Multi-session implementation method, network device, and computer-readable medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a multi-session implementation method, a network device, and a computer-readable medium. The method comprises: a first network function receiving at least two protocol data unit (PDU) session creation requests sent by a terminal UE, wherein the at least two PDU session creation requests carry the same media access control (MAC) address and the same port management information (PMI), and the MAC address is an Ethernet port MAC address of a UE-side time-sensitive networking (TSN) translator; and creating PDU sessions on the basis of the at least two PDU session creation requests, wherein the PDU sessions have one-to-one correspondence to the PDU session creation requests.

Description

Multi-session implementation method, network device, and computer-readable medium

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the Patent Office of China on August 11, 2023, with application number 202311011094.8 and titled “Multi-session Implementation Method, Network Device and Computer-readable Medium”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a multi-session implementation method, a network device, and a computer-readable medium. Background Art

[0004] In industrial Ethernet, for some data transmission scenarios with high security requirements, such as control and autonomous driving data, packet loss during data transmission is intolerable.

[0005] However, for time-sensitive networks (TSN) such as industrial Ethernet, each user equipment (UE)-side TSN converter (DS-TT) port currently has only one protocol data unit session (PDU session) for data transmission. Therefore, once the network is disturbed or congested, there is a high probability of PDU session packet loss, affecting the reliability and security of data transmission.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a multi-session implementation method, a network device, and a computer-readable medium.

[0008] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application are implemented through the following aspects.

[0009] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-session implementation method, which is executed by a first network function, and the method includes: receiving at least two protocol data unit PDU session establishment requests sent by a terminal UE, wherein at least two PDU session establishment requests carry the same media access control MAC address and the same port management information PMI, and the MAC address is the MAC address of the Ethernet port of the time-sensitive network TSN converter on the UE side; creating a PDU session according to at least two of the PDU session establishment requests, and the PDU session corresponds one-to-one to the PDU session establishment request.

[0010] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-session implementation method, which is executed by a terminal, and the method includes: sending at least two PDU session establishment requests; wherein, at least two PDU session establishment requests carry the same media access control MAC address and the same port management information PMI, and the MAC address is the MAC address of the Ethernet port of the time-sensitive network TSN converter on the UE side.

[0011] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device comprising: a memory, a processor, and computer-executable instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect are implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0014] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a TSN network provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0015] FIG2 is a flow chart showing a method for implementing multi-session according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0016] FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of a single-port multi-session system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0017] FIG4 a shows one of the interaction flow diagrams of the multi-session implementation method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] FIG4 b shows a second interactive flow diagram of the multi-session implementation method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0019] FIG4c shows a third interactive flow diagram of the multi-session implementation method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] FIG4 d shows a fourth interactive flow diagram of the multi-session implementation method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] FIG5 shows a schematic structural diagram of a multi-session implementation apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a network device that executes the multi-session implementation method provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, a schematic diagram of the structure of a TSN network provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. In which, the entire 5G system (5G system, 5GS) acts as a logical bridge in the TSN network. The logical bridge may include various network elements of the 5GS, such as the core network, the radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN), the UE, the UE side TSN converter (Device Side TSN Translator, DS-TT), and the 5G Grand Master (GM). The core network may include the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the Session Management Function (SMF), the User Plane Function (UPF), the Policy Control Function (PCF), the Unified Data Management (UDM), the Network Repository Function (NRF), the Network Exposure Function (NEF), the Application Function (AF), the Network Side TSN Translator (NW-TT), etc.

[0025] In this embodiment, the 5GS TSN logical bridge can be collaboratively managed with the centralized user configuration (CUC) and centralized network configuration (CNC) via the AF (also known as TSN AF). The CUC can be used to collect requirements from user devices (i.e., the end stations shown in Figure 1), and the CNC can be applied to network devices (such as bridges).

[0026] It is worth noting that the “End station” shown in FIG1 is a deterministic control device or a control center or a controlled device (such as a vehicle, etc.).

[0027] The composition of the TSN Bridge shown in Figure 1 may be the same as or different from that of the 5GS TSN logical bridge. For example, it may have more or fewer components than the 5GS TSN logical bridge. In other words, there may be one or more TSN logical bridges in a TSN network, without limitation.

[0028] Based on the TSN network architecture shown in FIG1 , the above-mentioned technical solution provided by this application is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a multi-session implementation method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. This method 200 can be executed by a first network function, such as an SMF. In other words, this method 200 can be executed by software and / or hardware installed in the first network function. As shown in Figure 2, this method 200 can include the following steps.

[0030] S210: The first network function receives at least two protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment requests (also referred to as session establishment requests) sent by a terminal.

[0031] Among them, at least two PDU session establishment requests carry the same media access control (MAC) address and the same port management information (PMI), and the MAC address is the UE-side TSN converter Ethernet port MAC address (DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address). That is, the at least two PDU session establishment requests are based on the same DS-TT port (port), and independently report the same DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address and port management information to request the establishment of multiple PDU sessions.

[0032] Based on this, in one implementation, the process of the first network function receiving the PDU session establishment request may include: the terminal sends at least two first PDU session establishment requests (i.e., the PDU session establishment request sent by the terminal) to the AMF based on the same DS-TT port (also referred to as a DS-TT Ethernet port), and the at least two first PDU session establishment requests carry the same DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address and the same PMI. Then, after receiving the at least two first PDU session establishment requests, the AMF selects the first network function and sends at least two second PDU session establishment requests (i.e., the PDU session establishment request received by the aforementioned first network function) to the selected first network function based on the at least two first PDU session establishment requests.

[0033] Of course, the aforementioned PMI can be obtained by the terminal through collecting port information of the DS-TT port of the DS-TT. In this embodiment, the PMI can include but is not limited to the message transmission delay at the port, the port transmission rate, etc.

[0034] S220: The first network function creates a PDU session according to at least two of the PDU session establishment requests.

[0035] Among them, the PDU session corresponds to the PDU session establishment request one by one, that is, the at least two PDU sessions are single-port multi-PDU sessions created based on the same port, so as to realize TSN session redundancy backup, ensuring that when one of the PDU sessions has abnormal situations such as session interruption or air interface packet loss, the continuity of TSN services can still be guaranteed through other sessions, thereby greatly improving the reliability of TSN services.

[0036] For example, referring to Figure 3, assuming that an end station establishes a PDU Session via DS-TT1 and UE1, then for port 1, PDU Session 1 and PDU Session 1' can be established, respectively. For port 2, PDU Session 2 and PDU Session 2' can be established, respectively. PDU Session 1 and PDU Session 1' have identical transmission content, and PDU Session 1' serves as a redundant backup of PDU Session 1. PDU Session 2 and PDU Session 2' have identical transmission content, and PDU Session 2' serves as a redundant backup of PDU Session 2. Thus, by establishing at least two redundant PDU sessions (also known as TSN sessions) for a port, TSN session redundancy can be achieved. This ensures that even if one PDU session (e.g., PDU Session 1) experiences an abnormality such as session interruption or air interface packet loss, continuity of TSN services, such as services, can still be maintained through the other session (PDU Session 1'), greatly improving the reliability of TSN services.

[0037] In one implementation, when the first network function receives at least two PDU session establishment requests to create a PDU session, it can determine the reporting time of each of the PDU session establishment requests, and store the PMI in the first PDU session establishment request according to the reporting time of each of the PDU session establishment requests, and discard the PMI in the second PDU session establishment request, wherein the first PDU session establishment request is the PDU session establishment request with the earliest reporting time (or online time) among the at least two PDU session establishment requests, and the second PDU session establishment request is the other PDU session establishment request among the at least two PDU session establishment requests except the first PDU session establishment request. Therefore, by discarding the PMI in the second PDU session establishment request, on the one hand, it is possible to eliminate the redundancy of the PMI, thereby avoiding the redundant interference problem that may be caused by repeated reporting of PMI information; on the other hand, by terminating the TSN-related control plane redundant information at the first network function (such as SMF), it is also possible to reduce signaling overhead.

[0038] Optionally, in the aforementioned implementation, there may be multiple ways for the first network function to determine the reporting time of each PDU session establishment request. For example, the first network function may query the target mapping table with the MAC address as the index to obtain the reporting time of each PDU session establishment request; wherein, the target mapping table is created based on the MAC addresses carried in at least two of the PDU session establishment requests and at least two PDU sessions, and the target mapping table stores relevant information of each PDU session, DS-TT port number, and the mapping relationship between the MAC addresses. The relevant information of the PDU session includes PDU session ID, PDU session establishment time, whether the PDU session is a single-port multi-session, etc.

[0039] It can be understood that in this embodiment, in addition to being used by the first network function to determine the reporting time of the PDU session establishment request, in this embodiment, the target mapping table can also be used by each network function to configure TSN bearer information, update and send PMI, send Quality of Service (QoS) information, send time-sensitive communication assistance information (TSCAI), etc.

[0040] Based on this, in this embodiment, the target mapping table can be created by the first network function (such as SMF) based on the received PDU session establishment request. For example, the target mapping table can be as shown in Table 1.

[0041] Table 1

[0042] It should be noted that "1" indicates single-port multi-session. However, the DS-TT port number shown in Table 1 can be obtained by the first network function requesting the third network function (such as UPF).

[0043] For example, the first network function can send a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session establishment request to the third network function, and the PFCP session establishment request carries at least part of the information in the target mapping table (i.e., Table 1), first indication information, and a MAC address. The first indication information is used to indicate that the PDU session corresponding to the PFCP session establishment request is a TSN session, thereby enabling the third network function to allocate the same port number to the TSN session according to the MAC address.

[0044] Accordingly, the third network function assigns a port number to the PDU session based on the PFCP session establishment request and sends a PFCP session establishment response to the first network function based on the assigned port number. The PFCP session establishment response carries the same DS-TT port number corresponding to different PDU sessions. Upon receiving the PFCP session establishment response from the third network function, the first network function may update the DS-TT port number in the target mapping table. For example, referring to Table 1, the updated target mapping table may be as shown in Table 2.

[0045] Table 2

[0046] It can be understood that, since PDU session 123 and PDU session 456 belong to single-port multi-session, they correspond to the same DS-TT port number, namely "1001" shown in Table 2.

[0047] It is worth noting that when the TSN network includes two or more TSN bridges, the PFCP session establishment response may also carry the port number and Bridge ID of the NW-TT to ensure that the DS-TT port number is sent to the correct TSN bridge.

[0048] In one implementation, after creating the target mapping table, the first network function can also obtain the TSN bearer information corresponding to the first PDU session from the second network function (such as PCF, etc.), and then query the target mapping table according to the MAC address corresponding to the first PDU session, determine that the first PDU session is a single-port multi-session, copy the TSN bearer information to the second PDU session, and the second PDU session is associated with the first PDU session. Therefore, for the case of single-port multi-session, by obtaining the TSN bearer information corresponding to a PDU session and copying the TSN bearer information to other PDU sessions, the TSN bearer information of all PDU sessions under the port can be obtained, which can ensure the implementation of the PDU session while greatly reducing the signaling overhead in the TSN bearer configuration process and improving the efficiency of TSN bearer creation.

[0049] It can be understood that the TSN bearer corresponding to the TSN bearer information is a data plane bearer and is dedicated to a multi-PDU session corresponding to a DS-TT port.

[0050] In one implementation, the first network function may also transparently send the MAC address, the PMI, the DS-TT port number, and the association between the MAC address, the PMI, and the DS-TT port number to the fourth network function (such as AF) for future configuration. For example, the AF may store the received information locally and send it to the CNC, so that the CNC may perform unified configuration of relevant information (such as updated target PMI, filtering information of TSN data stream, policing information, forwarding rules, TSCAI, etc.) based on the received PMI, etc., so as to ensure resource utilization and transmission efficiency of the TSN network.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the first network function can also receive the target PMI sent by the fourth network function (such as AF) or the second network function (such as PCF), determine the PDU session with the earliest creation time (also known as the earliest online time) according to the target mapping table, and send the target PMI to the DS-TT port through the PDU session with the earliest creation time, so that the DS-TT port forwards the message based on the target PMI, etc.

[0052] In this embodiment, for the case of single-port multiple sessions, the first network function can select the PDU session with the earliest creation time based on the target mapping table to send the target PMI, thereby enabling the sending of target PMIs of multiple PDU sessions and avoiding redundant sending of PMI and waste of resources.

[0053] Optionally, the target PMI may be implemented in a container form, thereby improving the reliability of information transmission.

[0054] In one implementation, during a TSN communication process, if the first network function senses a PDU session modification process triggered by a fourth network function (such as an AF), and the PDU session modification process is related to an update of a TSN stream forwarding policy (such as filtering information, policy information, forwarding rules, etc. of a TSN data stream), then the first network function may query the target mapping table based on the MAC address carried in the PDU session modification process to obtain at least two PDU session IDs associated with the MAC address, and then modify the QoS information of the PDU sessions corresponding to the at least two PDU session IDs according to the updated TSN stream forwarding policy, wherein the QoS information may be obtained based on the filtering information and policy information of the TSN data stream. In other words, when the first network function senses that a TSN policy update triggered by an AF or PCF triggers a PDU session modification process, the first network function may modify the QoS information of two or more PDU sessions simultaneously according to the PDU session ID based on the locally stored target mapping table and the MAC address of the DS-TT Ethernet port as an index to meet TSN service requirements.

[0055] In one implementation, the first network function may also copy the TSCAI into at least two copies corresponding to the PDU sessions when determining to send TSCAI (such as message period (Periodicity), message arrival time (Burst Arrival Time), etc.) to the wireless access network device (such as a base station (gNb)), and send the TSCAI to the wireless access network device corresponding to each PDU session. In this embodiment, each of the PDU sessions may correspond to the same or different wireless access network devices, which is not limited here. That is to say, when the first network function needs to send TSCAI to the wireless access network device (such as a base station), one TSCAI may be copied into multiple copies, which are sent to the wireless access network devices corresponding to the multiple PDU sessions, respectively, wherein the multiple PDU sessions correspond to the same DS-TT port, which is used for the wireless access network device to manage uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission to ensure transmission quality.

[0056] It is worth noting that in the data transmission involved in the aforementioned implementation methods (such as QOS information, target PMI, TSCAI, etc.), if the TSN network includes two or more TSN logical bridges, then the data transmission can also carry the identification of the TSN logical bridge to ensure the reliability of data transmission.

[0057] In addition, the aforementioned technical solutions provided in this application can be applied but are not limited to some data transmissions with high security requirements, such as control and autonomous driving data transmissions.

[0058] Based on this, for ease of understanding, the above technical solutions provided by this application are further introduced below in conjunction with Examples 1 to 4. The content is as follows. In Examples 1 to 4, it can be assumed that the first network function is SMF, the second network function is PCF, the third network function is UPF, and the fourth network function is AF.

[0059] Example 1

[0060] Assuming that for a DS-TT port, a UE with a multi-connection function establishes two PDU session processing flows, the following describes the relevant flow of the UE reporting TSN information with reference to FIG4 a.

[0061] S401, the UE (or DS-TT) sends a PDU Session Establishment Request to the AMF, such as PDU Session Establishment Request 1 and PDU Session Establishment Request 2, where the two PDU Sessions independently report the same TSN information, such as the DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address and PMI.

[0062] S402: AMF selects a suitable SMF based on the PDU Session Establishment Request (PDU Session Establishment Request 1, PDU Session Establishment Request 2). For example, during the SMF selection process, AMF may interact with the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) to obtain network slice information, and then discover SMF through NRF.

[0063] S403, AMF sends a PDU session establishment request (also called a session management context creation request (Nsmf_PDU Session_Create SMContext Request)) to the selected appropriate SMF according to the PDU Session Establishment Request to request the establishment of two PDU sessions corresponding to PDU Session Establishment Request 1 and PDU Session Establishment Request 2.

[0064] S404, when SMF receives a session management context creation request, it creates a target mapping table based on the DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address and PMI carried in the request, wherein the target mapping table is used for the mapping relationship between the relevant information of each PDU session, the DS-TT port number, and the MAC address.

[0065] Exemplarily, the target mapping table may be as shown in Table 3.

[0066] Table 3

[0067] At the same time, the SMF can also query the target mapping table using the DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address as an index, and determine the time sequence of the received PDU session reports or PDU session establishment requests based on the PDU session establishment time or the reception time of the PDU session establishment request. Only the first reported PMI is stored, and the PMI received later is discarded, thereby eliminating PMI redundancy. For example, in Example 1, only the PMI reported by the session with PDU session ID 123 is stored, and the PMI reported by the session with PDU session ID 456 is discarded.

[0068] S405, SMF replies to AMF with a session management context creation response (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Response) to indicate the identifiers (IDs) of the two created PDU sessions, such as "123" and "456".

[0069] S406 , the SMF executes the PCF selection function to select a suitable PCF, and sends a PDU-CAN (or PDU-Controller Area Network (CAN)) session flow to the selected PCF.

[0070] Correspondingly, PCF sends relevant QoS control policies, UPF selection policies and other information to UPF according to the PDU session process, so that UPF can select different QoS flows for different QoS packets and achieve different forwarding guarantees.

[0071] S407, PCF triggers the establishment of TSN bearer information based on the PDU session process, and sends the TSN bearer information to SMF.

[0072] S408: The SMF uses the same DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address as an index and, based on the target mapping table and PDU session ID, determines whether the PDU session corresponding to the TSN bearer information is a "single-port multi-PDU session." If so, the TSN bearer information is copied to other PDU sessions (or PDU session messages) bound to the same DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address. Thus, by establishing a TSN bearer for one PDU session and copying it to other PDU sessions created based on the same port as the PDU session, the signaling overhead during the TSN bearer establishment process can be reduced, improving bearer creation efficiency.

[0073] For example, in this example, the TSN dedicated information carried by the session with the PDU session ID of 123 can be copied to the session message with the PDU session ID of 456.

[0074] S409: The SMF performs the UPF selection function to select a suitable UPF and initiates a PFCP session establishment request (Session Establishment Request) to the selected UPF. The PFCP Session Establishment Request carries the DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address, PDU session ID, target mapping table, first indication information, etc. The first indication information is used to indicate that the PDU session is a TSN session. The UPF selection function can select the UPF based on information such as timing advance (TA), data network name (DNN), slice information, and data network access identifier (DNAI), which will not be described in detail here.

[0075] In step S410, the UPF queries the target mapping table using the same DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address as an index and determines whether it is a "single-port multiple PDU session" based on the "single-port multiple sessions" flag. If so, the UPF assigns the same DS-TT port number to the two PDU sessions on the same DS-TT port.

[0076] S411, UPF sends the number of the allocated DS-TT port to SMF through PFCP Session Establishment Response. The PFCP Session Establishment Response message carries the port number of DS-TT, the port number of NW-TT and Bridge ID.

[0077] S412, SMF receives PFCP Session Establishment Response (also known as N4 session establishment message) and updates the mapping table according to the PFCP Session Establishment Response. For example, assuming that the DS-TT port number assigned by the UPF is 1001, the updated target mapping table is as shown in Table 4.

[0078] Table 4

[0079] S413, SMF transparently transmits the received DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address, the MAC address, the PMI, the DS-TT port number, and the association relationship between the MAC address, the PMI, and the DS-TT port number to AF (such as TSN AF) through PCF for subsequent configuration.

[0080] S414, the AF locally stores the received TSN information (ie, the MAC address, PMI and DS-TT port number of the same DS-TT port, and the association between the three, etc.), and sends the TSN information, etc. to the CNC.

[0081] In Example 1, multiple sessions are created on a single port, enabling TSN session redundancy. This ensures that when one of the PDU sessions is interrupted or air interface packets are lost, the TSN service connection can still be guaranteed through other sessions.

[0082] Example 2

[0083] Based on Example 1, in Example 2, the relevant process of the AF sending the target PMI is described in conjunction with FIG4 b , as follows.

[0084] S421, the AF obtains the target PMI (also called TSN port information) sent from the CNC.

[0085] It is understood that the target PMI may include gating information, flow filtering, and policy information, etc., for use in DS-TT port management. In this embodiment, the target PMI may be obtained by the AF based on centralized configuration by the CNC. In this embodiment, after determining the target PMI, the CNC may transmit the target PMI to the AF using, for example, a YANG model.

[0086] S422, considering that there may be multiple SMFs in the TSN network, the AF can determine the MAC address of the PDU session for the configured DS-TT port based on the locally stored TSN information (i.e., the same DS-TT port MAC address). The MAC address is used by the AF to pass the target PMI and DS-TT port number to the correct SMF via the PCF.

[0087] For example, AF can trigger an AF request process, and the AF request includes the same DS-TT port MAC address, PMI and DS-TT port number of the PDU session. Then, when PCF receives the AF request, it can determine the correct SMF based on the same DS-TT port MAC address received in the AF request, and transparently transmit the received target PMI and DS-TT port number to SMF through messages such as Npcf_SM Policy Control_Update Notify.

[0088] S423, the SMF identifies whether the received DS-TT port number is a single-port multi-session DS-TT port according to the locally stored target mapping table.

[0089] S424, if the SMF recognizes that the received DS-TT port number is a single-port multi-session DS-TT port, then for the same DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address, the SMF selects the PDU session with the earliest creation time (that is, the PDU session that goes online first) according to the target mapping table and sends the target PMI.

[0090] S425, SMF triggers the first online PDU session modification process to send the received target PMI to the UE (or DS-TT) for DS-TT to perform port management.

[0091] In this example 2, when AF or SMF needs to send PMIC information to the port of DS-TT, SMF can determine the time sequence of PDU session establishment based on the locally stored target mapping table, select the PDU session that goes online first, and send PMIC information. This can avoid redundant sending of PMI and waste of resources.

[0092] Example 3

[0093] This Example 3 introduces the relevant process of TSN stream forwarding policy information in conjunction with Figure 4c, as follows.

[0094] In step S431, the AF obtains the filtering information, policy information (related to the PMI), and forwarding rules of the TSN data stream from the CNC, and obtains the QoS (also known as TSN QOS) information based on the filtering information and policy information of the TSN data stream, and determines the same DS-TT port MAC address of the corresponding PDU session based on the forwarding rules of the TSN data stream.

[0095] S432, AF sends the QoS information to SMF through PCF.

[0096] For example, AF sends an AF request to PCF, which includes the same DS-TT port MAC address of the PDU session and the QoS information. After receiving the AF request, the PCF can determine the SMF based on the same DS-TT port MAC address received in the AF request, and transparently transmit the received QoS information to the SMF through messages such as Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify.

[0097] S433: The SMF detects a PDU session modification process (related to a TSN policy update (such as the QoS information)) triggered by the AF or PCF. The SMF triggers the PDU session modification process to establish or modify QoS information for transmitting TSN data streams. For example, the SMF may simultaneously modify the TSN policy update (such as the QoS information) of two or more PDU sessions corresponding to a DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address based on the locally stored DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address and target mapping table.

[0098] S434, SMF triggers PFCP Session Modification Request and provides information such as flow filters and forwarding policies to UPF.

[0099] S436: After receiving the issued PCC rules, the UPF replies with a PFCP Session Modification Response message to the SMF.

[0100] In this example 3, when the SMF senses that the TSN policy update triggered by the AF or PCF triggers the PDU session modification process, the SMF uses the DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address as the index based on the locally stored target mapping table and simultaneously modifies the QoS information of two or more PDU sessions corresponding to the DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address according to the PDU session ID to meet the TSN service requirements.

[0101] Example 4

[0102] This example 4 introduces the TSCAI information delivery process in conjunction with Figure 4d, as follows.

[0103] S441: The AF obtains TSCAI from the CNC, wherein the TSCAI may be determined by the CNC based on at least part of the information in the received PMI. In this embodiment, the TSCAI may include a message period, a message arrival time, etc.

[0104] S442, the AF determines the MAC address of the PDU session (ie, the DS-TT MAC address) for the configured DS-TT port based on the locally stored TSN information, and transmits the TSCAI to the correct SMF via the PCF based on the MAC address.

[0105] For example, the AF determines the DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address of the PDU session based on the locally stored TSN information, and then triggers the AF request process. The AF request includes the DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address of the PDU session. At the same time, the AF initiates a TSCAI policy update request. Correspondingly, after receiving the AF request, the PCF can determine the correct SMF based on the DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address received in the AF request and transmit the received TSCAI to the SMF through messages such as Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify.

[0106] S443: After receiving the TCSAI, the SMF generates a new TSCAI based on the frequency ratio and phase difference reported by the UPF. Considering that the TSCAI received by the SMF is determined based on network time, while the base station uses 5G time, in this embodiment, the SMF can generate a new TSCAI based on the received TCSAI, and can adjust the TSCAI based on network time to the TSCAI based on 5G time to meet the needs of the base station.

[0107] S444, SMF triggers the PDU session modification process to transmit the generated TSCAI to the (R)AN. For example, for the same DS-TT Ethernet port MAC address, SMF can call the AMF transfer service according to the locally stored target mapping table, copy the received TSCAI, and send the copied TSCAI to the wireless access network equipment (such as base station) associated with each PDU session.

[0108] For example, SMF calls the Transfer service of AMF to send a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer notification to the UE and (R)AN. Correspondingly, AMF sends an N2 Session Request (PDU Session Resource Modify Request) message to the (R)AN.

[0109] In this example 4, when SMF needs to send TSCAI to the base station, SMF can copy one TSCAI information into two or more copies according to the number of PDU sessions corresponding to the DS-TT port MAC address, and send them to the base stations associated with two or more PDU sessions corresponding to the same DS-TT port MAC address (which may be one base station or two base stations).

[0110] It can be understood that the multi-session implementation process provided in the above Examples 1 to 4 may include but is not limited to the above steps, that is, Examples 1 to 4 may have more or fewer steps than the above steps, which is not limited here.

[0111] Figure 5 shows a structural schematic diagram of a multi-session implementation device 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 500 includes: a transmission module 510, used to receive at least two PDU session establishment requests sent by a UE, wherein at least two PDU session establishment requests carry the same MAC address and the same PMI, and the MAC address is the MAC address of the Ethernet port of the time-sensitive network TSN converter on the UE side; a session creation module 520, used to create a PDU session according to at least two of the PDU session establishment requests, and the PDU session corresponds one-to-one to the PDU session establishment requests.

[0112] Optionally, the session creation module 520 is also used to determine the reporting time of each of the PDU session establishment requests; and store the PMI in the first PDU session establishment request according to the reporting time of each of the PDU session establishment requests, and discard the PMI in the second PDU session establishment request, wherein the first PDU session establishment request is the PDU session with the earliest reporting time among at least two of the PDU session establishment requests, and the second PDU session is the other PDU session establishment request among at least two of the PDU session establishment requests except the first PDU session establishment request.

[0113] Optionally, the session creation module 520 determines the reporting time of each PDU session establishment request, including: querying the target mapping table with the MAC address as the index to obtain the reporting time of each PDU session establishment request; wherein, the target mapping table is created based on the MAC addresses carried in at least two of the PDU session establishment requests and at least two of the PDU sessions, and the target mapping table stores relevant information of each PDU session, DS-TT port number, and the mapping relationship between the MAC addresses, and the relevant information of the PDU session includes PDU session ID, PDU session establishment time, and whether the PDU session is a single-port multi-session.

[0114] Optionally, the session creation module 520 is also used to obtain TSN bearer information from the second network function, where the TSN bearer information corresponds to the first PDU session; and to query the target mapping table according to the MAC address corresponding to the first PDU session to determine that the first PDU session is a single-port multi-session; and to copy the TSN bearer information to the second PDU session, where the second PDU session is associated with the first PDU session.

[0115] Optionally, the transmission module 510 is also used to send a PFCP session establishment request to a third network function, the PFCP session establishment request carries part of the information in the target mapping table, first indication information, and a MAC address, the first indication information being used to indicate that the PDU session corresponding to the PFCP session establishment request is a TSN session; and receive a PFCP session establishment response sent by the third network function, the PFCP session establishment response carrying the same DS-TT port number corresponding to different PDU sessions; and update the DS-TT port number to the target mapping table.

[0116] Optionally, the transmission module 510 is further configured to send the MAC address, the PMI, the DS-TT port number, and an association relationship among the MAC address, the PMI, and the DS-TT port number to a fourth network function.

[0117] Optionally, the transmission module 510 is also used to receive the target PMI sent by the fourth network function or the second network function, determine the PDU session with the earliest creation time according to the target mapping table, and send the target PMI to the DS-TT port through the PDU session with the earliest creation time.

[0118] Optionally, the session creation module 520 is also used to, when sensing a PDU session modification process triggered by a fourth network function, query the target mapping table according to the MAC address carried in the PDU session modification process to obtain at least two PDU session IDs associated with the MAC address, wherein the PDU session modification process is related to the update of the TSN stream forwarding policy; and modify the quality of service QoS information of the PDU sessions corresponding to at least two of the PDU session IDs according to the updated TSN stream forwarding policy.

[0119] Optionally, the session creation module 520 is also used to copy the time-sensitive communication auxiliary information TSCAI into at least two copies when it is determined to send the TSCAI to the wireless access network device, and the TSCAI corresponds one-to-one to the PDU session; and send the TSCAI to the wireless access network device corresponding to each PDU session through the transmission module 510.

[0120] The device 500 provided in the embodiment of the present application can execute the various methods described in the above method embodiments and realize the functions and beneficial effects of the various methods described in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0121] FIG6 shows a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of an electronic device that implements an embodiment of the present application. Referring to the figure, at the hardware level, the electronic device includes a processor, and optionally, an internal bus, a network interface, and a memory. The memory may include a memory, such as a high-speed random access memory (RAM), and may also include a non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as at least one disk storage device. Of course, the electronic device may also include hardware required for other services.

[0122] The processor, network interface, and memory can be interconnected via an internal bus, such as an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. These buses can be classified as address buses, data buses, and control buses. For ease of illustration, the figure uses only one bidirectional arrow, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0123] The memory is used to store programs. Specifically, the program may include program code, which includes computer operating instructions. The memory may include internal memory and non-volatile memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor.

[0124] The processor reads the corresponding computer program from the non-volatile memory into the internal memory and then runs it, logically forming a device for locating a specified user. The processor executes the program stored in the memory and is specifically configured to perform the multi-session implementation method disclosed in the aforementioned method embodiments and achieve the functions and beneficial effects of the various methods described in the aforementioned method embodiments, which will not be further described here.

[0125] The multi-session implementation method disclosed in the aforementioned method embodiment of the present application can be applied to a processor or implemented by a processor. The processor may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits in the processor or software instructions. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc.; it can also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium well-known in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0126] The electronic device can also execute the methods described in the above method embodiments and realize the functions and beneficial effects of the methods described in the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0127] Of course, in addition to software implementation, the electronic device of this application does not exclude other implementation methods, such as logic devices or a combination of software and hardware, etc. That is to say, the execution subject of the following processing flow is not limited to each logic unit, but can also be hardware or logic devices.

[0128] An embodiment of the present application also proposes a computer-readable storage medium, which stores one or more programs. When the one or more programs are executed by an electronic device including multiple application programs, the electronic device executes the multi-session implementation method disclosed in the aforementioned method embodiment and realizes the functions and beneficial effects of the various methods described in the aforementioned method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0129] The computer-readable storage medium includes a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0130] Furthermore, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and the computer program includes program instructions. When the program instructions are executed by a computer, the following process is implemented: the multi-session implementation method disclosed in the aforementioned method embodiment and the functions and beneficial effects of the various methods described in the aforementioned method embodiment are implemented, which will not be repeated here.

[0131] In short, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

[0132] The systems, devices, modules, or units described in the above embodiments may be implemented by computer chips or entities, or by products having certain functions. A typical implementation device is a computer. Specifically, the computer may be, for example, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a cellular phone, a camera phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, a tablet computer, a wearable device, or a combination of any of these devices.

[0133] Computer-readable media includes permanent and non-permanent, removable and non-removable media that can be implemented by any method or technology to store information. The information can be computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, phase change memory (PRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), other types of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any other non-transmission media that can be used to store information that can be accessed by a computing device. As defined herein, computer-readable media does not include transitory computer-readable media (transitory media), such as modulated data signals and carrier waves.

[0134] It should also be noted that the terms "comprises," "includes," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, commodity, or apparatus that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or includes elements inherent to such process, method, commodity, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, commodity, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0135] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to in conjunction with each other. Each embodiment focuses on the differences between the other embodiments. In particular, the system embodiments are generally similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple. For relevant parts, refer to the description of the method embodiments.

Claims

1. A method for implementing a multi-session, performed by a first network function, the method comprising: Receiving at least two protocol data unit PDU session establishment requests sent by a terminal UE, wherein at least two PDU session establishment requests carry the same media access control MAC address and the same port management information PMI, and the MAC address is the MAC address of the Ethernet port of the time-sensitive network TSN converter on the UE side; A PDU session is created according to at least two of the PDU session establishment requests, and the PDU session corresponds to the PDU session establishment requests one by one.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: Determining a reporting time for each of the PDU session establishment requests; storing the PMI in the first PDU session establishment request according to the reporting time of each of the PDU session establishment requests, and discarding the PMI in the second PDU session establishment request; Among them, the first PDU session establishment request is the PDU session establishment request with the earliest reporting time among at least two of the PDU session establishment requests, and the second PDU session establishment request is the other PDU session establishment request among at least two of the PDU session establishment requests except the first PDU session establishment request.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: The determining of the reporting time of each of the PDU session establishment requests includes: Using the MAC address as an index to query the target mapping table, and obtain the reporting time of each PDU session establishment request; Among them, the target mapping table is created based on the MAC addresses carried in at least two of the PDU session establishment requests and at least two of the PDU sessions, and the target mapping table stores relevant information of each of the PDU sessions, the device-side time-sensitive network converter DS-TT port number, and the mapping relationship between the MAC addresses. The relevant information of the PDU session includes the PDU session identification ID, the PDU session establishment time, and whether the PDU session is a single-port multi-session.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein: The method further comprises: Acquire TSN bearer information from the second network function, where the TSN bearer information corresponds to the first PDU session; Querying a target mapping table according to the MAC address corresponding to the first PDU session, determining that the first PDU session is a single-port multi-session; The TSN bearer information is copied to a second PDU session, where the second PDU session is associated with the first PDU session.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein: The method further comprises: Send a message forwarding control protocol PFCP session establishment request to the third network function, wherein the PFCP session establishment request carries part of the information in the target mapping table, the first indication information, and the MAC address, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the PDU session corresponding to the PFCP session establishment request is a TSN session; receiving a PFCP session establishment response sent by the third network function, wherein the PFCP session establishment response carries the same DS-TT port number corresponding to different PDU sessions; The DS-TT port number is updated to the target mapping table.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: The method further comprises: Send the MAC address, the PMI, the DS-TT port number, and an association relationship among the MAC address, the PMI, and the DS-TT port number to a fourth network function.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The method further comprises: receiving a target PMI sent by the fourth network function or the second network function; Determine the PDU session with the earliest creation time according to the target mapping table; The target PMI is sent to the DS-TT port through the PDU session with the earliest creation time.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The method further comprises: In the case of perceiving a PDU session modification procedure triggered by a fourth network function, querying a target mapping table according to a MAC address carried in the PDU session modification procedure to obtain at least two PDU session IDs associated with the MAC address, wherein the PDU session modification procedure is related to an update of a TSN flow forwarding strategy; Modify the quality of service QoS information of the PDU sessions corresponding to at least two of the PDU session IDs according to the updated TSN stream forwarding strategy.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The method further comprises: In the case of determining to send time-sensitive communication assistance information TSCAI to the radio access network device, copying the TSCAI into at least two copies, the TSCAI corresponding to the PDU session one by one; The TSCAI is sent to the wireless access network device corresponding to each PDU session respectively.

10. A method for implementing multi-session, executed by a terminal, the method comprising: Send at least two PDU session establishment requests; Among them, at least two PDU session establishment requests carry the same media access control MAC address and the same port management information PMI, and the MAC address is the MAC address of the Ethernet port of the time sensitive network TSN converter at the UE side.

11. An electronic device, comprising: processor; as well as A memory arranged to store computer executable instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A computer-readable medium storing one or more programs, which, when executed by a network device including a plurality of application programs, cause the network device to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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