter and the current network status. This saves resources while ensuring that the second QoS parameter conforms to the current network status.

[0023] In one possible design, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet; or, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in a burst of data; or, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of data packets repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

[0024] For example, when the proportion of the number of compressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in a single data packet is large, or when the proportion of the number of compressed bits in a burst of data is large, or when the proportion of the number of data packets repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets is large, it means that the number of bits that can be compressed is large, and when reserving air interface resources, fewer resources can be reserved to save air interface resources.

[0025] In one possible design, the proportion of uncompressed data is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in a single data packet; or, the proportion of uncompressed data is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in a burst of data; or, the proportion of uncompressed data is the ratio of the number of data packets that are not repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

[0026] Among them, the proportion of non-compressed data = 1-compressed data proportion, which can also achieve the effect of saving resources.

[0027] In a second aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a receiving unit for receiving a first QoS parameter; a sending unit for sending a second QoS parameter, wherein the second QoS parameter is determined based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information, and the compressed data information is used to indicate the proportion of compressed data or the proportion of uncompressed data in the unit data volume transmitted.

[0028] The beneficial effects of the second aspect can be found in the description of the first aspect.

[0029] In one possible design, the size of the air interface resources reserved for the network side device by the second QoS parameter is smaller than the size of the air interface resources reserved for the network side device by the first QoS parameter.

[0030] In one possible design, the receiving unit is used to: receive a request sent by an application function AF network element, where the request includes a first QoS parameter.

[0031] In one possible design, the request also includes compressed data information.

[0032] In one possible design, the sending unit is used to send the second QoS parameter to the policy control function PCF network element.

[0033] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to receive the third QoS parameter recommended by the PCF sent by the PCF network element; the sending unit is also used to send a fourth QoS parameter to the AF network element, and the fourth QoS parameter is determined based on the compressed data information and the third QoS parameter.

[0034] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to: receive compressed data information sent by the SMF network element or the user plane function UPF network element.

[0035] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to: send a trigger indication to the SMF network element, where the trigger indication is used to instruct the SMF network element to notify when the compressed data information changes.

[0036] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to: send a subscription indication to the UPF network element, and the subscription indication is used to instruct the UPF network element to report when the compressed data information meets the conditions.

[0037] In one possible design, the sending unit is further used to: send a second QoS parameter to a session management function SMF network element.

[0038] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to receive the fifth QoS parameter sent by the SMF network element, where the fifth QoS parameter includes the QoS parameter adjusted by the SMF network element based on the second QoS parameter; the sending unit is also used to send the sixth QoS parameter to the AF network element, where the sixth QoS parameter is determined based on the fifth QoS parameter and compressed data information.

[0039] In one possible design, the second QoS parameter is a recommended QoS parameter when the seventh QoS parameter cannot be authorized after the seventh QoS parameter is determined based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information.

[0040] In one possible design, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet; or, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in a burst of data; or, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of data packets repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

[0041] In one possible design, the proportion of uncompressed data is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in a single data packet; or, the proportion of uncompressed data is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in a burst of data; or, the proportion of uncompressed data is the ratio of the number of data packets that are not repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

[0042] In a third aspect, a QoS parameter configuration method is provided, which includes: sending a first QoS parameter and compressed data information; the network device receives a second QoS parameter, the second QoS parameter is determined based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and the compressed data information is used to indicate the proportion of compressed data or the proportion of uncompressed data in the unit data volume transmitted.

[0043] Among them, the network device can be an AF / NEF / TSCTSF network element, etc. Taking the AF network element as an example, the AF network element can provide compressed data information at the same time when sending the requested first QoS parameter. When the TSCTSF / PCF network element receives the first QoS parameter and compressed data information sent by the AF network element, it can calculate and obtain the second QoS parameter. When the second QoS parameter is authorized and the second QoS parameter is sent to the RAN network element, a technical effect similar to the first aspect can be achieved. Moreover, for the AF network element, the authorized second QoS parameter allows the AF network element to perceive the QoS parameter in actual use, thereby adjusting the service requirements according to the second QoS parameter in actual use.

[0044] In one possible design, sending the first QoS parameter includes sending a request to the TSCTSF network element, the request including the first QoS parameter and compressed data information. The TSCTSF network element may obtain a second QoS parameter based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and request the PCF network element to authorize the second QoS parameter. If the PCF network element authorizes the second QoS parameter, the second QoS parameter may be sent to the RAN network element via the SMF network element, etc., so that the RAN network element reserves air interface resources based on the second QoS parameter.

[0045] In some embodiments, if the PCF cannot authorize the QoS parameters obtained based on the first QoS parameters and the compressed data information, the PCF network element may send a third QoS parameter recommended by the PCF network element to the TSCTSF network element. The TSCTSF network element may calculate a second QoS parameter based on the third QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and send the second QoS parameter to the AF network element. Therefore, receiving the second QoS parameter may include: (the AF network element) receiving the second QoS parameter sent by the TSCTSF network element. In this way, if the second QoS parameter is sent to the AF network element at the same time as it is sent to the RAN network element, the AF network element can perceive the QoS parameter in actual use and adjust service requirements based on the second QoS parameter in actual use.

[0046] In some embodiments, sending the first QoS parameter includes: (the AF network element) sending a request to the PCF network element, the request including the first QoS parameter and compressed data information. The PCF obtains the second QoS parameter based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and determines whether to authorize the second QoS parameter. If the second QoS parameter is authorizable and sent to the AF network element, the AF network element can perceive the QoS parameter in actual use and adjust service requirements based on the second QoS parameter in actual use.

[0047] In some embodiments, receiving the second QoS parameter includes: the AF network element receiving the second QoS parameter sent by the PCF network element. In this case, the second QoS parameter can be an authorizable QoS parameter directly obtained by the PCF network element based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, or it can be a QoS parameter recommended by the PCF network element and obtained by the PCF network element based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information. If the PCF network element sends the recommended QoS parameter, it can be understood that the QoS parameter directly obtained by the PCF network element based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information cannot be authorized, for example, the RAN side cannot meet the air interface resources required for the directly obtained QoS parameter.

[0048] In one possible design, the size of the air interface resources reserved for the network side device by the second QoS parameter is smaller than the size of the air interface resources reserved for the network side device by the first QoS parameter.

[0049] In a fourth aspect, a QoS parameter configuration method is provided, which includes: receiving a first QoS parameter, which is determined based on a second QoS parameter and compressed data information, and the compressed data information is used to indicate the proportion of compressed data or the proportion of uncompressed data in the unit data volume transmitted; reserving air interface resources based on the first QoS parameter, and the air interface resources are used for compressed data transmission.

[0050] Receiving the first QoS parameter and reserving air interface resources may be performed by a network-side device, such as a RAN network element. Referring to the beneficial effects of the first aspect, when compressed data information is considered when setting the first QoS parameter, the RAN network element only needs to reserve air interface resources required for the compressed data, thereby avoiding waste of air interface resources.

[0051] Exemplarily, the air interface resources can be used by a RAN network element to receive downlink data packets, perform compression operations on them, and then send them to the UE on the reserved air interface resources. Alternatively, the RAN network element can receive compressed uplink data packets sent by the UE on the reserved air interface resources.

[0052] In one possible design, the size of the air interface resources reserved by the network-side device using the first QoS parameter is smaller than the size of the air interface resources reserved by the network-side device using the second QoS parameter. Referring to the analysis of the beneficial effects of the first aspect, due to data compression during data transmission, the air interface resources required for the compressed data volume are smaller. If the current data compression status is taken into account when issuing QoS parameters to the RAN network element, this is equivalent to setting the first QoS parameter based on the current data compression status. When the RAN network element reserves air interface resources based on the first QoS parameter, it only needs to reserve the air interface resources required for the compressed data volume, thus avoiding the problem of resource waste caused by the preset reserved air interface resource size.

[0053] In one possible design, receiving the first QoS parameter includes: receiving the first QoS parameter sent by the SMF network element. The first QoS parameter sent by the SMF network element may be received by the SMF network element from the TSCTSF network element or from the PCF network element. That is, determining, based on the second QoS parameter and the compressed data information, whether the first QoS parameter is executed by the TSCTSF network element or by the PCF network element.

[0054] In a fifth aspect, a network device is provided, comprising: a memory and a processor. The memory and processor are coupled. The memory is configured to store computer program code, the computer program code comprising computer instructions. The transceiver is configured to receive and transmit data. When the processor executes the computer instructions, the network device performs any one of the QoS parameter configuration methods provided in the first aspect or its corresponding possible designs.

[0055] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which is applied to a network device. The chip system includes one or more interface circuits and one or more processors. The interface circuits and the processors are interconnected via a line; the interface circuits are configured to receive a signal from a memory of the network device and send the signal to the processor, the signal including computer instructions stored in the memory. When the processor executes the computer instructions, the network device performs the method for configuring QoS parameters as provided in the first aspect or its corresponding possible design.

[0056] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor being connected to a memory, and the at least one processor being used to read and execute a program stored in the memory so that the device executes the method described in the first aspect or any one of the first aspects above.

[0057] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is included in an electronic device and has the function of implementing the electronic device behavior in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation methods. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. For example, a receiving module or unit and a sending module or unit, etc.

[0058] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on an electronic device, the electronic device executes the QoS parameter configuration method in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation methods.

[0059] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which, when running on a computer or processor, enables the computer or processor to execute the QoS parameter configuration method in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation methods.

[0060] It can be understood that any of the network devices, communication devices, chip systems, computer-readable storage media or computer program products provided above can be applied to the corresponding methods provided above. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0061] These and other aspects of the present application will become more readily apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G QoS framework in a 5G system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a GBR QoS flow establishment process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture for intercommunication between a 3GPP 5G system and a TSN system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of message transmission with a deterministic delay requirement provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture for intercommunication between a 3GPP 5G system and a TSN system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a process of an AF network element requesting QoS parameters in a TSC system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a data packet transmission process using compressed padding as an example provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a non-roaming architecture and a roaming architecture of a 5G system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG9 is a flow chart of a QoS parameter configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction of a QoS parameter configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction of a QoS parameter configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction of a QoS parameter configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or, for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist, for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" means two or more than two.

[0077] In the following, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of the technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0078] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to scenarios where services are interconnected between the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G) system and the time sensitive network (TSN) / time sensitive communication (TSC) network, and in particular can be applied to scenarios where services are interconnected between the 5G QoS framework and the TSN / TSC system.

[0079] The following first introduces the 5G QoS framework and TSN / TSC system respectively.

[0080] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the 5G QoS framework in a 5G system. The 5G QoS framework ensures end-to-end quality of service (QoS). It supports both guaranteed bit rate (GBR) QoS flows, referred to as GBR QoS flows, and non-GBR QoS flows. Both flows, controlled by the same QoS flow, receive the same transmission processing (such as scheduling and admission thresholds).

[0081] Referring to Figure 1, for a terminal device, one or more packet data unit (PDU) sessions can be established with the 5G network. The 5G network includes a base station (NodeB, NB) in the access network and a user plane function (UPF) in the core network. A radio bearer can be established between the terminal device and the base station for communication, and a next-generation user plane tunnel (NG-U tunnel) (shown as an NG-U tunnel in the figure) can be established between the base station and the UPF for communication. Each PDU session can establish one or more QoS flows. Each QoS flow is identified by a QoS flow identifier (QFI), which uniquely identifies a QoS flow in the session.

[0082] Whether a QoS flow is a GBR QoS flow or a Non-GBR QoS flow is determined by a corresponding QoS profile.

[0083] For GBR QoS flow, its corresponding QoS profile includes the following QoS parameters: 5G quality indication (5QI), allocation and retention priority (ARP), guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR) and maximum flow bit rate (MFBR). Optionally, notification control may also be included. In some scenarios, GBR QoS flow can be divided into GBR QoS flow that requires notification control and GBR QoS flow that does not require notification control, depending on whether the profile contains notification control. For GBR QoS flow that requires notification control, when the radio access network detects that the corresponding QoS flow resources cannot be met, the radio access network notifies the core network, such as the session management function (SMF) network element, of the event. Furthermore, the SMF network element can initiate a QoS flow deletion or QoS flow modification process.

[0084] For a Non-QoS flow, the corresponding QoS profile includes the following QoS parameters: 5QI and ARP. Optionally, it may also include a reflective QoS attribute (RQA).

[0085] The definitions of the above QoS parameters can be referred to as follows.

[0086] 5QI: is a scalar used to index the corresponding 5G QoS features. 5G QoS features include, for example, packet delay budget (PDB) and packet error ratio (PER). 5QI is divided into standardized 5QI, pre-configured 5QI and dynamically allocated 5QI. For standardized 5QI, there is a one-to-one correspondence with a set of standardized 5G QoS feature values; for pre-configured 5QI, the corresponding 5G QoS feature values ​​are pre-configured in the access network node; for dynamically allocated 5QI, the corresponding 5G QoS features are included in the QoS configuration file and sent to the AN network element.

[0087] ARP: includes priority, preemption capability, and preemption capability.

[0088] Notification control: used to instruct the wireless access network whether to notify the network when the GFBR cannot be met during the use period of the QoS flow.

[0089] GFBR: represents the bit rate expected to be provided to the GBR QoS flow.

[0090] MFBR: Limits the bit rate provided to GBR QoS flow, that is, the maximum bit rate provided to GBR QoS flow. If the maximum bit rate is exceeded, the packet can be discarded.

[0091] RQA: A reflective QoS parameter used to indicate the QoS parameters used by services transmitted using the corresponding QoS flow.

[0092] Taking GBR QoS flow as an example, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the process of establishing a GBR QoS flow, which includes the following processes:

[0093] 21. The session management function (SMF) network element establishes a QoS flow based on local policies or the policy and charging control (PCC) rules sent by the policy control function (PCF) network element. The following steps are then performed: 211) The SMF sends the packet detection rule (PDR) and QoS enforcement rule (QER), including QoS control information, to the UPF network element via the N4 interface; 212) The SMF network element sends the QoS flow's QoS profile (including QoS parameters) to the access network (AN) via the N1 interface via the access and mobility management function (AMF) network element; 213) The SMF network element sends the QoS rules, including QoS control information, to terminal devices, such as user equipment (UE), via the AMF network element and the AN network element.

[0094] 22. QoS flows are established between the UE, AN, and UPF network elements. The AN network element establishes a data radio bearer (DRB) for the air interface according to the QoS profile and stores the binding relationship between the QoS flow and the DRB.

[0095] Applying the above DRB and binding relationship, for downlink transmission, when the UPF network element receives a downlink data packet, it performs QoS control based on the QoS control information sent by the SMF network element, including the QoS flow identifier carried in the data packet, and sends the downlink data packet to the AN network element through the UPF network element and the N3 interface. When the AN network element receives a downlink data packet, it carries the downlink data packet on the corresponding DRB for transmission based on the QoS flow identifier in the packet header and the binding relationship between the QoS flow corresponding to the QoS flow identifier and the DRB.

[0096] For uplink transmission, when the UE determines to send an uplink data packet, it determines the QoS flow according to the QoS rules, carries the QoS flow identifier in the packet header, and transmits the uplink data packet to the AN network element based on the binding relationship between the QoS flow and the DRB. When the AN network element receives the uplink data packet, it carries the QoS flow identifier in the packet header and sends it to the UPF network element through the N3 interface. In other words, the UE performs QoS control on the uplink data packet according to the QoS rules. When the UPF network element receives the data packet sent by the AN network element, it verifies whether the correct QoS flow is used for transmission in the data packet.

[0097] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the interoperability system architecture for 3GPP 5G and TSN systems, as shown in Figure 3. In addition to the diagram in Figure 2, the 5G system also includes a unified data management (UDM) network element and a network exposure function (NEF) network element. The 5G system and TSN translator function as a logical TSN bridge. The 5G system exchanges information with the TSN AF (application function) on the control plane and the centralized network configuration (CNC) network element on the TSN network. This information includes 5G system bridge capability information, TSN configuration information, and time scheduling and synchronization information for TSN input and output ports. For the user plane, on the device side of the bridge, and for the UE-side TSN translator, the device-side TSN translator (DS-TT) may be located inside or outside the UE. The UPF-side translator, the network TSN translator (NW-TT), is located within the UPF network element.

[0098] The 5G system as a whole acts as a TSN bridge. The CNC network elements in the TSN system configure the sending time window and flow period for each TSN bridge based on the information reported by the 5G system bridge and other bridges to ensure deterministic delay from end to end (from TSN talker to TSN listener).

[0099] For example, the user plane processes a message as follows: After a message is transmitted from the TSN system to the NW-TT, the NW-TT sends the message to the DS-TT. The DS-TT sends the message within a preconfigured time window (i.e., gated scheduling parameters) configured by the CNC network element. To ensure timely delivery, the message must arrive at the DS-TT before the preset send time and be buffered at the DS-TT until the send time window.

[0100] For messages with specific deterministic latency requirements, Figure 4 (a) shows a schematic diagram of a cache-forwarding delay deterministic transmission. The 5G system needs to determine the corresponding PDB based on the message requirements and ensure that the message transmission time between the UE and the UPF network element does not exceed the PDB. In other words, the message will arrive at the DS-TT early to catch up with the transmission time window configured by the CNC.

[0101] Figure 4 (b) shows a schematic diagram of the interconnection and transmission between a 5G system and a TSN system. Using a black box model, the CNC network element configures the arrival and departure times of the 5GC based on the flow granularity. The uncertainty between the UE and the UPF network element due to air interface and wired transmission is eliminated through the TSN translator cache. Specifically, the TSN AF network element determines the arrival time of the TSN flow at the 5G system ingress based on the TSN flow scheduling information obtained from the CNC network element. This includes the time when the TSN flow arrives at the NW-TT ingress in the downlink direction (such as the downlink burst arrival time (DL Burst Arrival Time) in Figure 4), and the time when the TSN flow arrives at the DS-TT in the uplink direction. The TSN AF network element provides this time information (contained in the TSC assistance container (TSCAC)) to the SMF network element via the PCF network element. Based on this time information, the SMF network element further calculates the time it takes to reach the next generation-ratio access network (NG-RAN) in the downlink direction (such as the TSCAI burst arrival time in Figure 4), as well as the time it takes to be sent from the UE in the uplink direction, and provides it to the RAN as TSCAI information for reference so that the RAN node can reserve resources in advance. Among them, the SMF network element will bind a specific service (data flow) to a QoS flow, that is, there is a corresponding relationship between the QoS flow and the service data flow. For TSN services, it is generally believed that there is a one-to-one correspondence between QoS flows and service data flows.

[0102] For the combination of 5G system and non-TSN TSC system, the time sensitive communication time synchronization function (TSCTSF) network element is added to support clock synchronization services and enable TSC services in non-TSN scenarios. Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the system architecture for intercommunication between 3GPP 5G system and TSN system. Referring to Figure 5, the TSCTSF network element can be coupled between the NEF network element and the PCF network element. Among them, the functions of the TSCTSF network element include:

[0103] Associating the time synchronization service request from the AF network element with the AF session;

[0104] Interacts with DS-TT / NW-TT via the port management information container (PMIC) / bridge management information container (BMIC) to manage and control DS-TT / NW-TT.

[0105] Detect the availability of 5G system bridge or 5G system node information reported by PCF network elements;

[0106] A TSC assistance container is created based on the service type parameters provided by the AF / NEF network element and provided to the PC. For example, the AF sends a request for 5G system delay (Requested 5GSDelay) to the TSCTSF, which subtracts the UE-DS-TT residence time to generate the requested PDB and sends it to the PCF network element.

[0107] The 5G system bridge delay (5GS bridge delay) is determined based on the UE-DS-TT residence time and provided to the PCF network element.

[0108] FIG6 shows a schematic diagram of a process in which an AF network element requests QoS parameters in a TSC system, which may include the following processes.

[0109] 1) The request that the AF network element may send to the TSCTSF network element via the NEF network element includes: a QoS reference; and one or more of the following individual QoS parameters: requested priority, maximum burst size, requested 5G system delay, requested maximum bitrate, and requested guaranteed bitrate.

[0110] 2) If the request from the AF network element is sent through the TSCTSF network element and the request includes the requested 5G system delay, the TSCTSF network element needs to consider the UE-DS-TT residence time to determine the requested PDB.

[0111] 3) When the PCF network element obtains service information from the AF network element, the PCF network element can derive the QoS parameters of the PCC rule based on the service information and the single QoS parameters received from the TSCTSF network element. The PCF should select a standardized, pre-configured, or existing dynamically allocated 5QI that matches the single QoS parameter. If there is no 5QI that matches the single QoS parameter, the PCF generates a new dynamically allocated 5QI based on the single QoS parameter. If the network conditions cannot meet the requirements, the PCF rejects the request or sends a recommended 5QI to the TSCTSF network element / AF network element.

[0112] In addition, the AF network element can also subscribe to some events from the PCF network element.

[0113] When the above-mentioned 5G system and TSN / TSC system are applied to industrial control scenarios, the structure of the transmitted data packet can be shown in Table 1.

[0114] Table 1

[0115] The service data packet header may include sequence number information to indicate the order of service packets. Status and switch variables are specific data at the service layer. The service data packet header, status, and switch variables are collectively referred to as the payload. Padding is required due to Ethernet frame size limitations, such as the 64-byte limit. In industrial scenarios, this payload size is generally not sufficient, so padding is required to ensure the Ethernet frame reaches 64 bytes.

[0116] Generally speaking, the frequency of changes in state quantities and switchable quantities is relatively low. Taking the data transmitted by programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and input / output (I / O) devices in industrial control scenarios as an example, Table 2 shows an example of data content.

[0117] Table 2

[0118] The "0" and "1" in Table 2 refer to data content. The PLC or I / O device needs to respond and transmit new data only when the service content changes. For example, a PLC needs to transmit a new data packet when the service content changes from "0000001" to "0000010." Similarly, an I / O device needs to transmit a new data packet when the service content changes from "0000100" to "0001010." If the service content remains unchanged, the business layer simply remains active.

[0119] For the above two scenarios, a user plane data compression mechanism based on service characteristics is proposed. For example, the UE (DS-TT) and UPF network element (NW-TT) can compress duplicate data packets and padding based on packet detection and restore them on the other end. Packet detection can also be performed based on the container issued by the TSCTSF (i.e., PMIC or UMIC). Figure 7 shows the data packet transmission process, using the transmitted compressed padding as an example.

[0120] 71. The network obtains from the application the field (called payload interval) in which the application transmits specific data to the network, including the transmission of filling information. The acquisition method can be that the AF network element sends the payload interval to the PCF network element, or the AF network element sends the payload interval to the UDR network element (connected to the PCF network element) through the NEF network element. After the PDU session is established, the PCF network element obtains the payload interval from the UDR network element. Alternatively, the AF network element sends the payload interval to the PCF network element through the TSCTSF network element. Alternatively, the TSCTSF can also directly send a container to the UE and UPF network elements, including detection information, and the detection information is used to indicate the payload interval.

[0121] 72. The PCF network element sends the PCC rule to the SMF network element, including detection information. The detection information includes one of the following: a payload interval (such as an offset); and detection information.

[0122] 73. The SMF network element generates QoS Flow based on the obtained PCC rules.

[0123] 74. The SMF network element sends the processing information (compression or decompression operation) corresponding to the QoS Flow to the UPF network element and the UE (and possibly the RAN network element). The SMF network element may send the information to the UPF network element in the packet detection rule (PDR) or the QoS enforcement rule (QER).

[0124] When the UPF / RAN element receives a downlink data packet, it can decompress the packet and send it to the UE. Alternatively, when the UE receives an uplink data packet, it can compress the fields in the received packet and send it to the RAN element. For example, the fields included in an uplink or downlink data packet before or after compression include: preamble, start frame delimiter (SFD), destination MAC (DMAC), source MAC (SMAC), data type, payload, padding, and frame check sequence (FCS). The fields included after compression include DMAC, SMAC, type, and payload.

[0125] However, if the 5G system is used in conjunction with the TSN / TSC system, QoS parameters are still provided according to the current application. However, since the RAN network element needs to reserve air interface resources for transmitting data packets between the RAN network element and the UE, that is, the RAN network element is not aware of the compression status of the data packets in the QoS flow to be transmitted, if a large number of bits in the QoS flow are compressed, the air interface resources reserved by the RAN network element corresponding to the QoS parameters will be wasted. For example, the RAN network element needs to reserve GBR resources, and the reserved GBR resources may be wasted.

[0126] Therefore, embodiments of the present application provide a method and network element for configuring QoS parameters. In this method, a TSCTSF network element or a PCF network element, etc., can set QoS parameters based on compressed data information in a requested service. When the RAN network element ultimately receives the QoS parameters determined based on the compressed data information, reserving air interface resources based on the QoS parameters allows the air interface resources to match the QoS parameters determined based on the compressed data information, thereby avoiding air interface resource waste caused by RAN resource reservation.

[0127] In this application, the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a variety of 5G system architectures, for example, it can be applied to a service-oriented 5G system and a non-roaming architecture based on a reference point, or it can be applied to a roaming architecture of a 5G system.

[0128] As shown in Figure 8 (a), a service-oriented 5G system and a reference point-based non-roaming architecture are shown. The architecture includes a network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, a NEF network element, a network repository function (NRF) network element, a PCF network element, a UDM network element, an AF network element, an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, an AMF network element, and an SMF network element. The UE and RAN network elements communicate with the AMF via the N1 interface, the UPF network element communicates with the SMF network element via the N4 interface, the (R)AN network element communicates with the UPF network element via the N3 interface, and the UPF network element communicates with the data network (DN) network element via the N6 interface. The core network interfaces include the Nnssf interface, the Nnef interface, the Nnrf interface, the Npcf interface, the Nudm interface, the Naf interface, the Nausf interface, the Namf interface, the Nsmf interface, N1, N2, N3, and N4.

[0129] As shown in (b) of Figure 8, this is a schematic diagram of another service-oriented 5G system and a reference point-based non-roaming architecture. The NEF network element and the NRF network element are removed from this architecture. Nx shown in (b) of Figure 8 represents an interface, and x represents an interface number. For example, the interfaces include N13 interface and N22 interface.

[0130] Figure 8 (c) shows a schematic diagram of a 5G system roaming architecture based on service-based local breakout (LBO). In this scenario, the home public land mobile network (HPLMN) and the visited public land mobile network (VPLMN) are included. Services need to be offloaded to the VPLMN, that is, the DN is on the VPLMN side. The VPLMN includes a security edge protection proxy (vSEPP) network element, and the HPLMN includes an hSEPP network element. The vSEPP network element and the hSEPP network element communicate via the N32 interface.

[0131] As shown in (d) of Figure 8, a schematic diagram of a 5G system roaming architecture under LBO based on a reference point is shown, wherein the VPLMN includes a vPCF, the HPLMN includes an hPCF, and the vPCF and hPCF communicate through an interface N24. In this embodiment of the present application, the PCF network element that interacts with the SMF network element can be a PCF network element that serves the PDU session, which is located in the VPLMN.

[0132] The embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the 5G system architecture for roaming scenarios based on service-based home routing (HR). A schematic diagram of a 5G system roaming architecture based on service-based HR is shown in (e) of Figure 8. Compared with the architecture shown in (c) of Figure 8, in the roaming scenario under service-based HR, the service needs to be unloaded on the HPLMN side, that is, the DN is in the HPLMN, and the AF network element and the SMF network element are also in the HPLMN. The HPLMN also includes a UPF network element. The UPF in the VPLMN and the UPF in the HPLMN communicate through the N9 interface. In an embodiment of the present application, the PCF network element that interacts with the SMF network element can be a PCF network element that serves the PDU session, which is located in the HPLMN at this time.

[0133] The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to the 5G system architecture of the roaming scenario under the HR based on the reference point. A schematic diagram of the 5G system roaming architecture based on the reference point is shown in (f) of Figure 8. Compared with the architecture shown in (d) of Figure 8, in the roaming scenario under the HR based on the reference point, the service needs to be unloaded on the HPLMN side, that is, the DN is in the HPLMN, and the AF network element is in the HPLMN. The VPLMN includes a V-SMF network element, and the HPLMN includes an H-SMF network element. The V-SMF network element and the H-SMF network element communicate through the N18 interface. Both the VPLMN and the HPLMN include a UPF network element. The UPF network element in the VPLMN and the UPF network element in the HPLMN communicate through the N9 interface.

[0134] This application is not limited to the above-mentioned network architecture, but can also be applied to 5G system architectures in other scenarios.

[0135] The position of the TSC TSF network element in the 5G architecture in the embodiment of the present application can be seen in the system architecture diagram of the intercommunication between the 5G system and the TSN system shown in Figure 5.

[0136] The 5G system architecture consists of two parts: the access network and the core network. The access network implements functions related to wireless access for terminal devices. The core network mainly includes the following key network elements / network devices: AMF network element, SMF network element, UPF network element, PCF network element, and UDM network element.

[0137] In this application, the terminal device can be a UE, a handheld terminal, a laptop computer, a subscriber unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, or other device that can access the network. The terminal device and the access network device communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology.

[0138] (R)AN equipment: Network equipment that provides access for terminal devices, including RAN equipment and AN equipment. RAN equipment is mainly 3GPP network wireless network equipment, and AN can be non-3GPP defined access network equipment. RAN equipment is mainly responsible for wireless resource management, QoS management, data compression and encryption and other functions on the air interface side. RAN equipment can include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may be different. For example, in 5G systems, it is called RAN or gNB (5G NodeB); in LTE systems, it is called evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB); in third generation (3rd generation, 3G) systems, it is called Node B, etc.

[0139] AMF network element: Mainly responsible for mobility management in mobile networks, such as user location update, user network registration, user switching, etc.

[0140] SMF network element: Mainly responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating IP addresses to users and selecting the UPF that provides packet forwarding functions.

[0141] The UPF network element is responsible for forwarding and receiving user data from terminal devices. It receives user data from the data network and transmits it to the terminal device via the access network equipment. The UPF network element also receives user data from the terminal device via the access network equipment and forwards it to the data network. The transmission resources and scheduling functions provided by the UPF network element to the terminal device are managed and controlled by the SMF network element.

[0142] PCF network element: mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, provides policy rules to the control layer network functions, and is responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions.

[0143] NEF network element: mainly used to support the opening of capabilities and events.

[0144] AF network element: mainly supports interaction with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some third-party services to the network side.

[0145] UDM network element: used for generating authentication credentials, user identification processing (such as storing and managing user permanent identities), access authorization control and contract data management, etc.

[0146] DN: refers to the service network that provides data transmission services to users, such as IMS (IP multi-media service) and the Internet.

[0147] In some scenarios, the UE accesses the data network DN through a PDU (packet data unit) session established between the UE and the DN.

[0148] After understanding the network architecture of the present application, the embodiments of the present application are described below.

[0149] FIG9 is a flow chart of a QoS parameter configuration method provided in an embodiment of the present application, which includes the following process.

[0150] 901. A network device receives a first QoS parameter.

[0151] 902. The network device sends a second QoS parameter, where the second QoS parameter is determined based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information, where the compressed data information is used to indicate a percentage of compressed data or a percentage of uncompressed data in a unit amount of data transmitted.

[0152] In some embodiments, the network device may be a PCF network element or a TSCTSF network element, or may be other network elements, which is not limited in this application.

[0153] In some embodiments, the embodiments of the present application can be applied to any architecture of the 5G system shown in Figure 8 above.

[0154] In some scenarios, embodiments of the present application can be applied to the process of configuring a QoS profile for a GBR QoS flow in a 5G system. The QoS profile includes QoS parameters. QoS parameters may include 5QI, ARP, GFBR, and MFBR. For details, please refer to the process descriptions in Figures 1 and 2 above.

[0155] In some embodiments, the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a scenario where data transmission is performed in combination with a 5G system and a TSN / TSC system. In this scenario, the AF network element can request QoS parameters from the TSC TSF network element through the NEF network element. For details, please refer to the process descriptions shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6.

[0156] In some embodiments, embodiments of the present application can be applied in industrial control scenarios, where the transmitted data can be data packets in industrial scenarios. In this scenario, duplicate data packets and padding can be compressed and transmitted based on packet detection. For access network elements, such as RAN elements, the base station can establish a DRB based on received QoS parameters and reserve air interface resources that match the received QoS parameters for compressed data transmission. For details, please refer to the process illustrated in Figure 7 above.

[0157] In some embodiments, if the second QoS parameter is determined based on compressed data information, when the network device sends the second QoS parameter, it is equivalent to the second QoS parameter being determined based on the current data compression situation. If the second QoS parameter is sent to the RAN network element, the RAN network element can reserve air interface resources based on the second QoS parameter. Compared with the prior art, since the RAN network element cannot know in advance the data size of the QoS flow to be transmitted, the RAN network element only reserves air interface resources according to the pre-configured air interface resource size, which may result in waste of air interface resources. The present application provides QoS guarantee after adjusting the QoS parameters based on the current compressed data information when configuring the QoS parameters for the RAN network element. For example, if the RAN network element needs to reserve GBR air interface resources, if the second QoS parameter received by the RAN network element is adjusted based on the compressed data information, the GBR air interface resources reserved by the RAN network element can not only provide QoS guarantee, but also save GBR air interface resources.

[0158] In some embodiments, when steps 901 and 902 are performed by a PCF network element, receiving the first QoS parameter includes: the PCF network element receiving a request sent by an AF network element, the request including the first QoS parameter. The compressed data information may be sent by a network element other than the AF network element, such as an SMF network element, to the PCF network element.

[0159] In some embodiments, the request sent by the AF may also include compressed data information. In this way, the PCF network element may directly determine the second QoS parameter based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information received from the AF network element. The second QoS parameter may be used by the RAN network element to determine air interface resources that match the second QoS parameter.

[0160] In some embodiments, when steps 901 and 902 are performed by a TSCTSF network element, receiving the first QoS parameter includes: the TSCTSF network element receiving a request sent by an AF network element, the request including the first QoS parameter and compressed data information. Sending the second QoS parameter includes: the TSCTSF network element sending the second QoS parameter to a policy control function (PCF) network element. If the PCF network element authorizes the second QoS parameter, the PCF network element may send the second QoS parameter to the RAN network element via the AF network element.

[0161] If the PCF network element is unable to authorize the second QoS parameter upon receiving the second QoS parameter, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the TSCTSF network element receiving a third QoS parameter recommended by the PCF and sent by the PCF network element; and the TSCTSF network element sending a fourth QoS parameter to the AF network element, where the fourth QoS parameter is determined based on the compressed data information and the third QoS parameter. That is, the TSCTSF network element may determine the fourth QoS parameter based on the recommended third QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and then send the fourth QoS parameter to the RAN network element via the AF network element.

[0162] In some embodiments, before the PCF network element receives the first QoS parameter sent by the AF network element, the method may further include: the PCF network element receiving compressed data information sent by the SMF network element or the UPF network element. That is, the compressed data information may be notified by the SMF network element or the UPF network element to the PCF network element, so that the PCF network element determines the second QoS parameter based on the compressed data information and the first QoS parameter received from the AF network element, and then sends the second QoS parameter to the RAN network element.

[0163] In some embodiments, before the PCF network element receives the compressed data information, the method may further include: the PCF network element sending a trigger indication to the SMF network element, the trigger indication being used to instruct the SMF network element to notify when the compressed data information changes. In this case, the SMF network element may subscribe to the compressed data information from the UPF network element. The UPF network element may directly report the compressed data information to the PCF network element when the compressed data information meets the conditions, or the UPF network element may report the compressed data information to the PCF network element through the SMF network element.

[0164] Alternatively, the PCF network element may also subscribe to the compressed data information directly from the UPF network element. Therefore, in some embodiments, before receiving the compressed data sent by the UPF network element, the method further includes: the PCF network element sending a subscription indication to the UPF network element, where the subscription indication is used to instruct the UPF network element to report the compressed data information when the conditions are met.

[0165] In some embodiments, after the PCF network element obtains the second QoS parameter, sending the second QoS parameter may include: sending the second QoS parameter to the SMF network element. The SMF network element may send the second QoS parameter to the RAN network element.

[0166] In some embodiments, if the SMF network element receives the second QoS parameter and sends the second QoS parameter to the RAN network element, but the RAN network element detects that the QoS flow resources corresponding to the second QoS parameter cannot be satisfied, the RAN network element may notify the SMF network element that the SMF network element needs to perform a QoS flow modification process. Therefore, the method may further include: the PCF network element receiving a fifth QoS parameter sent by the SMF network element, the fifth QoS parameter including a QoS parameter adjusted by the SMF network element based on the second QoS parameter; and the PCF network element sending a sixth QoS parameter to the AF network element, the sixth QoS parameter being determined based on the fifth QoS parameter and compressed data information. The AF network element may send the sixth QoS parameter to the RAN network element.

[0167] In some embodiments, when steps 901 and 902 are performed by a PCF network element, if the PCF network element cannot authorize the seventh QoS parameter obtained based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, the PCF network element may send a second QoS parameter recommended by the PCF to the AF network element or the SMF network element. That is, the second QoS parameter is a QoS parameter recommended when the seventh QoS parameter cannot be authorized after the seventh QoS parameter is determined based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information.

[0168] In some embodiments, the compressed data ratio in the embodiments of the present application is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet;

[0169] Alternatively, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in the burst of data;

[0170] Alternatively, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of data packets repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

[0171] Accordingly, the uncompressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet;

[0172] Alternatively, the non-compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in the burst of data;

[0173] Alternatively, the non-compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of data packets that are not repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

[0174] This application does not limit the definition of the compressed data ratio and the uncompressed data ratio.

[0175] For example, if compressed data is transmitted between a PCF network element and a TSCTSF network element, the compressed data ratio / uncompressed data ratio can be a service / service data function (SDF) or data transmission status under a service. The SDF is a database of the intelligent network that provides user and network data.

[0176] For example, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet in an SDF or a service.

[0177] If compressed data is transmitted between SMF network elements and PCF network elements, the compressed data ratio / uncompressed data ratio can be the data transmission situation in a QoS flow.

[0178] For example, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet in a QoS flow.

[0179] Of course, the present application is not limited to the above examples of the ratio of compressed data / the ratio of non-compressed data.

[0180] Based on the above description, it can be seen that, with respect to the network element providing the compressed data information, the AF network element can provide the compressed data information simultaneously with sending the first QoS parameter, or the compressed data information can be provided by another network element, such as an SMF network element or a UPF network element. The second QoS parameter determined by the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information can ultimately be responded to the AF network element, so that the second QoS parameter can be provided to the RAN network element via the AF network element.

[0181] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present application, a method for configuring quality of service (QoS) parameters is also provided, the method comprising:

[0182] The network device sends the first QoS parameter and compressed data information;

[0183] The network device receives a second QoS parameter, where the second QoS parameter is determined based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information, where the compressed data information is used to indicate a proportion of compressed data or a proportion of uncompressed data in a unit amount of data transmitted.

[0184] The network device may be an AF network element.

[0185] In some embodiments, sending the first QoS parameter includes: the AF network element sending a request to the TSCTSF network element, the request including the first QoS parameter and compressed data information. The TSCTSF network element may obtain the second QoS parameter based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and request the PCF network element to authorize the second QoS parameter.

[0186] In some embodiments, if the PCF is unable to authorize the QoS parameters derived from the first QoS parameters and the compressed data information, the PCF may send a third QoS parameter recommended by the PCF network element to the TSCTSF network element. The TSCTSF network element may calculate a second QoS parameter based on the third QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and send the second QoS parameter to the AF network element. Therefore, receiving the second QoS parameter may include the AF network element receiving the second QoS parameter sent by the TSCTSF network element.

[0187] In some embodiments, sending the first QoS parameter includes: the AF network element sending a request to the PCF network element, the request including the first QoS parameter and compressed data information. The PCF obtains the second QoS parameter based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, and determines whether to authorize the second QoS parameter.

[0188] In some embodiments, receiving the second QoS parameter includes: the AF network element receiving the second QoS parameter sent by the PCF network element. In this case, the second QoS parameter may be a QoS parameter directly obtained and authorized by the PCF network element based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, or may be a QoS parameter recommended by the PCF network element and obtained by the PCF network element based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information.

[0189] After understanding the configuration process of the above-mentioned various QoS parameters, the configuration process of the above-mentioned various QoS parameters is further introduced below.

[0190] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction of a QoS parameter configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following process.

[0191] 101. The AF / NEF network element sends a request to the TSCTSF network element, where the request includes a first QoS parameter and compressed data information.

[0192] Correspondingly, the TSCTSF network element receives the request sent by the AF network element or the NEF network element.

[0193] In some embodiments, the AF network element serves as a control node for service requirements. Before or during service data transmission, the AF network element may send a request to the TSCTSF network element for requesting QoS parameters.

[0194] Exemplarily, the AF network element sends a request to the NEF network element, the NEF network element sends a request to the TSCTSF network element, or the AF network element directly sends a request to the TSCTSF network element.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first QoS parameter includes: maximum burst size, requested maximum bit rate, requested guaranteed bit rate, etc.

[0196] When the compressed data information is the compressed data ratio, the compressed data ratio may be the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet in a QoS flow. Alternatively, the compressed data ratio may be the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in the burst of data in a QoS flow.

[0197] Exemplarily, the number of bits compressed in a burst of data may be, for example, the number of bits occupied by padding bits in a burst of data.

[0198] Alternatively, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of duplicate data packets transmitted in a certain time window to the total number of data packets transmitted in the time window in a QoS flow.

[0199] Correspondingly, when the compressed data information is the ratio of uncompressed data, the ratio of uncompressed data = 1 - the ratio of compressed data.

[0200] For example, the uncompressed data ratio can be the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet in a QoS flow. Alternatively, the compressed data ratio can be the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in the burst of data in a QoS flow.

[0201] For example, the number of uncompressed bits in a burst of data may be the number of bits occupied by the payload in the burst of data. The payload includes the data packet header, status value, and switch value in the service data packet.

[0202] Alternatively, the non-compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of non-repetitive data packets transmitted in a certain time window to the total number of data packets transmitted in the time window in a QoS flow.

[0203] 102. The TSCTSF network element determines a second QoS parameter according to the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information.

[0204] In some embodiments, the second QoS parameters may include a requested maximum data burst volume (requested MDBV), a requested maximum bit rate (requested MBR), and a requested guaranteed bit rate (requested GBR).

[0205] For example, if the compressed data information includes the compressed data ratio:

[0206] requested MDBV = (1-compressed data ratio) * maximum burst size;

[0207] Requested MBR = (1-compressed data ratio) * requested maximum bitrate;

[0208] Requested GBR = (1-compressed data ratio) * requested guaranteed bitrate.

[0209] If the compressed data information includes the uncompressed data ratio:

[0210] requested MDBV = uncompressed data percentage * maximum burst size;

[0211] Requested MBR = uncompressed data ratio * requested maximum bitrate;

[0212] Requested GBR = uncompressed data ratio * requested guaranteed bitrate.

[0213] In addition, the TSCTSF network element can also generate other QoS parameters based on the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information, such as requested PDB and / or requested packet error rate (packet error rate, PER) and / or requested 5GSDelay.

[0214] This application does not limit the manner in which the TSCTSF network element determines the second QoS parameter based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information.

[0215] 103. The TSCTSF network element sends the second QoS parameter to the PCF network element.

[0216] Correspondingly, the PCF network element receives the second QoS parameter sent by the TSCTSF network element.

[0217] 104. The PCF network element generates an appropriate QoS parameter based on the second QoS parameter. For example, the PCC rule generated by the PCF includes the QoS parameter.

[0218] The calculated QoS parameter may be the same as the second QoS parameter, or may be different from the second QoS parameter.

[0219] The following description is made by taking an example where the QoS parameter calculated by the PCF network element is the same as the second QoS parameter.

[0220] In some embodiments, if the PCF network element derives a preconfigured or existing dynamically allocated 5QI that matches the second QoS parameter in the PCC rule based on the service information obtained from the AF network element and the second QoS parameter determined by the PCF network element, or if no 5QI that matches the second QoS parameter exists, the PCF generates a new dynamically allocated 5QI based on the second QoS parameter. The PCF network element can then obtain appropriate QoS parameters, including parameters such as 5QI, MBR, MDBV, and GBR. Parameters such as MBR, MDBR, and GBR can be the requested MDBV, requested MBR, and requested GBR in the second QoS parameters.

[0221] The PCF network element then authorizes the appropriate QoS parameters obtained based on the second QoS parameters and may send the appropriate QoS parameters to the AF / NEF network element via the TSCTSF network element. The AF network element may send the appropriate QoS parameters to the RAN network element so that the RAN network element can reserve air interface resources that meet the appropriate QoS parameters, such as GBR resources.

[0222] 105. When the PCF network element cannot authorize the second QoS parameter, the PCF network element sends the third QoS parameter recommended by the PCF network element to the TSCTSF network element.

[0223] Correspondingly, the TSCTSF network element receives the third QoS parameter sent by the PCF network element.

[0224] In some embodiments, if the PCF network element determines that the network state cannot meet the second QoS parameters, it determines that the second QoS parameters cannot be authorized. In this case, the PCF network element may obtain recommended third QoS parameters, which include the 5QI recommended by the PCF network element based on the network state, as well as recommended QoS parameters such as requested MDBV′, requested MBR′, and requested GBR′.

[0225] 106. The TSCTSF network element generates a fourth QoS parameter according to the third QoS parameter and the compressed data information.

[0226] In some embodiments, the fourth QoS parameter may include maximum burst size', requested maximum bitrate', and requested guaranteed bitrate'.

[0227] Maximum burst size′=requested MDBV′ / (1-compressed data ratio);

[0228] Requested maximum bitrate′ = requested MBR′ / (1-compressed data ratio);

[0229] Requested guaranteed bitrate′=requested GBR′ / (1-compressed data ratio).

[0230] Or, maximum burst size′ = requested MDBV′ / non-compressed data ratio;

[0231] Requested maximum bitrate′ = requested MBR′ / uncompressed data ratio;

[0232] Requested guaranteed bitrate′ = requested GBR′ / uncompressed data ratio.

[0233] In addition, the TSCTSF network element may also generate other QoS parameters, such as requested PDB and / or requested PER and / or requested 5GSDelay, etc., based on the third QoS parameter and the compressed data information.

[0234] This application does not limit the method of generating the fourth QoS parameter based on the third QoS parameter and compressed data information.

[0235] 107. The TSCTSF network element sends the fourth QoS parameter to the AF / NEF network element.

[0236] Correspondingly, the AF / NEF network element receives the fourth QoS parameter sent by the TSCTSF network element.

[0237] Exemplarily, the TSCTSF network element sends the fourth QoS parameter to the NEF network element, which then sends the fourth QoS parameter to the RAN network element. The NEF network element may also send the fourth QoS parameter to the AF network element so that the AF network element can perceive the fourth QoS parameter actually used and adjust service requirements.

[0238] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present application, in a 5G system architecture combined with a TSC scenario, the TSC TSF network element can determine appropriate QoS parameters based on the compressed data information received from the AF network element, so that the PCF network element can perform authorization based on the compressed data information, for example, the QoS parameters determined based on the compressed data ratio. In this way, when the RAN network element reserves air interface resources, it can adjust the size of the reserved air interface resources based on the received QoS parameters determined based on the compressed data ratio, thereby avoiding the waste of resources caused by reserving according to the set air interface resource size. For example, when the RAN network element reserves GBR resources, it can reserve GBR resources based on the QoS parameters determined based on the compressed data ratio in this application, thereby avoiding the waste of GBR resources.

[0239] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction of a QoS parameter configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following process.

[0240] 111. The AF / NEF / TSCTSF network element sends a request to the PCF network element, where the request includes the first QoS parameter and compressed data information.

[0241] Correspondingly, the PCF network element receives the request sent by the AF / NEF / TSCTSF network element.

[0242] For example, the AF network element, as the control node for service requirements, may send a request to the NEF network element before or during service data transmission. The NEF network element then sends the request to the TSCTSF network element, which then sends the request to the PCF network element. The first QoS parameter included in the request may include the aforementioned maximum burst size, requested maximum bitrate, and requested guaranteed bitrate. The compressed data information may be the compressed data percentage or the uncompressed data percentage in the above-mentioned embodiment. For details, see the description of step 101.

[0243] 112. The PCF network element generates a second QoS parameter according to the compressed data information and the first QoS parameter.

[0244] The process of the PCF network element generating the second QoS parameters according to the compressed data information and the first QoS parameters can be referred to the process of the TSCTSF network element generating the second QoS parameters according to the compressed data information and the first QoS parameters in step 102, which will not be repeated here.

[0245] The difference is that the second QoS parameters generated by the PCF network element in step 112 are generated directly by the PCF based on the first QoS parameters and compressed data information requested from the AF network element. The second QoS parameters can be expressed as MDBV, MBR, and GBR. In this case, the second QoS parameters can be expressed as:

[0246] MDBV = (1-compressed data ratio) * maximum burst size;

[0247] MBR = (1-compressed data ratio) * requested maximum bitrate;

[0248] GBR = (1-compressed data ratio) * requested guaranteed bitrate.

[0249] Or, MDBV = non-compressed data ratio * maximum burst size;

[0250] MBR = uncompressed data ratio * requested maximum bitrate;

[0251] GBR = non-compressed data ratio * requested guaranteed bitrate.

[0252] In addition, the PCF network element may also generate other QoS parameters, such as PDB and / or PER and / or 5GSDelay, etc., according to the first QoS parameter and the compressed data information.

[0253] This application does not limit the manner in which the PCF network element determines the second QoS parameter based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information.

[0254] 113. The PCF network element sends the second QoS parameter to the SMF network element.

[0255] Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the second QoS parameter sent by the PCF network element.

[0256] 114. The SMF network element performs QoS control and sends a second QoS parameter to the RAN network element and / or the UPF network element.

[0257] Correspondingly, the RAN network element and / or UPF network element receives the second QoS parameter sent by the SMF network element.

[0258] In some embodiments, if the SMF network element sends a second QoS parameter to a radio access network, such as a RAN network element, and the RAN network element detects that the QoS flow resources corresponding to the second QoS parameter can be satisfied, the RAN network element may notify the SMF network element, and the SMF network element does not need to perform a QoS flow modification process. The RAN network element may reserve air interface resources based on the second QoS parameter. Upon receiving the second QoS parameter, the UPF network element may also provide transmission resources for the terminal device.

[0259] Optionally, if the SMF network element learns from the radio access network side that the QoS flow resources corresponding to the second QoS parameter cannot be met, after step 113, the SMF network element may initiate a QoS flow modification process. The method may further include the following steps:

[0260] 115. The SMF network element sends a fifth QoS parameter to the PCF network element. The fifth QoS parameter includes the QoS parameter adjusted by the SMF network element according to the second QoS parameter.

[0261] Correspondingly, the PCF network element receives the fifth QoS parameter sent by the SMF network element.

[0262] For example, in an Alternative QoS scenario, if the SMF network element determines that the second QoS parameter needs to be modified, the SMF network element can obtain the Alternative QoS parameter, i.e., the fifth QoS parameter, based on the second QoS parameter and then send it to the PCF network element. Specifically, the SMF network element can obtain the Alternative QoS Profile (or its reference) acceptable to the RAN network element from the QoS notification sent by the RAN network element to the SMF network element. Furthermore, the SMF can also send the Alternative QoS Profile (or its reference) acceptable to the RAN network element to the PCF network element.

[0263] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may adjust the received second QoS parameters based on resource occupancy on the RAN network element side according to the QoS flow modification process, thereby obtaining fifth QoS parameters. The fifth QoS parameters include the MDBV', MBR', and GBR' adjusted by the SMF network element. The SMF network element may then send a request to the PCF network element, the request including the fifth QoS parameters.

[0264] 116. The PCF network element generates a sixth QoS parameter according to the compressed data information and the fifth QoS parameter.

[0265] In some embodiments, assuming that the sixth QoS parameter example is: maximum burst size', requested maximum bitrate', and requested guaranteed bitrate', the sixth QoS parameter can be expressed as:

[0266] Maximum burst size' = MDBV' / (1 - compressed data ratio);

[0267] Requested maximum bitrate' = MBR' / (1 - compressed data ratio);

[0268] Requested guaranteed bitrate'=GBR' / (1-compressed data ratio).

[0269] Or, maximum burst size' = MDBV' / non-compressed data ratio;

[0270] Requested maximum bitrate' = MBR' / non-compressed data ratio;

[0271] Requested guaranteed bitrate' = GBR' / non-compressed data ratio.

[0272] In addition, the PCF network element can also generate other QoS parameters based on the fifth QoS parameter and compressed data information, such as requested PDB and / or requested PER and / or requested 5GSDelay.

[0273] 117. The PCF network element sends the sixth QoS parameter to the AF / NEF / TSCTSF network element.

[0274] Correspondingly, the AF / NEF / TSCTSF network element receives the sixth QoS parameter sent by the PCF network element.

[0275] Exemplarily, the PCF network element may send the sixth QoS parameter to the TSCTSF network element, the TSCTSF network element may send the sixth QoS parameter to the NEF network element, and the NEF network element may send the sixth QoS parameter to the AF network element. The AF network element may send the sixth QoS parameter to the RAN network element, and the RAN network element may reserve air interface resources consistent with the sixth QoS parameter.

[0276] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present application, in a 5G system architecture combined with a TSC scenario, the PCF network element can determine appropriate QoS parameters based on the compressed data information received from the AF network element and authorize them to the RAN network element. In this way, when reserving air interface resources, the RAN network element can adjust the reserved air interface resource size based on the received QoS parameters determined based on the compressed data ratio, thereby avoiding resource waste caused by reserving according to the set air interface resource size. For example, when reserving GBR resources, the RAN network element can reserve GBR resources based on the QoS parameters determined based on the compressed data ratio according to the present application, thereby avoiding GBR resource waste.

[0277] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction of a QoS parameter configuration method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following process.

[0278] 121. The PCF network element sets a compressed data information change trigger to the SMF network element.

[0279] In some embodiments, a compressed data information change trigger can be understood as the SMF network element notifying the PCF network element when it learns that the compressed data information has changed. This is equivalent to the PCF network element sending a trigger indication to the SMF network element, which is used to instruct the SMF to notify the PCF of the changed compressed data information when the compressed data information changes.

[0280] The implementation method of compressing the data information may refer to the description in step 101 .

[0281] In some embodiments, when the PCF network element sets a trigger to the SMF network element, it can also set a threshold for reporting compressed data information to the SMF, that is, when the compressed data information changes and reaches the threshold, the PCF network element is notified.

[0282] Exemplarily, when the compressed data information is the compressed data ratio, the threshold value may be understood as the threshold value of the compressed data ratio.

[0283] 122. The SMF network element sets the N4 rule according to the compressed data information change trigger, and the N4 rule is used to subscribe to the compressed data information from the UPF network element.

[0284] The UPF is the 5G user plane network element. The high-speed, reliable data transmission provided by the 5G network to users must be implemented through the UPF at the core network level. The UPF network element is connected to the SMF network element via the N4 interface. The SMF network element issues various data forwarding control commands and data forwarding policy rules to the UPF via the N4 interface. The UPF then forwards data at different service levels in turn.

[0285] In some embodiments, the N4 rule set by the SMF network element in the present application is equivalent to adding a new function to the N4 interface between the UPF network element and the SMF network element. That is, when the SMF network element receives a compressed data information change trigger or the above-mentioned trigger indication, the SMF network element can set a new N4 rule to subscribe to compressed data information from the UPF network element. The subscribed compressed data information includes, for example, compressed data information related to MDBV, MBR and GBR, that is, information used to determine parameters such as MDBV, MBR and GBR. For example, the subscribed compressed data information includes the above-mentioned compressed data ratio or non-compressed data ratio.

[0286] In some embodiments, the new N4 rule may further include the above-mentioned threshold for reporting compressed data information.

[0287] 123. The SMF network element sends the N4 rule to the UPF network element.

[0288] Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the N4 rule sent by the SMF network element.

[0289] That is, the SMF network element sends the N4 rules to the UPF network element through the N4 interface.

[0290] 124. The UPF network element calculates the compressed data information according to the N4 rule.

[0291] In some embodiments, upon receiving the new N4 rule, the UPF network element may obtain data packets or a burst of data within a certain time window for transmitting a QoS flow and calculate compressed data information. The compressed data information can be found in the description of step 101 above.

[0292] 125. The UPF network element reports compressed data information to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element reports compressed data information to the PCF network element.

[0293] Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the compressed data information sent by the UPF network element, and the PCF network element receives the compressed data information sent by the SMF network element.

[0294] In some embodiments, if the compressed data information is a compressed data ratio, when the compressed data ratio calculated by the UPF reaches a threshold, the compressed data ratio can be sent to the SMF network element according to a preset period. For example, when the threshold is 20%, if the compressed data ratio is greater than or equal to 20%, the UPF network element sends the compressed data ratio to the SMF network element according to a preset period. In this case, it is considered that the number of bits that can be compressed is large, which is more conducive to saving air interface resources of the access network element.

[0295] When the SMF network element receives the compressed data information, it can further report the compressed data information to the PCF network element.

[0296] In some embodiments, after the UPF network element is serviced, when the UPF network element receives a new N4 rule from the SMF network element, if the UPF network element determines that the compressed data information meets the conditions (for example, the proportion of compressed data reaches a threshold), the UPF can periodically send compressed data information directly to the PCF network element without passing through the SMF network element.

[0297] In some embodiments, after the UPF network element is service-oriented, the PCF network element can also directly send a subscription indication to the UPF network element (without passing through the SMF network element). The subscription indication is used to instruct the UPF network element to report the compressed data information when it meets the conditions (for example, the compressed data ratio reaches a threshold). In this way, when the UPF network element determines that the compressed data information meets the conditions, it can directly and periodically report the compressed data information to the PCF network element.

[0298] 126. The PCF network element determines a second QoS parameter according to the compressed data information and the first QoS parameter received from the AF network element.

[0299] In some embodiments, when the PCF network element receives the first QoS parameter requested by the AF network element, it may determine the second QoS parameter based on the latest compressed data information received from the UPF network element and the first QoS parameter.

[0300] For example, the first QoS parameters include maximum burst size, requested maximum bitrate', and requested guaranteed bitrate, and the second QoS parameters include MDBV, MBR, and GBR. The second QoS parameters can be expressed as:

[0301] MDBV = (1-compressed data ratio) * maximum burst size;

[0302] MBR = (1-compressed data ratio) * requested maximum bitrate;

[0303] GBR = (1-compressed data ratio) * requested guaranteed bitrate.

[0304] Or, MDBV = non-compressed data ratio * maximum burst size;

[0305] MBR = uncompressed data ratio * requested maximum bitrate;

[0306] GBR = non-compressed data ratio * requested guaranteed bitrate.

[0307] In addition, the PCF network element can also generate other QoS parameters, such as PDB and / or PER and / or 5GSDelay, etc., based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information.

[0308] When the PCF network element calculates and obtains the second QoS parameter, it can determine whether the second QoS parameter is authorizable based on the current network status. If it is authorizable, step 127 is executed.

[0309] In this embodiment, since the PCF network element monitors the compressed data information in the current QoS flow from the UPF network element in real time, when the PCF network element receives the first QoS parameter requested by the AF network element, it is equivalent to the PCF network element optimizing the first QoS parameter according to the compressed data information and obtaining the second QoS parameter, and the second QoS parameter can be authorized.

[0310] 127. The PCF network element sends the second QoS parameter to the SMF network element.

[0311] Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the second QoS parameter sent by the PCF network element.

[0312] When the SMF network element receives the second QoS parameter, the SMF network element may send the second QoS parameter to the access network element, such as the RAN network element, and the RAN network element may reserve air interface resources based on the second QoS parameter.

[0313] In some embodiments, the PCF network element may also notify the AF network element of the second QoS parameter, allowing the AF network element to perceive the QoS parameter in actual use and adjust service requirements based on the received QoS parameter. For example, if the GBR value in the second QoS parameter is less than the requested guaranteed bitrate value in the first QoS parameter, the AF network element may be informed that the guaranteed bitrate required for the current QoS flow has decreased, and the AF network element may, for example, lower the service priority.

[0314] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present application, in a 5G system architecture combined with a TSC scenario, the PCF network element can determine appropriate QoS parameters based on the compressed data information received from the UPF network element and authorize them to the RAN network element. In this way, when reserving air interface resources, the RAN network element can adjust the reserved air interface resource size based on the received QoS parameters determined based on the compressed data ratio, thereby avoiding resource waste caused by reserving based on the set air interface resource size. For example, when reserving GBR resources, the RAN network element can reserve GBR resources based on the QoS parameters determined based on the compressed data ratio according to the present application, thereby avoiding GBR resource waste.

[0315] In some embodiments, the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to communication systems after 5G, such as 6G communication systems.

[0316] In some embodiments, in order to reduce the signaling interaction caused by changes in QoS parameters, an alternative QoS mechanism is introduced. In this mechanism, the AF / NEF / TSCTSF network element can provide multiple sets of QoS parameter requirements. For example, after the PCF network element sends a PCC rule containing multiple sets of alternative QoS parameter sets to the SMF network element, the RAN network element or the SMF network element can upgrade or downgrade the QoS parameters according to the network conditions (such as congestion, etc.). That is, the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the situation where there are multiple sets of QoS parameters in the PCC rules.

[0317] For example, taking the case where the PCC rule includes three parameter sets (parameter set), the three parameter sets (parameter set 1, parameter set 2, and parameter set 3) included in the PCC rule are:

[0318] parameter set 1={Rank 1:PDB value=x1,RN,GBR=y1,MBR=z1}(iehighest QoS level);

[0319] parameter set 2={Rank 2:PDB value=x2,RN,GBR=y2,MBR=z2}(iemedium QoS level);

[0320] parameter set 3={Rank 3:PDB value=x3,RN,GBR=y3,MBR=z3}(ielowest QoS level).

[0321] The above example shows the values ​​of the QoS parameters (PDB, GBR, and MBR) included in each parameter set, and illustrates the optional levels of the three parameter sets. Parameter set 1 is the highest level of QoS parameters, parameter set 2 is the middle level of QoS parameters, and parameter set 3 is the lowest level of QoS parameters.

[0322] For SMF network elements, a "special" QoS flow with multiple QoS profiles can be generated based on PCC rules of multi-level QoS parameters. For example, the new QoS profile of the QoS flow may include:

[0323] QoS profile 1={Rank 1:PDB value=x1,RN,GBR=y1,MBR=z1}(iehighest QoS level);

[0324] QoS profile 2={Rank 2:PDB value=x2,RN,GBR=y2,MBR=z2}(iemedium QoS level);

[0325] QoS profile 3={Rank 3:PDB value=x3,RN,GBR=y3,MBR=z3}(ielowest QoS level).

[0326] The QoS parameter configuration method illustrated in Figures 9 to 12 of this application is equivalent to adjusting a set of QoS parameters. If expanded to PCC rules for multiple levels of QoS parameters, this application can perform the above configuration process for each set of QoS parameters according to the QoS parameter configuration method in the above embodiment. That is, when the requested QoS parameters are for any of the multiple sets of QoS parameters, the QoS parameters can be adjusted based on the compressed data information.

[0327] Furthermore, it should be noted that while the QoS parameters most relevant to bandwidth capacity are MBR, GBR, and MDBV, other QoS parameters such as PDB and PER may be affected. For example, the latency of transmitting a larger data packet using the same resources may be greater than the latency of transmitting a smaller data packet. Therefore, embodiments of the present application may also authorize other QoS parameters, such as PDB and PER, according to the QoS parameter configuration method of the above embodiment.

[0328] It is understandable that in order to implement the above functions, the network device includes hardware and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. In combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application in combination with the embodiments, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0329] This embodiment can divide the network device into functional modules based on the above-described method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided according to its function, or two or more functions can be integrated into a single processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware. It should be noted that the module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used.

[0330] In the case of dividing the functional modules according to their functions, FIG13 shows a possible schematic diagram of the composition of the network device 130 involved in the above embodiment. As shown in FIG13 , the network device 130 may include a receiving unit 1301, a determining unit 1302, and a sending unit 1303. The network device 130 may be, for example, a TSCTSF network element or a PCF network element, or other network element capable of determining QoS parameters based on compressed data information, which is not limited in this application.

[0331] The receiving unit 1301 may be used to support the network device 130 in executing the corresponding processes of the above-mentioned steps 901, 111, and 115, and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0332] The determining unit 1302 may be configured to support the network device 130 in executing the above steps 102 , 106 , 112 , 116 , and 126 , and / or other processes for the technology described herein.

[0333] The sending unit 1303 can be used to support the network device 130 to perform the above steps 902, 103, 107, 113, 117, 121 and 127, and / or other processes for the technology described in this document.

[0334] It should be noted that all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0335] The network device 130 provided in this embodiment is used to execute the above-mentioned QoS parameter configuration method, and thus can achieve the same effect as the above-mentioned implementation method.

[0336] When integrated, network device 130 may include a processing module, a storage module, and a communication module. The processing module may be used to control and manage the operations of network device 130. For example, it may be used to support network device 130 in executing the steps performed by determination unit 1302. The storage module may be used to support network device 130 in storing program code and data. The communication module may be used to support communication between electronic device 1100 and other devices, such as wireless access devices, and may be used to support network device 130 in executing the steps performed by receiving unit 1301 and sending unit 1303.

[0337] The processing module may be a processor or a controller. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of digital signal processing (DSP) and a microprocessor, and so on. The storage module may be a memory. The communication module may specifically be a device that interacts with other electronic devices, such as a radio frequency circuit, a Bluetooth chip, or a Wi-Fi chip.

[0338] In one embodiment, when the processing module is a processor, the storage module is a memory, and the communication module is a transceiver, the electronic device involved in this embodiment may be a network device 140 having the structure shown in FIG. 14 .

[0339] An embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device, comprising one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more memories are used to store computer program code. The computer program code includes computer instructions. When the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the electronic device executes the above-mentioned related method steps to implement the QoS parameter configuration method in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0340] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer storage medium storing computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed on an electronic device, the electronic device executes the above-mentioned related method steps to implement the QoS parameter configuration method in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0341] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the above-mentioned related steps to implement the QoS parameter configuration method executed by the electronic device in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0342] In addition, an embodiment of the present application also provides a device, which can specifically be a chip, component or module, and the device may include a connected processor and memory; wherein the memory is used to store computer execution instructions, and when the device is running, the processor can execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to enable the chip to execute the QoS parameter configuration method performed by the electronic device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0343] Among them, the electronic device, computer storage medium, computer program product or chip provided in this embodiment is used to execute the corresponding method provided above. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0344] Another embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which may include the above-mentioned wireless access device, TSCTSF network element, PCF network element and AF network element, etc., and can be used to implement the above-mentioned QoS parameter configuration method.

[0345] Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be distributed and completed by different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0346] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the modules or units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0347] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed in multiple places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0348] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0349] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0350] The above content is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for configuring quality of service (QoS) parameters, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving a first QoS parameter; Send a second QoS parameter, where the second QoS parameter is determined based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information, and the compressed data information is used to indicate the compressed data ratio or the uncompressed data ratio in the transmitted unit data volume.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The size of the air interface resources reserved by the network side device according to the second QoS parameter is smaller than the size of the air interface resources reserved by the network side device according to the first QoS parameter.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The receiving a first QoS parameter comprises: A request sent by an application function AF network element is received, where the request includes the first QoS parameter.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The request also includes the compressed data information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The sending of the second QoS parameter comprises: The second QoS parameter is sent to a policy control function PCF network element.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a third QoS parameter recommended by the PCF network element and sent by the PCF network element; Sending a fourth QoS parameter to the AF network element, where the fourth QoS parameter is determined according to the compressed data information and the third QoS parameter.

7. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that Before receiving the first QoS parameter, the method further includes: Receive the compressed data information sent by the session management function SMF network element or the user plane function UPF network element.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that Before receiving the compressed data information, the method further includes: Send a trigger indication to the SMF network element, where the trigger indication is used to instruct the SMF network element to notify when the compressed data information changes.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: Before receiving the compressed data sent by the UPF network element, the method further includes: A subscription indication is sent to the UPF network element, where the subscription indication is used to instruct the UPF network element to report when the compressed data information meets a condition.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The sending of the second QoS parameter comprises: Send the second QoS parameter to the session management function SMF network element.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving a fifth QoS parameter sent by the SMF network element, wherein the fifth QoS parameter includes a QoS parameter adjusted by the SMF network element according to the second QoS parameter; Sending a sixth QoS parameter to the AF network element, where the sixth QoS parameter is determined according to the fifth QoS parameter and the compressed data information.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet; Or, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a burst data volume to the number of bits in a burst data volume; Alternatively, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of data packets repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The non-compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet; Or, the non-compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in a burst of data; Alternatively, the non-compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of data packets that are not repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

14. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A receiving unit, configured to receive a first QoS parameter; A sending unit is used to send a second QoS parameter, where the second QoS parameter is determined based on the first QoS parameter and compressed data information, and the compressed data information is used to indicate the proportion of compressed data or the proportion of uncompressed data in a unit data volume transmitted.

15. The communication device according to claim 14, characterized in that: The size of the air interface resources reserved by the network side device according to the second QoS parameter is smaller than the size of the air interface resources reserved by the network side device according to the first QoS parameter.

16. The communication device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that: The receiving unit is used for: A request sent by an application function AF network element is received, where the request includes the first QoS parameter.

17. The communication device according to claim 16, characterized in that: The request also includes the compressed data information.

18. The communication device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that: The sending unit is used for: The second QoS parameter is sent to a policy control function PCF network element.

19. The communication device according to claim 18, characterized in that: The receiving unit is further configured to receive a third QoS parameter recommended by the PCF sent by the PCF network element; The sending unit is further used to send a fourth QoS parameter to the AF network element, where the fourth QoS parameter is determined according to the compressed data information and the third QoS parameter.

20. The communication device according to claim 16, characterized in that The receiving unit is also used for: Receive the compressed data information sent by the SMF network element or the user plane function UPF network element.

21. The communication device according to claim 20, characterized in that: The sending unit is also used for: Send a trigger indication to the SMF network element, where the trigger indication is used to instruct the SMF network element to notify when the compressed data information changes.

22. The communication device according to claim 20, characterized in that The sending unit is also used for: A subscription indication is sent to the UPF network element, where the subscription indication is used to instruct the UPF network element to report when the compressed data information meets a condition.

23. The communication device according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that: The sending unit is also used for: Send the second QoS parameter to the session management function SMF network element.

24. The communication device according to claim 23, characterized in that The receiving unit is further used to receive a fifth QoS parameter sent by the SMF network element, where the fifth QoS parameter includes a QoS parameter adjusted by the SMF network element according to the second QoS parameter; The sending unit is further used to send a sixth QoS parameter to the AF network element, where the sixth QoS parameter is determined according to the fifth QoS parameter and the compressed data information.

25. The communication device according to any one of claims 14 to 24, characterized in that: The compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet; Or, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of compressed bits in a burst data volume to the number of bits in a burst data volume; Alternatively, the compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of data packets repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

26. The communication device according to any one of claims 14 to 24, characterized in that: The non-compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a single data packet to the number of bits in the single data packet; Or, the non-compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of uncompressed bits in a burst of data to the number of bits in a burst of data; Alternatively, the non-compressed data ratio is the ratio of the number of data packets that are not repeatedly transmitted within a preset time window to the total number of data packets.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The method comprises computer instructions, which, when executed on an electronic device, cause the electronic device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

28. A chip, characterized in that: The chip stores computer-executable instructions, and when the computer-executable instructions are executed, the method of any one of claims 1 to 13 is executed.

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