Patent Application
20220294739
The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communications, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for improved packet detection rule provision.
This section introduces aspects that may facilitate a better understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.
In a communication system, such as Evolved Packet System or the 5th generation (5G) system or a 4G/5G fusion networking and interworking system, in particular Evolved Packet Core (EPC) or 5G Core (5GC), according to 3GPP TS29.244 V16.0.0, a packet detection rule (PDR) is used to detect an incoming packet so that a corresponding enforcement policy with respect to e.g. quality of service (QoS), charging, or packet forwarding action can be applied to the packet. Generally the PDR is provisioned by a control plane (CP) function (which is also referred to as CP network entity) to a user plane (UP) function (which is also referred to as UP network entity).
Each PDR shall contain packet detection information (PDI), i.e. one or more match fields against which incoming packets are matched, and may be associated to rules providing a set of instructions to apply to packets matching the PDI.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved PDR provision solutions, which can optimize signaling of the PDR provision from the CP function to the UP function.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a first network entity. The method comprises transmitting packet detection information (PDI) to a second network entity, wherein the PDI indicates information on one or more traffic endpoints on which packets are to be detected.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the PDI may comprise one or more traffic endpoint identifiers identifying the one or more traffic endpoints.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, each of the traffic endpoint identifiers may correspond to a set of parameters comprising at least one of: a local fully-qualified tunnel endpoint identifier, F-TEID, a network instance, a user equipment IP address, Ethernet protocol data unit, PDU, session information, a framed-route, a framed-routing, and a framed-IPv6-route.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the local F-TEID may further indicate whether a quality-of-service (QoS) flow identifier included in the PDI is applicable for the packets to be detected on a traffic endpoint identified by the local F-TEID.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the set of parameters may further comprise an indication indicating whether a quality-of-service, QoS, flow identifier included in the PDI is applicable for the packets to be detected on a traffic endpoint identified by the traffic endpoint identifier.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the set of parameters may further comprise a QoS flow identifier while the QoS flow identifier is not included in the PDI.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the PDI may comprise at least one of the following for indicating the one or more traffic endpoints: one or more local F-TEIDs, one or more user equipment (UE) IP addresses, and one or more network instances.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the one or more local F-TEIDs and the one or more network instances may be combined respectively in a predefined manner to indicate different traffic endpoints on which the packets are to be detected.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the one or more user equipment IP addresses and the one or more network instances may be combined respectively in a predefined manner to indicate different traffic endpoints on which the packets are to be detected.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the PDI may further comprise multiple framed-routes or framed-IPv6-routes.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the multiple framed-routes or framed-IPv6-routes and the one or more network instances may be combined respectively in a predefined manner to indicate different traffic endpoints on which the packets are to be detected.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method may further comprise receiving from the second network entity an indication indicating support of multiple traffic endpoints in the PDI.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first network entity may be a control plane network entity, and the second network entity may be a user plane network entity.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a second network entity. The method comprises receiving packet detection information (PDI) from a first network entity, wherein the PDI indicates information on one or more traffic endpoints on which packets are to be detected.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method may further comprise performing packet detection based on the PDI.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method may further comprise transmitting an indication indicating support of multiple traffic endpoints in the PDI.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the method may further comprise configuring an applicability of a quality-of-service, QoS, flow identifier for packets to be detected on a traffic endpoint.
According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a first network entity. The first network entity may comprise one or more processors and one or more memories comprising computer program codes. The one or more memories and the computer program codes may be configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the first network entity at least to perform any step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a second network entity. The second network entity may comprise one or more processors and one or more memories comprising computer program codes. The one or more memories and the computer program codes may be configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the second network entity at least to perform any step of the method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer program codes embodied thereon which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any step of the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable medium having computer program codes embodied thereon which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any step of the method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.
The disclosure itself, the preferable mode of use and further objectives are best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilled persons in the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, rather than suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the disclosure. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure.
As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network node in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), 4G, 4.5G, 5G communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future.
The term “network node” refers to a network device in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses to the network and receives services therefrom. The network node or network device may refer to a base station (BS), an access point (AP), a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), a controller or any other suitable device in a wireless communication network. The BS may be, for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNodeB or gNB), an IAB node, a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth.
Yet further examples of the network node comprise multi-standard radio (MSR) radio equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, positioning nodes and/or the like. More generally, however, the network node may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or operable to enable and/or provide a terminal device access to a wireless communication network or to provide some service to a terminal device that has accessed to the wireless communication network.
The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that can access a communication network and receive services therefrom. By way of example and not limitation, the terminal device may refer to a user equipment (UE), or other suitable devices. The UE may be, for example, a subscriber station, a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, portable computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a wearable device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a vehicle, and the like.
As yet another specific example, in an Internet of things (IoT) scenario, a terminal device may also be called an IoT device and represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring, sensing and/or measurements etc., and transmits the results of such monitoring, sensing and/or measurements etc. to another terminal device and/or a network equipment. The terminal device may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) context be referred to as a machine-type communication (MTC) device.
As one particular example, the terminal device may be a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band Internet of things (NB-IoT) standard. Particular examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances, e.g. refrigerators, televisions, personal wearables such as watches etc. In other scenarios, a terminal device may represent a vehicle or other equipment, for example, a medical instrument that is capable of monitoring, sensing and/or reporting etc. on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.
The term “network entity” refers to a network device or network function in the EPC network and/or the 5G core network. The network entity may refer to a CP function, a UP function, or any other suitable network device or function. Examples of the CP function may be a packet data network (PDN) gateway (PGW)-control plane (PGW-C), a serving gateway (SGW)-control plane (SGW-C), a traffic detection function (TDF)-control plane (TDF-C), or a session management function (SMF). Examples of the UP function may be a PGW-user plane (PGW-U), an SGW-user plane (SGW-U), a TDF-user plane (TDF-U), or a UPF in the 5GC network. The network entity/function can be implemented either as a network element on a dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on a dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on an appropriate platform, e.g. on a cloud infrastructure.
As used herein, the terms “first”, “second” and so forth refer to different elements. The singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and/or “including” as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components and the like, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and/or combinations thereof. The term “based on” is to be read as “based at least in part on”. The term “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment”. The term “another embodiment” is to be read as “at least one other embodiment”. Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.
Currently the PDI contains one of the following two sets of information:
Set 1: One occurrence of a traffic endpoint identifier (ID), and
Set 2: A combination of the followings:
Table 1 illustrates PDI information element (IE) within PFCP (Packet Forwarding Control Protocol) session establishment request, as disclosed in 3GPP TS29.244 V16.0.0.
According to Table 1, if the traffic endpoint ID is present, the local F-TEID, the network instance, and the UE IP address shall not be present. The traffic endpoint ID may identify a traffic endpoint. Table 2 illustrates Create Traffic Endpoint IE within PFCP session establishment request, as disclosed in 3GPP TS29.244 V16.0.0.
According to Table 2, the traffic endpoint is identified by the traffic endpoint identifier and information associated with the traffic endpoint may include a local F-TEID, a network instance, a UE IP address, Ethernet protocol data unit (PDU) session information, a framed-route, a framed-routing, and/or a framed-IPv6-route. The traffic endpoint may correspond to a GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP)-u endpoint, an SGi (System Architecture Evolution (SAE) Gateway to Internet) endpoint or an N6 endpoint. Per 3GPP TS29.244 V16.0.0, framed routing allows to support an IP network behind a UE, such that a range of IP addresses or IPv6 prefixes is reachable over a single PDU session. Framed routes are IP routes behind the UE. The UP function advertizes relevant IP routes to receive packets destined to these destination IP addresses or IPv6 prefixes and to forward these packets over the PDU session.
Further, the PDR may be associated to following rules providing a set of instructions to apply to packets matching the PDI:
NOTE 1: Buffering refers here to the buffering of the packet in the UP function. The UP function is instructed to forward DL packets to the CP function when applying buffering in the CP function.
In the home routed roaming scenario, the PGW-C+SMF prepares the CN tunnel information for each EPS bearer and provide it to Visited SMF (V-SMF). Thus when the UE move to the EPC network, the V-SMF does not need to interact with the PGW-C+SMF to get the EPS bearer context(s). If the CN tunnel information is allocated by the PGW-C+SMF and not provided to PGW-U+UPF at PDU session establishment, when the UE moves to the target RAT (Radio Access Technology), the PGW-U+UPF cannot receive UL data until the PGW-C+SMF has provided the tunnel information to the PGW-U+UPF in N4 Session Modification. This causes a short interruption to the UL data transmission during the intersystem handover execution.
In
When the PDU session (and maybe additional QoS flow) are established, if interworking with EPS is supported with an N26 interface, and if the CN tunnel(s) for the mapped EPS bearers are allocated together with the CN tunnel(s) in 5GC (e.g. in the home routed roaming scenario), the PGW-C+SMF must use doubled PDRs because only one occurrence of the traffic endpoint ID (or one occurrence of the local F-TEID, the network instance, etc.) is supported in the PDI currently. Consequently, a message size carrying the PDRs over the N4 interface would be increased, and memory consumption for the PDRs in the PGW-U+UPF would be doubled. Moreover, packet handling (including e.g. packet detection and applying corresponding policies) will take more time as there are extra PDRs to go through.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved PDR provision solution to reduce the signaling overhead for the PDR provision over e.g. the N4 interface, the memory consumption for the PDR in the UPF, and the packet handling time.
Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved solutions for the PDR provision. These solutions may be applied to a first network entity (e.g. a CP network entity) and a second network entity (e.g. an UP network entity). With the improved solutions, the signaling for the PDR provision can be reduced. Moreover, the memory usage in the UP function can be reduced, and the packet handling time can be reduced.
It is noted that some embodiments of the present disclosure are mainly described in relation to 4G and/or 5G specifications being used as non-limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and system deployments. As such, the description of exemplary embodiments given herein specifically refers to terminology which is directly related thereto. Such terminology is only used in the context of the presented non-limiting examples and embodiments, and does not limit the present disclosure naturally in any way. Rather, any other system configuration or radio technologies may equally be utilized as long as exemplary embodiments described herein are applicable.
According to the exemplary method 300 illustrated in
In some embodiments, the PDI may comprise one or more traffic endpoint IDs identifying the one or more traffic endpoints. As shown in Table 2, the information associated with the traffic endpoint may comprise a set of parameters comprising the local F-TEID, the network instance, the UE IP address, the Ethernet PDU session information, the framed-route, the framed-routing, the framed-IPv6-route, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the PDI may comprise multiple traffic endpoint IDs to indicate different traffic endpoints from/to which the packets to be detected can be received/transmitted.
In some embodiments, the PDI may comprise one or more local F-TEIDs and/or one or more UE IP addresses and/or one or more network instances to indicate the one or more traffic endpoints.
In some embodiments, the PDI may comprise multiple local F-TEIDs and one network instance. The multiple local F-TEIDs and the one network instance can be combined to indicate multiple different traffic endpoints. In some embodiments, the PDI may comprise multiple local F-TEIDs and multiple network instances. The multiple local F-TEIDs and the multiple network instances can be combined respectively in a predefined manner to indicate multiple different traffic endpoints. For example, the PDI comprises two local F-TEIDs (i.e. F-TEID1, FTEID 2) and two network instances (i.e. NI1, NI2). There may be two combination manners. One manner is to combine each local F-TEID with each network instance to indicate four different traffic endpoints, i.e. F-TEID1 with NI1, F-TEID1 with NI2, F-TEID2 with NI1, and F-TEID2 with NI2. The other manner is to combine the two local F-TEIDs with the two network instances such that each local F-TEID is combined with only one network instance and different local F-TEIDs are combined with different network instances. Thus two different traffic endpoints will be indicated, i.e. F-TEID1 with NI1 and FTEID2 with NI2, or F-TEID1 with NI2 and F-TEID2 with Nil. Either of the two combination manners may be predefined.
In some embodiments, the PDI may comprise multiple UE IP addresses and one network instance. The multiple UE IP addresses and the one network instance can be combined to indicate multiple different traffic endpoints. In some embodiments, the PDI may comprise multiple UE IP addresses and multiple network instances. The multiple UE IP addresses and the multiple network instances can be combined respectively in a predefined manner to indicate multiple different traffic endpoints. For example, the PDI comprises two UE IP addresses (i.e. UE IP Address 1, UE IP Address 2) and two network instances (i.e. NI1, NI2). There may be two combination manners. One manner is to combine each UE IP address with each network instance to indicate four different traffic endpoints, i.e. UE IP Address 1 with NI1, UE IP Address 1 with NI2, UE IP Address 2 with NI1, and UE IP Address 2 with NI2. The other manner is to combine the two UE IP addresses with the two network instances such that each UE IP address is combined with only one network instance and different local F-TEIDs are combined with different network instances. Thus two different traffic endpoints will be indicated, i.e. UE IP Address 1 with NI1 and UE IP Address 2 with NI2, or UE IP Address 1 with NI2 and UE IP Address 2 with NIL
In some embodiments, the PDI may comprise multiple framed-routes or framed-IPv6-routes together with one or more network instances. In the case of one network instance, the multiple framed-routes or framed-IPv6-routes and the one network instance can be combined respectively to indicate different traffic endpoints. In the case of multiple network instances, the multiple framed-routes or framed-IPv6-routes and the multiple network instances can be combined respectively in a predefined manner to indicate different traffic endpoints. For example, the PDI comprises two framed-routes (i.e. Frame-Route 1, Frame-Route 2) and two network instances (i.e. NI1, NI2). There may be two combination manners. One manner is to combine each framed-route with each network instance to indicate four different traffic endpoints, i.e. Frame-Route 1 with NI1, Frame-Route 1 with NI2, Frame-Route 2 with NI1, and Frame-Route 2 with NI2. The other manner is to combine the two framed-routes with the two network instances such that each framed-route is combined with only one network instance and different local F-TEIDs are combined with different network instances. Thus two different traffic endpoints will be indicated, i.e. Frame-Route 1 with NI1 and Frame-Route 2 with NI2, or Frame-Route 1 with NI2 and Frame-Route 2 with NI1.
UP function can be reduced, thereby reducing the signaling overhead over the interface between the CP function and the UP function.
The QoS flow identifier (QFI) is part of the PDI. When UE is in the 5GC network, the QFI is provisioned in the PDR to perform QoS verification. When UE is in the EPC network, the QFI is not needed. Therefore, there is a need to indicate whether the QFI is available in the PDI. In some embodiments, the PDI may comprise one or more QFIs, and the local F-TEID may further indicate whether the one or more QFIs are applicable for packets to be detected on the traffic endpoint identified by the local F-TEID. In an embodiment, the local F-TEID may use one bit to indicate the availability of the QFI. If applicable, the one or more QFIs shall be used for the packets received or transmitted via the traffic endpoint identified by the local F-TEID.
In some embodiments, in the case that the PDI may comprise one or more traffic endpoint IDs and one or more QFIs, the traffic endpoint(s) identified by the traffic endpoint ID(s) may comprise an indication indicating whether the QFI(s) is applicable for packets to be detected on the traffic endpoint(s) identified by the traffic endpoint ID(s). In an embodiment, the indication may be referred to as “NotApplicablePDI” with bitmask encoding, and may use one bit to indicate whether the QFI(s) shall not be used.
In some embodiments, in the case that the PDI comprises one or more traffic endpoint IDs, the traffic endpoint(s) identified by the traffic endpoint ID(s) may further comprise one or more QFIs, while the PDI does not comprise the QFI(s). Thus, the QFI(s) shall be used for the packets to be detected on the traffic endpoint(s) identified by the traffic endpoint ID(s).
According to the various embodiments of the present disclosure as described above, the PDI IE within PFCP session establishment request may be modified as Table 3:
Moreover, the Create Traffic Endpoint IE within PFCP session establishment request may be modified to add QFI, as shown in Table 4:
In some embodiments, prior to transmitting the PDI to the second network entity, the first network entity may receive from the second network entity an indication indicating that the second network entity supports multiple traffic endpoints (MTE) in the PDI, as shown in block 304 in
According to the exemplary method 1000 illustrated in
The details of the PDI have been described above in conjunction with
In some embodiments, upon receipt of the PDI, the second network entity may perform the packet detection based on the received PDI, as shown in block 1004. The second network entity may detect whether the received/transmitted packets are matched against the PDI, and performs the corresponding policies on the packets matching the PDI.
In some embodiment, the second network entity may transmit the indication indicating support of multiple traffic endpoints in the PDI, as shown in block 1006. This indication may be included in UP Function Features IE and transmitted in the PFCP Association Setup/Update Request/Response message during the PFCP Association Setup/Update procedure. The UP Function Features IE indicates the features supported by the UP function. It is coded as follows:
The UP Function Features IE takes the form of a bitmask where each bit set indicates that the corresponding feature is supported. Table 5 specifies the features defined on PFCP interfaces and the interfaces on which they apply.
In some embodiments, the second network entity may configure an applicability of the QFI(s) for packets to be detected on a traffic endpoint. Thus the second network entity can know that the QFI(s) shall not be used for the packets over a certain traffic endpoint. For example, the QFI shall not be used for the packets over the traffic endpoints other than N3 or N9.
The various blocks shown in
In some implementations, the one or more memories 1102 and the computer program codes 1103 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 1101, cause the apparatus 1100 at least to perform any operation of the method as described in connection with
In other implementations, the one or more memories 1102 and the computer program codes 1103 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 1101, cause the apparatus 1100 at least to perform any operation of the method as described in connection with
Alternatively or additionally, the one or more memories 1102 and the computer program codes 1103 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 1101, cause the apparatus 1100 at least to perform more or less operations to implement the proposed methods according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
In general, the various exemplary embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose chips, circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.
As such, it should be appreciated that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit chips and modules. It should thus be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be realized in an apparatus that is embodied as an integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit may comprise circuitry (as well as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor, a digital signal processor, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry that are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.
It should be appreciated that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in computer-executable instructions, such as in one or more program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types when executed by a processor in a computer or other device. The computer executable instructions may be stored on a computer readable medium such as a hard disk, optical disk, removable storage media, solid state memory, random access memory (RAM), etc. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the function of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. In addition, the function may be embodied in whole or partly in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), and the like.
The present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or any generalization thereof. Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and all modifications will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2019/101117 | Aug 2019 | CN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2020/108191 | 8/10/2020 | WO |
