Method for exchanging data

Abstract

In a method according to the invention for exchanging data between a terminal (10) and an application server (30) via a communication network (20), wherein: the data are transmitted between the terminal (10) and the application server (30) via a first data connection by means of a first transmission technology or via an alternative data connection by means of an alternative transmission technology; the first data connection comprises a first communication connection (41) between the terminal (10) and a base station (23) of the communication network (20), an internal communication connection (45) between the base station (23) and a user plane function (24) of the communication network (20), and a second communication connection (42) between the user plane function (24) and the application server (30); the alternative data connection comprises an alternative communication connection (47) between the terminal (10) and an acquisition unit (61) of the communication network (20), an interface (99) between the acquisition unit (61) and a switching unit (62) of the communication network (20), a flanking communication connection (48) between the switching unit (62) and the user plane function (24) of the communication network (20), and the second communication connection (42) between the user plane function (24) and the application server (30); descriptors of the available transmission technologies are evaluated by a selection unit (63) of the communication network (20) and a suitable transmission technology is selected; and the user plane function (24) activates the data connection with the suitable transmission technology.

Description

[0001] Procedures for exchanging data

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a method for exchanging data between a terminal device and an application server via a communication network, wherein the data is transmitted between the terminal device and the application server via a first data connection using a first transmission technology or via an alternative data connection using an alternative transmission technology.

[0004] Communication networks are used to exchange data between participants, for example, between end devices and application servers. Wireless communication connections exist between the end devices and a communication network via radio channels. Common communication networks, for example, are based on the 5G mobile communications standard, which is also used in modern mobile networks.

[0005] A 5G core network is already accessible via 3GPP technologies based on the 5G mobile communications standard, as well as other data transmission methods, such as Wi-Fi. A process that enables dynamic switching of the data transmission method for end devices is desirable. Likewise, the ability to duplicate data packets and transmit them over multiple independent data connections as needed is desirable. Aside from developing a handover process and duplicating data packets, an open problem is obtaining data on which the decision process can be calculated. This decision affects both the handover process and the duplication of data packets. Due to the physical differences between the various network technologies and data transmission methods, a direct comparison is not possible, as different measured values ​​with different units are not directly comparable.

[0006] From document DE 10 2022 000 881 A1, a communication system and a method for operating the communication system are known. The communication system is based on the 5G mobile radio standard. The communication system enables data transmission between multiple participants and an application server via a core network. From DE 102022 004672 A1, a method for selecting a

[0007] A data transmission method known from a set of available data transmission methods in a communications system. The communications system is based on the 5G mobile communications standard.

[0008] US 2022 / 0303854 A1 discloses a generic method for exchanging data over a communications network. This method involves data transmission via two different data connections.

[0009] US 2024 / 0015569 A1 discloses a generic method for exchanging data over a 5G communications network. This method involves data transmission over multiple data connections.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of developing a method for exchanging data between a terminal device and an application server via a communication network, in particular in a technical system.

[0011] The object is achieved by a method for exchanging data between a terminal device and an application server via a communications network having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] According to the invention, a method for exchanging data between a terminal device and an application server via a communication network is proposed, wherein the data is transmitted between the terminal device and the application server via a first data connection using a first transmission technology or via an alternative data connection using an alternative transmission technology.

[0013] The first data connection comprises a first communication connection between the terminal device and a base station of the communication network, an internal communication connection between the base station and a user-level function of the communication network, and a second communication connection between the user-level function and the application server. The alternative data connection comprises an alternative communication connection between the terminal device and a detection unit of the communication network, an interface between the detection unit and a switching unit of the communication network, a flanking communication connection between the switching unit and the user-level function of the communication network, and the second communication connection between the user-level function and the application server.

[0014] A selection unit in the communications network evaluates descriptors of available transmission technologies and selects a suitable transmission technology. The user-plane function activates the data connection using the appropriate transmission technology.

[0015] The invention allows a terminal device to communicate over various data connections using various transmission technologies. The transmission technology that is most suitable for the given conditions is selected and used for data exchange. Selecting the appropriate transmission technology based on physically independent descriptors enables comparability of different transmission technologies for different data connections.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the communication network is designed as a core network and radio access network of a 5G communication network, and the first communication connection is designed as a 5G radio connection based on the 5G mobile communications standard. The 5G mobile communications standard is used particularly in modern mobile communications networks.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the alternative communication connection is designed as a connection different from a 5G radio connection, in particular as a WLAN connection, a Bluetooth connection, or an optical connection. The alternative communication connection is used in particular when the alternative transmission technology or duplication of data packets is advantageous, and / or when the first transmission technology is temporarily unavailable.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the base station acquires parameters of the first transmission technology of the first communication connection. The acquired parameters are converted by the base station into physically independent descriptors. The descriptors are transmitted from the base station to the selection unit via a first control connection.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the detected parameters of the first transmission technology include a physical channel quality and / or a signal-to-noise ratio and / or a signal strength and / or a latency.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the acquisition unit acquires parameters of the alternative transmission technology of the alternative communication connection. The acquired parameters are transmitted from the acquisition unit to the switching unit via the interface. The parameters are converted by the switching unit into physically independent descriptors. The descriptors are transmitted from the switching unit to the selection unit via an alternative control connection.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the detected parameters of the alternative transmission technology include a physical channel quality and / or a signal-to-noise ratio and / or a signal strength and / or a latency.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the available transmission technologies is assigned a set of similar descriptors. The descriptors are abstracted in such a way that underlying physical values ​​with different units are comparable. The similar descriptors enable comparability of the different data transmission methods.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the set of similar descriptors comprises

[0024] • a normalized signal strength and / or

[0025] • a normalized signal-to-noise ratio and / or

[0026] • a statistical distribution of a latency and / or

[0027] • a statistical distribution of noise and / or

[0028] • a statistical distribution of a signal strength and / or

[0029] • a load on the respective communication connection and / or

[0030] • a termination behavior of the respective communication connection. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the selection unit reports the selected suitable transmission technology to the user level function via a second control connection.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the user-level function switches between the first data connection and the alternative data connection if the selected suitable transmission technology is different from the currently used transmission technology. This enables, in particular, a dynamic change of the data connection and transmission technology as needed.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a data packet to be transmitted is duplicated and sent simultaneously via the first data connection and the alternative data connection if the evaluation of the descriptors of the available transmission technologies shows that all available transmission technologies do not have sufficient quality. Data packet duplication occurs in particular when a single data connection cannot meet the data transmission requirements.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, when transmitting a data packet from the terminal device to the application server, the terminal device duplicates the data packet. The duplication then ends in the user-level function, where duplicate data packets are removed.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, when a data packet is transmitted from the application server to the terminal device, the user-level function duplicates the data packet. The duplication then ends in the terminal device, where duplicate data packets are removed.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, control data is transmitted from the terminal device to the base station via the first communication connection, and the control data contains information about the security relevance of the data to be transmitted. A primary authenticator of the communication network performs primary authentication of the first communication connection. The primary authentication serves to ensure the integrity of the terminal device. The method for primary authentication is adaptable to the security relevance of the data to be transmitted.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a secondary authenticator of the communication network performs a secondary authentication of the data connection after the

[0037] Extensible Authentication Protocol. In addition, the secondary authenticator encrypts the data transmitted over the data connection using the Extensible Authentication Protocol. The Extensible Authentication Protocol enables authentication independent of the transport technology. The Extensible Authentication Protocol also enables encryption independent of the transport technology.

[0038] The invention is not limited to the combination of features in the claims. Further possible combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent to those skilled in the art, particularly from the problem and / or the problem posed by comparison with the prior art.

[0039] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. The drawings only represent the subject matter of the invention schematically. They show:

[0040] Figure 1: a schematic representation of a communication system for exchanging data.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a communications system. Only the components of the communications system essential to the invention are shown. The communications system serves to exchange data within a technical system. The technical system is, for example, an industrial application, in particular a production plant.

[0042] The communication system comprises a communication network 20. The communication system is based on the 5G mobile communications standard. The communication network 20 is designed as the core network and radio access network of a 5G communication network.

[0043] The communication system comprises several terminal devices 10. One terminal device 10 is shown here. In this case, the terminal device 10 is an autonomously driving vehicle. The terminal device 10 is connected to the communication network 20 via a wireless radio link.

[0044] The communication system further includes an application server 30. The application server 30 is a digital computer configured to control and monitor processes within the technical system. The application server 30 is connected to the communication network 20 via a wired connection. Alternatively, a wireless radio connection is also conceivable.

[0045] The communication network 20 provides for the exchange of data between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30. Data is transmitted from the terminal device 10 to the application server 30 via a first data connection using a first transmission technology and via an alternative data connection using an alternative transmission technology. The data may include, for example, information about transported goods or travel routes. The communication network 20 includes a primary authenticator 21. The primary authenticator 21 is also referred to as the "authentication mobility function." Within the communication network 20, the primary authenticator 21 performs all functionalities required for mobility and primary authentication. This includes, but is not limited to, encapsulation of mobility and primary authentication of the terminal devices 10.

[0046] The communication network 20 includes a secondary authenticator 22. The secondary authenticator 22 is also referred to as a "session management function." The secondary authenticator 22 controls the properties of communication connections established using a user-level function 24. This includes, among other things, the prioritization of data traffic and the security properties of the connection.

[0047] The communications network 20 includes a base station 23. The base station 23 is also referred to as a "radio access network." The base station 23 establishes wireless communication connections with terminal devices 10 on the network side. The base station 23 also acquires parameters from existing communication connections. The base station 23 also converts the received parameters into physically independent descriptors.

[0048] The communication network 20 includes a user plane function 24. The user plane function 24 is also referred to as a "user plane function." The user plane function handles data routing and the implementation of parameters specified by the secondary authenticator 22, such as data traffic prioritization.

[0049] The communication network 20 includes a network exposure function (not shown here). The network exposure function is also referred to as the "network exposure function." The network exposure function is the external interface of the communication network 20 for exchanging control data, metadata, and configuration data.

[0050] The communication network 20 comprises a not shown here

[0051] Subscriber management unit. The subscriber management unit is also referred to as "subscriber management." The subscriber management unit encapsulates the management of the identities of the terminal devices 10 in the overall representation of the communications network 20.

[0052] The communications network 20 includes a network storage function (not shown here). This network storage function is also referred to as a "network repository function."

[0053] The communication network 20 includes a data store (not shown here). The data store is also referred to as a "unified data repository." The data store contains configuration data of the communication network 20 as well as status data of the communication network 20.

[0054] The communication network 20 comprises a detection unit 61. The detection unit 61 establishes wireless communication connections with terminal devices 10 on the network side and detects parameters of existing communication connections.

[0055] The communication network 20 comprises a switching unit 62. The switching unit 62 receives parameters from the acquisition unit 61 and converts the received parameters into physically independent descriptors.

[0056] The communication network 20 includes a selection unit 63. The selection unit 63 evaluates descriptors of available transmission technologies and selects suitable transmission technologies. Furthermore, the selection unit 63 reports a selected suitable transmission technology to the user-plane function 24.

[0057] The communication network 20 comprises an internal communication connection 45 between the base station 23 and the user-level function 24. A second communication connection 42 exists between the user-level function 24 of the communication network 20 and the application server 30.

[0058] The communication network 20 further comprises an interface 99 between the detection unit 61 and the switching unit 62, as well as a flanking communication connection 48 between the switching unit 62 and the user-level function 24. The first data connection comprises a first communication connection 41 between the terminal device 10 and the base station 23 of the communication network 20, the internal communication connection 45, and the second communication connection 42. The first communication connection 41 uses the first transmission technology for data transmission. The first communication connection 41 is embodied as a 5G radio connection based on the 5G mobile communications standard.

[0059] The alternative data connection comprises an alternative communication connection 47 between the terminal device 10 and the detection unit 61, the interface 99, the flanking communication connection 48, and the second communication connection 42. The alternative communication connection 47 is configured as a connection different from a 5G radio connection. The alternative communication connection 41 uses the alternative transmission technology for data transmission. For example, the alternative communication connection 47 is configured as a WLAN connection, a Bluetooth connection, or an optical connection for data transmission using light beams.

[0060] Furthermore, it is conceivable to duplicate a data packet to be transmitted and send it simultaneously via the first data connection and the alternative data connection. In this case, the first communication connection 41 and the alternative communication connection 47 are used simultaneously for data transmission. When a data packet is transmitted from the terminal device 10 to the application server 30, the duplication ends in the user-level function 24.

[0061] The communication network 20 comprises a first control connection 98 between the base station 23 and the selection unit 63, an alternative control connection 97 between the switching unit 62 and the selection unit 63, and a second control connection 96 between the selection unit 63 and the user plane function 24.

[0062] To exchange data between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 via the communication network 20, a first communication connection 41 is first established between the terminal device 10 and the base station 23 of the communication network 20. The base station 23 acquires parameters of the first transmission technology of the first communication connection 41. The acquired parameters of the first transmission technology include, for example, a physical channel quality and / or a signal-to-noise ratio and / or a signal strength and / or a latency.

[0063] The detected parameters of the first transmission technology are converted by the base station 23 into physically independent descriptors of the first transmission technology. The descriptors of the first transmission technology are transmitted from the base station 23 to the selection unit 63 via the first control connection 98.

[0064] To exchange data between the terminal device 10 and the application server 30 via the communication network 20, an alternative communication connection 47 is also established between the terminal device 10 and the acquisition unit 61 of the communication network 20. The acquisition unit 61 acquires parameters of the alternative transmission technology of the alternative communication connection 47.

[0065] The recorded parameters of the alternative transmission technology include, for example, a physical channel quality and / or a signal-to-noise ratio and / or a signal strength and / or a latency.

[0066] The recorded parameters of the alternative transmission technology are transmitted from the recording unit 61 via the interface 99 to the switching unit 62.

[0067] The parameters of the alternative transmission technology are converted by the switching unit 62 into physically independent descriptors of the alternative transmission technology. The descriptors of the alternative transmission technology are transmitted from the switching unit 62 to the selection unit 63 via the alternative control connection 97.

[0068] Each of the available transmission technologies—in this case, the first transmission technology and the alternative transmission technology—is assigned a set of similar descriptors. The set of similar descriptors includes, for example, a normalized signal strength and / or a normalized signal-to-noise ratio and / or a statistical distribution of latency and / or a statistical distribution of noise and / or a statistical distribution of signal strength and / or a utilization of the respective communication connection 41, 47 and / or a termination behavior of the respective communication connection 41, 47. The selection unit 63 of the communication network 20 then evaluates the descriptors of the first transmission technology and the descriptors of the alternative transmission technology. Furthermore, the selection unit 63 selects a suitable transmission technology.

[0069] The selected suitable transmission technology is reported by the selection unit 63 to the user-level function 24 via the second control connection 96. The user-level function 24 then activates the data connection with the suitable transmission technology.

[0070] In particular, the user plane function 24 switches between the first data connection and the alternative data connection if the selected suitable transmission technology is different from the currently used transmission technology. The user plane function also performs the duplication of data packets and the removal of duplicate data packets.

[0071] After the first communication connection 41 has been established between the terminal device 10 and the base station 23 of the communication network 20, control data is also transmitted from the terminal device 10 to the base station 23 via the first communication connection 41. The control data contains, among other things, information about the security relevance of the data to be transmitted.

[0072] The primary authenticator 21 of the communication network 20 performs a primary authentication of the first communication connection 41. The primary authentication serves to ensure the integrity of the terminal device 10.

[0073] The secondary authenticator 22 of the communication network 20 performs secondary authentication of the data connection. The secondary authenticator 22 performs the secondary authentication of the data connection in this case according to the Extensible Authentication Protocol. The secondary authenticator 22 also encrypts the data transmitted over the data connection according to the Extensible Authentication Protocol.

[0074] To configure the secondary authenticator 22, configuration data is supplied from the application server 30 to the communication network 20 via a configuration connection and transmitted to the network exposure function of the communication network 20.

[0075] The network exposure function receives the transmitted configuration data. The configuration data is then transmitted from the network exposure function to the data store of the communication network and stored in the data store. The network exposure function configures the secondary authenticator 22 based on the received configuration data.

[0076] List of reference symbols

[0077] 10 end devices

[0078] 20 Communication network

[0079] 21 primary authenticator

[0080] 22 secondary authenticator

[0081] 23 Base station

[0082] 24 User level function

[0083] 30 application servers

[0084] 41 first communication connection

[0085] 42 second communication connection

[0086] 45 internal communication connection

[0087] 47 alternative communication connection

[0088] 48 flanking communication link

[0089] 61 registration unit

[0090] 62 switching unit

[0091] 63 Selection unit

[0092] 96 second control connection

[0093] 97 alternative tax connection

[0094] 98 first control connection

[0095] 99 Interface

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Method for exchanging data between a terminal (10) and a Application server (30) via a communication network (20), wherein the data are transmitted between the terminal (10) and the application server (30) via a first data connection using a first transmission technology or via an alternative data connection using an alternative transmission technology; wherein the first data connection comprises a first communication connection (41) between the terminal (10) and a base station (23) of the communication network (20), an internal communication connection (45) between the base station (23) and a user-level function (24) of the communication network (20), and a second communication connection (42) between the user-level function (24) and the application server (30); wherein the alternative data connection comprises an alternative communication connection (47) between the terminal device (10) and a detection unit (61) of the communication network (20), an interface (99) between the detection unit (61) and a switching unit (62) of the communication network (20), a flanking communication connection (48) between the switching unit (62) and the user-level function (24) of the communication network (20), and the second communication connection (42) between the user-level function (24) and the application server (30);wherein a selection unit (63) of the communication network (20) performs an evaluation of descriptors of the available transmission technologies and selects a suitable transmission technology; and wherein the user-level function (24) activates the data connection with the suitable transmission technology.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication network (20) is designed as a core network and radio access network of a 5G communication network, and that the first communication connection (41) is designed as a 5G radio connection based on the 5G mobile radio standard.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the alternative communication connection (47) is designed as a connection different from a 5G radio connection, in particular as a WLAN connection or as a Bluetooth connection or as an optical connection.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that parameters of the first transmission technology of the first communication connection (41) are detected by the base station (23); the detected parameters are converted by the base station (23) into physically independent descriptors; the descriptors are transmitted from the base station (23) to the selection unit (63) via a first control connection (98).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the detected parameters of the first transmission technology include a physical channel quality and / or a signal-to-noise ratio and / or a signal strength and / or a latency.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that parameters of the alternative transmission technology of the alternative communication connection (47) are detected by the detection unit (61); the detected parameters are transmitted from the detection unit (61) via the interface (99) to the switching unit (62); the parameters are converted by the switching unit (62) into physically independent descriptors; the descriptors are transmitted from the switching unit (62) via an alternative control connection (97) to the selection unit (63).

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the detected parameters of the alternative transmission technology include a physical channel quality and / or a signal-to-noise ratio and / or a signal strength and / or a latency.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a set of similar descriptors is assigned to each of the available transmission technologies.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the set of similar descriptors comprises a normalized signal strength and / or a normalized signal-to-noise ratio and / or a statistical distribution of a latency and / or a statistical distribution of a noise and / or a statistical distribution of a signal strength and / or a utilization of the respective communication connection (41, 47) and / or a termination behavior of the respective communication connection (41, 47).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selected suitable transmission technology is reported to the user level function (24) by the selection unit (63) via a second control connection (96) 11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user level function (24) switches between the first data connection and the alternative data connection if the selected suitable transmission technology is different from the transmission technology currently in use.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a data packet to be transmitted is duplicated and sent simultaneously via the first data connection and via the alternative data connection if the evaluation of the descriptors of the available transmission technologies shows that all available transmission technologies do not have sufficient quality.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that when transmitting a data packet from the terminal (10) to the application server (30), the terminal (10) performs the duplication of the data packet, wherein the duplication ends in the user level function (24) where a removal of duplicates of the data packets is carried out, and / or that when transmitting a data packet from the application server (30) to the terminal (10), the user level function (24) performs the duplication of the data packet, wherein the duplication ends in the terminal (10) where a removal of duplicates of the data packets is carried out.

14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that control data are transmitted from the terminal (10) via the first communication connection (41) to the base station (23), and that the control data contain information about a security relevance of the data to be transmitted, and that a primary authenticator (21) of the communication network (20) carries out a primary authentication of the first communication connection (41).

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a secondary authenticator (22) of the communication network (20) carries out a secondary authentication of the data connection according to the Extensible Authentication Protocol, and in that the secondary authenticator (22) carries out an encryption of the data transmitted via the data connection according to the Extensible Authentication Protocol.

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