CN101064635A - Method for negotiating quality of service - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a quality of service negotiation method, which includes the following steps: a. When initiating resource establishment, an optional QoS range is given in the QoS request information sent to the network; b. The network selects the range according to the QoS range Select the QoS that can be satisfied; when a series of discrete QoS values recommended in the QoS range are given, the optimal one that can be satisfied can be selected. When the network changes QoS according to resources and loads, refer to the required QoS range to avoid the complexity of repeated QoS negotiations, speed up the establishment time, and reduce the probability of resource establishment being rejected.

Description

A Method of Service Quality Negotiation

technical field

The present invention relates to wireless communication network technology, in particular, to a method for negotiating quality of service (QoS) in a wireless communication network.

Background technique

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) is a third-generation wireless communication network technical standard defined by 3GPP. It consists of a core network, a radio access network and user equipment (UE: User Equipment). The core network includes circuit domains and packet The circuit domain provides services based on circuit switching (such as voice services), and the packet domain provides services based on packet switching (such as Internet access).

Figure 1 is the structure of the UMTS network (the circuit domain part of the core network is omitted), the core network is composed of the service GPRS support node (SGSN), the gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) and the home register (HLR), and the access network is composed of the wireless network It consists of a controller (RNC) and a base station (NodeB). Each RNC can be connected to several NodeBs, and each SGSN can be connected to several RNCs. The Iub interface between NodeB and RNC, the Iu interface between RNC and SGSN, the Gn or Gp interface between SGSN and GGSN, the Gi interface between GGSN and PDN (Packet Data Network), and the SGSN and HLR The Gr interface is between them, and the Gc interface is between the GGSN and HLR. PDN is a general term for all packet data networks outside the UMTS network, which can be Internet networks or enterprise networks. Among them, the Iu interface is a key interface between the access network and the core network. The management and control of radio resources are isolated in the access network by the Iu interface, so that the core network only focuses on service provision.

At present, the 3GPP organization is studying the next generation network of the backward evolution of the UMTS network (the network is referred to as an "evolved network" in this paper), and formulating technical standards for the evolved network. The evolved network will have many new features, such as: only packet-based services are provided, and real-time services such as voice and video telephony will also be provided in packets; an all-IP network is realized, and all node devices in the network are interconnected through the IP network. Assign IP addresses after each mobile terminal is attached; better network topology to improve network reliability.

As shown in Figure 2, the evolved network consists of three parts: evolved radio access network (E-RAN: Evolved Radio Access Network), evolved packet core network (EPC: Evolved PacketCore) and user equipment (UE). There are three logical functional entities in the evolved packet core network: Mobility Management Entity (MME: Mobility Management Entity), User Plane Entity (UPE: User Plane Entity) and Inter AS Anchor (Inter AS Anchor). MME is used to implement mobility management, UPE is used to implement packet session management and user plane packet data processing, IASA is used to implement the access of the evolved network and the external packet data network (PDN), and the evolved network and other non-3GPP networks ( Such as wireless local area network (WLAN) switching and roaming functions. The evolved radio access network mainly provides a wireless air interface (such as a radio channel) and functions related to radio resources (such as power control and radio resource management). The interface between the evolved radio access network E-RAN and the evolved packet core network EPC is the S1 interface, and the interface between the evolved packet core network EPC and the external packet data network PDN is the Gi interface.

In the existing 2G/3G network (non-evolved network), the QoS control between the user equipment and the network side is realized through the context activation process of the packet data protocol. The PDP context activation process in TS 23.060 is initiated by the UE, and the process is shown in Figure 3:

1) UE sends a PDP context activation request including QoS requirement information to SGSN.

2) The SGSN verifies the request from the UE. The SGSN can limit the requested QoS attributes according to its capabilities, current load, and subscription information. SGSN sends PDP context creation request to GGSN.

3) The GGSN checks whether the requested QoS sent by the SGSN is compatible with the information configured by the operator, and if not, the request will be rejected. GGSN can limit QoS according to its capability and load. GGSN returns a PDP context creation request to SGSN.

4) The SGSN sends a Radio Access Bearer (RAB) Assignment Request message to the RAN.

5) RAN establishes, modifies, or releases radio bearers according to the assigned QoS information.

6) The RAN sends a RAB assignment response message to the SGSN.

7) If the requested QoS indicated in the response message cannot be satisfied, the SGSN may send a new RAB Assignment Request message with a different QoS profile. The number of repeated attempts and the new QoS profile information are implementation-dependent.

8) Executed when step 7) occurs. RAN establishes and modifies radio bearers according to the assigned QoS information.

9) Executed when step 8) occurs. The RAN sends a RAB Assignment Response message to the SGSN.

10) If the QoS changes when the RAB is established, the SGSN notifies the GGSN of the changed QoS attributes and updates the PDP context.

11) If step 10) occurs, the GGSN confirms the PDP update to the SGSN.

12) The SGSN returns a PDP Context Activation Accept to the UE.

If a QoS request exceeds the capability of a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), the PLMN gets as close as possible to the requested QoS information. It is up to the UE to decide whether to accept or reject. If the PDP activation request fails, or the SGSN returns an activation rejection message, the UE may retry the activation process several times.

However, the disadvantage of the existing technology is that when the RAN cannot satisfy the QoS request brought by the SGSN, the RAN needs to report to the SGSN that the request cannot be satisfied, so that the SGSN initiates a new attempt. Excessive signaling overhead increases resource setup time. At the same time, when the RAN cannot meet the QoS requested by the UE, the new attempt initiated by the SGSN does not refer to the QoS information that reflects the terminal capability, user willingness, and service needs, which increases the probability of failure to establish network resources and the probability that the UE refuses to accept the resources established by the network. probability.

However, for the current evolved network, there is no corresponding QoS negotiation mechanism in the wireless network resource establishment process.

Contents of the invention

In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a QoS negotiation method to solve the problem that the QoS negotiation process is too complicated when the network changes QoS, so as to speed up the QoS negotiation speed and reduce the probability of call rejection.

In order to realize described purpose, technical scheme of the present invention is:

A quality of service negotiation method, when initiating wireless network resource establishment, carrying QoS request information in the resource establishment trigger request sent to the wireless network, the QoS request information includes an optional QoS range;

According to the QoS range in the QoS request information, the network selects a QoS under the condition of available resources.

The QoS range includes the lowest QoS and a recommended QoS;

The network gives priority to establishing network resources according to the recommended QoS;

When the network degrades the QoS, it cannot be lower than the lowest QoS in the QoS request message, and when the network does not meet the lowest QoS, it rejects the establishment of the call.

The QoS range may also include discrete QoS between the lowest QoS and the recommended QoS.

The QoS range may also include the highest QoS requirement, and the network cannot upgrade the QoS higher than the highest QoS in the QoS request message.

If the core network does not meet the recommended QoS, select a QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to update the recommended QoS;

If the access network does not meet the recommended QoS, reduce the QoS within the allowable range and try to establish network resources again.

For the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System UMTS, the following steps are included:

The user equipment UE sends a packet data protocol PDP context activation request containing QoS requirement information to the service GPRS support node SGSN; the QoS requirement information includes an optional QoS range;

The SGSN verifies the request from the UE, restricts the QoS information according to the conditions that can be satisfied, and sends the restricted QoS information to the gateway GPRS support node GGSN;

The GGSN receives the QoS information from the SGSN, limits the QoS information according to the conditions that can be satisfied, and returns a response message to the SGSN;

After receiving the response message, the SGSN initiates a radio access bearer establishment assignment request message to the radio access network, and the request message includes the restricted QoS information;

The radio access network determines the QoS used to establish the bearer according to the restricted QoS information and the allowable range of the radio access network.

When the SGSN or GGSN does not meet the minimum QoS requested by the UE, the call is directly rejected;

When the SGSN or GGSN cannot meet the recommended QoS, and when the requested QoS is in a continuous range, select the upper limit of the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowed range to update the recommended QoS;

When the SGSN or GGSN cannot meet the recommended QoS, and when the requested QoS is a series of discrete optional values, select the optimal QoS among the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to update the recommended QoS;

The wireless access network first establishes the bearer according to the recommended QoS; when the recommended QoS cannot be satisfied, and when the requested QoS is in a continuous range, select the upper limit of the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowed range; when the recommended QoS cannot be satisfied, and When the requested QoS is a series of discrete optional values, select the optimal QoS among the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range.

The method further includes: the radio access network feeds back the SGSN through the radio access bearer establishment assignment request response; the SGSN updates the QoS information when the radio access network changes the recommended QoS, and returns a PDP context activation request to the user equipment .

For an evolved network, the following steps are included:

Sending QoS request information to the evolved core network through resource trigger signaling, the QoS request information includes an optional QoS range;

The evolved core network limits the QoS request according to the QoS that can be satisfied;

The evolved core network initiates a radio resource assignment request to the evolved radio access network, and the request includes restricted QoS information;

The radio access network determines the QoS used to establish the bearer according to the restricted QoS information and the allowable range of the radio access network.

When the evolved core network does not meet the requested minimum QoS, the call is directly rejected;

When the evolved core network cannot meet the recommended QoS, and when the requested QoS is in a continuous range, select the upper limit of the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to update the recommended QoS;

When the evolved core network cannot meet the recommended QoS, and when the requested QoS is a series of discrete optional values, select the optimal QoS among the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to update the recommended QoS;

The evolved wireless access network will first establish bearers according to the recommended QoS; if the recommended QoS cannot be met, and if the requested QoS is in a continuous range, then select the upper limit of the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to establish the bearer; when the recommended QoS cannot be satisfied QoS, and when the requested QoS is a series of discrete optional values, select the optimal QoS among the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to establish the bearer.

The method further includes: the evolved radio access network returns a radio resource assignment request response to the core network; if the recommended QoS is changed in the access network, the evolved radio access network updates the QoS information to the core network.

The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the QoS requirements that are sent to the network by the terminal, or application layer signaling, or IP bearer signaling give the QoS range that reflects the service needs, terminal capabilities, and user wishes. When QoS is changed, refer to the required QoS range to avoid the complexity of repeated QoS negotiations, speed up the establishment time, and reduce the probability of being rejected for bearer establishment.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network structure of UMTS;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of main components of an evolved network;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of PDP context activation initiated by UE in the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of realizing QoS negotiation initiated by UE in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of implementing QoS negotiation initiated by the network side in the evolved network of the present invention.

Detailed ways

In order to make the object, technical solution and advantages of the present invention clearer, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the specific realization of the present invention is as follows:

When initiating a resource establishment request, the terminal, or application layer signaling, or IP bearer signaling provides the network with a QoS range requirement, and at the same time gives a recommended QoS for the network to prioritize in establishing resources. The QoS requirements sent to the network reflect terminal capabilities, user wishes and business characteristics. When the network degrades the QoS, it cannot be lower than the minimum required QoS. When the network cannot meet the minimum QoS, the network rejects the call. When the highest QoS is required, the network cannot exceed the highest QoS required when upgrading the QoS. When the network upgrades or degrades QoS, it should refer to the required QoS range, and be as close to or match the required QoS as possible under network policy control and resource conditions: when the required QoS is a continuous range, it is within the allowable range (according to the contract information After the limitation) takes the upper limit that the network can satisfy; when the required QoS is a series of discrete values, select the optimal one of the required QoS values that can be satisfied within the allowable range.

The present invention is applicable to both the existing network and the evolving network. The present invention will be described below for the existing network and the evolved network respectively.

Example 1

The QoS negotiation process in the existing network can be realized by the UE sending a context activation request to the network.

Figure 4 shows the process of PDP context activation in TS 23.060, as shown in Figure 4, the accompanying QoS negotiation process is as follows:

1) UE sends a PDP context activation request including QoS requirement information to SGSN. An optional QoS range is given in the QoS requirement information, which can be a continuous QoS range or a series of discrete QoS. The QoS information contains a minimum acceptable QoS and a recommended QoS. QoS information may include information characterizing parameters such as delay, jitter, bit rate, and the like. For example, when multiple media formats with different bit rates are available for the initiated service, a series of optional discrete bit rate values from the lowest to the highest can be given in the QoS requirement information at this time. However, the rate required by some services may only be within a range, and the QoS range at this time is a continuous QoS range. The selectable QoS range is not limited to the bit rate parameter, and other QoS parameters may also be selectable, such as delay and jitter.

2) The SGSN verifies the request from the UE. The SGSN can limit the requested QoS attributes according to its capabilities, current load, and subscription information. When the capability cannot meet the minimum QoS requested by the UE, the call is rejected directly. When the SGSN capability cannot meet the QoS recommended by the UE, change the recommended QoS value and make it meet: if the QoS requested by the UE is in a continuous range, the SGSN will make it as close as possible to the recommended value requested by the UE within the allowable range; when the UE When the requested QoS is a series of discrete values, the SGSN selects the optimal one among the satisfied QoS within the allowable range. For example: multiple selectable bit rate values are given in the requested QoS, and the highest bit rate value that can be satisfied is selected.

Then, the SGSN sends a PDP context creation request to the GGSN. The request information includes a recommended QoS value, a minimum QoS request, and possibly a series of discrete QoS values between the minimum QoS and the recommended QoS.

3) The GGSN checks whether the requested QoS sent by the SGSN is compatible with the information configured by the operator, and if not, the request will be rejected. GGSN can limit QoS according to its capability and load. When the capability cannot meet the minimum QoS requested by the UE, the call is rejected directly. When the capability cannot meet the QoS recommended by the SGSN, change the recommended QoS value and make it meet: when the requested QoS is a continuous range, take the upper limit that can be satisfied within the allowable range; when the QoS requested by the UE is a series of discrete values , then take the optimal one among the QoS values that can be satisfied within the allowable range. The GGSN returns a PDP Context Creation Response to the SGSN.

4) The SGSN initiates a radio access bearer (RAB) establishment assignment request, and the request information contains the minimum QoS requirement requested by the UE, the recommended QoS restricted by the SGSN and the GGSN, and possibly between the minimum QoS and the recommended QoS requirement A series of discrete QoS between.

5) When the radio access network (RAN) cannot meet the minimum QoS, reject the call establishment. The RAN first establishes a bearer according to the recommended QoS, and when the recommended QoS cannot be satisfied, it lowers the QoS and tries again. The QoS of the new attempt should refer to the QoS requested by the UE to try to get close to and match the requested QoS. For example: when the requested QoS is a continuous range, take the upper limit that can be satisfied within the allowable range; when the QoS requested by the UE is a series For discrete values, select the optimal one among the QoS values that can be satisfied within the allowable range.

6) The RAB establishes an assignment request response, and feeds back the established QoS information to the SGSN. If the RAN changes the QoS, update the QoS information.

7) If QoS changes in step 5), SGSN notifies GGSN of the changed QoS attributes and updates the PDP context.

8) If step 7) occurs, the GGSN confirms the PDP update to the SGSN.

9) The SGSN returns a PDP context activation acceptance result to the UE.

Through this embodiment, when the network changes QoS according to resources and loads, the required QoS range is referred to, avoiding the complexity of repeatedly negotiating QoS, speeding up resource establishment time, and reducing the probability of resource establishment being rejected.

In this embodiment, the QoS information may also include the highest acceptable QoS value, so that the network cannot exceed the highest QoS during upgrade, and the highest QoS may be the same as or different from the recommended QoS.

Example 2

The following describes the QoS negotiation process in the evolved network.

FIG. 5 shows the resource establishment process triggered by the network side to complete the service negotiation through signaling interaction on the established IP bearer in the evolved network. There is no QoS negotiation mechanism in the resource establishment process of the current evolved network. In the present invention, the QoS negotiation mechanism is introduced into the wireless network resource establishment process, which avoids the complexity of the resource establishment process and the high probability of call rejection caused by possible repeated QoS negotiations. risks of. As shown in Figure 5, the bearer establishment process in the evolved network includes the following steps:

1) The UE and the opposite end perform signaling interaction through the IP bearer to complete the service negotiation. The QoS negotiation result reflects the terminal capability and willingness, and/or the QoS information required by the service, including the recommended QoS, the minimum acceptable QoS, and possibly Contains a series of discrete QoS attributes between the minimum and recommended QoS (for example, when there are multiple media formats with different rates).

2) The evolved packet core network (EPC) is triggered by an application layer signaling or IP bearer signaling including the above QoS negotiation range.

3) EPC completes the mapping from authorized IP QoS parameters to authorized UMTS parameters. The core network restricts QoS according to network capabilities and subscription information. When the capability cannot meet the minimum QoS negotiated, the call is directly rejected. When the capability cannot meet the recommended QoS, update the recommended QoS value: when the negotiated QoS is a continuous range, take the optimal value that can be satisfied within the allowable range; when the negotiated QoS is a series of discrete values, select the allowable range The best one among the QoS values that can meet the negotiation requirements.

4) Initiate radio bearer assignment to the access network with minimum, recommended QoS, and possibly a series of discrete QoS attributes between minimum QoS and recommended QoS.

5) E-RAN performs access control. Translate the received QoS information into wireless QoS information, allocate wireless resources and properly configure the scheduler according to the translated QoS information. First, establish the bearer according to the recommended QoS attribute. If it fails, lower the QoS and try again. When the minimum QoS cannot be met, the call is rejected. The QoS of the new attempt should refer to the QoS negotiated by the business to try to get close to and match the QoS in the negotiation: when the negotiated QoS is a continuous range, take the upper limit that can be satisfied; when the negotiated QoS is a series of discrete values, choose The optimal one among the QoS values that can be satisfied.

6) The UE obtains the necessary radio configuration information about the service and related information associating the radio resource with the IP session flow from the E-RAN.

7) The E-RAN returns a radio network resource establishment assignment request response to the evolved core network. If the E-RAN changes the recommended QoS, it needs to update the QoS information to the core network.

8) Report QoS establishment information to the upper-layer entity. The report object can be an application layer functional unit, or an opposite network element on the network side.

In this embodiment, the QoS information may also include the highest acceptable QoS value, so that the network cannot exceed the highest QoS during QoS upgrade, and the highest QoS may be the same as or different from the recommended QoS.

According to the present invention as described above, the QoS requirements that the terminal, or application layer signaling, or IP bearer signaling sends to the network reflect the service needs, the QoS range of terminal capabilities and willingness, when the network responds to resources and loads When QoS is changed, refer to the required QoS range to avoid the complexity of repeated QoS negotiations, speed up the establishment time, and reduce the probability of resource establishment being rejected.

The above specific embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, but not to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. A quality of service negotiation method, characterized in that: When initiating wireless network resource establishment, the resource establishment trigger request sent to the wireless network carries QoS request information, and the QoS request information includes an optional QoS range; According to the QoS range in the QoS request information, the network selects a QoS under the condition of available resources. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The QoS range includes the lowest QoS and a recommended QoS; The network gives priority to establishing network resources according to the recommended QoS; When the network degrades the QoS, it cannot be lower than the lowest QoS in the QoS request message, and when the network does not meet the lowest QoS, it rejects the establishment of the call. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The QoS range may also include discrete QoS between the lowest QoS and the recommended QoS. 4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The QoS range may also include the highest QoS requirement, and the network cannot upgrade the QoS higher than the highest QoS in the QoS request message. 5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: If the core network does not meet the recommended QoS, select a QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to update the recommended QoS; If the access network does not meet the recommended QoS, reduce the QoS within the allowable range and try to establish network resources again. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: For the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System UMTS, the following steps are included: The user equipment UE sends a packet data protocol PDP context activation request containing QoS requirement information to the service GPRS support node SGSN; the QoS requirement information includes an optional QoS range; The SGSN verifies the request from the UE, restricts the QoS information according to the conditions that can be satisfied, and sends the restricted QoS information to the gateway GPRS support node GGSN; The GGSN receives the QoS information from the SGSN, limits the QoS information according to the conditions that can be satisfied, and returns a response message to the SGSN; After receiving the response message, the SGSN initiates a radio access bearer establishment assignment request message to the radio access network, and the request message includes the restricted QoS information; The radio access network determines the QoS used to establish the bearer according to the restricted QoS information and the allowable range of the radio access network. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the SGSN or GGSN does not meet the minimum QoS requested by the UE, the call is directly rejected; When the SGSN or GGSN cannot meet the recommended QoS, and when the requested QoS is in a continuous range, select the upper limit of the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowed range to update the recommended QoS; When the SGSN or GGSN cannot meet the recommended QoS, and when the requested QoS is a series of discrete optional values, select the optimal QoS among the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to update the recommended QoS; The wireless access network first establishes the bearer according to the recommended QoS; when the recommended QoS cannot be satisfied, and when the requested QoS is in a continuous range, select the upper limit of the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowed range; when the recommended QoS cannot be satisfied, and When the requested QoS is a series of discrete optional values, select the optimal QoS among the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: The radio access network feeds back the SGSN through the radio access bearer establishment assignment request response; When the radio access network changes the recommended QoS, the SGSN updates the QoS information, and returns a PDP context activation request to the user equipment. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: For an evolved network, the following steps are included: Sending QoS request information to the evolved core network through resource trigger signaling, the QoS request information includes an optional QoS range; The evolved core network limits the QoS request according to the QoS that can be satisfied; The evolved core network initiates a radio resource assignment request to the evolved radio access network, and the request includes restricted QoS information; The radio access network determines the QoS used to establish the bearer according to the restricted QoS information and the allowable range of the radio access network. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein: When the evolved core network does not meet the requested minimum QoS, the call is directly rejected; When the evolved core network cannot meet the recommended QoS, and when the requested QoS is in a continuous range, select the upper limit of the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to update the recommended QoS; When the evolved core network cannot meet the recommended QoS, and when the requested QoS is a series of discrete optional values, select the optimal QoS among the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to update the recommended QoS; The evolved wireless access network will first establish bearers according to the recommended QoS; if the recommended QoS cannot be met, and if the requested QoS is in a continuous range, then select the upper limit of the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to establish the bearer; when the recommended QoS cannot be satisfied QoS, and when the requested QoS is a series of discrete optional values, select the optimal QoS among the QoS that can be satisfied within the allowable range to establish the bearer. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: The evolved radio access network returns a radio resource assignment request response to the core network; if the recommended QoS is changed in the access network, the evolved radio access network updates the QoS information to the core network.

Images