Network node, radio access network, and communication method

Abstract

A first network node comprises: a reception unit that, for one or more streams, receives, from a second network node, a packet of a first protocol which includes a header of the first protocol including a stream ID and a payload of the first protocol including a data packet; a control unit that includes the stream ID in a header of a second protocol; and a transmission unit that transmits, to a radio access network, the data packet to which the header of the second protocol including the stream ID has been added.

Description

Network Node, Wireless Access Network, and Communication Method

[0001] The present invention relates to a network node, a wireless access network, and a communication method in a communication system.

[0002] In 3GPP (Registered Trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project) Rel-18, a solution is defined in which the UPF (User Plane Function) provides media-related information (e.g., PDU set information, data burst size) to the NG-RAN (Next Generation Radio Access Network) via GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol - User Plane). This information is used for efficient scheduling of radio resources and reduction of UE (User Equipment) power consumption.

[0003] Although 3GPP is continuing its study in Rel-19, conventionally, when multiple media streams share the same transport connection, the UPF cannot appropriately notify the NG-RAN of information for identifying each stream, and the PDU set and sequence number become invalid. Furthermore, when the media stream is encrypted end-to-end (e2e), the existing RTP header information and payload information for identifying the stream cannot be used.

[0004] 3GPP TR23.700-70 V19.0.0 (2024-09)

[0005] Thus, in the conventional technology, when multiple e2e-encrypted media streams share the same transport connection, the UPF cannot appropriately notify the NG-RAN of information for identifying each stream. As a result, there is a risk that the NG-RAN cannot apply appropriate QoS (Quality of Service) parameters. Furthermore, in a communication system, resource management for each stream may become difficult.

[0006] The network node in this embodiment includes a receiving unit that receives packets of the first protocol from a second network node for one or more streams, the first protocol packets including a header of the first protocol including a stream ID and a payload of the first protocol including a data packet; a control unit that includes the stream ID in the header of the second protocol; and a transmitting unit that transmits the data packets to the wireless access network, to which the header of the second protocol including the stream ID has been added.

[0007] According to this embodiment, it is possible to identify a stream containing data packets between a network node and a wireless access network.

[0008] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a framework for encapsulating and tunneling e2e (End-to-End) encrypted packets on an N6 reference point. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a framework for encapsulating and tunneling e2e encrypted packets between a UE and an AS on an N6 reference point. This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a conventional network node to process an e2e encrypted media stream. This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a conventional network node to process an e2e encrypted media stream. This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a conventional network node to process an e2e encrypted media stream. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a network node to process an e2e encrypted media stream in this embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a base station and a network node in this embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a terminal in this embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a base station, terminal, and network node in this embodiment. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the vehicle configuration in this embodiment.

[0009] This embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention applies are not limited to those described below.

[0010] In the operation of the communication system of this embodiment, existing technologies will be used as appropriate. Existing technologies include, for example, existing communication methods based on the 3GPP standard, such as NR (New Radio) (5G) / 5GC (5G Core network). However, existing technologies are not limited to NR / 5GC, but also include LTE, LTE-Advanced and NR (5G) and later methods, or wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0011] In this embodiment, "configuring" wireless parameters means either pre-configuring predetermined values, or configuring wireless parameters notified by a network node or UE.

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system consists of a UE and multiple network nodes. Hereafter, one network node will be assumed to correspond to each function, however, one network node may implement multiple functions, or multiple network nodes may implement one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0013] The RAN (Radio Access Network) is a network node with radio access functionality, which may include a base station 10, and is connected to the UE, AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), and UPF (User plane function). The AMF is a network node that has functions such as terminating the RAN interface, terminating the NAS (Non-Access Stratum), registration management, connection management, reachability management, and terminal mobility management. The UPF is a network node that interconnects with the DN (Data Network) and has functions related to processing user plane data, such as PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session points to the outside, packet routing and forwarding, and user plane QoS (Quality of Service) handling. The UPF and DN constitute a network slice. In the wireless communication network of this embodiment, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0014] AMF is connected to UE, RAN, SMF (Session Management function), NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function), NEF (Network Exposure Function), NRF (Network Repository Function), UDM (Unified Data Management), AUSF (Authentication Server Function), PCF (Policy Control Function), and AF (Application Function). AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, UDM, AUSF, PCF, and AF are network nodes that are interconnected via interfaces based on their respective services: Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, Nnef, Nnrf, Nudm, Nausf, Npcf, and Naf.

[0015] SMF is a network node with functions such as session management, IP (Internet Protocol) address allocation and management for UEs, DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) functionality, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) proxy, and roaming functionality. NEF is a network node with the function of notifying other NFs (Network Functions) of capabilities and events. NSSF is a network node with functions such as selecting the network slice to which the UE connects, determining the allowed NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), determining the NSSAI to be configured, and determining the AMF set to which the UE connects. PCF is a network node with the function of controlling network policies. AF is a network node with the function of controlling application servers. NRF is a network node with the function of discovering NF instances that provide services. UDM is a network node that manages subscriber data and authentication data. UDM is connected to UDR (User Data Repository) which holds this data.

[0016] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system in a roaming environment. As shown in Figure 2, the network consists of a UE and multiple network nodes. Hereafter, one network node will be assumed to correspond to each function, however, one network node may implement multiple functions, or multiple network nodes may implement one function. Furthermore, the "connection" described below may be a logical connection or a physical connection.

[0017] The RAN is a network node with wireless access capabilities and is connected to the UE, AMF, and UPF. The AMF is a network node with functions such as RAN interface termination, NAS termination, registration management, connection management, reachability management, and mobility management. The UPF is a network node interconnected with the DN, acting as a PDU session point to the outside world, performing packet routing and forwarding, and handling QoS for the user plane. The UPF and DN constitute a network slice. In this embodiment of the wireless communication network, multiple network slices are constructed.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the UE is in a roaming environment connected to the RAN and AMF in the VPLMN (Visited PLMN). The VPLMN and HPLMN (Home PLMN) are connected via vSEPP and hSEPP. The UE can communicate with the HPLMN's UDM, for example, via the VPLMN's AMF.

[0019] This section explains media-related information and operation in 3GPP XRM (Extended Reality Media).

[0020] 3GPP Rel-18 XRM defines a solution for providing media-related information from UPF to NG-RAN via GTP-U. This media-related information includes PDU set information, PDU set sequence number, PDU set end instruction, PDU sequence number within the PDU set, PDU set size (in bytes), PDU set importance, and data burst end instruction. This information is used to optimize NG-RAN resource scheduling based on the contents of the media PDUs.

[0021] Rel-19 XRM defines additional attributes for media-related information (such as time until the next burst and data burst size).

[0022] In Rel-18 XRM, UPF identifies media-related information based on RTP header extensions or media content (such as RTP payload type). Rel-18 XRM only supports (S)RTP-based media streams.

[0023] Rel-18 XRM does not support multiplexed media streams for media-related information. This means that media streams must use different transport addresses so that UPF can map them to separate QoS flows, and media-related information is provided to the GTP-U on a per-QoS-flow basis.

[0024] Rel-19 XRM supports media-related information for multiplexed (S)RTP streams. Each media stream is mapped to a separate QoS flow within the UPF.

[0025] Rel-19 XRM supports media-related information for end-to-e encrypted media streams. In this case, the media may be encrypted with QUIC, and the media-related information is provided within the HTTP datagram and protected by the underlying QUIC connection between the UPF and the AS. The UPF can identify the media-related information contained in the HTTP datagram and provide it to the NG-RAN via GTP-U signaling.

[0026] Rel-19 XRM defines a solution for providing media-related information for end-to-e encrypted media streams (e.g., PDU set information, data burst size). Figure 3 shows an example of a framework for encapsulating and tunneling encrypted packets between the UPF and the AS over an N6 reference point. The media-related information is provided from the AS to the NG-RAN via the UPF and used for scheduling radio resources in the NG-RAN. Figure 4 shows a framework diagram illustrating that the e2e connection is between the UE and the AS.

[0027] Furthermore, 3GPP Rel-19 defines a solution for providing media-related information for multiplexed (S)RTP streams. These multiplexed streams share the same transport connection (5-tuple).

[0028] However, interoperability between the two cases mentioned above (e2e encrypted media stream and multiplexed (S)RTP stream) is not supported, and media-related information cannot be provided when the media stream is encrypted e2e (between the UE and the AS) and multiplexed on the same transport connection (5-tuple).

[0029] Figure 5-7 illustrates the operation of a conventional network node in processing an end-to-end encrypted media stream.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the AS sends downlink packets to the UPF via the N6 interface. The UPF establishes a secure tunnel with the AS (e.g., QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections)) and protects media-related information contained in HTTP datagrams over the QUIC. The UPF receives PDUs from the AS that constitute a set of PDUs for media streams (e.g., video frames). The UPF maps the media-related information to a GTP-U header and provides it to the NG-RAN. At this point, the media is e2e encrypted between the UE and the AS. This mechanism works only if there is one media stream per e2e connection between the UE and the AS (i.e., per 5-tuple). In other words, the method in Figure 5 cannot handle multiple media streams per e2e connection (i.e., per 5-tuple).

[0031] A 5-tuple includes the Source IP Address, Destination IP Address, Source Port Number, Destination Port Number, and protocol. The protocol is the transport protocol used for data transmission (e.g., TCP, UDP).

[0032] In 3GPP, 5-tuples are used to identify communication flows and manage QoS flows and PDU sessions. For example, to identify PDU sessions, the UPF in a 5G network uses 5-tuples to identify each communication flow and map it to the corresponding QoS flow. For example, 5-tuples are used to configure QoS flows for QoS control. For example, for GTP-U processing, the UPF processes traffic on 5G N3 and N6 interfaces based on 5-tuples.

[0033] In conventional methods, as shown in Figure 6, when multiple streams are multiplexed over the same e2e transport connection (i.e., sharing the same 5-tuple), the PDUs and PDU sets carrying these streams are interleaved within the N6 and N3 tunnels. This results in invalid PDU sets and PDU sequence numbers. The UPF will receive invalid PDU numbers within PDU sets or non-consecutive PDU set sequence numbers. If the UPF provides this information to the NG-RAN, that information is invalid and cannot be used for its intended purpose.

[0034] A conventional method, as shown in Figure 7, involves the AS adding PDU set information to the multiplexed streams to ensure that the PDUs and PDU set sequence numbers follow the correct order. In this method, the AS merges multiple media streams into a single PDU set stream, and the NG-RAN provides the merged media stream with a PSDB (PDU Set Delay Budget) and PSER (PDU Set Error Rate) based on the PDU sets. In this way, the multiplexed streams are treated as a single stream (i.e., a single stream of PDU sets) from the perspective of UPF and NG-RAN. However, the method shown in Figure 7 may result in the NG-RAN being unable to maintain the PSDB and PSER requested for the media streams. When multiplexed media streams are integrated into a single PDU set stream, if the media streams are interleaved, the NG-RAN will have to maintain the PSDB and PSER for the entire integrated PDU set.

[0035] Thus, when a media stream is encrypted end-to-end (between the UE and the AS) and multiplexed over the same transport connection (5-tuple), there is a risk that media-related information may not be available.

[0036] According to this embodiment, it is possible to identify a stream containing a PDU between a network node (e.g., UPF) and a wireless access network (e.g., NNG-RAN). In this embodiment, even when multiple streams are multiplexed into a single QoS flow, predetermined processing can be performed for each of the multiple streams.

[0037] In this embodiment, a QoS flow in which multiple streams are multiplexed may mean a transport connection in which multiple streams are multiplexed or the same 5-tuple applied to multiple streams. In this embodiment, the number of streams may be one or any number of streams.

[0038] In this embodiment, the PDU may be referred to as a packet, data, media packet, or data packet.

[0039] Figure 8 shows an example of the operation of the communication system in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the communication system in this embodiment has a UE 20, an NG-RAN 10, a UPF 30, and an AS 40. The UE 20 may also be represented as a terminal 20. The NG-RAN 10 may also be represented as a radio access network or a base station 10. The UPF 30 and AS 40 are examples of network nodes.

[0040] QoS requirements, including QoS parameters for the PDU set, are provided from the Application Function (AF) to the 5GS (NEF / PCF / SMF / NG-RAN) either in advance or at any time. The QoS requirements (e.g., PSDB, PSER) may be common to all multiplexed media streams.

[0041] In Figure 8, AS 40 transmits an encoded media stream (e.g., a video stream) to UE 20 over the network. The encoded media stream includes video frames (I-frames (Intra-coded frames), P-frames (Predicted frames), and B-frames (Bidirectionally predicted frames)). An I-frame is a frame encoded entirely independently within the video, independent of other frames, and can be decoded on its own. A P-frame is a frame encoded by referencing an I-frame or a previous P-frame, and achieves highly efficient compression. A B-frame is the most compression-efficient frame, encoded by referencing preceding or succeeding I-frames or P-frames.

[0042] In the example of FIG. 8, I-frames, P-frames, and B-frames are divided into PDUs, and for each PDU, a PDU set #(number) and a PDU #(number) are assigned. Thus, the PDU is an encrypted PDU including a video frame. Further, for each PDU, a stream ID for identifying a stream including a plurality of PDUs is assigned. A PDU at a specific protocol layer (e.g., the RTP layer or the UDP layer) may be referred to as a media packet.

[0043] In step S101, the AS 40 (the second network node) transmits media-related information including the stream ID of the PDU as an HTTP (HTTP / 3) datagram or a QUIC datagram via the N6 interface to the UPF 30 (the first network node). HTTP (HTTP / 3) or QUIC is an example of the first protocol.

[0044] The QoS flow corresponding to the PDU is pre-configured.

[0045] The media-related information including the stream ID is embedded as a part of the PDU (e.g., header information), and the PDU and the media-related information may be transmitted simultaneously.

[0046] The UPF 30 maps all or some of the multiplexed PDUs to a single QoS flow based on the 5-tuple corresponding to the transport connection of the PDU. The 5-tuple corresponding to the transport connection of the PDU is a 5-tuple set to the same value. Multiple PDUs mapped to a single QoS flow may each be assigned a different stream ID.

[0047] In step S102, the UPF 30 includes the stream ID of the PDU in the GTP-U header. That is, the UPF 30 relocates the stream ID to the GTP-U header. GTP-U is an example of the second protocol or a tunneling protocol. The UPF 30 encapsulates the PDU using GTP-U. The PDU encapsulated using GTP-U may be referred to as a GTP-U PDU, a GTP-U packet, or a GTP-U data packet.

[0048] In step S103, the UPF 30 transmits a GTP-U PDU with a GTP-U header including a stream ID to the NG-RAN 10 via the N3 interface. Note that the GTP-U header including the stream ID may include media-related information.

[0049] In step S104, the NG-RAN 10 identifies each stream based on the stream ID included in the GTP-U header. The NG-RAN 10 specifies the PDU set and / or PDU included in the identified stream.

[0050] In step S105, the NG-RAN 10 processes each stream based on the media-related information obtained from the AF via the PCF / SMF.

[0051] The media-related information obtained by the NG-RAN 10 from the AS may include a stream ID, QoS-related information (e.g., PSDB, PSER), PDU set information, characteristics of media packets, transport protocol information, encryption information, and priority information. The PDU set information is information regarding the PDU set of each stream and may include identification information regarding a plurality of PDUs within the stream. The characteristics of media packets are priority information based on the type of media stream (e.g., video, audio, text), the type of each frame (e.g., I frame, P frame, B frame), and a QoS policy applied to a specific frame type. The transport protocol information is the transport protocol used by the stream (e.g., QUIC, HTTP / 3, RTP) and identification information at the transport layer (e.g., port number, 5-tuple). The encryption information is information included in the case of an e2e encrypted stream and is metadata related to the encrypted stream. The priority information is information for determining the priority order between streams and an indicator for prioritizing media with high real-time performance (e.g., voice call) over other traffic (e.g., file transfer).

[0052] NG-RAN 10 applies media-related information associated with each stream to the stream identified based on the stream ID contained in the GTP-U header. Here, the stream ID of the stream associated with the applied media-related information matches the stream ID (contained in the GTP-U header) of the identified stream.

[0053] For example, NG-RAN 10 identifies media-related information (obtained via SMF) that includes the corresponding (matching) stream ID in the GTP-U header. NG-RAN 10 then applies the QoS parameters (e.g., PSDB, PSER) for each PDU set included in the identified media-related information to the stream corresponding to the stream ID. In this way, NG-RAN 10 can apply the media-related information associated with each stream to each stream multiplexed in a single QoS flow.

[0054] Thus, according to this embodiment, the UPF can identify each stream by including a stream ID that identifies each stream in the media-related information. The UPF includes the stream ID in the GTP-U header and provides it to the NG-RAN. The NG-RAN can then use the stream ID to apply appropriate QoS parameters to each stream. This allows each stream to be managed individually, even if multiple streams are multiplexed into a single QoS flow.

[0055] (Device Configuration) Next, an example of the functional configuration of the base station (NG-RAN 10), network node (UPF 30, AS 40), and terminal (UE 20) that perform the processing and operations described above will be explained. The base station 10, network node, and terminal 20 include the functions that implement the embodiment described above. However, the base station 10, network node, and UE 20 may each have only some of the functions in the embodiment.

[0056] <Base Station and Network Nodes> Figure 9 shows an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10 and network nodes (UPF 30, AS 40). As shown in Figure 9, the base station 10 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Figure 9 is just one example. The functional classifications and names of the functional units can be anything as long as they can perform the operation according to this embodiment. Network nodes may have the same functional configuration as the base station 10. Also, network nodes with multiple different functions on the system architecture may be composed of multiple network nodes separated by function.

[0057] The transmitting unit 110 includes the function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the UE 20 or other network nodes and transmitting the signal by wire or wireless. The receiving unit 120 includes the function of receiving various signals transmitted from the UE 20 or other network nodes and obtaining information from the received signals, for example, information from a higher layer. A communication unit including the transmitting unit 110 and the receiving unit 120 may be configured.

[0058] The setting unit 130 stores pre-configured setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the UE 20 in a storage device, and reads it from the storage device as needed.

[0059] The control unit 140 performs the processing described in the embodiment. The control unit 140 also performs processing related to communication with the UE 20. The signal transmission function in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmission unit 110, and the signal reception function in the control unit 140 may be included in the reception unit 120.

[0060] <UE> Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of UE 20 (terminal). As shown in Figure 10, UE 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Figure 10 is merely an example. Any functional classification and functional unit names are acceptable as long as they enable the operation according to this embodiment.

[0061] The transmitting unit 210 creates a transmission signal from the transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiving unit 220 wirelessly receives various signals and obtains signals from higher layers from the received physical layer signals. The receiving unit 220 also has the function of receiving control signals or reference signals transmitted from network nodes. A communication unit including the transmitting unit 210 and the receiving unit 220 may be configured.

[0062] The configuration unit 230 stores various configuration information received from network nodes by the receiving unit 220 in its storage device and reads it from the storage device as needed. The configuration unit 230 also stores pre-configured configuration information.

[0063] The control unit 240 performs the processing described in the embodiment. The signal transmission function in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmission unit 210, and the signal reception function in the control unit 240 may be included in the reception unit 220.

[0064] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (Figures 9 and 10) used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the one device or the multiple devices with software.

[0065] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0066] For example, the base station 10, network node, UE 20, etc. in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that processes the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10 and UE 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The network node may have a hardware configuration similar to that of the base station 10. The base station 10 and UE 20 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0067] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of base station 10 and UE 20 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured to omit some of the devices.

[0068] Each function in the base station 10 and UE 20 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and storage device 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of data reading and writing in the storage device 1002 and auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0069] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the control unit 140, control unit 240, etc., described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0070] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, or data from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in Figure 9 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Also, for example, the control unit 240 of the UE 20 shown in Figure 10 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Although the above-described processes have been explained as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from the network via a telecommunications line.

[0071] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] The auxiliary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital multipurpose disk, a Blu-ray® disk), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may also be a database, server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0073] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmitting / receiving device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include, for example, a high-frequency switch, duplexer, filter, frequency synthesizer, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the transmitting and receiving antenna, amplifier section, transmitting and receiving section, transmission path interface, etc., may be implemented by the communication device 1004. The transmitting and receiving section may be implemented in a physically or logically separated manner, with a transmitting section and a receiving section.

[0074] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0075] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0076] Furthermore, the base station 10 and UE 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0077] Figure 12 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in Figure 12, vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on vehicle 2001, for example, to the communication module 2013.

[0078] The drive unit 2002 consists of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel, which is operated by the user.

[0079] The electronic control unit 2010 consists of a microprocessor 2031, memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and communication ports (IO ports) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 installed in the vehicle 2001 are input to the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0080] Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 include current signals from current sensor 2021 for sensing motor current, front and rear wheel rotation speed signals acquired by rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals acquired by air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals acquired by vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals acquired by acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals acquired by accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals acquired by brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals acquired by shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals acquired by object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0081] The Information Service Unit 2012 consists of various devices for providing (outputting) various types of information such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, including a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The Information Service Unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via a communication module 2013, etc., to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001. The Information Service Unit 2012 may include input devices that accept input from the outside (e.g., keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, touch panel, etc.) and output devices that perform output to the outside (e.g., display, speaker, LED lamp, touch panel, etc.).

[0082] The driver assistance system unit 2030 consists of various devices that provide functions to prevent accidents or reduce the driver's workload, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System)), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driver assistance system unit 2030 also transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driver assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0083] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via its communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 sends and receives data via the communication port 2033 between the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, the microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021-29 provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0084] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with external devices. For example, it can send and receive various types of information with external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station or a mobile station.

[0085] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of the following to an external device via wireless communication: signals from the various sensors 2021-2028 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on said signals, and information based on input from an external source (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2028, the information service unit 2012, etc., may also be called input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include the information based on the above input.

[0086] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, inter-vehicle information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may also be called an output unit, which outputs information (for example, outputs information to devices such as displays and speakers based on the PDSCH (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH) received by the communication module 2013). The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from the external device in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2029, etc., provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0087] <Note> (Note 1) A first network node comprising: a receiving unit that receives packets of the first protocol from a second network node for one or more streams, the first protocol packets including a header of the first protocol including a stream ID and a payload of the first protocol including a data packet; a control unit that includes the stream ID in the header of the second protocol; and a transmitting unit that transmits the data packets to a wireless access network, to which the header of the second protocol including the stream ID has been added.

[0088] (Note 2) The second protocol is GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol - User Plane), as described in Note 1, for the first network node.

[0089] (Note 3) The first network node described in Note 1, to which the one or more streams are multiplexed into a single QoS (Quality of Service) flow.

[0090] (Appendix 4) A wireless access network comprising: a receiving unit that receives data packets from a network node, each having a tunneling protocol header including a stream ID attached to one or more streams; and a control unit that identifies the stream containing the data packets based on the stream ID.

[0091] (Appendix 5) The wireless access network as described in Appendix 4, wherein the control unit applies media-related information associated with each stream to the identified stream, and the stream ID of the stream associated with the applied media-related information is the stream ID of the identified stream.

[0092] (Appendix 6) A communication method comprising: a first network node receiving a packet of the first protocol from a second network node for one or more streams, the packet comprising a header of the first protocol including a stream ID and a payload of the first protocol including a data packet; the first network node including the stream ID in the header of the second protocol; the first network node transmitting the data packet to a wireless access network with the header of the second protocol including the stream ID attached; the wireless access network identifying a stream including the data packet based on the stream ID; and the wireless access network applying media-related information associated with each stream to the identified stream, wherein the stream ID of the stream associated with the applied media-related information is the stream ID of the identified stream.

[0093] Any of the provisions of Appendix 1-6 enables the identification of streams containing data packets between the network node and the wireless access network.

[0094] (Supplement to Embodiments) Although these embodiments have been described above, the disclosed invention is not limited to these embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, substitutions, etc. Specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, but unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention, and matters described in two or more items may be combined as needed, and matters described in one item may be applied to matters described in another item (as long as they do not contradict each other). The boundaries of functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of physical parts. The operation of multiple functional units may be physically performed by one part, or the operation of one functional unit may be physically performed by multiple parts. The processing procedures described in the embodiments may be rearranged as long as they do not contradict each other. For the convenience of explaining the processing, the base station 10 and UE 20 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the base station 10 according to this embodiment and the software operated by the processor of the UE 20 according to this embodiment may be stored in any suitable storage medium such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or other appropriate storage medium.

[0095] Furthermore, notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be carried out by other means. For example, notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling), broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block)), other signals, or combinations thereof. Also, RRC signaling may be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0096] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure refers to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (where x is, for example, an integer or decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 may apply to at least one system utilizing UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, or other appropriate systems, and to next-generation systems extended, modified, created, or defined based thereon. Alternatively, multiple systems may be applied in combination (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0097] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0098] In this specification, specific operations performed by the base station 10 may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the UE 20 can be performed by the base station 10 and at least one of the other network nodes (for example, an MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates the case where there is one other network node besides the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW).

[0099] The information or signals described in this disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). They may also be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0100] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0101] The determination in this disclosure may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0102] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0103] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0104] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0105] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0106] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0107] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or corresponding other information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0108] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0109] In this disclosure, terms such as "Base Station (BS)", "wireless base station", "base station equipment", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0110] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. If a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, each of which may also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a Remote Radio Head (RRH)). The terms “cell” or “sector” refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and / or base station subsystems that provide communication services in that coverage.

[0111] In this disclosure, the transmission of information by a base station to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to perform control or operation based on the information.

[0112] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0113] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms.

[0114] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may also be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body refers to a movable object, and its speed of movement is arbitrary. This also includes the case when the mobile body is stationary. The mobile body includes, but is not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcarts, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and items mounted on them. The mobile body may also be a mobile body that moves autonomously based on operation commands. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile body (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). Furthermore, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may include devices that do not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0115] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "user terminal." For example, the various aspects / embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals (which may be called, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), etc.). In this case, the terminal may have the functions that the base station has as described above. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be interpreted as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0116] Similarly, the term "user terminal" in this disclosure may be replaced with "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the same functions as the user terminal described above.

[0117] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, or inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), or ascertaining. “Determining” may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, or accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0118] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0119] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0120] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0121] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0122] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0123] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0124] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0125] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0126] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0127] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0128] This patent application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-004406, filed on January 10, 2025, and the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-004406 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0129] 10 Base station 110 Transmitting unit 120 Receiving unit 130 Setting unit 140 Control unit 20 Terminal 210 Transmitting unit 220 Receiving unit 230 Setting unit 240 Control unit 30 Network node 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive unit 2003 Steering unit 2004 Accelerator pedal 2005 Brake pedal 2006 Shift lever 2007 Front wheel 2008 Rear wheel 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic control unit 2012 Information service unit 2013 Communication module 2021 Current sensor 2022 Rotation speed sensor 2023 Air pressure sensor 2024 Vehicle speed sensor 2025 Acceleration sensor 2026 Brake pedal sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object detection sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driver assistance system unit 2031 Microprocessor 2032 Memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 Communication port (I / O port)

Claims

1. A first network node comprising: a receiving unit that receives packets of the first protocol from a second network node for one or more streams, the first protocol packets including a header of the first protocol including a stream ID and a payload of the first protocol including a data packet; a control unit that includes the stream ID in the header of the second protocol; and a transmitting unit that transmits the data packets to a wireless access network, with the header of the second protocol including the stream ID added to them.

2. The first network node according to claim 1, wherein the second protocol is GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol - User Plane).

3. The first network node according to claim 1, wherein the one or more streams are multiplexed into a single QoS (Quality of Service) flow.

4. A wireless access network comprising: a receiving unit that receives data packets from a network node, each having a tunneling protocol header including a stream ID attached to one or more streams; and a control unit that identifies the stream containing the data packets based on the stream ID.

5. The wireless access network according to claim 4, wherein the control unit applies media-related information associated with each stream to the identified stream, and the stream ID of the stream associated with the applied media-related information is the stream ID of the identified stream.

6. A communication method comprising: a first network node receiving a packet of the first protocol from a second network node for one or more streams, the packet comprising a header of the first protocol including a stream ID and a payload of the first protocol including a data packet; the first network node including the stream ID in the header of the second protocol; the first network node transmitting the data packet to a wireless access network with the header of the second protocol including the stream ID attached; the wireless access network identifying a stream including the data packet based on the stream ID; and the wireless access network applying media-related information associated with each stream to the identified stream, wherein the stream ID of the stream associated with the applied media-related information is the stream ID of the identified stream.

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