WO2008131694A1

WO2008131694A1 - Control method, system and apparatus of multicast and broadcast service

Info

Publication number: WO2008131694A1
Application number: PCT/CN2008/070823
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xianhui He; Yong Xie; Jianjun Wu
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-04-27
Filing date: 2008-04-28
Publication date: 2008-11-06
Also published as: CN101296393B; CN101296393A

Abstract

A control method, a system and an apparatus of the multicast and broadcast service, includes: obtaining the service information of the multicast and broadcast service (MBS), using the information of MBS and the local area network policy information for service authorization and creating the policy and charging control(PCC) rule and distributing the PCC rule to MBS strategy executing entity which installs and executes the PCC rule.

Description

Control method, system and device for multicast broadcast service

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, system and apparatus for controlling a MBS (Multicast and Broadcast Service) service. Background technique

Figure 1 shows the network structure of Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Referring to Figure 1, the interoperability network of the global microwave system is mainly composed of three parts: the mobile station client (MS), the access service network (ASN), and the connection service network (CSN). The ASN includes a base station (BS) access service network gateway (ASN-GW), and the CSN includes logical entities such as a prepaid server (PPS), an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server. For users, there will be a visited network service provider (V-NSP) and a home network service provider (H-NSP). Moreover, the interoperability network of the global microwave system has connections from R1 to R6 between the logical entities. The specific locations of the interfaces are shown in Figure 1. Its wireless side is a wireless metropolitan area network access technology based on the IEEE 802.16d/e standard.

Referring to FIG. 2, the NSP includes an application service functional entity (AF), a policy database, and an AAA server. The policy database also includes a Policy Function Entity (PF). The PF is used to provide a policy for a user service flow. This function exists in the Policy Database (NSP). In the roaming scenario, there will be a Visited PF and Hometown (Home) PF. The AF is used to notify the PF to actively create a service flow for the user.

The ASN includes a Service Flow Management Entity (SFM) and a Service Flow Authorization Entity (SFA). The SFM is used to establish a user service flow and allocate radio resources for this service flow; the SFA is used to authorize the corresponding service flow.

Now, the demand for mobile communications is no longer satisfied with the phone and messaging services, with

With the rapid development of the Internet, a large number of multimedia services have emerged, some of which require multiple application services. Users can receive the same data at the same time, such as video on demand, TV broadcast, video conferencing, online education, interactive games and more. Compared with general data, these mobile multimedia services have the characteristics of large data volume, long duration, and delay sensitivity. The current IP multicast technology is only applicable to wired IP networks, not to mobile networks, because mobile networks have specific network structures, functional entities, and wireless interfaces, which are different from wired IP networks.

In order to effectively utilize mobile network resources, Wimax defines MBS services, which provide a point-to-multipoint service in which data sources send data to multiple users in a mobile network, realize network resource sharing, and improve network resource utilization, especially Air interface resource. The MBS defined by Wimax can not only realize plain text low-rate message class multicast and broadcast, but also realize high-speed multimedia service multicast and broadcast, which undoubtedly conforms to the trend of future mobile data development. The MBS service broadcasts simultaneously in each BS of the same MBS domain. As long as the terminal obtains the physical resource information (such as the MCID broadcast multicast connection identifier) and the key information of the MBS service, the terminal can correctly receive the MBS service data.

At present, in the prior art, an entity that completes the resource admission control function is called PCC (Policy Control and Charging), and implements a certain quality of service control mechanism mainly for the characteristics of the mobile access network. The functions provided are: policy control based on user-customized information, and charging control based on service data flow. The PCC is located between the service control layer and the access/bearer layer, and blocks specific access/bearer layer technologies and topology information to the service control layer. The PCC receives the service-related QoS request from the service control layer, and then combines with the admission control policy, the topology information of the network, etc., and converts the service QoS information into IPQoS information, and transmits the information to the relevant access carrier node and the service gateway node. Then, these nodes implement corresponding QoS control based on the received information and their functions. The policy control includes Gating Control and QoS Control; the charging control mainly refers to Flow Based Charging (FBC).

However, in the prior art, the method and system for service control such as policy control and charging are proposed for the difference of the MBS service and the MBS service architecture according to the characteristics of the MBS service and the characteristics of the unicast service. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system, and apparatus for controlling a multicast broadcast service, which are used to implement service control for characteristics of an MBS service.

A method for controlling a multicast broadcast service provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes:

Obtaining MBS service information, and utilizing the MBS service information and local network policy information to perform service authorization and generate PCC rules;

The PCC rules are distributed to the MBS policy enforcement entity, and the MBS policy enforcement entity installs and executes the PCC rules.

A control system for a multicast broadcast service provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes: a PCRF entity,

MBS business management entity and MBS policy enforcement entity;

The PCRF entity is configured to obtain MBS service information, and use the MBS service information and local network policy information to perform service authorization, and generate a PCC rule; and distribute the PCC rule to the MBS policy execution entity;

The MBS service management entity is configured to provide MBS service information to the PCRF entity in a service authorization process;

The MBS policy enforcement entity is configured to install and execute the PCC rule.

A policy control and charging control function entity provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes:

The policy generating unit is configured to: after receiving the service authorization request of the MBS policy enforcement entity, use the MBS service information provided by the MBS service management entity and the local network policy information to generate

PCC rules;

a policy distribution unit, configured to send the PCC rule to an MBS policy enforcement entity.

a policy generating unit, configured to: after receiving the service authorization request of the MBS policy enforcement entity, using the multicast broadcast MBS service information provided by the MBS service management entity, the user subscription information provided by the MBS user management entity, and the local network policy information to generate PCC rules;

In the embodiment of the present invention, the network side obtains the MBS service information, and uses the MBS service information. And the local network policy information, performing service authorization, and generating a policy control and accounting PCC rule, the PCRF entity distributing the PCC rule to the MBS policy enforcement entity, and the MBS policy enforcement entity installing and executing the PCC rule. Therefore, in the MBS service establishment process, and when the terminal joins the MBS IP multicast group, the method of the embodiment of the present invention can be used to implement the control of the MBS service, thereby solving the policy control of the MBS service in the MBS service establishment process. Billing control issues.

The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the interoperability network structure of the global microwave system;

Figure 2 shows the QoS framework in the 2006-031 version of the STAGE2 baseline document in the WiMAX NWG;

3 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of a system according to the present invention;

4 is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 2 of a system according to the present invention;

Figure 5a is a structural schematic view of the first embodiment of the PCRF entity of the present invention;

Figure 5b is a schematic structural view of Embodiment 2 of the PCRF entity of the present invention;

6 is a schematic structural view of a third embodiment of a system according to the present invention;

7 is a schematic flow chart of Embodiment 1 of a method according to the present invention;

8 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a method according to the present invention;

9 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 3 of a method according to the present invention;

10 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 4 of a method according to the present invention;

11 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 5 of a method according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a specific process of an MBS bearer setup process and a QoS execution process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description In the embodiment of the present invention, the network side needs to obtain the MBS service information, and uses the MBS service information and the local network policy information to perform service authorization, generate a PCC rule, and distribute the PCC rule to the MBS policy execution entity, the MBS policy. After receiving the PCC rule, the executing entity installs and executes the PCC rule. The PCC rules may include a quality of service policy, a charging policy, and MBS IP classifier information of the service.

The steps of obtaining MBS service information, performing service authorization and generating PCC rules, and distributing the PCC rules to the MBS policy enforcement entity may be implemented by a PCRF entity. The PCRF entity may obtain the MBS service information during the MBS service establishment process or the terminal initiates the process of joining the MBS IP multicast group, thereby performing service authorization. After generating the PCC rule, the entity may directly or through its own policy. And distributing the PCC rule to the MBS policy enforcement entity.

During the establishment of the MBS service, the PCRF entity can use the obtained MBS service information and the local network policy information to generate PCC rules. If the terminal applies to join the MBS IP multicast group, the PCRF entity can not only use the obtained MBS service information and local network policy information to generate PCC rules, but also can utilize the obtained MBS service information, user subscription information, and local network policy. Information, generate PCC rules.

Moreover, the PCRF entity may actively request the MBS service management entity to obtain the MBS service information, or the MBS service management entity actively sends the MBS service information to the PCRF entity to obtain the MBS service information.

The MBS service information may include one or more of MBS required bandwidth, reservation priority, media description information, and MBS IP classifier rules. The MBS IP classifier rules include an IP source address, an IP destination address, a source/destination port number, and an IP protocol type.

Referring to FIG. 3, the system of the embodiment of the present invention includes an MBS service management entity 11, a PCRF entity 12, and an MBS policy enforcement entity 13.

The MBS service management entity 11 is configured to provide an MBS service to the PCRF entity after receiving a service authorization request from the PCRF entity or the policy enforcement entity in the access service network. Information; the PCRF entity 12, configured to obtain MBS services And performing the service authorization and generating the PCC rule by using the MBS service information and the local network policy information; the PCRF entity distributing the PCC rule to the MBS policy enforcement entity; the MBS policy execution entity 13 for installing and executing The PCC rules.

As shown in FIG. 4, the system of the embodiment of the present invention may further include an MBS user management entity 14, where the MBS user management entity 14 is further configured to provide user subscription information to the PCRF entity 12 during a service authorization process; The PCRF entity 12 may generate the PCC rule by using the MBS service information, the user subscription information, and local network policy information.

It should be noted that, in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the MBS service management entity and the MBS user management entity may both be independent physical entities, or respectively located in the MBS server or the AAA server or the PCRF entity as logical entities. The MBS policy enforcement entity may be an MBS server, a policy enforcement entity in the access service network, or a policy enforcement entity in the MBS server and the access service network, where the policy enforcement entity in the access service network includes The gateway and the MBS proxy entity, wherein the gateway includes one or more of an SFA, a DPF, and a billing client.

FIG. 5a is a schematic structural diagram of a PCRF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5a, the PCRF entity of this embodiment may include a policy generating unit 41 and a policy distributing unit 42, where the policy generating unit 41 is configured to provide an MBS server after receiving the service authorization request of the MBS policy enforcement entity. The MBS service information and the local network policy information are generated, and the PCC rule is generated. FIG. 5b is a schematic structural diagram of a PCRF entity according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5b, the PCRF entity of this embodiment may include a policy generating unit 51 and a policy distributing unit 52. The policy generating unit 51 is configured to generate a PCC rule by using the MBS service information, the user subscription information, and the local network policy information provided by the MBS server after receiving the service authorization request of the MBS policy enforcement entity, and the policy distribution unit 52 is configured to The PCC rules are sent to the MBS policy enforcement entity.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the system of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the system of this embodiment includes an Access Service Network (ASN) 61, a Connection Service Network (CSN) 62, and an MBS provider 63. The ASN 61 is used to provide access services and establish an access bearer, and the CSN 62 is used to provide Connection service; MBS provider 63, used to provide MBS service content.

The CSN 62 includes a PCRF entity 621 and an MBS server 622.

The PCRF entity 621 is configured to obtain MBS service information, user subscription information, and generate the PCC rule by using the MBS service information, the user subscription information, and the local network policy information.

The MBS server 622 is configured to manage and provide the MBS service information and the user subscription information, and after receiving the service authorization request of the PCRF entity 621 or the policy enforcement entity in the access service network, provide the MBS service information to the PCRF entity 621, User subscription information; installs and executes PCC rules distributed by the PCRF entity 621. In addition, the MBS server 622 can also assign an IP multicast address to the terminal, specify a port number, maintain an MBS IP multicast group, and bill and collect charging information for the user.

The CSN 62 may further include an AAA 623 and a Home Agent Entity (HA) 624.

AAA 623 is used to provide the authentication and authorization charging function of the WiMAX system.

HA 624, the home agent of the terminal when sending MBS service data in unicast mode. When the HA 624 receives the MBS service data sent from the IP network, it filters the MBS service data, and forwards the filtered MBS service data to the foreign agent entity of the terminal. The HA 624 can also obtain PCC rules from the PCRF entity, install and execute the received PCC rules, implement QoS authorization and charging functions, and the like.

The ASN 61 includes a policy enforcement entity and a base station 611.

The base station 611 is configured to perform the function of the MBS service defined in the 802.16e, and interact with the GW in the ASN, accept the management of the GW, and further complete the control of the MBS service; Create/delete.

A policy enforcement entity in the ASN 61 for installing and executing PCC rules provided by the PCRF entity.

The policy enforcement entities in the ASN 61 may include a GW 610 and an MBS proxy entity 612. The MBS proxy entity may be provided as a separate physical entity in ASN 61 or as a logical entity on GW 610. The specific functions of MBS proxy entity 612 and GW 610 may include multiple implementations, Three embodiments will be described.

The first embodiment, the specific functions of the MBS proxy entity 612 and the GW 610 may be implemented as follows: GW 610, configured to send an MBS service authorization request to the PCRF entity, and according to the

The PCC rule returned by the PCRF entity controls the MBS service flow and is responsible for establishing the MBS service according to the request of the terminal.

The MBS proxy entity 612, as a processing point and a signaling forwarding point of the MBS signaling in the ASN, communicates with other external entities, for example, to forward the MBS service authorization request sent by the GW 610 to the PCRF entity 621, and receives the PCRF entity 621. After returning the PCC rule, the PCC rule is forwarded to the policy enforcement entity in the GW 610, and the MBS service quality of service policy in the PCC rule is installed and executed.

Moreover, the MBS proxy entity 612 is also used to negotiate the MBS resources between the ASNs, control the establishment and release of the MBS services in the ASN, the authorization of the QoS of the MBS services, and the joining and leaving of the terminals. For a single ASN GW in a multicast broadcast domain, there is no need to negotiate multiple MBS resources between ASNs and GWs.

The GW 610 includes an SFA 01, a DPF 02, a billing client 03, and may further include a foreign agent entity (FA) 04.

SFA 01, configured to send an MBS service authorization request to the PCRF entity 621, and execute a PCC rule returned by the PCRF entity 621;

The DPF 02 is configured to detect and classify the service flow according to the service flow detection information in the PCC rule; the DPF 02 includes an MBS DPF and a unicast DPF, and the MBS DPF is a service flow detection and classification for the multicast broadcast service. The unicast DPF is the detection and classification control of the service flow of the unicast service.

The charging client 03 is configured to perform charging according to the charging rule in the PCC rule; the foreign agent entity FA 04 is used as a foreign agent of the terminal when transmitting the MBS service data in unicast, and forwards the MBS from the HA. Business data is sent to the terminal.

In a second embodiment, when the MBS proxy entity receives the PCC rule distributed by the MBS server, When the MBS service quality policy in the PCC rules is installed and executed, the PCC rules can be split, and the PCC policies obtained after the splitting are sent to the SFA 01, DPF 02, and the billing in the GW. The client 03 and the FA 04 execute, and the SFA 01, the DPF 02, the billing client 03, and the FA 04 directly execute the received PCC policy without finding the PCC policy that needs to be executed from the PCC rule.

In the third embodiment, the MBS proxy entity 612 may not be used as the processing point and signaling forwarding point of the MBS signaling in the ASN, and the MBS server directly sends the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity and the MBS proxy entity 612 in the ASN GW, directly by Each policy enforcement entity can install and execute the PCC rules it needs.

It should be noted that the PCRF entity distributes the PCC rules to the MBS policy enforcement entity, and the MBS mode description.

The first way is that the PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the MBS server, and then sends the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity in the access service network through the MBS server.

If the MBS policy enforcement entity includes the MBS server and the policy enforcement entity in the access service network, the foregoing may be implemented by: the PCRF entity sending the PCC rule to the MBS server; the MBS server installing the PCC rule, and establishing in the distribution tree During the process of establishing an access service network bearer, the PCC rule is sent to a policy enforcement entity in the access service network; the policy enforcement entity in the access service network uses the PCC rule to perform policy installation. And execution.

In addition, if the MBS policy enforcement entity includes a policy enforcement entity in the access service network, the PCRF entity may send the PCC rule to the MBS server, and after receiving the PCC rule, the MBS server does not install but During the establishment of the access service network bearer, or in the process of establishing the MBS service distribution tree, the PCC rule is sent to the policy enforcement entity in the access service network; and then, the policy enforcement entity in the access service network utilizes the The PCC rules are described for policy installation and execution.

The second way is that the PCRF entity sends the PCC rules to the MBS server and the policy enforcement entity in the access service network. The process of the PCRF entity transmitting the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity in the access service network may be implemented as follows: The PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the MBS proxy entity, and the MBS proxy entity splits the PCC rule and sends the PCC policy to the access separately. The policy enforcement entity in the service network gateway. The MBS proxy entity can be placed as a separate physical entity or as a logical entity in the ASN GW.

For the case where there is only one ASN GW for a multicast broadcast domain, the MBS proxy may not be needed.

The PCRF entity sends an MBS service authorization response to the MBS server, where the PCC rule is included, the MBS server installs the PCC rule; the policy enforcement entity in the access service network sends a service authorization request to the PCRF entity; After the service authorization request, the PCC rule is sent to the policy enforcement entity in the access service network; and the policy enforcement entity in the access service network installs the PCC rule.

The PCRF entity in the foregoing description sends an MBS service authorization response to the MBS server, where the PCC rule is included, and the scheme for installing the PCC rule by the MBS server is optional, and in the process of distributing the PCC rule by the PCRF entity, The PCRF entity can send PCC rules directly or through its own policy distribution entity.

The PCRF entity can also perform service authorization and generate PCC rules at different times. For example: During the establishment of the MBS service, or when the terminal applies to join the MBS IP multicast group.

The technical solution of the method of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments in conjunction with FIG. 7 to FIG. Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the method of the present invention are processes for implementing service authorization, generating PCC rules, and installing and executing PCC rules in the MBS service establishment process; Embodiments 3, 4, and 5 of the method of the present invention are When the terminal applies to join the MBS IP multicast group, it implements the process of authorization, generation of PCC rules, and installation and execution of PCC rules. In the first embodiment of the method of the present invention shown in FIG. 7, the PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the MBS server directly or through the policy distribution entity, and the MBS server can perform charging according to the charging policy in the PCC rule, and the PCC rule The QoS policy and the classifier information are sent to the policy enforcement entity in the access service network when the access service network establishes the bearer, and the policy enforcement entity includes one or more of the SFA, the DPF, the charging client, and the MBS proxy entity. Entity execution, the MBS server can also send the information in the PCC rule to other policy enforcement entities in the access service network through the MBS proxy.

Referring to FIG. 7, the specific process of the first embodiment of the method of the present invention is as follows:

Step 701: The MBS server sends an MBS service authorization request message to the PCRF entity when establishing an MBS service.

Step 702: After receiving the service authorization request message, the PCRF entity obtains the corresponding MBS service information from the MBS service management entity, and performs service authorization according to the MBS service information and the local network policy to generate a PCC rule.

The MBS service information includes the bandwidth required by the MBS, the reservation priority, the media description information, and the MBS IP classifier rules. IP classifier rules include IP source address, IP destination address, source/destination port number, and IP protocol type. The IP source address is the MBS server/MBS provider address, and the IP destination address is the IP multicast address. The IP multicast group and the IP multicast address and port number are assigned by the MBS server/MBS provider as an application entity (AF) for the MBS service.

Step 703: The PCRF entity sends a service authorization response containing the PCC rule to the MBS server. Step 704: The MBS server installs the PCC rule.

Step 705: The MBS DPF in the ASN GW requests the MBS server to join the MBS service distribution tree, or the MBS server initiates an MBS service distribution tree for establishing a multicast domain to the ASN GW.

Step 706: The MBS server sends the QoS policy and the IP classifier rule in the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity in the ASN, where the policy enforcement entity includes the SFA, the MBS DPF, the charging client, and the MBS proxy in the ASN. One or more, MBS servers are also available through the MBS proxy The PCC rules are delivered to other policy enforcement entities in the access service network.

Step 707: Each policy enforcement entity in the ASN uses the received PCC rule to perform policy installation. Step 708: The MS sends a request to the MBS server to join the MBS IP multicast group.

Step 709: After receiving the request to join the MBS IP multicast group, the MBS server authorizes the MS to join the MBS IP multicast group after the MS is authenticated.

Since the PCC rules are for the MBS service, that is, the IP classifier with the same MBS downlink bandwidth, charging rules, and MBS service, the MSs in the same multicast group execute the same PCC rule.

In this embodiment, if the MBS proxy is required in the ASN GW as the processing point and signaling forwarding of the MBS signaling in the ASN, in step 705, the MBS DPF in the ASN GW may request the MBS service to join the MBS service through the MBS proxy. tree. That is: MBS DPF can send an add request to the MBS proxy entity, and the MBS proxy sends it to the MBS server.

When distributing the PCC rules, the MBS server may first send the PCC rules to the MBS proxy entity, and the MBS proxy entity performs the execution of the MBS service quality of service policy in the ASN and the PCC rules in the second embodiment of the method of the present invention shown in FIG. The PCRF entity sends the PCC rules to the MBS server and the policy enforcement entity in the access service network directly or through the policy distribution entity. Or the PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the MBS server, and the MBS server forwards the PCC rule to the MBS proxy entity, and the MBS proxy entity sends the PCC policy or the PCC policy split by the rule to other policy enforcement entities in the access service network. .

Referring to FIG. 8, the specific process of the second embodiment of the method of the present invention is as follows:

Steps 801 to 805: The same as steps 701 to 705.

Steps 806 to 807: When the GW requests the MBS server to join the multicast distribution tree, after the PCRF entity receives the service authorization request from the GW, the PCRF entity sends the service authorization response containing the PCC rule to the ASN directly or through the policy distribution entity. Policy enforcement entity, including one or more of SFA, MBS DPF, accounting client and MBS proxy entity in ASN. Step 808: The policy enforcement entity in the ASN uses the PCC rule to perform policy installation. Steps 809 to 810 are the same as steps 708 to 709.

Of course, if the ASN GW needs the MBS proxy as the processing point and signaling forwarding of the MBS signaling in the ASN, the MBS DPF in the ASN GW can request the MBS service to join the MBS service distribution tree through the MBS proxy. That is: MBS DPF can send a join request to the MBS proxy entity, and the MBS proxy sends it to the MBS server.

The GW may also send a service authorization request to the PCRF entity through the MBS proxy entity, and the GW sends a service authorization request to the MBS proxy entity, and the MBS proxy entity sends the service authorization request to the PCRF entity.

When the PCRF entity distributes the PCC rules, the PCRF entity may also send the PCC rules to the MBS proxy entity first, and the MBS proxy entity performs the execution of the MBS service quality policy in the ASN.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that: the second embodiment is that the policy enforcement entity in the ASN requests the PCC rule from the PCRF entity, and the PCRF sends the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity in the ASN. The PCC rule is issued by the MBS server to the policy enforcement entity in the ASN.

The following describes the process of performing service authorization in the process of the UE initiated the joining of the MBS IP multicast group by using the PCRF entity in the third, fourth and fifth embodiments. In the third, fourth, and fifth embodiments, the MBS service management entity provides MBS service information, and the MBS user management entity provides user subscription information. The MBS service management entity and the MBS user management entity may exist as independent physical entities or as logical entities. Set in the MBS server or AAA server or PCRF entity.

Referring to FIG. 9, the specific process of the third embodiment of the method of the present invention is as follows:

Step 901: The terminal sends a request to join the MBS IP multicast group to the ASN GW.

Step 902: After receiving the MBS IP multicast group request, the GW sends an MBS service authorization request to the PCRF entity directly or through the policy distribution entity. Step 903: The PCRF entity obtains the MBS service information from the MBS service management entity, and obtains the user subscription information from the MBS user management entity, where the user subscription information includes whether to sign the MBS service, the user level, and the charging rule.

Step 904: The PCRF entity performs service authorization according to the MBS service information, the local network policy, and the MBS user subscription information, and generates a PCC rule, where the PCC rule includes the MBS QoS policy, the charging rule, and the MBS IP classifier rule.

Step 905: The PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity in the ASN directly or through the policy distribution entity, and step 907 is performed. The MBS proxy entity and/or the SFA authorizes and executes the QoS policy in the PCC rule, and sends the service flow detection information to the MBS DPF for installation and execution, and sends the charging information to the charging client for installation and execution.

Step 906: If the MBS server is to perform charging, the PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity in the MBS server, and step 908 is performed.

Step 907: The policy enforcement entity in the ASN executes the PCC rule according to the received PCC rule, and ends.

Step 908: The MBS server performs charging according to the received PCC rule, and ends. Of course, if the MBS server does not need to be billed, this step does not need to be performed.

In this embodiment, if the ASN requires the MBS proxy entity as the processing point and the signaling forwarding point of the MBS signaling in the ASN, the ASN sends the join request to the MBS proxy entity after the ASN GW receives the request of the terminal to join the MBS IP multicast group. The service authorization request is sent by the MBS proxy entity to the policy decision entity PCRF entity.

Moreover, when the PCRF entity distributes the PCC rule, the PCRF entity first sends the PCC rule to the MBS proxy entity, and the MBS proxy entity performs the execution of the MBS service quality policy in the ASN and the PCC rule split, and then splits the PCC. The policy is sent to other policy enforcement points in the ASN for execution.

Referring to FIG. 10, the specific process of Embodiment 4 of the method of the present invention is as follows:

Steps 1001 to 1004 are the same as steps 901 and 904. Step 1005: The PCRF entity delivers the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity on the MBS server.

Step 1006: The policy enforcement entity on the MBS server is installed according to the received PCC rules.

Step 1007: The MBS server sends an MBS service authorization response to the policy executive in the ASN, including the PCC rule.

Step 1008: The MBS server executes the installed PCC rules.

Step 1009: The policy enforcement entity in the ASN performs policy installation and execution by using the PCC rule.

In this embodiment, if the ASN has an MBS proxy as a processing point and a signaling forwarding point of the MBS signaling in the ASN, after the ASN GW receives the request for the terminal to join the MBS IP multicast group, the GW sends a join request to the MBS proxy. The MBS generation MBS agent sends a service authorization request to the PCRF entity.

The MBS server sends a service authorization response carrying the PCC rule to the MBS proxy entity. After receiving the service authorization response, the MBS proxy entity performs the execution of the MBS service quality policy in the ASN.

Referring to FIG. 11, the specific process of Embodiment 5 of the method of the present invention is as follows:

Step 1101: The terminal sends a request for joining the MBS IP multicast group to the ASN GW. After receiving the MBS IP multicast group, the GW sends an MBS service authorization request to the MBS service and the user management entity.

Step 1102: The MBS service management entity that receives the service authorization request sends the MBS service information to the PCRF entity. The MBS user management entity that receives the service authorization request sends the user subscription information to the PCRF entity.

Step 1103: The PCRF entity performs a decision according to the MBS service information, the user subscription information, and the local network policy, to generate a PCC rule.

Step 1104: The PCRF entity sends the MBS service to the policy enforcement entity in the MBS server. Response, including PCC rules.

Step 1105: After the policy enforcement entity in the MBS server receives the MBS service authorization response, the PCC rule is installed.

Step 1106: The MBS server sends an MBS service authorization response containing the PCC rule to the GW.

Step 1107: After the policy enforcement entity in the GW receives the PCC rule, install/execute the PCC rule.

Step 1108: The MBS server executes the installed PCC rules.

In this implementation example, if the ASN has an MBS proxy as a processing point and a signaling forwarding point of the MBS signaling in the ASN, the ASN GW may send the request to the MBS proxy after receiving the request of the terminal to join the MBS IP multicast group. The entity sends a service authorization request to the MBS service management entity and the user management entity by the MBS proxy entity proxy GW.

When the MBS server sends a service authorization response message, the MBS server may first send a service authorization response message to the MBS proxy entity, and the MBS proxy entity performs the execution of the MBS service quality policy in the ASN and the PCC rule split, and then splits. The subsequent PCC policy is sent to other policy enforcement points in the ASN for execution.

Referring to FIG. 12, the specific process of the MBS bearer setup process and the QoS execution process in the implementation example of the present invention is as follows:

Step 1201: The MBS server sends a bearer setup indication message to the gateway.

Step 1202: After receiving the bearer setup indication message, the gateway performs the QoS policy and the service flow authorization.

Step 1203: The gateway sends a bearer setup response to the MBS server.

Step 1204: After receiving the bearer setup response, the MBS server establishes a bearer with the gateway. Step 1205: The gateway saves the MBS service session information, and sends an MBS bearer setup request message, where the MBS bearer setup request message is included, according to the base station in the service flow node list that the MBS service passes, and the base station saves the MBS service session information, and establishes a corresponding Bearer, and send A response message is generated to the gateway.

Step 1206: The base station allocates air interface resources.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the multicast broadcast MBS service information is obtained by the PCRF entity, and the MBS service information and the local network policy information are used to generate a policy control and charging PCC rule; the MBS policy enforcement entity obtains and installs and executes the PCC. rule. Therefore, in the MBS service establishment process, and when the terminal joins the MBS IP multicast group, the method of the embodiment of the present invention can be used to implement the control of the MBS service, so that the MBS service can be controlled by the unified PCC architecture, thereby solving the problem. The PCC architecture is used to implement policy control and charging control in the basic process of MBS service establishment, such as: MBS service flow authorization, QoS control, charging control, and MBS service flow detection. The spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of the inventions

Claims

Rights request

A method for controlling a multicast broadcast service, the method comprising:

Obtaining multicast broadcast MBS service information, and utilizing the MBS service information and local network policy information to perform service authorization and generate policy control and charging PCC rules;

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the policy control and charging control function PCRF entity obtains the MBS service information, performs service authorization, generates a PCC rule, and distributes the PCC rule to an MBS policy enforcement entity. .

The method according to claim 2, wherein the obtaining the MBS service information comprises:

The PCRF entity actively requests the MBS service management entity to obtain the MBS service information; or

The PCRF entity obtains the MBS service information from the information that the MBS service management entity actively sends to itself.

The method according to claim 2, wherein the PCRF entity performs the service authorization in the process of establishing the MBS service, or in the process of the terminal initiating joining the MBS IP multicast group.

The method according to claim 2, wherein before the PCRF entity obtains the multicast broadcast MBS service information, the method further includes:

During the establishment of the MBS service, the MBS server sends an MBS service authorization request message to the PCRF entity, which contains the MBS service information.

After receiving the request of the terminal to join the MBS IP multicast group, the access service network gateway sends an MBS service authorization request to the PCRF entity, and the PCRF entity sends an MBS service authorization request to the MBS service management entity; After receiving the MBS service authorization request, the MBS service management entity sends the MBS service information to the PCRF entity.

After receiving the request of the terminal to join the MBS IP multicast group, the access service network gateway sends an MBS service authorization request to the MBS service management entity;

After receiving the MBS service authorization request, the MBS service management entity sends an MBS service message to the PCRF entity, where the MBS service information is included.

The method according to claim 6, wherein after the access service network gateway receives the request of the terminal to join the MBS IP multicast group, the method further includes:

The PCRF entity sends a user subscription information request to the MBS user management entity; the MBS user management entity sends the user subscription information to the PCRF entity; the PCRF entity utilizes the MBS service information, local network policy information, and the User subscription information generates PCC rules.

The method according to claim 7, wherein after the MBS service management entity receives the MBS service authorization request, the method further includes:

The MBS user management entity sends user subscription information to the PCRF;

The PCRF entity generates a PCC rule by using the MBS service information, local network policy information, and user subscription information.

The method according to claim 2, wherein the distributing the PCC rule to the MBS policy enforcement entity comprises:

The PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the MBS server, and then sends the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity in the access service network through the MBS server; or

The PCRF entity sends the PCC rules to the MBS server and the policy enforcement entity in the access service network.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein when the MBS policy is executed When the entity includes the MBS server and the policy enforcement entity in the access service network, the PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the MBS server, and then sends the PCC rule to the policy execution entity in the access service network through the MBS server. The installation and execution of the PCC rules by the MBS policy enforcement entity include:

The PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the MBS server;

The MBS server installs the PCC rule, and sends the PCC rule to the policy execution entity in the access service network during the establishment of the access service network bearer or during the MBS service distribution tree establishment process;

The policy enforcement entity in the access service network utilizes the PCC rules for policy installation and execution.

The method according to claim 10, wherein when the MBS policy enforcement entity includes a policy enforcement entity in an access service network, the PCRF entity PCC rule is sent to the MBS server, and then the MBS is passed. The server sends the PCC rule to the policy enforcement entity in the access service network, where the MBS policy execution entity installs and executes the PCC rule, including:

The PCRF entity sends the PCC rule to the MBS server;

In the process of establishing an access service network bearer, or in the process of establishing an MBS service distribution tree, the MBS server sends the PCC rule to a policy execution entity in the access service network;

The method according to claim 10, wherein, when the MBS policy enforcement entity performs, the MBS policy enforcement entity installing and executing the PCC rule includes:

The PCRF entity sends an MBS service authorization response to the MBS server, including the

a PCC rule, the MBS server installing and executing the PCC rule;

When the MBS policy enforcement entity includes a policy enforcement entity in an access service network,

The PCRF entity distributes the PCC rules to the MBS policy enforcement entity, and the MBS policy enforcement entity installs and executes the PCC rules, including:

The policy enforcement entity in the access service network sends a service authorization request to the PCRF; After receiving the service authorization request, the PCRF sends the PCC rule to the policy execution entity in the access service network;

The policy enforcement entity in the access service network installs and executes the PCC rules.

The method according to claim 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein the policy enforcement entity in the access service network comprises a gateway and/or an MBS proxy entity, wherein the gateway comprises a service flow authorization One or several of the entity SFA, the MBS data path entity DPF, and the billing client.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the MBS service information comprises one or more of a bandwidth required by the MBS, a reservation priority, a media description information, and an MBS IP classifier rule.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the PCC rule comprises one or more of a quality of service policy, a charging policy, and an MBS service classifier information.

A control system for a multicast broadcast service, characterized in that the system comprises a PCRF entity, an MBS service management entity and an MBS policy enforcement entity;

The MBS service management entity is configured to provide the MBS service information to the PCRF entity in a service authorization process;

The system according to claim 17, wherein the system further comprises: an MBS user management entity, configured to provide user subscription information to the PCRF entity;

The PCRF entity is further configured to generate a PCC rule by using the MBS service information, the user subscription information, and local network policy information.

The system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the MBS policy enforcement entity comprises an MBS server and a policy enforcement entity in an access service network, or includes an access service. The policy enforcement entity in the network.

The system according to claim 18, wherein the MBS service management entity and the MBS user management entity are independent physical entities, or are respectively located as logical entities in an MBS server or an AAA server or a PCRF entity.

The system according to claim 19, wherein the policy enforcement entity in the access service network comprises:

a gateway, configured to send an MBS service authorization request to the PCRF entity, and control the MBS service according to the PCC rule returned by the PCRF entity; and/or

And an MBS proxy entity, configured to forward an MBS service authorization request sent by the gateway to the PCRF entity, and receive a PCC rule returned by the PCRF entity.

The system according to claim 21, wherein the gateway comprises: one or more of an SFA entity, an MBS DPF entity, and a charging client, where

The SFA entity is configured to send an MBS service authorization request to the PCRF entity, and receive a PCC rule from the PCRF entity, and perform service quality control according to the quality of service parameter in the PCC rule;

The MBS DPF entity is configured to perform detection and classification of the MBS service flow according to the service flow detection information in the PCC rule;

The charging client is configured to perform charging according to a charging rule in a PCC rule.

The system according to claim 17, wherein the MBS service management entity is configured to receive a service authorization request sent by the PCRF entity or a policy enforcement entity in an access service network in a service authorization process. At the time, the MBS service information is provided to the PCRF entity.

A policy control and charging control function entity, wherein the entity includes: a policy generating unit, configured to use the MBS service information provided by the MBS service management entity after receiving the service authorization request of the MBS policy enforcement entity And local network policy information, generating PCC rules;

25. A policy control and charging control function entity, wherein the entity comprises: a policy generating unit, configured to: after receiving a service authorization request of an MBS policy enforcement entity,

The MBS service information provided by the MBS service management entity and the user subscription information provided by the MBS user management entity, and the local network policy information, generate PCC rules;