WO2023093493A1

WO2023093493A1 - Method for transmitting data packet in pdu session, and communication apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023093493A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/129606
Authority: WO
Inventors: 李永翠; 倪慧
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2021-11-29
Filing date: 2022-11-03
Publication date: 2023-06-01
Also published as: CN116192329A

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a method for transmitting a data packet in a PDU session, and a communication apparatus. In a scenario where an I-SMF is updated (changed/inserted/removed) or an I-UPF is updated (changed/inserted/removed) in a PDU session, a PSA receives uplink messages of the same PDU session that are from different paths, resulting in the problem of disordering of the uplink messages, or, an access network device receives downlink messages of the same PDU session that are from different paths, resulting in the problem of disordering of the downlink messages; and data packets of the same PDU session that are from different paths are sorted by using a gateway (e.g. a PSA, an access network device, or an I-UPF), such that uplink data packets or downlink data packets are transmitted according to a normal order, thereby avoiding the process of sorting the data packets by means of a terminal device or a server, and shortening the communication time delay, thereby ensuring the communication efficiency.

Description

Method and communication device for data packet transmission in PDU session

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application with the application number 202111437794.4 and the application title "Method and Communication Device for Data Packet Transmission in PDU Session" filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on November 29, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference incorporated in this application.

technical field

The present application relates to the communication field, and more specifically, relates to a method and a communication device for transmitting data packets in a PDU session.

Background technique

In 3GPP, the location of the edge computing platform supported by the session management function (session management function, SMF) network element may be limited. When the location of the edge computing platform that the network side expects the terminal device to access is not supported by the SMF, an intermediate SMF (intermediate SMF, I-SMF) will be inserted; when the location of the edge computing platform that the network side expects the terminal device to access is not in the I-SMF When the range is supported, the I-SMF will change (change); when the edge computing platform that the network side expects the terminal device to access is within the supported range of the SMF, the I-SMF will be removed; in these scenarios, the I-SMF will occur. SMF updates. Due to the update of the I-SMF, the intermediate user plane function network element ((intermediate user plane function UPF, I-UPF) controlled or managed by the I-SMF will also be updated (change/insert/remove). In the same protocol data unit (PDU) session of the terminal device, the data packets in the same PDU session will come from both the path before the I-UPF update and the path after the I-UPF update Up.

For example, for the uplink data packet, the PDU session anchor (PDU session anchor, PSA) will receive the data packets from the two paths, and send the data packets on the two paths to the server respectively. For the server, the data packets received on the path before the I-UPF update need to be earlier than the data packets received on the path after the I-UPF update in timing. Since the data packets on the two paths arrive at the PSA at different times, when the data packets on the path before the I-UPF update arrive at the PSA later than the packets on the path after the I-UPF update, the PSA will directly come from the two The data packets on the path are sent to the server, causing the server to receive data packets from the path before the I-UPF update later than the data packets received on the path after the I-UPF update, causing the server to receive The out-of-sequence of the data packets increases the time for the server to sort the data packets, reduces the communication efficiency, and reduces the user experience.

For downlink data packets, the access network device will receive the data packets from the two paths, and send the data packets on the two paths to the terminal device. For the terminal device, the data packets received on the path before the I-UPF update need to be earlier than the data packets received on the path after the I-UPF update. Since the data packets on the two paths arrive at the access network device at different times, when the data packets on the path before the I-UPF update arrive at the access network device later than the data packets on the path after the I-UPF update, the connection The network access device directly sends data packets from the two paths to the terminal device, causing the terminal device to receive data packets from the path before the I-UPF update later than the path after the I-UPF update. The data packets received by the terminal device will cause out-of-order data packets received by the terminal device, which will increase the time for the terminal device to sort the data packets, reduce communication efficiency, and lead to a decrease in user experience.

Contents of the invention

This application provides a method and communication device for data packet transmission in a PDU session, in the scenario of I-SMF update (change/insertion/removal) or I-UPF update (change/insertion/removal) in a PDU session , by using a gateway (PSA, access network device or I-UPF) to sort the data packets of a PDU session from different paths, so that the uplink data packets or downlink data packets are transmitted in the normal order, avoiding the terminal equipment Or the process of sorting the data packets by the server reduces the communication delay and thus ensures the communication efficiency.

In a first aspect, a method for transmitting a data packet in a PDU session is provided, the method includes: the PSA receives first indication information sent by the SMF, and the first indication information is used to indicate: the PSA caches the data received on the first path Uplink data packet, and, when receiving the end mark from the second path, send a message to the SMF, the message is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end mark, and the end mark is used to indicate the end mark on the second path The transmission of the uplink data packet ends, and the uplink data packet on the first path and the uplink data packet on the second path are uplink data packets of the same PDU session; the PSA sends the message to the SMF after receiving the end flag; the The PSA receives second indication information from the SMF, where the second indication information is used to instruct the PSA to send the buffered uplink data packet; the PSA sends the buffered uplink data packet on the first path according to the second indication information; wherein, The transmission order of the uplink data packets on the first path is: terminal equipment, access network equipment, new I-UPF, the PSA, or terminal equipment, access network equipment, the PSA; the uplink data packets on the second path The transmission order of the packets is as follows: the terminal device, the access network device, the source I-UPF, the PSA, or the terminal device, the access network device, and the PSA.

The method for data packet transmission in the PDU session provided by the first aspect is to sort the uplink data packets received from the same PDU session on the new path (first path) and the old path (second path) through the PSA, and in the PSA Before receiving the indication information indicating that the uplink data packets sent on the old path have been sent, the PSA buffers the uplink data packets received on the new path, and the PSA receives the indication that the uplink data packets sent on the old path have been sent After the information is sent, the PSA sends the previously cached uplink data packets received on the new path, so as to ensure that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in the normal order, thereby saving the server’s time for sorting the uplink data packets and ensuring communication efficiency.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: when the PSA receives the uplink data packet from the second path, sending the uplink data packet from the second path.

In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, receiving the end flag by the PSA includes: receiving the end flag sent by the access network device by the PSA.

In a second aspect, a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session is provided. The method includes: the SMF sends first indication information to the PSA, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the PSA caches the uplink received on the first path data packet, and, when receiving the end mark from the second path, send a message to the SMF, the message is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end mark, and the end mark is used to indicate the uplink data on the second path The packet transmission ends, the uplink data packet on the first path and the uplink data packet on the second path are uplink data packets of the same PDU session; the SMF receives the message sent by the PSA; the SMF sends a second indication to the PSA information, the second indication information is used to instruct the PSA to send the buffered uplink data packet; wherein, the transmission sequence of the uplink data packet on the first path is: terminal equipment, access network equipment, new intermediate user plane function network element I -UPF, the PSA, or the terminal device, the access network device, the PSA; the transmission order of the uplink data packets on the second path is: the terminal device, the access network device, the source I-UPF, the PSA, or , the terminal device, the access network device, and the PSA.

In the method for data packet transmission in the PDU session provided by the second aspect, the SMF can instruct the PSA to cache the new path (the second path) before receiving the indication information indicating that the uplink data packet has been sent on the old path (the second path). For the uplink data packets received on the old path), after the PSA receives the indication information that the uplink data packets sent on the old path have been sent, the PSA sends the previously buffered uplink data packets received on the new path, so as to ensure a The uplink data packets in the PDU session are sent in a normal order, thereby saving the server's time for sorting the uplink data packets and ensuring communication efficiency.

In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, before the SMF sends the first indication information to the PSA, the method further includes: the SMF receives the first information from the AMF or the new I-SMF; the SMF according to The first information is to determine to send the first indication information to the PSA; wherein, the first information includes: the indication information that the access network equipment has not changed or the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate to sort the uplink data packets. In this implementation, the SMF can buffer the uplink received on the new path before the PSA receives the indication information indicating that the uplink data packet sent on the old path has been sent according to the information sent by the AMF or the new I-SMF. data packets, so as to ensure that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in a normal order, thereby saving the server's time for sorting the uplink data packets and ensuring communication efficiency.

In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the method further includes: the SMF sends fourth indication information to the AMF or the access network device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the access network device to send the end sign. In this implementation, the SMF can instruct the access network device to send the end flag on the second path, thereby ensuring that the PSA receives the end flag on the old path, ensuring that the PSA can smoothly send the cached data packets, and ensuring that the data The efficiency of packet transmission.

In a third aspect, a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session is provided, the method comprising: an access network device receives second information sent by an AMF network element; the access network device sends the second information on a second path according to the second information An end flag, which is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the uplink data packets on the second path; the access network device sends the uplink data packets on the first path; wherein, the transmission sequence of the uplink data packets on the first path is as follows: The terminal device, the access network device, the new I-UPF, the PSA, or the terminal device, the access network device, and the PSA; the transmission sequence of the uplink data packets on the second path is: the terminal device, the access network device , the source I-UPF, the PSA, or the terminal device, the access network device, and the PSA.

In the method for data packet transmission in the PDU session provided by the third aspect, the access network device can send the end mark on the second path (old path), thereby ensuring that the PSA receives the end mark on the old path, and ensuring that the PSA can be smoothly Send buffered data packets to ensure the efficiency of data packet transmission.

In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the second information includes: at least one of the tunnel information of the new I-UPF, the tunnel information of the PSA, the fourth indication information, or the indication information that the access network equipment has not changed ; The fourth indication information is used to instruct the access network device to send the end flag on the second path.

In a fourth aspect, a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session is provided, the method includes: the access network device receives fifth indication information from the AMF, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate: the access network device is in the second Before receiving the end flag on the path, cache the downlink data packets from the first path; according to the fifth indication information, the access network device caches the downlink data packets from the first path before receiving the end flag on the second path The data packet, the downlink data packet on the first path and the downlink data packet on the second path are downlink data packets of the same PDU session, and the end flag is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the downlink data packet on the second path; the access network The device sends the downlink data packet received on the second path to the terminal device; the access network device sends the buffered downlink data packet to the terminal device when receiving the end flag on the second path, wherein the first The order of transmission of downlink data packets on one path is: PSA, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, or, PSA, access network equipment, terminal equipment, transmission of downlink data packets on the second path The sequence is: PSA, source I-UPF, access network device, terminal device, or, PSA, access network device, terminal device.

In the method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided in the fourth aspect, the downlink data packets received from the same PDU session on the new path (first path) and the old path (second path) are processed by the access network device. Sorting, before the access network device receives the indication that the data packet sent on the old path has been sent, the access network device buffers the downlink data packet received on the new path, and the access network device receives the downlink data packet on the old path After the indication information that the sent downlink data packets have been sent is completed, the access network device sends the buffered downlink data packets received on the new path before, and the access network device sends the downlink data packets on the old path according to the normal process. Therefore, it can be ensured that the downlink data packets in a PDU session are sent in a normal order, thereby ensuring the packet order of the PDU session and ensuring communication efficiency.

In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the fifth indication information includes: indication information that the access network device has not changed.

In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the receiving the end marker on the second path by the access network device includes: receiving the end marker from the PSA on the second path by the access network device.

In a fifth aspect, a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session is provided, the method comprising: the PSA receives third information from the SMF; the PSA sends an end flag on the second path according to the third information, and the end flag It is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the downlink data packets on the second path; wherein, the transmission sequence of the downlink data packets on the first path is: PSA, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, or, PSA, access The transmission sequence of the downlink data packets on the second path is: PSA, source I-UPF, access network device, terminal device, or, PSA, access network device, terminal device, first The downlink data packet on the path and the downlink data packet on the second path are downlink data packets of the same PDU session.

In the method provided in the fifth aspect, the PSA can send the end flag on the second path (old path), thereby ensuring that the access network device receives the end flag on the old path, and ensuring that the access network device can smoothly send the buffered Downlink data packets to ensure the efficiency of downlink data packet transmission.

In a possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the third information includes: downlink tunnel information or indication information used to update the PSA, where the indication information is used to indicate that the PSA sends the end flag on the second path.

A sixth aspect provides a method for data packet transmission in a PDU session, characterized in that the method includes:

The SMF receives fourth information from the AMF or the new I-SMF; the SMF sends third information to the PSA according to the fourth information, and the third information is used to indicate: the PSA sends an end flag on the second path, and the end The flag is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the downlink data packets on the second path; wherein, the transmission sequence of the downlink data packets on the first path is: PSA, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, or, PSA, The transmission sequence of the downlink data packets on the second path is: PSA, source I-UPF, access network device, terminal device, or, PSA, access network device, terminal device, the order of the access network device, the terminal device, and the second path The downlink data packets on the first path and the downlink data packets on the second path are downlink data packets of the same PDU session.

In the method provided in the sixth aspect, the SMF can determine to instruct the PSA to send the end flag on the second path (old path) according to the information from the AMF or the new I-SMF, so as to ensure that the access network device receives the end flag on the old path. The end flag ensures that the access network device can smoothly send the cached downlink data packets, and ensures the efficiency of downlink data packet transmission.

In a possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the fourth information includes: indication information indicating that the access network device has not changed, or indication information used to indicate ordering of downlink data packets.

In a seventh aspect, a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session is provided, the method comprising: the new I-UPF receives sixth indication information from the first network element, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate: the new I-UPF The UPF buffers the uplink data packet received on the first path, and, when receiving the end flag from the second path, sends a message to the first network element, and the message is used to indicate that the new I-UPF has received the The end flag, the end flag is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the uplink data packet on the second path, the uplink data packet on the first path and the uplink data packet on the second path are uplink data packets of the same PDU session; the new After receiving the end flag, the I-UPF sends the message to the first network element; the new I-UPF receives the seventh indication information from the first network element, and the seventh indication information is used to instruct the new I-UPF to send Buffered uplink data packets; the new I-UPF sends the buffered uplink data packets on the first path according to the seventh indication information; wherein, the transmission sequence of the uplink data packets on the first path is: terminal equipment, access Network equipment, the new I-UPF, PSA, the transmission order of the uplink data packets on the second path is: terminal equipment, access network equipment, source I-UPF, the new I-UPF, PSA, or terminal equipment , an access network device, a PSA, the new I-UPF, and the PSA.

The method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the seventh aspect uses I-UPF to sort the received uplink data packets from the same PDU session on the new path (first path) and the old path (second path) , before the I-UPF receives the indication information indicating that the uplink data packet sent on the old path has been sent, the I-UPF buffers the uplink data packet received on the new path, and when the I-UPF receives the uplink data packet sent on the old path After the indication information indicating that the uplink data packets have been sent, the I-UPF sends the previously buffered uplink data packets received on the new path, so as to ensure that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in the normal order, thereby saving The server sorts the uplink data packets to ensure communication efficiency.

In a possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the method further includes: when the new I-UPF receives the uplink data packet from the second path, sending the uplink data packet from the second path. In this implementation manner, the sequential transmission of uplink data packets on the old path can be guaranteed.

In a possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the receiving the end flag by the new I-UPF includes: receiving the end flag sent by the access network device by the new I-UPF.

In an eighth aspect, a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session is provided, the method comprising: the first network element sends sixth indication information to the new I-UPF, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate: the new I-UPF caches The uplink data packet received on the first path, and when receiving the end flag from the second path, sends a message to the first network element, and the message is used to indicate that the new I-UPF has received the end flag , the end flag is used to indicate the end of the uplink data packet transmission on the second path; the first network element receives the message sent by the new I-UPF; the first network element sends sixth indication information to the new I-UPF, the first network element The six indication information is used to instruct the new I-UPF to send the buffered uplink data packet; wherein, the uplink data packet on the first path and the uplink data packet on the second path are uplink data packets of the same PDU session, and the first path The transmission sequence of uplink data packets on the second path is: terminal equipment, access network equipment, the new I-UPF, PSA, and the transmission order of uplink data packets on the second path is: terminal equipment, access network equipment, source The I-UPF, the new I-UPF, and the PSA, or the terminal device, the access network device, the PSA, the new I-UPF, and the PSA.

In the method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided in the eighth aspect, the first network element may instruct the new I-UPF before receiving the end flag indicating the uplink data packet sent on the old path (second path), the new I-UPF Buffer the uplink data packets received on the new path (the first path), after the new I-UPF receives the end flag of the uplink data packets sent on the old path, the new I-UPF buffers before sending and receives on the new path Uplink data packets, so as to ensure that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in a normal order, thereby saving the server's time for sorting the uplink data packets and ensuring communication efficiency.

In a possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, before the first network element sends the fifth indication information to the new I-UPF, the method further includes: the first network element receives the fifth information from the AMF; the first network element According to the fifth information, determine to send the sixth indication information to the new I-UPF; wherein, the fifth information includes: the indication information that the access network equipment has not changed or the eighth indication information, and the eighth indication information is used to indicate that the uplink Packets are sorted. In this implementation, the first network element may determine to instruct the new I-UPF to buffer the uplink data packet received on the first path according to the information from the AMF, and, upon receiving the end flag from the second path , send a message to the first network element, so as to ensure that the I-UPF sorts the received uplink data packets from the same PDU session on the new path and the old path. Therefore, it is ensured that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in a normal order, thereby saving the server's time for sorting the uplink data packets and ensuring communication efficiency.

In a possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, before the first network element sends the fifth indication information to the new I-UPF, the method further includes: the first network element sends sixth information to the source I-SMF or SMF , the sixth information includes: the indication information that the access network equipment has not changed or the ninth indication information, the ninth indication information is used to instruct the source I-SMF or the SMF to determine to establish a forwarding tunnel, and the forwarding tunnel is used to forward the uplink data packet; The first network element receives response information from the source I-SMF or SMF in response to the sixth information, the response information includes a forwarding indication, and the forwarding indication is used to establish forwarding between the new I-UPF and the source I-UPF tunnel, or establish a forwarding tunnel between the new I-UPF and the PSA, or establish a forwarding tunnel between the source I-UPF and the PSA.

In a possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the method further includes: the first network element sends tenth indication information to the AMF or the access network device, where the tenth indication information is used to indicate: the access network device is on the second path Send the end flag on.

In a possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the tenth indication information includes: tunnel information of the new I-UPF.

In a possible implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the first network element is an SMF or a new I-SMF.

In the ninth aspect, a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session is provided, the method comprising: the access network device receives the seventh information sent by the AMF network element; the access network device sends the information on the second path according to the seventh information An end flag, the end flag is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the uplink data packet on the second path; the access network device sends the uplink data packet on the first path; wherein, the uplink data packet on the first path and the uplink data packet on the second path The uplink data packet is the uplink data packet of the same PDU session, and the transmission sequence of the uplink data packet on the first path is: terminal device, access network device, the new I-UPF, PSA, and the uplink data packet on the second path The sequence of packet transmission is: terminal device, access network device, source I-UPF, the new I-UPF, PSA, or terminal device, access network device, PSA, the new I-UPF, and the PSA.

In the method for data packet transmission in the PDU session provided by the ninth aspect, the access network device can send the end mark on the second path (old path), thereby ensuring that the new I-UPF receives the end mark on the old path, ensuring The new I-UPF can smoothly send buffered data packets to ensure the efficiency of data packet transmission.

In a possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, the seventh information includes: tunnel information of the new I-UPF or tenth indication information, where the tenth indication information is used to indicate: the access network device sends the end sign.

In a tenth aspect, a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session is provided, the method comprising: the new I-UPF receives eleventh indication information from the second network element, and the eleventh indication information is used to indicate: the new I-UPF The I-UPF buffers the downlink data packets received on the first path, and, when receiving the end flag from the second path, sends a message to the second network element, where the message is used to indicate the new I-UPF The end flag is received, and the end flag is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the downlink data packet on the second path, and the uplink data packet on the first path and the downlink data packet on the second path are uplink data packets of the same PDU session; After receiving the end flag, the new I-UPF sends the message to the second network element; the new I-UPF receives the twelfth indication information from the SMF, and the twelfth indication information is used to indicate that the new I-UPF The UPF sends the buffered downlink data packet; the new I-UPF sends the buffered downlink data packet on the first path according to the twelfth indication information; wherein, the transmission sequence of the downlink data packet on the first path is: PSA, New I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, the order of transmission of downlink data packets on the second path is: PSA, source I-UPF, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, or, PSA , access network equipment, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment.

In the method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided in the tenth aspect, the downlink data packets received from the same PDU session on the new path (first path) and the old path (second path) are sorted through I-UPF, Before the I-UPF receives the indication that the downlink data packets sent on the old path have been sent, the I-UPF buffers the downlink data packets received on the new path. After the indication information that the data packet has been sent, the I-UPF sends the previously buffered downlink data packet received on the new path, so as to ensure that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in a normal order, thereby ensuring communication efficiency.

In a possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the receiving the end flag by the new I-UPF includes: receiving the end flag from the PSA by the new I-UPF.

In a possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the second network element is a new I-SMF or SMF.

In an eleventh aspect, a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session is provided, the method comprising: the second network element receives eighth information from the AMF, and the eighth information includes: indication information that the access network equipment has not changed or The thirteenth indication information, the thirteenth indication information is used to indicate the ordering of downlink data packets; the second network element sends the eleventh indication information to the new I-UPF according to the eighth information, and the eleventh indication information is used to indicate : the new I-UPF buffers the downlink data packet received on the first path, and, when receiving the end flag from the second path, sends a message to the second network element, where the message is used to indicate the new The I-UPF has received the end flag, which is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the downlink data packet on the second path; wherein, the uplink data packet on the first path and the downlink data packet on the second path are the same PDU session The transmission order of the downlink data packets on the first path is: PSA, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, and the transmission order of the downlink data packets on the second path is: PSA, Source I-UPF, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, or, PSA, access network equipment, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment.

In the method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided in the eleventh aspect, the second network element can instruct the I-UPF to sort the downlink data packets according to the information from the AMF, so as to ensure that the I-UPF can sort the received data packets from the new The downlink data packets of the same PDU session on the path (first path) and the old path (second path) are sorted, so as to ensure that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in the normal order, thus saving the server from updating the uplink data packets. The sorting time ensures communication efficiency.

In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, before the second network element sends the tenth indication information to the new I-UPF, the method further includes: the second network element sends the ninth information to the source I-SMF or SMF , the ninth information includes: the indication information that the access network equipment has not changed or the fourteenth indication information, the fourteenth indication information is used to indicate the source I-SMF or the SMF determines to establish a forwarding tunnel, and the forwarding tunnel is used to forward downlink data packet; the second network element receives response information from the source I-SMF or SMF in response to the ninth information, and the response information includes a forwarding indication, and the forwarding indication is used to establish a connection between the new I-UPF and the source I-UPF or establish a forwarding tunnel between the source I-UPF and the PSA, or establish a forwarding tunnel between the access network device and the PSA.

In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the method further includes: the second network element sending tenth information to the PSA, where the tenth information is used to indicate that the PSA sends the end flag on the second path.

In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the tenth information includes: downlink tunnel information or indication information used to update the PSA, where the indication information is used to indicate that the PSA sends the end flag on the second path.

In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the second network element is a new I-SMF or SMF.

In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, and the communication device includes a possible implementation for performing any one of the above first to eleventh aspects, or any one of the first to eleventh aspects A unit used to perform steps in a method.

In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device includes at least one processor and a memory, the processor is coupled to the memory, the memory stores program instructions, and when the program instructions stored in the memory are executed by the processor , performing each step in a possible implementation manner of any one of the first to eleventh aspects above, or any one of the first to eleventh aspects.

In a fourteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device includes at least one processor and an interface circuit, at least one processor is used to execute: any one of the above first to eleventh aspects, or the first to eleventh aspects Each step in a possible implementation manner of any aspect in the eleventh aspect.

In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product includes a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, it executes any one of the above first to eleventh aspects, or the first aspect Each step in a possible implementation manner of any one aspect to the eleventh aspect.

In a sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. A computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it is used to perform any one of the above first to eleventh aspects. Aspect, or each step in a possible implementation manner of any aspect from the first aspect to the eleventh aspect.

In a seventeenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip includes: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a communication device installed with the chip executes any one of the above first to eleventh aspects Aspect, or each step in a possible implementation manner of any aspect from the first aspect to the eleventh aspect.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a communication system architecture provided by the present application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of an MEC architecture provided by the present application.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a 5G system architecture in an ETSUN scenario provided by this application.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of an example of corresponding insertion of I-SMF according to target DNAI provided by the present application.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a data packet transmission path before and after switching of a time packet transmission path of a PDU session provided by the present application.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example of a communication system architecture applicable to the present application.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the present application.

Fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart of some steps in a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the present application.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture applicable to the present application.

Fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart of another example of a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the present application.

Fig. 11 is a schematic flowchart of some steps in another example of a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the present application.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture applicable to the present application.

Fig. 13 is a schematic flowchart of another example of a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the present application.

Fig. 14 is a schematic flowchart of some steps in another example of a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the present application.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture applicable to the present application.

Fig. 16 is a schematic flowchart of another example of a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the present application.

Fig. 17 is a schematic flowchart of some steps in another example of a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the present application.

Fig. 18 is a schematic flowchart of some steps in another example of a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the present application.

Fig. 19 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 20 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 21 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, "/" means or, for example, A/B can mean A or B; "and/or" in this article is only a description of the association of associated objects A relationship means that there may be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B means: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists independently. In addition, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, "plurality" refers to two or more than two.

Hereinafter, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of these features. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

Additionally, various aspects or features of the present application may be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques. The term "article of manufacture" as used in this application covers a computer program accessible from any computer readable device, carrier or media. For example, computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or tapes, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (compact discs, CDs), digital versatile discs (digital versatile discs, DVDs), etc.), smart cards and flash memory devices (for example, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), card, stick or key drive, etc.). Additionally, various storage media described herein can represent one or more devices and/or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing and/or carrying instructions and/or data.

Various aspects or features of the present application can be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques. The term "article of manufacture" as used in this application covers a computer program accessible from any computer readable device, carrier or media. For example, computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or tapes, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (compact discs, CDs), digital versatile discs (digital versatile discs, DVDs), etc.), smart cards and flash memory devices (for example, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), card, stick or key drive, etc.). Additionally, various storage media described herein can represent one or more devices and/or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing and/or carrying instructions and/or data.

The 5G network architecture of the evolved packet system (EPS) defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is shown in Figure 1, mainly including: terminal equipment, wireless access network equipment, management device, gateway device and data network (data network, DN). Among them, the terminal device in Figure 1 can be used to connect to the access network device deployed by the operator through the wireless air interface, and then connect to the data network through the gateway device; the access network device is mainly used to implement wireless physical layer functions, resource scheduling and Functions such as wireless resource management, wireless access control, and mobility management; management devices are mainly used for device registration, security authentication, mobility management, and location management of terminal devices; gateway devices are mainly used to establish channels with terminal devices, Data packets between the terminal equipment and the external data network are forwarded on this channel; the data network can correspond to a variety of different service domains, such as IP multimedia subsystem (IP multimedia subsystem, IMS), Internet (Internet), Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Internet protocol television, IPTV), other operator business domains, etc., are mainly used to provide various data business services for terminal equipment, which may include network equipment such as servers (including servers that provide multicast services), routers, and gateways. It should be noted that FIG. 1 is only an exemplary architecture diagram. In addition to the functional units shown in FIG. 1 , the network architecture may also include other functional units or functional network elements, which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In the architecture shown in FIG. 1, the above-mentioned terminal equipment can be user equipment (user equipment, UE), such as: mobile phone, computer, and can also be cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phone, Smartphones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, laptops, handheld communication devices, handheld computing devices, satellite wireless devices, wireless modems card, television set top box (STB), customer premise equipment (customer premise equipment, CPE) and/or other equipment used to communicate over the wireless system.

The above-mentioned access network device may be an access network (access network, AN)/radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device, a network composed of multiple 5G-AN/5G-RAN nodes. For example, the 5G-AN/5G-RAN node can be: access point (access point, AP), base station (Base station, BS) next generation base station (NR nodeB, gNB), central unit (central unit, CU) and Distributed unit (distributed unit, DU) separated form of gNB, transmission receive point (transmission receive point, TRP), transmission point (transmission point, TP) or some other access node. It can also be a base station (NodeB, NB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, or an evolved base station (Evolutional NodeB, eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a cloud The wireless controller in the wireless access network (Cloud Radio Access Network, CRAN) scenario, or the access network device can be a relay station, an access point (wireless fidelity access point, WiFi AP) in wireless fidelity technology, or a global microwave interconnection The access point (worldwide interoperability for microwave access, WiMAX) and the network device in the 5G network or the access network device in the future evolution of the public land mobile network (public land mobile network, PLMN), etc., the embodiment of the present application does not limit .

The above-mentioned management equipment may include: unified data management network element (unified data management, UDM), access and mobility management function (access and mobility function, AMF), session management function (session management function, SMF), policy control function ( policy control function, PCF), application function (application function, AF), etc.

The above-mentioned gateway device may include a user plane function (user plane function, UPF). In some embodiments, the gateway device may further include functional units such as a branching point (Branching Point, BP), an uplink classifier (Uplink Classifier, UL CL), and the like. These functional units can work independently, and can also be combined to achieve certain control functions. For example: AMF is mainly responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as user location update, user registration network, user handover and so on. SMF is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, release, specific functions such as assigning IP addresses to users, selecting UPF that provides message forwarding functions, etc. PCF is responsible for providing policies to AMF and SMF, such as quality of service (quality of service, QoS) policy, slice selection policy, etc. UDM is used to store user data, such as subscription information, authentication/authorization information. The AF is responsible for providing services to the 3GPP network, such as influencing service routing and interacting with the PCF for policy control. UPF is mainly responsible for processing user packets, such as forwarding and charging.

Another example: AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined together as a management device to complete access control and mobility management functions such as access authentication, security encryption, and location registration of terminal equipment, as well as the establishment of user plane transmission paths, Session management functions such as release and change, as well as the function of analyzing some slice-related data (such as congestion) and terminal device-related data. As a gateway device, UPF mainly completes functions such as routing and forwarding of user plane data, such as: responsible for filtering data packets of terminal devices, data transmission/forwarding, rate control, and generating billing information.

In some embodiments, in order to support the selective routing of service traffic to the data network in the 5G system, the session management network element can control the data path of the protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session, so that the PDU session and data Networks can correspond to multiple interfaces at the same time, that is, multiple session anchor points can exist for the same PDU session. The user plane function (UPF) that terminates these interfaces is called a PDU session anchor (PSA) or anchor UPF. Each anchor of a PDU session may also provide a different entry to the same DN. At the same time, by inserting one or more UPF network elements between the access network equipment and different PSAs, the data distribution from uplink data to different PSAs can be realized. The inserted UPF network elements can be branching points (branching points, BP) or uplink Classifier (uplink classifier, UL CL). For unified explanation here, BP or UL CL can also be called distribution point UPF network element.

In the 5G network shown in Figure 1, each functional unit can establish a connection through a next-generation network (next generation, NG) interface to realize communication, such as: a terminal device communicates with a RAN device through a new radio (NR) interface Establish an air interface connection for transmitting user plane data and control plane signaling; terminal equipment can establish a control plane signaling connection with AMF through NG interface 1 (N1 for short); access network equipment (such as AN/RAN equipment) can pass NG interface 3 (N3 for short) establishes a user plane data connection with UPF; access network equipment can establish a control plane signaling connection with AMF through NG interface 2 (N2 for short); UPF can establish a connection with SMF through NG interface 4 (N4 for short) Control plane signaling connection; UPF can exchange user plane data with the data network through NG interface 6 (abbreviated as N6); AMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with SMF through NG interface 11 (abbreviated as N11); SMF can establish a control plane signaling connection through NG interface 7 ( N7 for short) establishes a control plane signaling connection with the PCF; UDM can establish a control plane signaling connection with the PCF through the NG interface 25 (N25 for short);

It should be understood that the names of the interfaces between the network elements in the embodiments of the present application are only exemplary, and the interfaces between the network elements may also have other names, and the present application does not limit the names of the interfaces.

In order to effectively meet the high-bandwidth and low-latency requirements required by the rapid development of the mobile Internet and the Internet of Things and reduce network load, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) proposed mobile edge computing in 2014. , MEC) technology. MEC is a technology that deeply integrates access network and Internet services based on the evolution architecture of 5G network. It deploys the application server (application server, AS) and mobile broadband (MBB) core network part of the business processing and resource scheduling functions to the edge of the network close to the access network, and provides reliable, Ultimate service experience with ultra-low latency.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an MEC architecture provided by this application. As shown in Figure 2, compared with the DN network, the MEC is deployed at the sinking UPF (ie, the local UPF); the DN network is deployed at the remote end at UPF. Compared with the path for the UE to access the DN (shown by the dotted line), the path for the UE to access the MEC platform (shown by the solid line) is greatly shortened. Therefore, MEC technology can provide users with low-latency, high-bandwidth services.

The identifier of the MEC platform is used to uniquely identify an MEC platform. In some embodiments, the identifier of the MEC platform may be a data network access identity (data network access identity, DNAI) supported by a UPF network element deployed on the MEC platform or a DNAI supported by a UPF network element connected to the MEC platform. Therefore, Different DNAIs can represent different MEC platforms. In other words, the DNAI may be used to represent the identifier of the user plane path through which the terminal device accesses the data network. For example, the path to access MEC1 can be represented by DNAI-1, the path to access EMC2 can be represented by DNAI-2, and DNAI can be understood as the location of the MEC platform.

In the 3GPP R16 stage, the topology enhancement (enhancing topology of SMF and UPF in 5G networks, ETSUN) scenario of SMF and UPF in 5G networks is proposed. In this scenario, the SMF cannot serve the entire PLMN, and the SMF service area (SMF service area, SMF SA) refers to the sum of the service areas of all UPFs controlled by the SMF.

In the ETSUN scenario, when the UE moves out of the SMF SA, an intermediate SMF (Intermediate SMF, I-SMF) will be inserted; when the UE moves out of the I-SMF SA and is not in the SMF SA, the I-SMF will change; when When the UE moves into the SMF SA, the I-SMF will be removed, that is, the update of the I-SMF will occur.

Exemplarily, in 5G, since different SMFs manage different service areas, the same PDU session may correspond to two SMF network elements. For example, when the terminal device establishes a PDU session at position-1, the PDU session has a corresponding anchor user plane function network element (for example, UPF1), and the anchor user plane function network element is managed by the anchor SMF. Handover occurs when the terminal moves from position-1 to position-2. After the handover, the corresponding user plane functional network element connected to the access network device exceeds the service area of the original anchor point SMF, and the new anchor point intermediate SMF (intermediate SMF, I-SMF) for management. At this point, there will be a scenario where the session corresponds to two SMFs.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a 5G system architecture in an ETSUN scenario. In the architecture shown in FIG. 3 , there are I-SMF and SMF, wherein the UPF controlled by the I-SMF is UPF1, and the UPF controlled by the SMF is UPF2.

When there is a demand on the network side, for example, the AF provides the DNAI corresponding to the service to the PCF, thereby triggering the SMF to establish the user plane path corresponding to the DNAI. When the MEC platform corresponding to the DNAI is not within the service scope of the SMF, combined with the above-mentioned MEC technology and ETSUN, it can be seen that in this case, the AMF inserts the I-SMF on the control plane according to the DNAI, and then the I-SMF inserts the I-SMF on the user plane. I-UPF, so as to establish a user plane path corresponding to DNAI to access the corresponding MEC platform, wherein I-UPF is controlled by I-SMF.

For the update of I-SMF, there are mainly three different scenarios:

First: I-SMF insertion (insertion), that is, there is a source SMF. With the movement of the terminal device, when the terminal device is not within the service range of the source SMF, a new I-SMF (new I-SMF) is inserted. After the new I-SMF is inserted, there are new I-SMF and SMF in the network architecture.

The second type: I-SMF change or transformation (change), that is, there is a source I-SMF, and the source I-SMF (source I-SMF) can also be called old or old I-SMF (old I-SMF) SMF). As the terminal equipment moves, when the terminal equipment is not within the service range of the source I-SMF, the I-SMF serving the terminal equipment becomes a new I-SMF (new I-SMF), and there are new I-SMF and I-SMF in the network architecture. SMF.

The third type: I-SMF removal (remove), that is, the original source I-SMF and SMF, the source I-SMF (source I-SMF) can also be called the old or old I-SMF (old I-SMF) SMF), with the movement of the terminal equipment, the terminal equipment is not within the service scope of the old I-SMF, and the I-SMF serving the terminal equipment changes from the old I-SMF to the SMF, and the source I-SMF will be deleted. SMF.

What shown in Fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of inserting I-SMF correspondingly according to the target DNAI of an example, as described in Fig. 4, the process includes:

S401. The PCF sends a policy and charging control (PCC) rule to the SMF.

Optionally, the PCC rule carries (or includes) DNAI.

For example, in some embodiments, the PCF may send a policy control update notification (Npcf_SM PolicyControl_UpdateNotify) to the SMF through the Npcf interface, and the notification carries PCC rules.

S402: The SMF sends target DNAI information (target DNAI info) to the AMF. Wherein, target DNAI info comprises target DNAI (target DNAI), and Target DNAI info is used for indicating that AMF inserts I-SMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF first determines the target DNAI (target DNAI), and after the target DNAI is determined, when the SMF judges that the target DNAI cannot be served, the SMF sends the target DNAI to the AMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF may determine the target DNAI according to the location of the terminal device, the DNAI in step S401, and the like.

Optionally, when the PCC rule does not contain DNAI in step S401, in S402, the target DNAI information sent by the SMF to the AMF does not contain the target DNAI.

For example, in some embodiments, the SMF may send a PDU session context status notification (Nsmf_PDU Session_SMContextStatusNotify) to the AMF, and the notification carries target DNAI info.

S403: AMF selects and inserts into I-SMF (namely new I-SMF) according to target DNAI.

In some embodiments, S403 may also be replaced by: when the AMF judges according to the target DNAI that the SMF can serve the target DNAI, or when the AMF does not receive the target DNAI, the AMF deletes the I-SMF.

S404: AMF sends a context creation request to I-SMF (new I-SMF), which carries: session identifier, session management (Session management, SM) context identifier (SM context ID), terminal device location information (UE location info ), target DNAI, indication of no NG-RAN change, etc. Wherein, NG-RAN represents next generation (next generation, NG) radio access network equipment.

In some embodiments, when the AMF determines to delete the I-SMF, S404 may also be replaced by: the AMF sends a create or update context request to the SMF.

For example, in some embodiments, the AMF may send a create PDU session context request (Nsmf_PDU Session_CreateSMContext) to the I-SMF or SMF, and the request carries the information in S404.

Wherein, the session identifier is used to indicate the current PDU session.

SM context ID is used to indicate the identity of the source I-SMF. Among them, in the I-SMF insertion scenario (that is, the control plane corresponding to the session was originally: AMF, SMF; after inserting I-SMF, it becomes: AMF, new I-SMF, SMF), the SM context ID is used to point to the SMF; In the scenario of I-SMF change (change) (that is, the control plane corresponding to the session was originally: AMF, old I-SMF, SMF; after inserting I-SMF, it becomes: AMF, new I-SMF, SMF), SM context ID is used to point to old I-SMF.

Target DNAI is used to indicate the location of the MEC platform, or, in other words, Target DNAI is used to indicate the identity of the user plane connection corresponding to the access to the MEC platform.

The indication of no NG-RAN change (indication of no NG-RAN change) is used to indicate that the NG-RAN tunnel information (NG-RAN tunnel info) remains unchanged. When the terminal device is in the connected state, the AMF sends this parameter to the new I-SMF.

S405: The new I-SMF acquires the SM context from the old I-SMF (corresponding to the I-SMF change scenario) or SMF (corresponding to the I-SMF insertion scenario).

For example, in some embodiments, the new I-SMF may send a context request to the old I-SMF (corresponding to the scenario where the I-SMF is changed or removed) or the SMF, carrying NG-RAN unchanged indication information (indication of no NG -RAN change) etc. Afterwards, the Old I-SMF or SMF returns the following response to the new I-SMF, carrying NG-RAN tunnel information (NG-RAN tunnel info).

S406: The new I-SMF selects the new I-UPF according to the target DNAI.

S407: The new I-SMF sends the NG-RAN tunnel information (NG-RAN tunnel info) to the new I-UPF. In this way, the downlink path between new I-UPF and NG-RAN is established.

S408: The new I-SMF establishes a user plane path between the new I-UPF and the PSA.

S409: The new I-SMF inserts a distribution point according to the target DNAI, such as inserting UL CL or BP, so as to distribute the service flow to the MEC platform corresponding to the target DNAI.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of data packet transmission paths before and after switching corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 4 . Wherein, the process shown in Figure 4 can be summarized into 4 steps, namely the following steps 1 to 4:

Step 1: SMF sends the newly requested DNAI (new requested DNAI) to AMF, and AMF selects new I-SMF according to the DNAI.

Step 2: AMF sends SM context ID, NG-RAN unchanged indication information (indication of no NG-RAN change) etc. to new I-SMF. Among them, in the I-SMF change or I-SMF remove scenario, the SM context ID points to the source I-SMF (SM context ID points to source I-SMF); in the I-SMF insert scenario, the SM context ID points to the SMF (SM context ID points to SMF).

Step 3: The new I-SMF learns the NG-RAN downlink tunnel information (SM context includes additional Downlink Tunnel Info of NG-RAN).

Step 4: The new I-SMF selects the new I-UPF, and the new I-UPF sends the tunnel information of the new I-UPF to the NG-RAN to establish a transmission path between the new I-UPF and the NG-RAN.

In FIG. 5 , the target (target) I-SMF represents the new (new) I-SMF, and the target (target) I-UPF represents the new (new) I-UPF. Source (source) I-SMF means: old I-SMF (corresponding to I-SMF change or removal scene) or SMF (corresponding to I-SMF insertion scene). The source (source) I-UPF indicates the I-UPF inserted (or controlled) by the source I-SMF.

In the scenario shown in Figure 5, before step 4, the context information (UE context in NG-RAN) of the terminal device on the NG-RAN side includes the tunnel information (Tunnel Info) of the source (source) I-UPF. After step 4, the context information of the terminal device on the NG-RAN side includes the tunnel information (Tunnel Info) of the target (target) I-UPF.

It can be seen from Figure 5 that for the same PDU session, the PSA can receive uplink messages from two different paths. In FIG. 5 , the dotted line represents the old path, and the solid line represents the new path.

For uplink packets (also called uplink data packets), the user plane paths before and after I-UPF change are:

The path before the change (called the old path): UE→NG-RAN→old I-UPF→PSA.

The changed path (called new path (new path)): UE→NG-RAN→new I-UPF→PSA.

For uplink packets, the user plane paths before and after I-UPF insertion are:

The path before insertion (called the old path (old path)): UE→NG-RAN→PSA.

The path after insertion (called new path (new path)): UE→NG-RAN→new I-UPF→PSA.

For uplink packets, the user plane paths before and after I-UPF removal are:

The path before removal (called the old path): UE→NG-RAN→old I-UPF→PSA.

The path after removal (called new path (new path)): UE→NG-RAN→PSA.

It can be seen that for the uplink message of the same PDU session, in the above three cases, the PSA will receive messages from two paths (the old path and the new path). When packets on the new path arrive at the PAS earlier than the old path, out-of-order occurs, causing communication problems. For example: Suppose a PDU session includes 10 packets, the first to sixth packets are transmitted on the old path, and the seventh to tenth packets are transmitted on the new path, if the PSA receives the seventh packet first To the tenth message, PSA will continue to send the seventh to tenth messages to the server (such as the application server located in the DN), and then send the first to sixth messages received later to the server. Under normal circumstances, the order in which packets arrive at the server should be: the first to tenth packets. However, in the above scenario, the order of the packets arriving at the server may be: the seventh to tenth packets, and the first to sixth packets, that is, the packets received by the server will be out of order , which increases the time consumption for the server to sort the packets, increases the communication delay, and cannot guarantee the communication efficiency.

For downlink packets (also called downlink data packets), the user plane paths before and after I-UPF change are:

The path before the change (called the old path (old path)): PSA→old I-UPF→NG-RAN→UE.

The changed path (called new path (new path)): PSA→new I-UPF→NG-RAN→UE.

For downlink packets, the user plane paths before and after I-UPF insertion are:

The path before insertion (called the old path (old path)): PSA→NG-RAN→UE.

The path after insertion (called new path (new path)): PSA→new I-UPF→NG-RAN→UE.

For downlink packets, the user plane paths before and after I-UPF removal are:

The path before removal (called the old path): PSA→old I-UPF→NG-RAN→UE.

The path after removal (called new path (new path)): PSA→NG-RAN→UE.

It can be seen that for the downlink message of the same PDU session, in the above three cases, the NG-RAN will receive messages from two paths (the old path and the new path). For example: Assuming a PDU session includes 8 messages, the first to fourth messages are transmitted on the old path, and the fifth to eighth messages are transmitted on the new path, if NG-RAN receives the first From the fifth to the eighth message, NG-RAN will continue to send the fifth to the eighth message to the terminal device, and then send the first to the fourth message received later to the terminal device. Under normal circumstances, the order of messages sent by NG-RAN to terminal devices is: the first to eighth messages, but in the above scenario, the order of messages sent by NG-RAN to terminal devices However, the fifth to eighth messages and the first to fourth messages will cause the messages received by the terminal device to be out of order, thus increasing the time consumption for the terminal device to sort the messages. The communication delay is increased, and the communication efficiency cannot be guaranteed.

In view of this, the present application provides a method and communication device for data packet transmission in a PDU session, where I-SMF updates (change/insert/remove) or I-UPF updates (change/insert/remove) in a PDU session In the scenario, the PSA receives the uplink data (or also called the uplink message) packets of the same PDU session from different paths, which leads to the out-of-order problem of the packets, or the access network device receives the packets from different paths. The downlink data packets (or also called downlink packets) of the same PDU session lead to the problem of out-of-order packets. By using a gateway (PSA, access network device or I-UPF) to The data packets of the PDU session are sorted, so that the uplink data packets or downlink data packets are transmitted in a normal order, which avoids the process of sorting the data packets by the terminal device or the server, reduces the communication delay, and ensures the communication efficiency.

The method provided by the present application will be described below in conjunction with specific examples.

In the following embodiments, the access network device will be described by taking NG-RAN as an example, but this should not impose any limitation on the access network device in the embodiment of the present application.

It should also be understood that the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the scenario of I-SMF update (change/insertion/removal), and can also be applied to the scenario of only I-UPF update (change/insertion/removal) middle. The present application is not limited here, and the following will take the scenario of I-SMF update (change/insert/remove) as an example for illustration.

In the following embodiments, the old path may also be called the second path, and the new path may also be called the first path.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication system scenario provided by this application, and Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for data packet transmission in a PDU session that can be applied to the scenario shown in Figure 6. sex flow chart. In some embodiments. In the method shown in FIG. 7 , the PSA sorts the uplink data packets of the same PDU session from different paths.

In the scenario shown in Figure 6, the solid line represents the transmission of uplink data packets on the new path, the dotted line represents the transmission of uplink data packets on the old path, and the uplink data packets on the new path are the same as those on the old path. Uplink data packets included in a PDU session.

Among them, the transmission path of the uplink data packet on the old path is: terminal equipment → NG-RAN → source (Source) I-UPF → PSA, the transmission path of the uplink data packet on the new path is: terminal equipment → NG-RAN → Target I-UPF→PSA.

In the scenario shown in Figure 6, when NG-RAN does not change:

Before the I-SMF or I-UPF changes (change), the source (source) I-UPF is old I-UPF, and after the I-SMF or I-UPF changes (change), the target (target) I-UPF is new I-UPF.

Before I-SMF or I-UPF is inserted, the source (source) I-UPF is PSA, that is, the old path becomes: terminal device→NG-RAN→PSA. After the I-SMF or I-UPF is inserted, the target I-UPF is the new I-UPF.

Before the I-SMF or I-UPF is removed, the source (source) I-UPF is the old I-UPF. After the I-SMF or I-UPF is removed, the target (target) I-UPF is the PSA, which is the new The path becomes: terminal device→NG-RAN→PSA.

It can be understood that when the NG-RAN changes, for example, when the NG-RAN changes from the old NG-RAN (or also called the source NG-RAN) to the new NG-RAN, in the scenario shown in Figure 6, The old path is the path before the NG-RAN changes, that is, the old path is: terminal device→old NG-RAN→new NG-RAN→PSA. The changed path of NG-RAN, that is, the new path is: terminal device→new NG-RAN→PSA. During the NG-RAN change process, that is, during the NG-RAN handover process, when the new NG-RAN receives new uplink tunnel information, the new NG-RAN sends an end flag on the old path, for example, the uplink tunnel information is "PSA tunnel info". It can be understood that, here, the I-UPF is not involved as an example for illustration. When it comes to I-UPF, the new uplink tunnel information refers to I-UPF tunnel info. Wherein, the establishment of the Xn tunnel between the new NG-RAN and the old NG-RAN is triggered by the old NG-RAN. For example, the handover request sent by the old NG-RAN to the new NG-RAN contains the old NG-RAN tunnel information, and the new NG-RAN receives the old NG-RAN tunnel information, and establishes a connection between the new NG-RAN and the old NG-RAN. The uplink tunnel (Xn tunnel) between them.

As shown in Figure 7, the method includes:

S701: The PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

Optionally, the PCC rule carries (or includes) DNAI.

S702: The SMF sends target DNAI information (target DNAI info) to the AMF. Wherein, target DNAI info includes target DNAI, and Target DNAI info is used for indicating that AMF inserts I-SMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF first determines the target DNAI (target DNAI), and after the target DNAI is determined, when the SMF judges that the target DNAI cannot be served, the SMF sends the target DNAI to the AMF. For example, the SMF may determine the target DNAI according to the location of the terminal device, the DNAI in step S701, and the like.

In some embodiments, if the PCC rule in S701 does not include DNAI, then in S702, the target DNAI info sent by the SMF to the AMF does not include the target DNAI.

S703: AMF selects and inserts a new I-SMF (new I-SMF) according to the target DNAI.

In some embodiments, S703 can also be replaced by: when the AMF judges according to the target DNAI that the SMF can serve the target DNAI, or when the AMF does not receive the target DNAI and does not need the I-SMF, the AMF deletes the I-SMF.

For the scenario of I-SMF/I-UPF insertion (insertion) and I-SMF/I-UPF change (change), after S703, execute S704a to S710a: as shown in FIG. 8 .

S704a: AMF sends a context creation request to new I-SMF, which carries: session ID, session management context ID (SM context ID), terminal device location information (UE location info), target DNAI, NG-RAN (next generation RAN) unchanged indication information (indication of no NG-RAN change), etc.

Wherein, the session identifier is used to indicate the current PDU session.

Target DNAI is used to indicate the position of the MEC platform.

indication of no NG-RAN change, used to indicate that the NG-RAN tunnel information (NG-RAN tunnel info) remains unchanged.

S705a: The new I-SMF obtains a session management context (SM context) from the old I-SMF or SMF.

In some embodiments, for the I-SMF change scenario: the new I-SMF may send a context request to the old I-SMF (or may be called the source I-SMF), carrying an indication of no NG-RAN change. After receiving the context request, the old I-SMF returns a context response to the new I-SMF, which carries NG-RAN tunnel information (NG-RAN tunnel info).

In some embodiments, for the I-SMF insert scenario: the new I-SMF may send a context request to the SMF, and the request carries an indication of no NG-RAN change. After receiving the request, the SMF returns a context response to the new I-SMF, carrying NG-RAN tunnel info in the response.

S706a: The new I-SMF selects a new I-UPF (new I-UPF), and obtains tunnel information (new I-UPF tunnel info) of the new I-UPF.

S707a: The new I-SMF sends a PDU session update request or a PDU session creation request to the SMF, carrying the first indication information.

In some embodiments, for the I-SMF change scenario, the new I-SMF may send a PDU session update request (Nsmf_PDU Session_Update Request) to the SMF.

In some embodiments, for the I-SMF insert scenario, the new I-SMF may send a PDU session creation request (Nsmf_PDU Session_Create Request) to the SMF.

The PDU session update request or PDU session creation request carries: first indication information, optional, the request can also carry: SM context ID, new I-UPF tunnel information (new I-UPF tunnel info), new I - One or more of the DNAI list supported by SMF (DNAI list supported by new I-SMF).

Optionally, as a possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate: the SMF instructs the PSA to cache the uplink data packet from the new I-UPF (new path), and, when the PSA receives the uplink data packet from the old I-UPF (new path), the PSA receives the When the end marker (end marker) of the uplink data packet of the UPF (old path), the PSA reports a message to the SMF, and the message is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end marker of the old path. Wherein, the end marker (end marker) is used to indicate that the uplink data packet sent on the old path has been sent completely.

Or, as another possible implementation manner, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the uplink data packets need to be sorted.

Or, as another possible implementation manner, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the access network device has not changed.

In some embodiments, the first indication information may be indication of no NG-RAN change, which is used to indicate that the access network device has not changed.

In some embodiments, the first indication information may be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is to say, the indication of no NG-RAN change may be used to indicate that the access network equipment has not changed, and may also be used to indicate the need to Sort upstream packets.

In some other embodiments, the first indication information and the indication of no NG-RAN change may be different information respectively.

In some embodiments, when the first indication information is used to indicate that the access network device has not changed. For example, when the first indication is indication of no NG-RAN change, the SMF may determine that uplink data packets need to be sorted according to the indication of no NG-RAN change.

In some embodiments, the information that the uplink data packets on the old path have been sent may be: an end marker (end marker) of the uplink data packets sent by the old path.

S708a: The SMF sends second indication information to the PSA, where the second indication information is generated according to the first indication information.

In some embodiments, the SMF may determine to send the second indication information to the PSA according to the first indication information in S707a.

In some embodiments, the second indication information is used to indicate: the PSA caches the uplink message from the new I-UPF (new path), and indicates that the PSA receives the uplink message from the old I-UPF or NG-RAN (old path) When the end marker (end marker) of the data packet is received, the PSA sends a report message to the SMF, which is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end marker of the old path.

For example, the SMF may generate second indication information according to the first indication information, and the second indication information indicates: the PSA buffers the uplink data packet from the new path, and, when the PSA receives the end flag of the uplink data packet from the old path ( end marker), the PSA reports a message to the SMF, which is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end marker of the uplink data packet on the old path.

For the I-SMF insert scenario, the second indication information indicates: the PSA buffers the uplink data packet from the new I-UPF (new path), and, when the PSA receives the uplink data packet from the NG-RAN (old path) When the end marker is set, the PSA sends a report message to the SMF, which is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end marker of the uplink data packet on the old path.

For the I-SMF change scenario, the second indication indicates that the PSA caches the uplink data packets from the new I-UPF (new path), and the PSA receives the uplink data packets from the old I-UPF (old path) When the end marker (end marker) of the old path is received, the PSA reports a message to the SMF, which is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end marker of the uplink data packet on the old path.

In some embodiments, the second information indication may be an N4 rule (N4rule).

S709a: The SMF returns a PDU session update response or a PDU session creation response to the new I-SMF.

In some embodiments, the PDU session update response or the PDU session creation response includes: new I-UPF tunnel information (new I-UPF tunnel info) and the like.

S710a: The new I-SMF sends context creation response information to the AMF, and the response information carries: PSA tunnel information (PSA tunnel info).

Optionally, the response information further includes third indication information. Wherein, the third indication information is used to instruct the NG-RAN to send an end marker (end marker) of the uplink data packet on the old path.

In some embodiments, the third indication information may be indication of no NG-RAN change, and in other embodiments, the third indication information and indication of no NG-RAN change may be different information respectively.

In some embodiments, the response (information) includes N2 SM info, and the N2 SM info includes the aforementioned new I-UPF tunnel info and the third indication information.

After step S710a, execute S711 to S715, as shown in FIG. 7 .

For the scenario of I-SMF/I-UPF removal (removal), after S703, execute S704b to S708b, as shown in FIG. 8 .

S704b: The AMF sends a context update request to the SMF. The request carries: session ID, session management context ID (SM context ID), terminal equipment location information (UE location info), target DNAI, NG-RAN (next generation RAN) unchanged indication information (indication of no NG- RAN change) and so on.

Optionally, the update context request may also include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that the uplink data packets need to be sorted.

In some embodiments, the indication information can be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is to say, the indication of no NG-RAN change can be used to indicate that the access network equipment has not changed, and can also be used to indicate the need to change Uplink packets are sorted.

In some other embodiments, the indication information and the indication of no NG-RAN change may be different information respectively.

In some embodiments, when the request does not carry the indication information, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that the uplink data packets need to be sorted, the SMF may, according to the indication of no NG-RAN change, Determine that upstream packets need to be sorted.

S705b: The SMF obtains the SM context from the old I-SMF.

S706b: The SMF selects a new I-UPF, and acquires I-UPF tunnel info.

It should be understood that S706b is an optional step. When the process does not include S706b, the new path becomes: terminal device→NG-RAN→PSA. In this embodiment, the SMF is not inserted into the I-UPF as an example for illustration.

S707b: The SMF sends a message to the PSA. The message carries the fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate: PSA buffers the uplink data packet from NG-RAN (new path), and instructs PSA to receive the end sign sent from old I-UPF (old path) (end marker), the PSA reports a message to the SMF, which is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end marker of the uplink data packet on the old path. In some embodiments, the message may be an end mark of an uplink data packet on the old path. Wherein, the end marker (end marker) of the uplink data packet on the old path indicates that the uplink data packet on the old path has been sent completely.

In some embodiments, the SMF may determine to send the fourth indication information to the PSA according to the indication information from the AMF in S704b.

In some embodiments, the SMF may send an N4 rule (N4rule) to the PSA, and the N4rule includes fourth indication information.

S708b: The SMF sends update context response information to the AMF, and the response information carries: new I-UPF tunnel info.

Optionally, the response information further includes fifth indication information. Wherein, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the NG-RAN to send an end marker on the old path.

In some embodiments, the fifth indication information may be indication of no NG-RAN change, and in other embodiments, the fifth indication information and indication of no NG-RAN change may be different information respectively.

In some embodiments, the response (information) includes N2 SM info, and the N2 SM info includes the aforementioned PSA tunnel info and fifth indication information.

After S708b, execute S711 to S715, as shown in FIG. 7 .

S711: The AMF sends a message (for example, an N2 message) to the NG-RAN, and the message carries: at least one of the fifth indication information in S708b and the new I-UPF tunnel info, or, the third indication information and the third indication information in S710a At least one of PSA tunnel info.

S712: The NG-RAN sends an end marker (end marker) on the old path.

It can be understood that, when step S711 does not include the fifth indication information or the third indication information, the NG-RAN may update the uplink path information according to receiving new I-UPF tunnel info or PSA tunnel info. For example, NG-RAN updates the uplink path from old I-UPF to new I-UPF or PSA according to receiving new I-UPF tunnel info or PSA tunnel info, and sends an end sign on the old path.

When step S711 includes the fifth indication information or the third indication information, the NG-RAN sends the end flag on the old path according to the fifth indication information or the third indication information.

S713: When the PSA receives an end marker on the old path, the PSA reports a message to the SMF according to the second indication information in step S708a or the fourth indication information in step S707b, and the message is used to instruct the PSA to receive The end marker of the upstream data packet on the old path has been reached.

In some embodiments, the message reported by the PSA to the SMF is: an end marker of the uplink data packet sent on the old path.

S714: The SMF sends an updated message (for example, N4rule) to the PSA, and the message is used to instruct the PSA to send the buffered uplink data packet from the new path (new path), that is, to the N6 interface.

S715: The PSA sends the buffered uplink data packet from the new path (new path) according to the message.

It can be understood that, for the uplink data packet on the old path, the PSA sends the data packet according to a normal process, that is, after receiving the uplink data packet from the old path, the PSA sends the data packet to the server.

In the method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the embodiment of the present application, the uplink data packets received from the same PDU session on the new path and the old path are sorted through the PSA, and the PSA receives the packets sent on the old path. Before the indication information indicating that the uplink data packet has been sent, the PSA buffers the uplink data packet received on the new path. After the PSA receives the indication information that the uplink data packet sent on the old path has been sent, the PSA sends the previously cached The uplink data packets received on the new path can ensure that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in a normal order, thereby saving the server's time for sorting the uplink data packets and ensuring communication efficiency.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication system scenario provided by this application, and FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a method for data packet transmission in a PDU session that can be applied to the scenario shown in FIG. 9. sex flow chart. In some embodiments. In the method shown in Figure 10, the new I-UPF or PSA sorts the uplink data packets of the same PDU session from different paths.

In the scenario shown in Figure 9, in Figure a in Figure 9, the solid line represents the transmission path of the uplink data packet on the new path, and the dotted line represents the transmission path of the uplink data packet on the old path, and in figure a of Figure 9 What is shown is the scenario where I-UPF exists on the old path. In figure b among Fig. 9, the solid line represents the transmission path of the uplink data packet on the new path, and the dotted line represents the transmission path of the uplink data packet on the old path, and what is shown in figure b in Fig. 9 is that there is no I on the old path. -UPF scene.

For the scenario shown in a in Figure 9, the transmission path of the uplink data packet on the old path is: terminal device → NG-RAN → source (source) I-UPF → target (target) I-UPF → PSA. The transmission path of the uplink data packet on the new path is: terminal device→NG-RAN→target (target) I-UPF→PSA. The uplink data packets of the same PDU session from the new path and the old path are sorted by the target I-UPF.

For the scenario shown in b in FIG. 9 , the transmission path of the uplink data packet on the old path is: terminal device→NG-RAN→PSA→target (target) I-UPF→PSA. The transmission path of the uplink data packet on the new path is: terminal device→NG-RAN→target (target) I-UPF→PSA. The uplink data packets of the same PDU session from the new path and the old path are sorted by the target I-UPF.

The target I-UPF is new I-UPF. The source (source) I-UPF is old I-UPF.

As shown in Figure 10, the method includes:

S1001: The PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

Optionally, the PCC rule includes DNAI.

S1002: The SMF sends target DNAI information (target DNAI info) to the AMF. Wherein, target DNAI info comprises target DNAI (target DNAI), and Target DNAI info is used for indicating that AMF inserts I-SMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF may determine the target DNAI according to the location of the terminal device, the DNAI in step S1001, and the like.

Optionally, when the PCC rule in step S1001 does not include DNAI, in S1002, the target DNAI information sent by the SMF to the AMF does not include target DNAI.

S1003: AMF selects and inserts a new I-SMF (new I-SMF) according to the target DNAI.

In some embodiments, S1003 may also be replaced by: when the AMF judges according to the target DNAI that the SMF can serve the target DNAI, or when the AMF does not receive the target DNAI and does not need the I-SMF, the AMF deletes the I-SMF.

For the scenario of I-SMF/I-UPF insertion (insertion) and I-SMF/I-UPF change (change), after S1003, execute S1004a to S1008a, as shown in FIG. 11 .

S1004a: AMF sends a context creation request to new I-SMF, which carries: session ID, session management context ID (SM context ID), terminal device location information (UE location info), target DNAI, NG-RAN (next generation RAN) unchanged indication information (indication of no NG-RAN change), etc.

Optionally, the context creation request may also include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that the uplink data packets need to be sorted.

In some embodiments, the indication information may be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is to say, the indication of no NG-RAN change may be used to indicate that the access network equipment has not changed, and may also be used to indicate that it needs to be changed. Uplink packets are sorted. In the example of this application, "uplink data packets need to be sorted" can also be described as "uplink data packets need to be sorted".

In some embodiments, when the context creation request does not carry the indication information, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that the uplink data packets need to be sorted, the new I-SMF may according to the indication of no NG -RAN change, it is determined that the uplink data packets need to be sorted.

Wherein, the session identifier is used to indicate the current PDU session.

Target DNAI is used to indicate the position of the MEC platform.

S1005a: The new I-SMF obtains the session management context (SM context) from the old I-SMF or SMF.

In some embodiments, for the I-SMF change scenario: the new I-SMF may send a context request to the old I-SMF, carrying an indication of no NG-RAN change.

Optionally, as a possible implementation: the context request may also include indication information, the indication information is used to instruct the old I-SMF to determine to establish a forwarding tunnel, and the forwarding tunnel is used to forward uplink data packets, there are the following two Two possible implementations:

Method 1: The indication information can be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is, the indication of no NG-RAN change can be used to instruct the old I-SMF to determine to establish a forwarding tunnel.

Method 2: The indication information and the indication of no NG-RAN change may be different information respectively.

Optionally, as another possible implementation manner: the context request may include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that uplink data packets need to be sorted. There are three possible ways:

Method 1: The indication information can be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is to say, the indication of no NG-RAN change can be used to indicate that the access network equipment has not changed, and can also be used to indicate the need to update the uplink data packet Sort.

Method 3: When the context request does not carry the indication information, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that the uplink data packets need to be sorted, the old I-SMF can according to the indication of no NG-RAN change, Determine that upstream packets need to be sorted.

After receiving the context request, the old I-SMF returns a context response to the new I-SMF, and the context response carries NG-RAN tunnel info and forwarding indication. Wherein, the forwarding instruction is used to indicate to establish a forwarding tunnel between the new I-UPF and the old I-UPF. Optionally, the context response may also carry sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the forwarding tunnel is used to forward uplink data packets.

In some embodiments, when the context request received by the old I-SMF includes an indication of no NG-RAN change, the context response returned by the old I-SMF includes the forwarding indication.

In some embodiments, for the I-SMF insertion scenario: the new I-SMF may send a context request to the SMF, and the request carries an indication of no NG-RAN change.

Optionally, as a possible implementation: the context request may also include indication information, the indication information is used to instruct the SMF to determine to establish a forwarding tunnel, and the forwarding tunnel is used to forward uplink data packets, there are the following two possibilities Method to realize:

Method 1: The indication information can be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is, the indication of no NG-RAN change can be used to instruct the SMF to determine to establish a forwarding tunnel.

Method 3: When the context creation request does not carry the indication information, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that the uplink data packets need to be sorted, the SMF can determine the need according to the indication of no NG-RAN change Sort upstream packets.

After receiving the request, the SMF returns a context response to the new I-SMF, and the context response carries NG-RAN tunnel info and forwarding indication. Wherein, the forwarding instruction is used to indicate to establish a forwarding tunnel between the new I-UPF and the PAS. Optionally, the context response may also carry seventh indication information, where the seventh indication information is used to indicate that the forwarding tunnel is used to forward uplink data packets.

In some embodiments, when the context request received by the SMF includes an indication of no NG-RAN change, the context response returned by the SMF includes a forwarding indication.

S1006a: The new I-SMF selects the new I-UPF, and acquires the tunnel information (new I-UPF tunnel info) of the new I-UPF.

S1007a: new I-SMF sends N4 session establishment request to new I-UPF, the request carries: NG-RAN tunnel info and indication information, the indication information is used to indicate: new I-UPF buffers from NG-RAN (new path ), and when receiving the end marker (end marker) of the uplink data packet from the PSA or old I-UPF (old path), the new I-UPF sends a message to the SMF Report a message, which is used to indicate that the new I-UPF has received the end sign of the old path. Wherein, the end marker (end marker) is used to indicate that the uplink data packet sent on the old path has been sent completely.

In some embodiments, the new I-SMF may determine to send the indication information in S1007a to the new I-UPF according to the indication information in S1004a.

In some embodiments, the message reported by the new I-UPF to the SMF may be an end marker (end marker) of an uplink data packet of the old path.

For the I-SMF change scenario, the uplink data packet received by the new I-UPF on the old path is the uplink data packet received from the old I-UPF. In the I-SMF insertion scenario, the uplink data packet received by the new I-UPF on the old path is the uplink data packet received from the PSA.

In some embodiments, the N4 session establishment request may include N4rule, and N4rule carries NG-RAN tunnel info and indication information in S1007a.

S1008a: The new I-SMF sends a create context response (Nsmf_PDU Session_CreateSM Response) to the AMF, carrying N2 SM info. N2 SM info contains new I-UPF tunnel info.

Optionally, the eighth indication information is also included in the N2 SM info. Wherein, the eighth indication information is used to instruct NG-RAN to send an end marker on the old path, and the end marker is used to indicate that the uplink data packets on the old path have been sent completely.

In some embodiments, the eighth indication information may be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is, the indication of no NG-RAN change may be used to indicate the content indicated by the eighth indication information.

In some other embodiments, the eighth indication information and the indication of no NG-RAN change may be different information respectively.

After S1008a, execute S1009 to S1013, as shown in FIG. 10 .

For the scenario of I-SMF/I-UPF removal (removal), after S1003, execute S1004b to S1008b.

S1004b: The AMF sends a context update request to the SMF. The request carries: session ID, session management context ID (SM context ID), terminal equipment location information (UE location info), target DNAI, NG-RAN (next generation RAN) unchanged indication information (indication of no NG- RAN change) and so on.

In some embodiments, when the context creation request does not carry the indication information, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that the uplink data packets need to be sorted, the SMF may according to the indication of no NG-RAN change , it is determined that the uplink data packets need to be sorted.

S1005b: The SMF obtains the SM context from the old I-SMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF may send a context request to the old I-SMF, and the request carries an indication of no NG-RAN change. After receiving the request, the old I-SMF sends a context response (information) to the SMF, and the response (information) includes: NG-RAN tunnel info and forwarding indication.

Method 3: When the context creation request does not carry the indication information, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that the uplink data packets need to be sorted, the old I-SMF can according to the indication of no NG-RAN change , it is determined that the uplink data packets need to be sorted.

In some embodiments, when the context request received by the old I-SMF includes an indication of no NG-RAN change, the context response returned by the old I-SMF includes a forwarding indication. Wherein, the forwarding instruction is used to indicate to establish a forwarding tunnel between the old I-UPF and the PAS. Optionally, the context response may also carry ninth indication information, where the ninth indication information is used to indicate that the forwarding tunnel is used to forward uplink data packets.

S1006b: The SMF selects and inserts a new I-UPF.

It should be understood that S1006b is an optional step. The processes shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 include the case of S1006b. When the SMF does not insert the new I-UPF, the new I-UPF is replaced by the PSA.

In the case where the above-mentioned steps include S1006b: S1007b is: SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to new I-UPF, and the session request carries indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate that the new I-UPF cache is from the new path (from NG -RAN) uplink data packet, and, when receiving the end marker (end marker) from the old I-UPF, the new I-UPF sends a report message to the SMF, which is used to indicate that the new I-UPF has received the old path The end flag of the upstream data packet on the above. Wherein, the end marker (end marker) is used to indicate that the uplink data packet sent on the old path has been sent completely. In some embodiments, the SMF may determine to send the indication information in S1007b to the new I-UPF according to the indication information in S1004b.

In the case where the above steps include S1006b, the old path is: terminal device→NG-RAN→old I-UPF→new I-UPF→PSA; the new path is: terminal device→NG-RAN→new I-UPF→PSA.

If the above process does not include S1006b, then S1007b is replaced by: SMF sends N4 session modification request to PSA, carrying indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate: instruct PSA to cache uplink data packets from the new path, and when receiving When there is an end marker on the path, a report message is sent to the SMF, which is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end marker of the uplink data packet on the old path. In some embodiments, the SMF may determine to send the indication information in S1007b to the PSA according to the indication information in S1004b.

In the case that the above process does not include S1006b, the old path is: terminal device→NG-RAN→old I-UPF→PSA; the new path is: terminal device→NG-RAN→PSA.

In some embodiments, the information that the uplink data packets on the old path have been sent may be an end marker.

S1008b: The SMF sends an update context response to the AMF, carrying N2 SM info. The N2 SM Info includes new I-UPF tunnel info.

Optionally, the update context response further includes tenth indication information. The tenth indication information is used to instruct the NG-RAN to send an end marker on the old path. Wherein, the end flag is used to indicate that the uplink data packets on the old path have been sent completely.

In some embodiments, the tenth indication information may be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is, the indication of no NG-RAN change may be used to indicate the content indicated by the tenth indication information.

In some other embodiments, the tenth indication information and the indication of no NG-RAN change may be different information respectively.

After S1008b, execute S1009 to S1013, as shown in FIG. 11 .

S1009, AMF sends N2 message to NG-RAN, carrying: at least one of the tenth indication information and new I-UPF tunnel info in step S1008b above, or, the eighth indication information and new I-UPF tunnel info in step S1008a at least one of info.

S1010, the NG-RAN sends an end marker (end marker) on the old path.

The new I-UPF or PSA receives the end marker (end marker) of the uplink data packet on the old path.

It should be understood that when the NG-RAN receives the tenth indication information or the eighth indication information, the NG-RAN sends the end flag on the old path according to the tenth indication information or the eighth indication information. When NG-RAN only receives new I-UPF tunnel info, that is, when it does not receive the tenth or eighth indication information, NG-RAN performs uplink path switching according to new I-UPF tunnel info, and the uplink path of NG-RAN is determined by The old path is switched to the new I-UPF, and the NG-RAN sends an end flag on the old path. Among them, the old path refers to the path between NG-RAN and old I-UPF or PSA.

For the scenario of I-SMF insertion (that is, I-UPF insertion): NG-RAN sends the end marker to the PSA, and the PSA sends the end marker to the new I-UPF through the forwarding tunnel between the PSA and the new I-UPF.

For the I-SMF change scenario: NG-RAN sends the end marker to the old I-UPF, and the old I-UPF sends the end marker to the new I-UPF through the forwarding tunnel between the old I-UPF and the new I-UPF.

For the I-SMF remove scenario, including the case of inserting a new I-UPF and the case of not needing to insert a new I-UPF:

When the SMF is inserted into the new I-UPF: NG-RAN sends the end marker to the old I-UPF, and the old I-UPF sends the end marker to the new I-UPF through the forwarding tunnel between the old I-UPF and the new I-UPF.

In the case of no need to insert new I-UPF: NG-RAN sends the end marker to the old I-UPF to the old I-UPF, and the old I-UPF sends the end marker to the PSA through the forwarding tunnel between the old I-UPF and the PSA.

S1011, according to the N4 session establishment request in S1107a or 1007b, the New I-UPF sends a report message to the SMF after receiving the indication information (such as an end marker) indicating that the uplink data packet has been sent on the old path, and the message is used for Indicates that the New I-UPF has received the end flag of the old path.

In the case that the above process does not include S1006b, S1011 is replaced by: PSA receives the indication information (for example, end marker) on the old path indicating that the uplink data packet has been sent to the SMF according to the N4 session establishment request in S1107b A report message, which is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end sign of the old path.

S1012. The SMF sends an updated N4rule to the New I-UPF to instruct the New I-UPF to send the buffered uplink message from the new path (new path), that is, to the PSA.

In the case that the above process does not include S1006b, S1012 is replaced by: SMF sends an updated N4rule to the PSA to instruct the PSA to send the buffered uplink message from the new path (new path), that is, to the N6 interface .

S1013. The New I-UPF sends the buffered uplink data packets from the new path (new path) according to the updated N4rule. It can be understood that, for the uplink data packets on the old path, the New I-UPF sends them according to the normal process, that is, after receiving the uplink data packets from the old path, it sends the data packets to the PSA. Finally, the PSA sorts the data packets from the new path and the old path and sends them to the server.

In the case that the above process does not include S1006b, S1013 is replaced by: the PSA sends the buffered uplink data packet from the new path (new path) according to the updated N4rule. It can be understood that, for the uplink data packet on the old path, the PSA sends the data packet according to a normal process, that is, after receiving the uplink data packet from the old path, the PSA sends the data packet.

In the method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the embodiment of the present application, the uplink data packets received from the same PDU session on the new path and the old path are sorted through I-UPF or PSA, and the I-UPF or PSA Before receiving the indication information indicating that the uplink data packet sent on the old path has been sent, the I-UPF or PSA buffers the uplink data packet received on the new path, and the I-UPF or PSA receives the uplink data packet sent on the old path. After the indication information indicating that the uplink data packets have been sent, the I-UPF or PSA sends the previously buffered uplink data packets received on the new path, so as to ensure that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in the normal order, thereby saving It improves the server's sorting time for uplink data packets and ensures communication efficiency.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a communication system scenario provided by this application, and FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session in the scenario shown in FIG. 12 that can be applied to this application. sex flow chart. In some embodiments. In the method shown in FIG. 13 , the NG-RAN sorts the downlink data packets of the same PDU session from different paths.

In the scenario shown in Figure 12, the solid line represents the transmission of downlink data packets on the new path, the dotted line represents the transmission of downlink data packets on the old path, and the downlink data packets on the new path are the same as those on the old path. Downlink data packets included in a PDU session.

Wherein, the transmission path of the downlink data packet on the old path is: PSA → source (source) I-UPF → NG-RAN → terminal equipment, the transmission path of the downlink data packet on the new path is: PSA → target (target) I - UPF → NG-RAN → terminal equipment.

Before the I-SMF or I-UPF changes (change), the source (source) I-UPF is the old I-UPF, and after the I-SMF changes (change), the target (target) I-UPF is the new I-UPF.

Before the I-SMF or I-UPF is inserted (insertion), the source (source) I-UPF is the PSA, that is, the old path becomes: PSA→NG-RAN→terminal device. After the I-SMF or I-UPF is inserted, the target I-UPF is the new I-UPF.

Before the I-SMF or I-UPF is removed (remove), the source (source) I-UPF is the old I-UPF, after the I-SMF is removed, the target (target) I-UPF is the PSA, which is the new path Change to: PSA→NG-RAN→terminal equipment.

As shown in Figure 13, the method includes:

S1301: The PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

Optionally, the PCC rule carries (or includes) DNAI.

S1302: The SMF sends target DNAI information (target DNAI info) to the AMF. Wherein, target DNAI info includes target DNAI, and Target DNAI info is used for indicating that AMF inserts I-SMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF first determines the target DNAI (target DNAI), and after the target DNAI is determined, when the SMF judges that the target DNAI cannot be served, the SMF sends the target DNAI to the AMF. For example, the SMF may determine the target DNAI according to the location of the terminal device, the DNAI in step S1301, and the like.

In some embodiments, if the PCC rule in S1301 does not include DNAI, then in S1302, the target DNAI info sent by the SMF to the AMF does not include the target DNAI.

S1303: AMF selects and inserts a new I-SMF (new I-SMF) according to the target DNAI.

In some embodiments, S1303 can also be replaced by: when the AMF judges according to the target DNAI that the SMF can serve the target DNAI, or when the AMF does not receive the target DNAI and does not need the old I-SMF, the AMF deletes the old I-SMF.

S1304: The AMF sends an N2 message to the NG-RAN, and the message carries eleventh indication information. Among them, the eleventh indication information is used to instruct NG-RAN to receive the end marker (end marker) on the old path, before the NG-RAN buffers the downlink data packet (downlink packet) from the non-old path (that is, on the new path). arts). Wherein, the end marker (end marker) is used to indicate: the downlink data packets received on the old path have been received (or the downlink data packets on the old path have been sent).

When the NG-RAN receives an end marker on the old path, the NG-RAN sends the cached downlink data packets from the non-old path (that is, the new path) to the terminal device.

In some embodiments, the eleventh indication information may be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is, the indication of no NG-RAN change may be used to indicate content indicated by the eleventh indication information.

In some other embodiments, the eleventh indication information and the indication of no NG-RAN change may be different information respectively.

In some embodiments, in S1302, the information sent by the SMF to the AMF may also include the above-mentioned eleventh indication information. In this case, S1302 may be replaced by: the SMF sends a context status notification to the AMF, and in the notification Carry: target DNAI info, eleventh indication information, and optionally, the notification may also carry a skip indicator. Wherein, the skip indicator is used to indicate: when the terminal equipment is in an idle state, the AMF does not send the eleventh indication information to the NG-RAN. If the context state notification sent by the SMF to the AMF includes a skip indicator (skip indicator), the N2 information sent by the AMF to the NG-RAN does not include the above eleventh indication information. In other words, S1304 is an optional step.

For the scenario of I-SMF/I-UPF insertion (insertion) and I-SM/I-UPF change (change), after S1304, execute S1305a to S1311a, as shown in FIG. 14 .

S1305a: AMF sends a context creation request to new I-SMF, which carries: session ID, session management context ID (SM context ID), terminal device location information (UE location info), target DNAI, NG-RAN (next generation RAN) unchanged indication information (indication of no NG-RAN change), etc.

Wherein, the session identifier is used to indicate the current PDU session.

Target DNAI is used to indicate the position of the MEC platform.

indication of no NG-RAN change, used to indicate that the NG-RAN tunnel information remains unchanged. When the terminal equipment is in the connected state, the AMF sends this parameter to the new I-SMF.

S1306a: The new I-SMF acquires the SM context from the old I-SMF (corresponding to the I-SMF change scenario) or SMF (corresponding to the I-SMF insertion scenario).

In some embodiments, for the I-SMF change scenario: the new I-SMF may send a context request to the old I-SMF, carrying an indication of no NG-RAN change. After receiving the context request, the old I-SMF returns a context response to the new I-SMF, which carries: NG-RAN tunnel information (NG-RAN tunnel info). Among them, SM context includes NG-RAN tunnel info.

In some embodiments, for the I-SMF insertion scenario: the new I-SMF may send a context request to the SMF, and the request carries an indication of no NG-RAN change. After receiving the request, the SMF returns a context response to the new I-SMF, which carries: NG-RAN tunnel info (NG-RAN tunnel info). Among them, SM context includes NG-RAN tunnel info.

S1307a: The new I-SMF selects a new I-UPF (new I-UPF), and obtains tunnel information (new I-UPF tunnel info) of the new I-UPF.

S1308a: The new I-SMF sends a PDU session update request or a PDU session creation request to the SMF, carrying: updating the downlink tunnel information of the PSA (new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA).

Optionally, as a possible implementation manner: the PDU session update request or the PDU session creation request may further include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data packets need to be sorted. There are three possible ways:

Method 1: The indication information can be new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, that is to say, new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA can be used not only to update the downlink tunnel information of PSA, but also to indicate that downlink data packets need to be Sort.

Mode 2: the indication information and the downlink tunnel information used to update the PSA may be different information respectively.

Method 3: When the PDU session update request or the PDU session creation request does not carry the indication information, and the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA is not used to indicate that the downlink data packets need to be sorted, the SMF can according to the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA UPF tunnel info for PSA, it is determined that the downlink data packets need to be sorted.

In some embodiments, the completion of sending the downlink data packets on the old path may also be described as: the PSA is updated from the old path to the new path. For example, when PSA receives new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, the path between PSA and old I-UPF is changed to the path between PSA and new I-UPF.

The SMF determines to instruct the PSA to send an end marker on the old path according to the indication information in S1308a.

S1309a: The SMF sends the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA to the PSA.

The PSA determines to send an end marker on the old path according to the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA.

Optionally, the SMF may also send indication information to the PSA, where the indication information is used to indicate that the PSA sends an end marker on the old path.

In some embodiments, the indication information can be new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, that is to say, new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA can be used to update the downlink tunnel information of PSA, and can also be used to indicate that PSA is in The old path sends an end marker. In other words, the PSA determines to send the end flag on the old path according to the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA.

In some other embodiments, the indication information and the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA may be different information respectively.

After the PSA receives the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, when the downlink data packet on the old path is sent, it sends the end flag (end marker), after the old I-UPF receives the end marker, it forwards the end marker to the NG-RAN.

S1310a: The SMF sends a PDU session update response or a PDU session creation response to the new I-SMF.

S1311a: The new I-SMF sends context creation response information to the AMF, and the response information carries: update uplink tunnel information of NG-RAN (new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN).

Among them, new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN is used to update the uplink tunnel information of NG-RAN.

In some embodiments, the context creation response (information) carries N2 SM info, and the N2 SM info includes the above information.

After S1311a, execute S1312, as shown in FIG. 13 .

For the I-SMF/I-UPF removal (remove) scenario, after S1304, execute S1305b to S1309b, as shown in FIG. 14 .

S1305b: The AMF sends an update context request to the SMF, and the request carries: session identifier, SM context ID, UE location info, target DNAI, indication of no NG-RAN change, etc.

S1306b: The SMF obtains the SM context from the Old I-SMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF may send a context request to the old I-SMF, carrying an indication of no NG-RAN change. After the Old I-SMF receives the context request, it can return the session management context (SM context) to the SMF, and the SM context includes the NG-RAN tunnel info.

S1307b: The SMF selects new I-UPF, and obtains new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA and new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN.

Among them, new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA is used to update the downlink tunnel information of PSA; new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN is used to update the uplink tunnel information of NG-RAN.

Optionally, as a possible implementation manner: the context update request sent by the AMF to the SMF may also include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data packets need to be sorted. There are three possible ways:

Method 1: The indication information can be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is to say, the indication of no NG-RAN change can be used to indicate that the access network device has not changed, and can also be used to indicate that the downlink data packet needs to be checked. Sort. Wherein, the downlink data packets need to be sorted can also be described as the downlink data packets need to be sorted.

Method 3: When the AMF sends the update context request to the SMF without carrying the indication information but carrying the indication of no NG-RAN change, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that the downlink data packets need to be sorted, SMF can determine that the downlink data packets need to be sorted according to the indication of no NG-RAN change.

It should be understood that S1307b is an optional step.

The SMF determines to instruct the PSA to send an end marker on the old path according to the indication information from the AMF.

S1308b: The SMF sends to the PSA: new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA.

In some embodiments, the indication information can be new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, that is to say, new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA can be used to update the downlink tunnel information of PSA, and can also be used to indicate that PSA is in The old path sends an end marker.

After the PSA receives the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, when the downlink data packets on the old path are sent, it sends an end marker on the old path (that is, to the old I-UPF).

After receiving the end marker, the old I-UPF forwards the end marker to the NG-RAN.

S1309b: The SMF sends update context response information to the AMF, and the response information carries: update uplink tunnel information of NG-RAN (new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN).

After S1309b, execute S1312, as shown in FIG. 13 .

S1312, before the NG-RAN receives the end marker (end marker) sent on the old path (from the downlink data packet from the old I-UPF or PSA), when receiving the downlink data packet of the new path, the NG-RAN will The eleventh instruction in step S1304 caches the downlink data packets received on the new path (downlink data packets from new I-UPF or PSA). When receiving the end marker of the downlink data packet sent on the old path, the NG-RAN sends the buffered downlink data packet from the new path (new path) to the terminal device.

It can be understood that, for the downlink data packets on the old path, the NG-RAN sends them according to a normal process, that is, after receiving the uplink data packets on the old path, the NG-RAN sends the data packets to the terminal device.

In the method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the embodiment of the present application, the NG-RAN sorts the received downlink data packets from the same PDU session on the new path and the old path. The indication information that the data packets sent on the path have been sent (such as (end marker) before, NG-RAN caches the downlink data packets received on the new path, and the downlink data packets sent on the old path have been received by NG-RAN After sending the indication information, NG-RAN sends the previously cached downlink data packets received on the new path, and for the downlink data packets on the old path, NG-RAN sends them according to the normal process. Thus, it can ensure that the data packets in a PDU session The downlink data packets are sent in the normal order, so as to ensure the message order of the PDU session and communication efficiency.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a communication system scenario provided by this application, and FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a method for data packet transmission in a PDU session that can be applied to the scenario shown in FIG. 15 provided by this application. sex flow chart. In some embodiments. In the method shown in FIG. 16 , the target (target) I-UPF or PSA sorts the downlink data packets of the same PDU session from different paths.

In the scenario shown in Figure 15, in Figure a in Figure 15, the solid line represents the transmission path of the downlink data packet on the new path, and the dotted line represents the transmission path of the downlink data packet on the old path. The figure shows the scenario where I-UPF exists on the old path. In figure b among Figure 15, the solid line represents the transmission path of the downlink data packet on the new path, and the dotted line represents the transmission path of the downlink data packet on the old path, and what is shown in figure b in Figure 15 is that there is no I on the old path. -UPF scene.

For the scenario shown in a in Figure 15, the transmission path of the downlink data packet on the old path is: PSA→source (source) I-UPF→target (target) I-UPF→NG-RAN→terminal device. The transmission path of the downlink data packet on the new path is: PSA→target (target) I-UPF→NG-RAN→terminal device. The downlink data packets of the same PDU session from the new path and the old path are sorted by the target I-UPF.

For the scenario shown in Figure b in Figure 15, the transmission path of the downlink data packet on the old path is: PSA→NG-RAN→target (target) I-UPF→NG-RAN→PSA→terminal device. The transmission path of the downlink data packet on the new path is: PSA→target (target) I-UPF→NG-RAN→terminal device. The downlink data packets of the same PDU session from the new path and the old path are sorted by the target I-UPF.

Among them, the target (target) I-UPF is new I-UPF, and the source (source) I-UPF is old I-UPF.

As shown in Figure 16, the method includes:

S1601: The PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

Optionally, the PCC rule carries (or includes) DNAI.

S1602: The SMF sends target DNAI information (target DNAI info) to the AMF. Wherein, target DNAI info includes target DNAI, and Target DNAI info is used for indicating that AMF inserts I-SMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF first determines the target DNAI (target DNAI), and after the target DNAI is determined, when the SMF judges that the target DNAI cannot be served, the SMF sends the target DNAI to the AMF. For example, the SMF may determine the target DNAI according to the location of the terminal device, the DNAI in step S1601, and the like.

In some embodiments, if the PCC rule in S1601 does not include DNAI, then in S1602, the target DNAI info sent by the SMF to the AMF does not include the target DNAI.

S1603: AMF selects and inserts a new I-SMF (new I-SMF) according to the target DNAI.

In some embodiments, S1603 can also be replaced by: when the AMF judges according to the target DNAI that the SMF can serve the target DNAI, or when the AMF does not receive the target DNAI and does not need the old I-SMF, the AMF deletes the old I-SMF.

For scenarios of I-SMF/I-UPF insertion (insertion) and I-SMF/I-UPF change (change), execute S1604a to S1611a, as shown in FIG. 17 .

S1604a: AMF sends a context creation request to new I-SMF, which carries: session ID, session management context ID (SM context ID), terminal device location information (UE location info), target DNAI, NG-RAN (next generation RAN) unchanged indication information (indication of no NG-RAN change), etc.

Optionally, the context creation request may also include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data packets need to be sorted.

In some embodiments, the indication information may be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is to say, the indication of no NG-RAN change may be used to indicate that the access network equipment has not changed, and may also be used to indicate that the device needs to be changed. Downstream packets are sorted.

In some embodiments, when the context creation request does not carry the indication information, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that the downlink data packets need to be sorted, the SMF may according to the indication of no NG-RAN change , it is determined that the downlink data packets need to be sorted.

S1605a: The new I-SMF obtains the session management context (SM context) from the old I-SMF or SMF.

Optionally, as a possible implementation: the context request may also include indication information, the indication information is used to instruct the old I-SMF to determine to establish a forwarding tunnel, the forwarding tunnel is used to forward downlink data packets, there are the following two Two possible implementations:

Optionally, as another possible implementation manner: the context request may include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data packets need to be sorted. There are three possible ways:

Method 1: The indication information can be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is to say, the indication of no NG-RAN change can be used to indicate that the access network device has not changed, and can also be used to indicate that the downlink data packet needs to be changed. Sort.

Method 3: When the context request does not carry the indication information, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that downlink data packets need to be sorted, the old I-SMF can, according to the indication of no NG-RAN change, Determine the need to sequence downstream packets.

After receiving the context request, the old I-SMF returns a context response to the new I-SMF, which carries NG-RAN tunnel info and forwarding indication. Wherein, the forwarding instruction is used to indicate to establish a forwarding tunnel between the new I-UPF and the old I-UPF. Optionally, the context response may also carry twelfth indication information, where the twelfth indication information is used to indicate that the forwarding tunnel is used to forward downlink data packets.

Optionally, as a possible implementation manner: the context request may also include indication information, the indication information is used to instruct the SMF to determine to establish a forwarding tunnel, and the forwarding tunnel is used to forward downlink data packets, there are the following two possibilities Method to realize:

Method 3: When the context request does not carry the indication information, and the indication of no NG-RAN change is not used to indicate that the downlink data packets need to be sorted, the SMF can determine the need to sort the downlink data packets according to the indication of no NG-RAN change Downstream packets are sorted.

After receiving the request, the SMF returns a context response to the new I-SMF, carrying NG-RAN tunnel info and forwarding indication in the response. Wherein, the forwarding indication is used to indicate to establish a forwarding tunnel between the NG-RAN and the PSA. Optionally, the context response may also carry thirteenth indication information, where the thirteenth indication information is used to indicate that the forwarding tunnel is used to forward downlink data packets.

The new I-SMF determines to instruct the new I-UPF according to the indication information in S1604a: cache the downlink data packets from the new path (that is, from the PSA), and report the message when receiving the end marker (end marker) from the old path to SMF.

S1606a: The new I-SMF selects a new I-UPF (new I-UPF), and sends indication information to the new I-UPF, and the indication information is used to indicate: the new I-UPF buffers the information from the new path (that is, from the PSA) The downlink data packet, when receiving the end marker (end marker) from the old path, reports a message to the SMF, and the message is used to indicate that the new I-UPF has received the end marker of the downlink data packet on the old path. The new I-UPF reports the information that the downlink data packets on the old path have been sent to the SMF. That is, when the new I-UPF receives the end marker (end marker) of the downlink data packet from the PSA (for the I-SMF insertion scenario) or the old I-UPF ((for the I-SMF change scenario)), the new I-UPF Report the information that the downlink data packets on the old path have been sent to the SMF.

S1607a: The new I-UPF sends response information to the new I-SMF, and the response information carries: new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN, new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, new I-UPF tunnel info for forwarding.

Among them, new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA is used to update the downlink tunnel information of PSA; new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN is used to update the uplink tunnel information of NG-RAN; new I-UPF tunnel info for forwarding is used for Establish a forwarding tunnel between the new I-UPF and the old I-UPF.

S1608a: The new I-SMF sends an update context request to the old I-SMF, carrying new I-UPF tunnel info for forwarding.

S1609a: The old I-SMF sends the new I-UPF tunnel info for forwarding to the old I-UPF.

S1610a: The old I-UPF and the new I-UPF establish a forwarding tunnel between the new I-UPF and the old I-UPF according to the new I-UPF tunnel info for forwarding.

S1611a: The new I-SMF sends a creation request (I-SMF insertion scenario) or an update request (I-SMF change scenario) to the SMF, and the creation request or update request carries: new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA.

Optionally, as a possible implementation manner: the session update request or the session creation request may further include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data packets need to be sorted. There are three possible ways:

Method 1: The indication information can be new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, that is to say, new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA can be used to update the downlink tunnel information of PSA, and can also be used to indicate that downlink data packets need to be Sort.

The SMF determines to instruct the PSA to send an end marker on the old path according to the indication information in S1611a.

S1612a: The SMF sends the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA to the PSA.

S1613a: The SMF returns a create/update response to the new I-SMF.

S1614a: The new I-SMF returns a context creation response to the AMF, carrying N2 SM info. N2 SM info includes: new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN.

After S1614a, execute S1615 to S1617, as shown in FIG. 16 .

For the scenario of I-SMF/I-UPF removal (removal), perform S1604b to S1612b after S1603, as shown in FIG. 18 .

S1604b: The AMF sends a context update request to the SMF. The request carries: session ID, session management context ID (SM context ID), terminal equipment location information (UE location info), target DNAI, NG-RAN (next generation RAN) unchanged indication information (indication of no NG- RAN change) and so on.

Optionally, the update context request may also include indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data packets need to be sorted.

In some embodiments, the indication information can be indication of no NG-RAN change, that is to say, the indication of no NG-RAN change can be used to indicate that the access network equipment has not changed, and can also be used to indicate the need to change Downstream packets are sorted.

S1605b: The SMF obtains the SM context from the old I-SMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF may send a context request to the old I-SMF, and the request carries an indication of no NG-RAN change.

After receiving the request, the old I-SMF sends a context response (information) to the SMF, and the response (information) includes: NG-RAN tunnel info and forwarding indication. Wherein, the forwarding instruction is used to indicate to establish a forwarding tunnel between the PAS and the old I-UPF.

In some embodiments, when the context request received by the old I-SMF includes an indication of no NG-RAN change, the context response returned by the old I-SMF includes a forwarding indication.

Optionally, the context response may also carry fourteenth indication information, where the fourteenth indication information is used to indicate that the forwarding tunnel is used to forward downlink data packets.

S1606b: The SMF selects and inserts the new I-UPF, and obtains the new I-UPF tunnel info.

Wherein, S1606b is an optional step.

S1607b: The SMF sends the PSA tunnel information (PSA tunnel info) to the new I-UPF;

S1608b: The new I-UPF returns to the SMF: new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, new I-UPF tunnel info for forwarding, new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN.

Among them, new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA is used to update the downlink tunnel information of PSA; new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN is used to update the uplink tunnel information of NG-RAN; new I-UPF tunnel info for forwarding is used for Establish a forwarding tunnel between NG-RANF and new I-UPF.

It is understandable that when the SMF does not insert the new I-UPF, the forwarding tunnel is located between the old I-UPF and the PSA.

SMF can determine to indicate new I-UPF according to the indication information in S1604b: cache the downlink data packets from the new path (that is, from the PSA), and report the message to the SMF when receiving the end marker (end marker) from the old path .

S1609b: SMF sends indication information to new I-UPF, the indication information is used to indicate: new I-UPF buffers the downlink data packet from PSA, and instructs new I-UPF to report a message to SMF when receiving the end marker, the message It is used to indicate that the new I-UPF has received the end flag of the downlink data packet on the old path. That is, when the new I-UPF receives the end marker of the downlink data packet from the old I-UPF, the new I-UPF reports the information that the downlink data packet on the old path has been sent to the SMF.

S1610b: The SMF sends the new I-UPF tunnel info for forwarding to the new I-UPF to establish a forwarding tunnel between the new I-UPF and the NG-RAN.

S1611b: The SMF sends the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA to the PSA.

The PSA determines to send the end marker on the old path according to the new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA.

In some embodiments, when PSA receives new I-UPF tunnel info for PSA, PSA will update the downlink path, and the old path between PSA and old I-UPF is updated as between PSA and new I-UPF new path. PSA sends the end marker (end marker) of the downlink data packet on the old path, that is, the PSA sends the end marker (end marker) of the downlink data packet to the old I-UPF, and the old I-UPF receives the end marker (end marker) Afterwards, the end marker (end marker) is forwarded to the new I-UPF through the forwarding tunnel between the old I-UPF and the new I-UPF.

S1612b: The SMF returns an update context response to the AMF, carrying N2 SM info. N2 SM info includes: new I-UPF tunnel info for NG-RAN.

After S1612b, execute S1615 to S1617, as shown in FIG. 16 .

S1615: When the new I-UPF receives the downlink data packet from the old I-UPF or NG-RAN, buffer the downlink data packet according to the instruction information in step S1606a or S1609b.

S1616: When the new I-UPF receives the end marker (end marker) sent by the downlink data on the old path, according to the indication information in step S1606a or S1609b, send reporting information to the SMF, and the message is used to indicate the new I-UPF The end flag of the downlink data packet on the old path was received.

In some embodiments, when the new I-UPF receives the end marker (end marker) of downlink data transmission from the old I-UPF (I-SMF change/remove scenario) or NG-RAN (I-SMF insert scenario), The end marker can be reported to new I-SMF (I-SMF change/insertion scenario) or SMF (I-SMF remove scenario).

S1617: The SMF sends an updated N4rule to the new I-UPF to instruct the new I-UPF to send the buffered downlink data packet.

It can be understood that, for the downlink data packets on the old path, the new I-UPF sends them according to the normal process, that is, after receiving the uplink data packets from the old path, the new I-UPF sends the data packets to the terminal device.

In some embodiments, when the New I-SMF receives the end marker sent by the new I-UPF, the New I-SMF sends an updated N4rule to the new I-UPF to instruct the new I-UPF to send the cache The downlink data packet is sent to the buffered downlink data packet to the NG-RAN, and the NG-RAN is sending the data packet to the terminal device. For the downlink data packet on the old path, the new I-UPF sends the data packet according to the normal process, that is, after receiving the uplink data packet from the old path, it sends the data packet to NG-RAN, and NG-RAN sends the data packet sent to the terminal device.

In the I-SMF remove scenario, and the SMF is not inserted into the new I-UPF, the ordering process of the PSA for the downlink data packets is as follows:

When the PSA receives a downlink data packet from the new path (from the N6 interface), it buffers the downlink data packet.

When the PSA receives the end marker (end marker) of the downlink data transmission on the old path, that is, when the PSA receives the end marker (end marker) of the downlink data transmission sent from the old I-UPF, it reports the end marker to the SMF ( end marker).

The SMF sends an updated N4rule to the PSA to instruct the PSA to send the buffered downlink data packets. For the downlink data packet on the old path, the PSA sends the data packet according to a normal process, that is, after receiving the uplink data packet from the old path, it sends the data packet to the terminal device.

In the method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the embodiment of the present application, the downlink data packets received from the same PDU session on the new path and the old path are sorted through I-UPF or PSA, and received at I-UPF or PSA Before the indication information indicating that the downlink data packets sent on the old path have been sent, the I-UPF or PSA buffers the downlink data packets received on the new path, and the I-UPF or PSA receives the downlink data packets sent on the old path After indicating that the packet has been sent, the I-UPF or PSA sends the previously buffered downlink data packet received on the new path, so as to ensure that the uplink data packets in a PDU session are sent in the normal order, thereby ensuring communication efficiency .

It should be understood that the foregoing is only to help those skilled in the art better understand the embodiments of the present application, rather than limiting the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or changes based on the above examples given, for example, some steps in each of the above methods may be unnecessary, or some steps may be newly added. Or a combination of any two or more of the above-mentioned embodiments. Such modifications, changes or combined solutions also fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

It should also be understood that the division of methods, situations, categories and embodiments in the embodiments of the present application is only for the convenience of description, and should not constitute a special limitation, and the features in various methods, categories, situations and embodiments are not contradictory cases can be combined.

It should also be understood that the various numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

It should also be understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present application focuses on emphasizing the differences between the various embodiments, and the same or similar points that are not mentioned can be referred to each other, and for the sake of brevity, details are not repeated here.

In this embodiment, functional modules can be divided for each network element (including the above-mentioned PSA, I-UPF (for example, new I-UPF), access network equipment, new I-SMF, SMF, etc.) according to the above method. For example, each function may be divided into each function module, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware. It should be noted that the division of modules in this embodiment is schematic, and is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation.

It should be noted that the relevant content of each step involved in the above-mentioned method embodiment can be referred to the function description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

The PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, SMF, etc. provided by the embodiment of the present application are used to implement the above method. The embodiment provides any method of data packet transmission in the PDU session, so it can achieve the same as the above achieve the same effect. In the case of using an integrated unit, the PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or SMF may include a processing module, a storage module and a communication module. Wherein, the processing module may be used to control and manage actions of network elements. For example, it may be used to support the network element to execute the steps executed by the processing unit. The storage module can be used to support storage of program codes and data, etc. The communication module can be used to support the communication between network elements and other devices.

Wherein, the processing module may be a processor or a controller. It can implement or execute the various illustrative logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the present disclosure. The processor can also be a combination of computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of digital signal processing (digital signal processing, DSP) and a microprocessor, and the like. The storage module may be a memory. Specifically, the communication module may be a device that interacts with other terminal devices, such as a radio frequency circuit, a Bluetooth chip, and a Wi-Fi chip.

Figure 19 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1900 may correspond to the PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or SMF. It may also be a chip or component applied to PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or SMF, and each module or unit in the communication device 1900 is respectively used to execute the method described in the above embodiment Actions or processing procedures executed by the PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or SMF, as shown in FIG. Optionally, the communication device 1900 may further include a storage unit 1930 .

It should be understood that for the specific process of each unit in the communication device 1900 performing the above corresponding steps, please refer to the descriptions of PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I- For the sake of brevity, the relevant descriptions of SMF or SMF execution steps are not repeated here.

Optionally, the communication unit 1920 may include a receiving unit (module) and a sending unit (module), configured to perform the PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or SMF receiving information in the foregoing method embodiments. and the steps to send the message. The storage unit 1930 is used for storing instructions executed by the processing unit 1910 and the communication unit 1920 . The processing unit 1910, the communication unit 1920 and the storage unit 1930 are connected in communication. The storage unit 1930 stores instructions, the processing unit 1910 is used to execute the instructions stored in the storage unit, and the communication unit 1920 is used to perform specific signal transmission and reception driven by the processing unit 1910.

It should be understood that the communication unit 1920 may be a transceiver, an input/output interface or an interface circuit, etc., the storage unit may be a memory, and the processing unit 1910 may be implemented by a processor. FIG. 20 is a schematic structural block diagram of another communication device provided by the present application. As shown in FIG. Various components of the communication device 2000 are coupled together through the bus system 2040, wherein the bus system 2040 may include a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus, etc. in addition to a data bus. However, for clarity of illustration, the various buses are labeled as bus system 2040 in FIG. 20 . For ease of representation, it is only schematically drawn in FIG. 20 .

It should also be understood that the communication apparatus 2000 in FIG. 20 may be PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or SMF, or, PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or The SMF may include the communication device 2000 of FIG. 20 .

The communication device 1900 in FIG. 19 or the communication device 2000 in FIG. 20 can implement the steps performed by the PSA, I-UPF, access network device, new I-SMF, or SMF in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 to 18 . For similar descriptions, reference may be made to the descriptions in the aforementioned corresponding methods. To avoid repetition, details are not repeated here.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, as shown in FIG. 21 , the chip system includes at least one processor 2110 and at least one interface circuit 2120 . The processor 2110 and the interface circuit 2120 may be interconnected through wires. For example, interface circuit 2120 may be used to receive signals from other devices. As another example, the interface circuit 2120 may be used to send signals to other devices. Exemplarily, the interface circuit 2120 can read instructions stored in the memory, and send the instructions to the processor 2110 . When the instructions are executed by the processor 2110, the system-on-a-chip can be made to perform various steps performed by the PSA, the I-UPF, the access network device, the new I-SMF, or the SMF in the foregoing embodiments. Of course, the chip system may also include other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It should also be understood that the division of units in the above device is only a division of logical functions, and may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity or physically separated during actual implementation. And the units in the device can all be implemented in the form of software called by the processing element; they can also be implemented in the form of hardware; some units can also be implemented in the form of software called by the processing element, and some units can be implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit can be a separate processing element, or it can be integrated in a certain chip of the device. In addition, it can also be stored in the memory in the form of a program, which is called and executed by a certain processing element of the device. Function. Here, the processing element may also be referred to as a processor, which may be an integrated circuit with signal processing capability. In the process of implementation, each step of the above method or each unit above may be implemented by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor element or implemented in the form of software called by the processing element. In one example, the units in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, for example: one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), or, one or Multiple digital signal processors (DSP), or, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. For another example, when the units in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU) or other processors that can call programs. For another example, these units can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

The embodiment of the present application also provides an apparatus, the apparatus is included in the PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or SMF, and the apparatus has the PSA, I - Functions of UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or SMF. This function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software on the hardware. Hardware or software includes at least one module or unit corresponding to the above functions. For example, a detection module or unit, a display module or unit, a determination module or unit, and a calculation module or unit, etc.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a system for transmitting data packets in a PDU session, the system includes: the PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, SMF, terminal equipment and server etc.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer program codes, and the computer program includes instructions for executing any method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application. The readable medium may be a read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM) or a random access memory (random access memory, RAM), which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The present application also provides a computer program product, the computer program product includes instructions, when the instructions are executed, so that PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, or SMF executes the method corresponding to the above The corresponding operation in .

The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip located in a communication device, the chip includes: a processing unit and a communication unit, the processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit may be, for example, an input/output interface, a pin or circuit etc. The processing unit may execute computer instructions, so that the communication device executes any method for transmitting data packets in a PDU session provided by the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application.

Optionally, the computer instructions are stored in a storage unit.

Optionally, the storage unit is a storage unit in the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc., and the storage unit can also be a storage unit located outside the chip in the terminal, such as a ROM or other devices that can store static information and instructions Types of static storage devices, random RAM, etc. Wherein, the processor mentioned in any one of the above places may be a CPU, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for program execution of the method for controlling the data packet transmission in the PDU session mentioned above. The processing unit and the storage unit can be decoupled, respectively arranged on different physical devices, and connected in a wired or wireless manner to realize the respective functions of the processing unit and the storage unit, so as to support the system chip to implement the above embodiments Various functions in . Alternatively, the processing unit and the memory can also be coupled to the same device.

Among them, the method for data packet transmission in the PDU session provided by this embodiment, PSA, I-UPF, access network equipment, new I-SMF, SMF, computer readable storage medium, computer program product or chip are all used to execute the upper For the corresponding methods provided herein, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods provided above, and will not be repeated here.

It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (programmable ROM, PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (electrically EPROM) , EEPROM) or flash memory. Volatile memory can be RAM, which acts as external cache memory. There are many different types of RAM, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate Synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous connection dynamic random access memory (synch link DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory Access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM).

Various objects such as messages/information/equipment/network element/system/device/action/operation/process/concept that may appear in this application have been assigned names. It is understandable that these specific names do not Constitutes a limitation on related objects, and the assigned name can be changed with the scene, context or usage habits and other factors. The understanding of the technical meaning of the technical terms in this application should mainly be based on the functions embodied/executed in the technical solution and technical effects to determine.

In each embodiment of the present application, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and/or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments are based on their inherent Logical relationships can be combined to form new embodiments.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be regarded as exceeding the scope of the present application.

The methods in the embodiments of the present application may be fully or partially implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product comprises one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on the computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are executed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instructions may be stored in or transmitted via a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server integrating one or more available media.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working process of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

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

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, each unit may exist separately physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

If the functions described above are realized in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium , including several instructions to make a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The above-mentioned readable storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes such as U disk, mobile hard disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic disk or optical disk.

The above is only a specific implementation of the application, but the scope of protection of the application is not limited thereto. Anyone familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the application. Should be covered within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

A method for packet transmission in a PDU session, characterized in that the method comprises:

The PDU session anchor PSA receives the first indication information sent by the session management function network element SMF, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the PSA buffers the uplink data packet received on the first path, and, upon receiving When the end mark comes from the second path, send a message to the SMF, the message is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end mark, and the end mark is used to indicate the uplink data on the second path The packet transmission ends, and the uplink data packet on the first path and the uplink data packet on the second path are uplink data packets of the same PDU session;

After receiving the end flag, the PSA sends the message to the SMF;

The PSA receives second indication information from the SMF, where the second indication information is used to instruct the PSA to send the buffered uplink data packet;

The PSA sends the uplink data packet buffered on the first path according to the second indication information;

Wherein, the transmission sequence of the uplink data packets on the first path is: terminal equipment, access network equipment, new intermediate user plane function network element I-UPF, the PSA, or terminal equipment, access network equipment , said PSA;

The transmission order of the uplink data packets on the second path is: the terminal device, the access network device, the source I-UPF, the PSA, or the terminal device, the access network device, and the PSA.
The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

When receiving the uplink data packet from the second path, the PSA sends the uplink data packet from the second path.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving of the end flag by the PSA includes:

The PSA receives the end flag sent by the access network device.
A method for packet transmission in a PDU session, characterized in that the method comprises:

The SMF sends first indication information to the PSA, where the first indication information is used to indicate that: the PSA buffers the uplink data packet received on the first path, and, when receiving the end flag from the second path, sending a message to the SMF, where the message is used to indicate that the PSA has received the end flag, and the end flag is used to indicate that the transmission of the uplink data packet on the second path ends, and the end flag on the first path The uplink data packet and the uplink data packet on the second path are uplink data packets of the same PDU session;

The SMF receives the message sent by the PSA;

The SMF sends second indication information to the PSA, where the second indication information is used to instruct the PSA to send the buffered uplink data packet;

Wherein, the transmission sequence of the uplink data packets on the first path is: terminal equipment, access network equipment, new intermediate user plane function network element I-UPF, the PSA, or terminal equipment, access network equipment , said PSA;

The transmission order of the uplink data packets on the second path is: the terminal device, the access network device, the source I-UPF, the PSA, or the terminal device, the access network device, and the PSA.
The method according to claim 4, wherein before the SMF sends the first indication information to the PSA, the method further comprises:

The SMF receives the first information from the access and mobility management function AMF or the new intermediate session management function network element I-SMF;

The SMF determines to send the first indication information to the PSA according to the first information;

Wherein, the first information includes: indication information that the access network equipment has not changed or third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate to sort the uplink data packets.
The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the method further comprises:

The SMF sends fourth indication information to the AMF or the access network device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the access network device to send the end flag on the second path.
A method for packet transmission in a PDU session, characterized in that the method comprises:

The access network device receives the second information sent by the access and mobility management function AMF network element;

The access network device sends an end flag on the second path according to the second information, and the end flag is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the uplink data packet on the second path;

The access network device sends an uplink data packet on the first path;

Wherein, the transmission sequence of the uplink data packets on the first path is: terminal equipment, access network equipment, new intermediate user plane function network element I-UPF, PSA, or terminal equipment, access network equipment, PSA ;

The transmission order of the uplink data packets on the second path is: the terminal device, the access network device, the source I-UPF, the PSA, or the terminal device, the access network device, and the PSA.
The method according to claim 7, wherein the second information includes:

At least one of the tunnel information of the new I-UPF, the tunnel information of the PSA, the fourth indication information, or the indication information that the access network equipment has not changed;

The fourth indication information is used to instruct the access network device to send the end flag on the second path.
A method for packet transmission in a PDU session, characterized in that the method comprises:

The access network device receives fifth indication information from the AMF, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate: the access network device caches the downlink from the first path before receiving the end flag on the second path data pack;

The access network device buffers the downlink data packets from the first path before receiving the end flag on the second path according to the fifth indication information, and the downlink data packets on the first path The packet and the downlink data packet on the second path are downlink data packets of the same PDU session, and the end flag is used to indicate the end of the transmission of the downlink data packet on the second path;

The access network device sends the downlink data packet received on the second path to the terminal device;

The access network device sends the cached downlink data packet to the terminal device when the end flag is received on the second path;

Wherein, the transmission sequence of the downlink data packets on the first path is: PSA, new I-UPF, the access network device, terminal device, or, PSA, the access network device, terminal device, the The transmission sequence of the downlink data packets on the second path is: PSA, source I-UPF, the access network device, terminal device, or, PSA, the access network device, and terminal device.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the fifth indication information includes:

Indication information that the access network equipment has not changed.
The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the receiving the end flag by the access network device on the second path comprises:

The access network device receives the end indicator from the PSA on the second path.
A method for packet transmission in a PDU session, characterized in that the method comprises:

The PSA receives the third information from the SMF;

The PSA sends an end flag on the second path according to the third information, and the end flag is used to indicate the end of the downlink data packet transmission on the second path;

Wherein, the transmission sequence of the downlink data packets on the first path is: PSA, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, or, PSA, access network equipment, terminal equipment, and the order of transmission on the second path The transmission sequence of the downlink data packet is: PSA, source I-UPF, access network device, terminal device, or, PSA, access network device, terminal device, the downlink data packet on the first path and the first path The downlink data packets on the two paths are the downlink data packets of the same PDU session.
The method according to claim 12, wherein the third information includes:

It is used to update downlink tunnel information or indication information of the PSA, where the indication information is used to indicate that the PSA sends the end flag on the second path.
A method for packet transmission in a PDU session, characterized in that the method comprises:

The SMF receives fourth information from the AMF or the new I-SMF;

The SMF sends third information to the PSA according to the fourth information, the third information is used to indicate that: the PSA sends an end flag on the second path, and the end flag is used to indicate that the second path The transmission of the uplink and downlink data packets ends;

Wherein, the transmission sequence of the downlink data packets on the first path is: PSA, new I-UPF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, or, PSA, access network equipment, terminal equipment, and the order of transmission on the second path The transmission sequence of the downlink data packet is: PSA, source I-UPF, access network device, terminal device, or, PSA, access network device, terminal device, the downlink data packet on the first path and the first path The downlink data packets on the two paths are the downlink data packets of the same PDU session.
The method according to claim 14, wherein the fourth information includes: indication information indicating that the access network equipment has not changed, or indication information used to indicate ordering of downlink data packets.
A communication device, characterized in that the communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to read the instructions to execute the instructions described in any one of claims 1 to 8 The method as described or the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 15.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, the computer program includes program instructions, and when executed by a processor, the program instructions cause the processor to perform the following steps: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the method according to any one of claims 9 to 15.
A chip, characterized in that it includes: a processor, used to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that the communication device installed with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8 A method as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 15.