CN106488409B

CN106488409B - Method, device and system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data

Info

Publication number: CN106488409B
Application number: CN201510546067.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 颜娜
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-08-29
Filing date: 2015-08-29
Publication date: 2020-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2035-08-29
Also published as: CN106488409A

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, which comprises the following steps: the PGW selects an EPS bearer for transmitting the broadcast service according to the first session updating request sent by the PCRF; the PGW acquires an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service from the BMSC and binds the acquired IP multicast service address with the EPS bearing; and the PGW sends a second broadcast service transmission request to the MBMS gateway so that the MBMS gateway sends the broadcast service, searches the bound EPS bearer according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway, and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer. The technical scheme can fully utilize network equipment resources and reduce the communication pressure of the GCS application server equipment, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of developing the GCS application server equipment and meeting the service quality requirement of application with higher real-time requirement.

Description

Method, device and system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, and a system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data.

Background

With the development of wireless communication technology, the multimedia broadcast multicast service has been regarded as a service with a very useful scene by the communication industry, and is implemented by an intelligent terminal with a video function receiving contents such as digital audio and video in a broadcast form through a channel or a channel. Currently, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) is implemented in a mobile communication network, for example, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system supports Multimedia video Broadcast Service such as mobile television via MBMS technology.

In the MBMS technology, a broadcast multicast Service corresponds to a broadcast Service area, an LTE system uses a broadcast multicast bearer to send broadcast content from a Group Communication Service (GCS) application server to all User Equipments (UEs) in the broadcast Service area of the broadcast multicast Service, and the UEs will not receive the broadcast multicast Service when they leave the broadcast multicast Service area.

According to the prior art, if the UE cannot receive the broadcast multicast service, the LTE system may send the broadcast multicast service to the UE in a unicast manner. The UE may actively notify the GCS application server that the broadcast-multicast service is not received, the GCS application server requests a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) to send the broadcast-multicast service through unicast, or the PCRF may subscribe to a Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) for events of the UE entering and exiting the broadcast coverage. When the PCRF receives a unicast sending request sent by the GCS application server or receives an event report sent by the PCEF that the UE leaves the broadcast coverage area, the PCRF formulates a (PCC) rule for unicast sending of the broadcast multicast service and initiates session update, and further triggers a packet data Gateway (PGW, PDN Gateway) to establish a new UE bearer or modify the UE bearer, so that the PGW sends the broadcast multicast service through the UE bearer. However, in the above technologies, broadcast data is sent to the PGW through an interface between the GCS application server and the PGW, which has a high requirement on the performance of the GCS application server device, and increases the complexity and cost of developing the GCS application server device. In addition, according to the prior art, unicast transmission of the broadcast service is initiated by the GCS application server, and when the UE repeatedly enters and exits the broadcast service area, a large amount of application layer signaling between the UE and the GCS application server or control plane signaling between the PCRF and the PCEF is generated, so that the efficiency of the process of converting the broadcast multicast service from the broadcast mode to the unicast mode is low, which causes delay or data loss of the broadcast service, and cannot meet the service quality requirements of applications with high real-time requirements, such as emergency rescue, business video conference, remote monitoring, and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention discloses a method, a device and a system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, which can realize that an MBMS gateway forwards the broadcast multicast data to a PGW (multimedia broadcast multicast service), so that the PGW transmits the broadcast multicast data to appointed UE (user equipment) in a unicast mode, reduce the performance requirement on GCS (group client system) application server equipment, reduce the complexity and cost for developing the GCS application server equipment, improve the efficiency of starting or stopping unicast transmission of broadcast services, and meet the service quality requirement of application with higher real-time requirement.

A first aspect of the embodiments of the present invention provides a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, including:

a PGW receives a first session update request sent by a PCRF, and selects an EPS bearer of a designated UE for transmitting a broadcast service, wherein the first session update request is used for indicating the PGW to transmit the broadcast service in a unicast manner;

the PGW sends a first broadcast Service transmission request to a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BMSC) to acquire an IP multicast Service address of the broadcast Service, and binds the acquired IP multicast Service address with the EPS bearer of the specified UE;

the PGW sends a second broadcast service transmission request to an MBMS gateway to indicate the MBMS gateway to send the broadcast service;

and the PGW searches for bound EPS bearing of the specified UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway, and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the specified UE.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the first session request includes a policy and charging control PCC rule of the broadcast service, where the PCC rule includes a Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI) of the broadcast service or a TMGI and a flow Identity (FlowID) of the broadcast service, a destination IP address and a port number of the specified UE, and a Quality of service (QoS) requirement of the broadcast service and a BMSC Identity for managing the broadcast service.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the receiving, by the PGW, a first session update request sent by the PCRF, and selecting an EPS bearer of a specific UE for transmitting the broadcast service includes:

the PGW receives a first session updating request sent by a PCRF, acquires a PCC rule in the first session updating request, and determines the designated UE according to a destination IP address of the designated UE in the PCC rule;

the PGW selects the established EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service according to the QoS requirement of the broadcast service in the PCC rule; or, establishing a new EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service;

the PGW transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the designated UE, including:

and sending the broadcast service to the destination IP address and the port number of the specified UE in the PCC rule through the EPS bearer of the specified UE.

With reference to any one of the first aspect to the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the sending, by the PGW, a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to obtain an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service includes:

the PGW sends a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to trigger the BMSC to acquire an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service from an MBMS gateway;

and the PGW receives a broadcast service transmission response sent by the BMSC and acquires the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service contained in the broadcast service transmission response.

With reference to any one of the first aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, after the step of transmitting, by the PGW, the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE, the method further includes:

the PGW receives a second session update request sent by the PCRF, where the second session update request is used to instruct the PGW to stop transmitting broadcast services in a unicast manner;

the PGW releases the binding of the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and the EPS bearing of the appointed UE, and stops transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE;

the PGW sends a first broadcast service transmission stopping request to the BMSC to indicate to the BMSC that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service;

and the PGW sends a second broadcast service transmission stopping request to the MBMS gateway to indicate the MBMS gateway to stop forwarding the broadcast service to the PGW.

With reference to any one of the first aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, after the step of transmitting, by the PGW, the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE, the method further includes:

when the broadcast service session is ended, the PGW receives a broadcast service end instruction sent by the BMSC;

and the PGW releases the binding of the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and the EPS bearing of the appointed UE and stops transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

With reference to any one of the first aspect to the fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the PCC rule of the broadcast service includes a broadcast service transmission policy, where the broadcast service transmission policy is used to indicate a location range for transmitting the broadcast service or is used to indicate whether the location range for transmitting the broadcast service is a coverage range of the broadcast service;

after the steps of sending, by the PGW, a first broadcast service transmission request to a BMSC to acquire an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, and binding the acquired IP multicast service address with the EPS bearer of the specified UE, the method further includes:

the PGW determines a Position Report Area (PRA) corresponding to the Position range for transmitting the broadcast service according to a broadcast service transmission strategy in a PCC rule in the first session update request, and sends a request for subscribing a UE Position change event to a Mobile Management Entity (MME) so as to request the MME to send an event that the designated UE enters the PRA and an event that the designated UE leaves the PRA;

and the PGW judges whether the designated UE is located in the position range for transmitting the broadcast service according to the event that the UE enters or leaves the PRA, which is sent by the MME, and if the designated UE is located in the position range for transmitting the broadcast service, the broadcast service is transmitted through the EPS bearer of the designated UE.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner, the determining, by the PGW, a PRA corresponding to a location range of the broadcast service according to a broadcast service transmission policy in a PCC rule in the first session update request includes:

if the broadcast service transmission policy in the PCC rule in the first session update request is used to indicate whether the location range for transmitting the broadcast service is the coverage range of the broadcast service, the PGW sends a request for subscribing to the coverage range of the broadcast service to the BMSC, so as to request the BMSC to send the coverage range of the broadcast service;

and the PGW determines the position range of the transmission broadcast service according to the coverage range of the broadcast service sent by the BMSC, and forms a PRA corresponding to the position range of the transmission broadcast service.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner or the seventh possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in an eighth possible implementation manner, after the PGW sends a request for subscribing to a UE location change event to an MME, the method further includes:

if the PGW receives a second session update request sent by the PCRF, or if the PGW receives a broadcast service end indication sent by the BMSC, the PGW sends a request to stop subscribing to a UE location change event to an MME, so as to request the MME to stop sending an event that the designated UE enters the PRA and an event that the designated UE leaves the PRA.

A second aspect of the embodiments of the present invention provides a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, including:

the method comprises the steps that a BMSC receives a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW, wherein the first broadcast service transmission request is used for requesting to forward an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service;

before the broadcast service session starts, the BMSC sends a session start request to an MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service; or, during the broadcast service session, the BMSC sends a broadcast service address request to an MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

and the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, so that the PGW binds the IP multicast service address with the EPS bearing of the appointed UE and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the step of forwarding, by the BMSC, the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW includes:

and when the BMSC receives a session start response sent by the MBMS gateway, or when the BMSC receives a broadcast service address response sent by the MBMS gateway, forwarding the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service in the session start response or the broadcast service address response to the PGW through a broadcast service transmission response.

With reference to the second aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, after the BMSC forwards an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, the method further includes:

the BMSC receives a first broadcast service transmission stop request sent by the PGW, where the first broadcast service transmission stop request is used to indicate that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service.

With reference to the second aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, after the BMSC forwards an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, the method further includes:

when the broadcast service session is ended, the BMSC sends a session ending request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to end the broadcast service session;

and when receiving a session end response sent by the MBMS gateway, the BMSC sends a broadcast service end indication to the PGW to indicate the PGW to stop transmitting the broadcast service.

With reference to any one of the second aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, after the step of receiving, by the BMSC, a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW after receiving a PCC rule of a broadcast service sent by a PCRF, the method further includes:

the BMSC receives a broadcast service coverage area subscribing request sent by the PGW after the PGW receives the PCC rule of the broadcast service sent by the PCRF;

the BMSC sends the coverage of the broadcast service to the PGW, so that the PGW obtains a location range for transmitting the broadcast service according to the coverage of the broadcast service.

A third aspect of the embodiments of the present invention provides a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, including:

when a broadcast service session starts, an MBMS gateway receives a session start request sent by a BMSC, or after the broadcast service session starts, the MBMS gateway receives a broadcast service address request sent by the BMSC, wherein the session start request and the broadcast service address request are used for acquiring an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

the MBMS gateway sends the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC so that the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to a PGW;

and after receiving a second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW, the MBMS gateway sends the broadcast service to the PGW through an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, so that the PGW transmits the broadcast service through an EPS bearer of the designated UE.

With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the sending, by the MBMS gateway, an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC includes:

and the MBMS gateway sends a session start response or sends a broadcast service address response to send the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC.

With reference to the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, after the receiving a second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW, the method further includes:

and after receiving a second broadcast service transmission stop request sent by the PGW, the MBMS gateway stops sending the broadcast service to the PGW.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a packet data gateway, including:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a first session update request sent by a PCRF, where the first session update request is used to instruct a PGW to transmit a broadcast service in a unicast manner;

a processing unit, configured to select an EPS bearer of an assigned UE for transmitting the broadcast service according to the first session update request received by the receiving unit;

an obtaining unit, configured to send a first broadcast service transmission request to a BMSC to obtain an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

a sending unit, configured to send a second broadcast service transmission request to an MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to send the broadcast service;

the processing unit is further configured to search for the bound EPS bearer of the designated UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway, and transmit the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the designated UE.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the first session request includes a policy and charging control PCC rule for the broadcast service, where the PCC rule includes a temporary mobile group identity TMGI of the broadcast service or a TMGI and a flow identifier FlowID of the broadcast service, a destination IP address and a port number of the specified UE, a quality of service QoS requirement of the broadcast service, and a BMSC identity for managing the broadcast service.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

acquiring a PCC rule in a first session updating request received by the receiving unit, and determining the designated UE according to a destination IP address of the designated UE in the PCC rule;

selecting the established EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service according to the QoS requirement of the broadcast service in the PCC rule; or, establishing a new EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service;

With reference to any one of the second possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect to the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the obtaining unit is specifically configured to:

sending a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to trigger the BMSC to acquire an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service from an MBMS gateway;

and receiving a broadcast service transmission response sent by the BMSC, and acquiring the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service contained in the broadcast service transmission response.

With reference to any one of the third possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect to the fourth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to:

receiving a second session update request sent by the PCRF, where the second session update request is used to instruct the PGW to stop transmitting broadcast services in a unicast manner;

the processing unit is further configured to release the binding between the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and the EPS bearer of the designated UE, and stop transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the designated UE;

the sending unit is further configured to send a first broadcast service transmission stop request to the BMSC to indicate to the BMSC that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service; and sending a second broadcast service transmission stopping request to the MBMS gateway to indicate the MBMS gateway to stop forwarding the broadcast service to the PGW.

With reference to any one of the third possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect to the fourth aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to:

when the broadcast service session is ended, receiving a broadcast service end instruction sent by the BMSC;

the processing unit is further configured to release the binding between the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and the EPS bearer of the designated UE, and stop transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the designated UE.

With reference to any one of the fifth possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect to the fourth aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the PCC rule of the broadcast service includes a broadcast service transmission policy, where the broadcast service transmission policy is used to indicate a location range for transmitting the broadcast service or is used to indicate whether the location range for transmitting the broadcast service is a coverage range of the broadcast service;

the processing unit is further configured to determine, according to a broadcast service transmission policy in a PCC rule in the first session update request, a location reporting area PRA corresponding to the location range for transmitting the broadcast service;

the apparatus further comprises:

a subscribing unit, configured to send a UE location change event subscription request to an MME, so as to request the MME to send an event that the designated UE enters the PRA and an event that the designated UE leaves the PRA;

the processing unit is further configured to determine whether the designated UE is located within the location range for transmitting the broadcast service according to an event that the UE enters or leaves the PRA, where the event is sent by the MME, and transmit the broadcast service through an EPS bearer of the designated UE if the designated UE is located within the location range for transmitting the broadcast service.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a seventh possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to:

if the broadcast service transmission policy in the PCC rule in the first session update request is used to indicate whether the location range for transmitting the broadcast service is the coverage range of the broadcast service, sending a request for subscribing to the coverage range of the broadcast service to the BMSC to request the BMSC to send the coverage range of the broadcast service;

the processing unit is further configured to determine a location range of the broadcast service according to the coverage range of the broadcast service sent by the BMSC, and form a PRA corresponding to the location range of the broadcast service.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner or the seventh possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in an eighth possible implementation manner, the subscribing unit is further configured to:

if the receiving unit receives a second session update request sent by RCRF, or if the receiving unit receives a broadcast service end instruction sent by the BMSC, sending a request for stopping subscribing to a UE location change event to an MME, so as to request the MME to stop sending the event that the designated UE enters the PRA and the event that the designated UE leaves the PRA.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a multicast broadcast service center apparatus, including:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW, where the first broadcast service transmission request is used to request to forward an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service;

a sending unit, configured to send a session start request to an MBMS gateway before a broadcast service session starts, so as to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service; or, in the broadcast service session, sending a broadcast service address request to an MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

the sending unit is further configured to forward an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, so that the PGW binds the IP multicast service address with an EPS bearer of an assigned user equipment UE and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the assigned UE.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to:

receiving a session start response or a broadcast service address response sent by the MBMS gateway;

the sending unit is specifically configured to, when the receiving unit receives a session start response or a broadcast service address response sent by the MBMS gateway, forward an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service in the session start response or the broadcast service address response to the PGW through a broadcast service transmission response.

With reference to the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to:

receiving a first broadcast service transmission stop request sent by the PGW, where the first broadcast service transmission stop request is used to indicate that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service.

With reference to the fifth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to:

when the broadcast service session is ended, sending a session ending request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to end the broadcast service session;

the receiving unit is further configured to receive a session termination response sent by the MBMS gateway;

the sending unit is further configured to send a broadcast service end indication to the PGW to indicate the PGW to stop transmitting the broadcast service when the receiving unit receives a session end response sent by the MBMS gateway.

With reference to any one of the third possible implementation manners of the fifth aspect to the fifth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a request for subscribing to a coverage of a broadcast service, where the request is sent by the PGW after receiving a PCC rule of the broadcast service sent by the PCRF;

the sending unit is further configured to send the coverage of the broadcast service to the PGW, so that the PGW obtains a location range for transmitting the broadcast service according to the coverage of the broadcast service.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway, including:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a session start request sent by a BMSC when a broadcast service session starts, or receive a broadcast service address request sent by the BMSC after the broadcast service session starts, where the session start request and the broadcast service address request are used to obtain an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

a sending unit, configured to send the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC, so that the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to a PGW;

the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW;

the sending unit is further configured to send, after the receiving unit receives the second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW, the broadcast service to the PGW through an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, so that the PGW transmits the broadcast service through an EPS bearer of the designated UE.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the sending unit is specifically configured to:

and sending a session start response or sending a broadcast service address response to send the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC.

With reference to the sixth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to:

receiving a second broadcast service transmission stop request sent by the PGW;

the sending unit is further configured to stop sending the broadcast service to the PGW after the receiving unit receives a second broadcast service transmission stop request sent by the PGW.

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a communication system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, where the system includes a packet data gateway, a multicast broadcast service center device, and a multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway;

the packet data gateway is the apparatus according to any one of the fourth to fifth possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect of the embodiment of the present invention;

the multicast broadcast service center apparatus is the apparatus according to any one of the fifth to the fourth possible implementation manners of the fifth aspect of the embodiment of the present invention;

the mbms gateway is the apparatus according to any one of the sixth aspect to the second possible implementation manner of the embodiments of the present invention.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides a communication system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, where the system includes a packet data gateway, a multicast broadcast service center device, a multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway, and a mobility management entity device;

the packet data gateway is the device according to any one of six possible implementation manners to eighth possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect of the embodiment of the present invention;

the multicast broadcast service center device is the device according to any one of the fifth aspect to the fourth possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect of the embodiment of the present invention;

the mbms gateway is the apparatus according to any one of the sixth aspect to the second possible implementation manner of the embodiments of the present invention;

the mobility management entity device is configured to receive a UE location change event subscription request sent by the packet data gateway, and send an event that the UE enters or leaves a designated PRA to the packet data gateway according to the UE location change event subscription request.

In the technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention, after a GCS application server initiates unicast transmission of broadcast services, a PGW receives a first session update request sent by a PCRF, selects an EPS bearer of specified UE for transmitting the broadcast services, acquires an IP multicast service address of the broadcast services from an MBMS gateway through a BMSC, and binds the IP multicast service address of the broadcast services with the EPS bearer of the UE; the PGW requests the MBMS gateway to forward the broadcast service to the MBMS gateway, searches the bound EPS bearing of the appointed UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway, and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE, thereby realizing unicast transmission of the broadcast data. It can be seen that, in the unicast transmission of the broadcast service, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention utilizes the MBMS gateway with higher performance to forward the broadcast service to the PGW for unicast transmission, instead of using the GCS application server to send the broadcast service to the PGW, the PGW may find the EPS bearer of the specified UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway, and send the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE, so that the network device resources are fully utilized, the communication pressure of the GCS application server device is reduced, and the complexity and cost of developing the GCS application server device are reduced.

Further, the PGW sends a request for subscribing to a UE location change event to the MME before sending the broadcast data, so as to request the MME to send an event that designates that the UE enters and leaves a PRA corresponding to a location range where the broadcast service is transmitted; and the PGW judges whether the appointed UE is positioned in the position range for transmitting the broadcast service according to the event that the appointed UE sent by the MME enters or leaves the PRA, and if the appointed UE is positioned in the position range for transmitting the broadcast service, the broadcast service is transmitted by the EPS bearing of the appointed UE. Therefore, the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention can enable the PGW to automatically control whether to start or stop the unicast transmission of the broadcast service, and does not need to trigger the process of starting or stopping the unicast transmission of the broadcast service by the GCS application server every time the UE enters or leaves the position range for transmitting the broadcast service. Therefore, a large amount of GCS application server signaling and other related control signaling are saved, the signaling overhead of a communication network is reduced, the efficiency of starting broadcast service unicast transmission or stopping broadcast service unicast transmission is improved, and the service quality requirement of application with high real-time requirement is met.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art that other drawings can be obtained according to these drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network structure implementing an MBMS technology according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a signaling diagram of a GCS application server initiating a unicast transmission broadcast service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a signaling diagram of a BMSC initiating a unicast transmission broadcast service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic signaling diagram of a GCS application server initiating a stop of unicast transmission of a broadcast service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a signaling diagram illustrating that a BMSC initiates a stop of unicast transmission broadcast service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

figure 9 is a signaling diagram of another GCS application service period initiated unicast transmission broadcast service provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a signaling diagram of another BMSC initiating a unicast broadcast service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a packet data gateway according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a broadcast multicast service center apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a mbms service gateway according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of another packet data gateway according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of another broadcast multicast service center apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of another mbms service gateway according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication system according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The network structure for implementing the MBMS technology in the LTE system can be seen in fig. 1, and the process of implementing broadcast service transmission is as follows: firstly, the GCS application server applies TMGI for identifying broadcast service to BMSC through MB2-C interface, wherein, each TMGI corresponds to a broadcast multicast bearer, the BMSC allocates TMGI, QoS requirement and service validity period for the broadcast service, and sends the TMGI and service validity period of the broadcast service to the GCS application server. The GCS application server activates a broadcast multicast bearer of a broadcast service before transmitting the broadcast service, determines a coverage and QoS requirements of the broadcast service and informs the BMSC of the coverage and QoS requirements of the broadcast service, and if the GCS application server transmits the same broadcast service to different coverage, the Flow ID may be used to identify the broadcast service of the different coverage. The BMSC sends the coverage range and the QoS requirement obtained from the GCS application server to the MBMS gateway, and the MBMS gateway initiates a broadcast multicast bearing activation request to the MME. A mobile management unit (MME) initiates establishment of a broadcast multicast bearer to all Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access networks (E-UTRAN) in a coverage area of a broadcast service, and the E-UTRAN that successfully establishes the broadcast multicast bearer can request registration to an MBMS gateway and send the broadcast service, so that the MBMS gateway sends the broadcast service to all E-UTRAN in the coverage area of the broadcast service, and the E-UTRAN sends the broadcast service to a UE through the broadcast multicast bearer. Some E-UTRAN may not establish the broadcast-multicast bearer due to insufficient radio resources, and thus the UE under the E-UTRAN may not receive the related broadcast-multicast service through the broadcast-multicast bearer. Meanwhile, when the UE leaves the coverage of the broadcast multicast service, the UE cannot receive the related broadcast multicast service.

If the UE cannot receive the broadcast multicast service, the network can send the broadcast multicast service to the UE in a unicast mode. The UE may actively notify the GCS application server that the broadcast multicast service cannot be received, the GCS application server requests the PCRF to send the broadcast multicast service through unicast, or the PCRF may subscribe to an event that the UE enters or exits the broadcast service area from the PCEF. When the PCRF receives a unicast sending request sent by the GCS application server or receives an event report of UE leaving a broadcast service area sent by the PCEF, the PCRF formulates a PCC rule for unicast sending of the broadcast multicast service, and further triggers the PGW to establish a new UE bearer or modify the UE bearer, so that the PGW sends the broadcast multicast service through the UE bearer.

Researchers in the field find that, in the above-mentioned technologies, the GCS application server needs to send broadcast data to the PGW through the SGi interface between the PGW and the PGW, so that the PGW sends the broadcast data to the UE through the EPS bearer of the UE, that is, sends the broadcast data to the UE in a unicast manner, which is a big communication pressure for the GCS application server, and increases complexity and cost of developing a GCS application server device. In addition, according to the above technique, unicast transmission of the broadcast service is initiated by the GCS application server, and when the UE repeatedly enters and exits the broadcast service area, a large amount of application layer signaling between the UE and the GCS application server or control plane signaling between the PCRF and the PCEF will be generated, so that the efficiency of starting unicast transmission of the broadcast service is low, which causes delay or data loss of the broadcast service, and cannot meet the service quality requirements of applications with high real-time requirements, such as emergency rescue, business video conference, remote monitoring, and the like.

The embodiment of the invention provides a method, a device and a system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, which can utilize an MBMS gateway with higher performance in unicast transmission of broadcast services instead of using a GCS application server to transmit the broadcast services to a PGW (packet data service) so that the PGW transmits the broadcast multicast data to UE (user equipment) in a unicast mode, fully utilize network equipment resources, reduce the communication pressure of GCS application server equipment and further reduce the complexity and cost for developing the GCS application server equipment. Meanwhile, the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention can enable the PGW to automatically control whether to start or stop the unicast transmission of the broadcast service without triggering the process of starting or stopping the unicast transmission of the broadcast service by the GCS application server, thereby saving a large amount of GCS application server signaling and other control signaling, reducing the signaling overhead of a communication network, improving the efficiency of starting or stopping the unicast transmission of the broadcast service, and meeting the requirement of application service quality with higher real-time requirement.

Meanwhile, before the broadcast service session starts, the BMSC may automatically initiate unicast transmission of the broadcast service according to the stored broadcast service information (the information records the PGW for unicast transmission of the broadcast service), or when the broadcast service session ends, the BMSC automatically initiates unicast transmission for ending the broadcast service, without initiating unicast transmission or ending unicast transmission by the GCS application server, thereby reducing the control signaling of the GCS application server and also improving the efficiency of starting or stopping unicast transmission of the broadcast service.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Each example is described below.

The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc. in the description and claims of the invention and the above-described drawings are used for distinguishing between different objects and not for describing a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "include" and "have," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements listed, but may alternatively include other steps or elements not listed, or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 2, a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a PGW, and may include the following steps:

s101, a PGW receives a first session update request sent by a PCRF, and selects an EPS bearer of an appointed UE for transmitting a broadcast service, wherein the first session update request is used for indicating the PGW to transmit the broadcast service in a unicast mode.

In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, a GCS application server initially initiates unicast transmission of a broadcast service to a designated UE. In a specific implementation, during a broadcast service session, if some E-UTRAN cannot establish a broadcast multicast bearer and therefore the UE under the E-UTRAN cannot receive the related broadcast multicast service through the broadcast multicast bearer, or when the UE leaves the coverage of the broadcast multicast service and cannot receive the related broadcast multicast service, the UE may notify the GCs application server through the GC1 interface that the GCs application server cannot receive the broadcast service, and the GCs application server may send a unicast transmission request to the PCRF to request the network to send the broadcast service to the UE in a unicast manner. Or when the GCS application server wishes to send broadcast traffic to the UE in a unicast manner, it may also send a unicast transmission request to the PCRF. As shown in fig. 3, the PCRF receives a unicast transmission request sent by the GCS application server, where the unicast transmission request may include a TMGI of a broadcast service or a TMGI and a Flow ID of the broadcast service, a unicast sending indication, a BMSC identifier for managing the broadcast service, and a destination IP address and a port number of a specific UE. And the PCRF formulates a PCC rule of the broadcast service according to the unicast transmission request, and sends a first session updating request to the PGW to trigger the PGW to send the broadcast service to the designated UE through the EPS bearer.

The PGW first selects an EPS bearer of the designated UE for sending the broadcast service, and specifically, after receiving a first session update request sent by the PCRF, the PGW obtains a PCC rule of the broadcast service therein, and selects the EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service. The PCC rule formulated by the PCRF includes a TMGI of the broadcast service or a TMGI and Flow ID of the broadcast service, a destination IP address and port number of the designated UE, a QoS requirement of the broadcast service, and a BMSC identifier for managing the broadcast service. The PGW first determines the designated UE according to the destination IP address of the designated UE in the PCC rule. And selecting the bearer with the QoS closest to the QoS in the PCC rule from the established EPS bearers of the specified UE for transmitting the broadcast service, and completing the mapping from the broadcast service flow to the bearer by the PGW through a bearer modification process. Alternatively, the PGW may establish a new EPS bearer for the specified UE for transmitting the broadcast traffic.

S102, the PGW sends a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to acquire an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, and the acquired IP multicast service address is bound with an EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

After selecting the EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service, the PGW obtains an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, where the IP multicast service address is a destination address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway, and may be used to distinguish different broadcast services, and may include address information such as an IP address, a port number, and a GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) Tunnel Endpoint identifier (TEID, Tunnel Endpoint Identity). After the PGW binds the acquired IP multicast service address with the EPS bearer of the specified UE, the EPS bearer of the specified UE can be found through the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, so as to send the broadcast service on the bearer. Since the IP multicast service address is allocated by the MBMS gateway, the PGW sends a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to trigger the BMSC to send an IP multicast service address request to the MBMS gateway.

In a specific implementation, if a broadcast service session is already in progress when the BMSC receives a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW, the BMSC records the PGW in information of the broadcast service and immediately sends a broadcast service address request to an MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service. Referring to fig. 3, as shown in fig. 3, if a broadcast service session is already in progress when a BMSC receives a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW, a broadcast service address request is immediately sent to an MBMS gateway, and after the MBMS gateway receives the broadcast service address request, an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service is included in a broadcast service address response and sent to the BMSC. The BMSC acquires the IP multicast service address from the broadcast service address response and forwards the IP multicast service address to the PGW through the broadcast service transmission response. It should be noted that, if the PGW already obtains the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, the PGW does not send the first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to obtain the IP multicast service of the broadcast service, that is, the PGW skips this step. If the BMSC receives a first broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW before a broadcast service session starts, the BMSC first records the PGW in the broadcast service information, and adds a broadcast service address request indication to a session start request sent by the MBMS gateway until the broadcast session starts, so as to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service. Referring to fig. 4, a signaling diagram of the BMSC starting unicast transmission of the broadcast service may be shown, as shown in fig. 4, when the MBMS gateway receives a session start request, allocates an IP multicast service address to the broadcast service and sends the IP multicast service address to the BMSC in a session start response. The BMSC obtains the IP multicast service address from the session start response and forwards the IP multicast service address to the PGW through the broadcast service transmission response.

In a specific implementation, the IP multicast service address does not need to be repeatedly acquired, that is, when the PGW acquires the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service after receiving the first session update request of the broadcast service sent by the PCRF, it is not necessary to request to acquire the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service after subsequently receiving the first session update request of the broadcast service.

As shown in fig. 3 or fig. 4, after receiving the broadcast service transmission response sent by the BMSC, the PGW obtains the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service therein, and binds the IP multicast service address with the EPS bearer of the designated UE selected by the PGW in step S101, so that the PGW transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the designated UE when receiving the broadcast service.

In a specific implementation, if the broadcast service needs to be sent to a specific target IP address and port number, the PCC rule includes a target IP address and port number of the designated UE, and the PGW may bind the target IP address and port number with the obtained IP multicast service address. When receiving the broadcast service, the PGW first finds the EPS bearer of the designated UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, and then sends the broadcast service to the destination IP address and port number of the designated UE through the EPS bearer of the designated UE.

S103, the PGW sends a second broadcast service transmission request to the MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to forward the broadcast service.

As shown in fig. 3 or fig. 4, after the PGW binds the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the EPS bearer of the specified UE, a second broadcast service transmission request is sent to the MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to forward the broadcast service to the PGW. And after receiving the second broadcast service transmission request, the MBMS gateway records the PGW in the broadcast service information, and forwards the broadcast service to the PGW when receiving the broadcast service data. In a specific implementation, a logical transmission channel can be established between the MBMS gateway and the PGW, and the MBMS gateway sends the broadcast service to the E-UTRAN and the PGW through the IP multicast service address, so that the E-UTRAN transmits the broadcast service in the broadcast multicast bearer and the PGW transmits the broadcast service in the EPS bearer. Because the MBMS broadcast originally needs to be copied into a plurality of copies to be distributed to a plurality of E-UTRAN, the pressure on the MBMS gateway can not be caused by the fact that a plurality of copies are sent to the PGW, the MBMS gateway with higher performance can be used for forwarding the broadcast service data to the PGW instead of sending the broadcast service to the PGW by the GCS application server, and the performance requirement on the GCS application server equipment is lowered.

S104, the PGW searches the bound EPS bearing of the appointed UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway, and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

After receiving the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway from the IP multicast service address, the PGW searches for the EPS bearer of the specified UE bound to the IP multicast service address according to the IP multicast service address (including address information such as an IP address, a port number, and a GTP TEID), and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer.

In a specific implementation, if the broadcast service needs to be sent to the specified destination IP address and port number, the PCC rule includes the destination IP address and port number of the specified UE, and in step S103, the PGW already binds the IP multicast service address with the destination IP address and port number of the specified UE. When receiving the broadcast service, the PGW may first find the EPS bearer of the designated UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, and then send the broadcast service to the destination IP address and port number of the designated UE through the EPS bearer of the designated UE.

It can be seen that, after the GCS application server initiates unicast transmission of a broadcast service, the PGW receives a first session update request sent by the PCRF, selects an EPS bearer of an assigned UE for transmitting the broadcast service, and acquires an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service from the MBMS gateway through the BMSC, and binds the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service with the EPS bearer of the UE; the PGW requests the MBMS gateway to forward the broadcast service, and searches the bound EPS bearing of the appointed UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway, and the broadcast service is transmitted through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE, thereby realizing unicast transmission of the broadcast data. The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention utilizes the MBMS gateway with higher performance to forward the broadcast service to the PGW for unicast transmission in the unicast transmission of the broadcast data, but not utilizes the GCS application server to transmit the broadcast service to the PGW, the PGW can find the EPS bearing of the appointed UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service transmitted by the MBMS gateway, and the broadcast service is transmitted through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE, so that the network equipment resource is fully utilized, the communication pressure of the GCS application server equipment is reduced, and the complexity and the cost for developing the GCS application server equipment are reduced.

A second embodiment of the present invention provides a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, referring to fig. 5, where fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 5, the method according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

s201, the PGW receives a second session update request sent by the PCRF, where the second session update request is used to instruct the PGW to stop transmitting the broadcast service in a unicast manner.

In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, after the PGW transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the designated UE, the GCS application server may initiate to stop unicast transmission of the broadcast service to the designated UE, or when the broadcast service session is ended, the BMSC automatically initiates to stop unicast transmission of the broadcast service. Signaling diagram of initiating stop of unicast transmission broadcast traffic by the GCS application server referring to fig. 6, as shown in fig. 6, the GCS application server sends a stop unicast transmission request to the PCRF to request the network to stop sending broadcast traffic in unicast. And the PCRF receives a request for stopping unicast transmission sent by the GCS application server, wherein the request can comprise the TMGI of the broadcast service or the TMGI and the Flow ID of the broadcast service, an instruction for stopping unicast transmission and a target IP address and a port number of the specified UE. And the PCRF sends a second session update request to the PGW to trigger the PGW to stop sending the broadcast service to the specified UE through the EPS bearer.

S202, the PGW releases the binding of the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and the EPS bearing of the appointed UE, and stops transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

And after receiving a second session updating request sent by the PCRF, the PGW releases the binding of the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and the EPS bearing of the appointed UE. In a specific implementation, the second session update request may include information such as a TMGI of a broadcast service, or TMGI and Flow ID of a broadcast service, a target IP address and a port number of the designated UE, and the PGW may find, according to the target IP address and the port number, a broadcast service IP multicast service address corresponding to the target IP address and the port number, and unbind the IP multicast service address from the EPS bearer of the designated UE bound to the IP multicast service address. And when the PGW releases the binding of the broadcast service IP multicast service address and the EPS bearing of the appointed UE, stopping transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

S203, the PGW sends a first broadcast service transmission stop request to the BMSC to indicate to the BMSC that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service.

After the PGW stops transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the designated UE, a first broadcast service stop request may be sent to the BMSC to indicate to the BMSC that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service. In a specific implementation, when the PGW does not send the broadcast service to all UEs in the PGW via the EPS, a first broadcast service stop request is sent to the BMSC to indicate to the BMSC that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service. And when the BMSC receives the request for stopping the transmission of the first broadcast service, deleting the PGW information in the broadcast service information.

And S204, the PGW sends a second broadcast service transmission stopping request to the MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to stop forwarding the broadcast service to the PGW.

And the PGW sends a second broadcast service transmission stopping request to the MBMS gateway so as to indicate the MBMS gateway to stop forwarding the broadcast service to the PGW. In a specific implementation, when the PGW does not send the broadcast service to all UEs in the PGW via the EPS, a second broadcast service transmission stop request is sent to the MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to stop forwarding the broadcast service. As shown in fig. 6, after the MBMS gateway receives the second broadcast service transmission stop request, the PGW information recorded in the broadcast service information is deleted. When the MBMS receives the broadcast service data, the MBMS stops forwarding the broadcast service to the PGW.

In some possible embodiments, the unicast transmission of the end broadcast service may be automatically initiated by the BMSC when the broadcast service session ends. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a signaling flow for a BMSC to initiate a stop of unicast transmission of a broadcast service when a broadcast service session is ended, where as shown in fig. 7, after the BMSC sends a session stop request to an MBMS gateway and receives a session stop response fed back by the MBMS gateway, the BMSC sends a broadcast service end indication to a PGW to indicate the PGW to stop sending the broadcast service in a unicast manner. In a specific implementation, when the PGW sends the broadcast service in the unicast manner, the BMSC may receive the first broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW to record the information of the PGW, so that the BMSC may send a broadcast service end indication to all PGWs recorded in the broadcast service information to indicate that the PGW stops sending the broadcast service in the unicast manner. And when receiving the broadcast service end instruction, the PGW releases the EPS load of all the UEs bound with the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and stops transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS load of the UEs.

As can be seen, after the GCS application server initiates the unicast transmission of the broadcast service to the designated UE, the PGW receives the second session update request sent by the PCRF, releases the binding between the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and the EPS bearer of the designated UE, and stops the transmission of the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the designated UE; the PGW sends a first broadcast service transmission stopping request to the BMSC, and sends a second broadcast service transmission stopping request to the MBMS gateway to indicate the MBMS to stop transmitting the broadcast service to the PGW. The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention utilizes the MBMS gateway with higher performance to forward the broadcast service to the PGW for unicast transmission in the unicast transmission of the broadcast data, when the GCS application server triggers to stop unicast transmission of the broadcast service or when the broadcast service session is finished, the MBMS gateway can stop forwarding the broadcast service to the PGW, and the PGW can stop transmitting the broadcast service in a unicast mode.

A third embodiment of the present invention provides a method for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data, referring to fig. 8, where fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the method for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 8, the method according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

s301, receiving, by the PGW, a first session update request sent by the PCRF, and selecting an EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service, where the first session update request is used to instruct the PGW to send the broadcast service in a unicast manner.

In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, a GCS application server initiates unicast transmission of a broadcast service, and the GCS application server may send a unicast transmission request to a PCRF to request a network to send the broadcast service to a UE in a unicast manner. Or when the GCS application server wishes to send broadcast traffic in a unicast manner, it may also send a unicast transmission request to the PCRF. As shown in fig. 3, the PCRF receives a unicast transmission request sent by the GCS application server, where the unicast transmission request may include a TMGI of a broadcast service or a TMGI and a Flow ID of the broadcast service, a unicast sending indication, a BMSC identifier for managing the broadcast service, and a destination IP address and a port number of a specific UE. The unicast transmission request can also include the unicast transmission range of the broadcast service to request the network to send the transmission range of the broadcast service; or a unicast transmission range identification for requesting the network to transmit the broadcast service within the coverage of the broadcast service or to transmit the broadcast service outside the coverage of the broadcast service. The method comprises the steps that a PCRF formulates a PCC rule of a broadcast service according to a unicast transmission request, for example, if the unicast transmission request comprises a unicast transmission range, the PCRF can contain the unicast transmission range as a broadcast service transmission strategy in the PCC rule and sends the broadcast service transmission strategy to a PGW through a first session update request; and if the unicast transmission request contains the unicast transmission range identifier as a broadcast service transmission strategy, the unicast transmission range identifier is contained in the PCC rule and is sent to the PGW through the first session update request.

After receiving the first session update request, the PGW first selects an EPS bearer of the specified UE for sending the broadcast service, and the specific implementation may refer to step S101 in the foregoing embodiment, which is not described herein again.

S302, the PGW sends a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to obtain an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, and binds the obtained IP multicast service address with an EPS bearer of the designated UE.

And when the PGW selects the EPS bearer of the appointed UE for transmitting the broadcast service, acquiring the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and binding the acquired IP multicast service address with the EPS bearer of the appointed UE. For the specific implementation of this step, reference may be made to step S102 in the first embodiment, which is not described herein again.

S303, the PGW determines, according to the broadcast service transmission policy in the PCC rule in the first session update request, a PRA corresponding to the location range in which the broadcast service is transmitted, and sends a request for subscribing to a UE location change event to the MME, so as to request the MME to send an event that the specified UE enters the PRA and an event that the specified UE leaves the PRA.

After the PGW acquires the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and binds the acquired IP multicast service address with the EPS bearer of the designated UE, a PRA corresponding to a location range where the broadcast service is transmitted may be determined according to a broadcast service transmission policy in the PCC rule in the first session update request, and a request for subscribing to a UE location change event is sent to the MME to acquire an event where the UE enters the PRA and an event where the designated UE leaves the PRA, so that the PGW determines whether the designated UE is located within the location range where the broadcast service is transmitted according to the event where the UE enters or leaves the PRA, which is sent by the MME.

In a specific implementation, the broadcast service transmission policy may directly indicate the location range for transmitting the broadcast service, and may also indicate whether the location range for transmitting the broadcast service is the coverage range of the broadcast service. If the broadcast service transmission strategy directly indicates the position range for transmitting the broadcast service, the PGW may directly determine a corresponding PRA according to the position range for transmitting the broadcast service, and if the broadcast service transmission strategy indicates whether the position range for transmitting the broadcast service is the coverage range of the broadcast service, the PGW needs to acquire the coverage range of the broadcast service from the BMSC, determine the position range for transmitting the broadcast service according to the coverage range of the broadcast service, and then determine the corresponding PRA according to the position range for transmitting the broadcast service. After determining the PRA corresponding to the location range for transmitting the broadcast service, the PGW sends a request for subscribing to a UE location change event to the MME, so as to request the MME to send an event that designates the UE to enter the PRA and an event that designates the UE to leave the PRA.

Fig. 9 or fig. 10 shows a signaling diagram for starting unicast transmission and broadcast service when the broadcast service transmission policy is included in the first session update request, where fig. 9 is a signaling diagram for starting unicast transmission and broadcast service by the GCS initially, and fig. 10 is a signaling diagram for starting unicast transmission and broadcast service by the BMSC. As shown in fig. 9 or fig. 10, after the PGW binds the acquired IP multicast service address to the EPS bearer of the designated UE, it may directly send a request for subscribing to a UE location change event to the MME to request the MME to send an event that the designated UE enters the PRA and an event that the designated UE leaves the PRA; the PGW may also send a request for subscribing to the coverage of the broadcast service to the BMSC, the BMSC sends the PGW with the coverage of the broadcast service included in the response for subscribing to the coverage of the broadcast service, and the PGW sends a request for subscribing to the UE location change event to the MME after acquiring the coverage of the broadcast service.

In some possible embodiments, the PGW may include the coverage request of the subscription broadcast service in a first broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW to the BMSC and send the request to the BMSC, and the BMSC may also include the coverage response of the subscription broadcast service in a first broadcast service transmission response sent by the BMSC and send the response to the PGW.

S304, the PGW sends a second broadcast service transmission request to the MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to forward the broadcast service.

As shown in fig. 9 or fig. 10, after the PGW sends a request for subscribing to the UE location change event to the MME, a second broadcast service transmission request is sent to the MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to forward the broadcast service.

S305, the PGW judges whether the appointed UE is positioned in the position range for transmitting the broadcast service according to the event that the UE enters or leaves the PRA and is sent by the MME, and if the appointed UE is positioned in the position range for transmitting the broadcast service, the broadcast service is transmitted by the EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

After receiving the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway from the IP multicast service address, the PGW searches the EPS bearer of the specified UE bound to the IP multicast service address according to the IP multicast service address (including address information such as an IP address, a port number, and a GTP TEID) of the received data, and the PGW further needs to determine whether the specified UE is located within a location range where the broadcast service is transmitted according to an event that the UE enters or leaves the PRA, which is sent by the MME. Specifically, if the MME reports an event that the PGW specifies that the UE leaves the PRA corresponding to the location range where the broadcast service is transmitted, the PGW determines that the PGW is located outside the location range where the broadcast service is transmitted, and the broadcast service is not transmitted through the EPS bearer of the specified UE; if the MME reports an event that the PGW specifies that the UE enters a PRA corresponding to the position range for transmitting the broadcast service, the PGW judges that the PGW is located within the position range for transmitting the broadcast service, and the PGW transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE after receiving the broadcast service.

It can be seen that, in the technology provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the PGW sends a request for subscribing to a UE location change event to the MME before sending broadcast data, so as to request the MME to send an event specifying that the UE enters and leaves a PRA corresponding to a location range where a broadcast service is transmitted; and the PGW judges whether the appointed UE is positioned in the position range for transmitting the broadcast service according to the event that the appointed UE sent by the MME enters or leaves the PRA, and if the appointed UE is positioned in the position range for transmitting the broadcast service, the broadcast service is transmitted by the EPS bearing of the appointed UE. The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention can enable the PGW to automatically control the start or stop of the unicast transmission of the broadcast service. Without the need for the GCS application server to trigger the process of starting or stopping unicast transmission of broadcast traffic each time the UE enters or leaves the location range where broadcast traffic is transmitted. Therefore, a large amount of GCS application server signaling and other related control signaling can be saved, the signaling overhead of a communication network is reduced, the efficiency of starting or stopping unicast transmission of the broadcast service is improved, and the service quality requirement of the application with higher real-time requirement is met.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention provides a method for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data, referring to fig. 11, where fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the method for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 11, the method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

s401, the BMSC receives a first broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW after receiving the first session update request sent by the PCRF.

In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, a GCS application server initially initiates unicast transmission of a broadcast service to a designated UE. As shown in fig. 3, the PCRF receives a unicast transmission request sent by the GCS application server, where the unicast transmission request may include a TMGI of a broadcast service or a TMGI and a Flow ID of the broadcast service, a unicast sending indication, a BMSC identifier for managing the broadcast service, and a destination IP address and a port number of a specific UE. And the PCRF formulates a PCC rule of the broadcast service according to the unicast transmission request, and sends a first session updating request to the PGW to trigger the PGW to send the broadcast service to the designated UE through the EPS bearer. After receiving a first session update request sent by the PCRF, the PGW selects an EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service, and then acquires an IP multicast service address. The IP multicast service address is a destination address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway, and may be used to distinguish different broadcast services, and may include address information such as an IP address, a port number, and a GPRS tunneling protocol GTP TEID. After the PGW binds the acquired IP multicast service address with the EPS bearer of the specified UE, the PGW can find the EPS bearer of the specified UE through the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, and send the broadcast service on the bearer. Since the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service is allocated by the MBMS gateway, the PGW may send a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to trigger the BMSC to send an IP multicast service address request to the MBMS gateway.

S402, before the broadcast service session starts, the BMSC sends a session start request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service; or, in the broadcast service session, the BMSC sends a broadcast service address request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service.

Before the broadcast service session starts, the BMSC sends a session start request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, and a signaling diagram of the BMSC starting unicast transmission of the broadcast service can be seen in fig. 4. As shown in fig. 4, if the BMSC receives the first broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW before the broadcast service session starts, the BMSC records the PGW in the broadcast service information, and adds a broadcast service address request indication to the session start request sent by the MBMS gateway when the broadcast session starts, so as to request the MBMS gateway to start the broadcast service session and send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service. In addition, when the broadcast service of unicast transmission is restarted after finishing, the BMSC may also acquire the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the MBMS gateway through the session start request. When the MBMS gateway receives the session start request, the MBMS gateway allocates an IP multicast service address for the broadcast service and sends the IP multicast service address to the BMSC by including the IP multicast service address in the session start response.

In the process of a broadcast service session, a signaling diagram of a GCS application server starting unicast transmission of a broadcast service may be shown in fig. 3, as shown in fig. 3, when a BMSC receives a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW, and the broadcast service session is already in progress, the BMSC records the PGW in information of the broadcast service and immediately sends a broadcast service address request to an MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service. When the MBMS gateway receives the broadcast service address request, the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service can be contained in the broadcast service address response and sent to the BMSC.

S403, the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, so that the PGW binds the IP multicast service address with the EPS bearing of the designated UE and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the designated UE.

And after receiving the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway, the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address to the PGW. Specifically, as shown in fig. 3 or fig. 4, after receiving a broadcast service address response or a session start response sent by the MBMS gateway, the BMSC acquires an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service from the broadcast service address response or the session start response, and sends the IP multicast service address to the PGW recorded in the MBMS information through a broadcast service transmission response. The PGW may bind the IP multicast service address with the EPS bearer of the specified UE and transmit the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE.

In some possible embodiments, the unicast transmission request sent by the GCS application server to the PCRF may further include a unicast transmission range of the broadcast service to request the network to send the transmission range of the broadcast service; or a unicast transmission range identification for requesting the network to transmit the broadcast service within the coverage of the broadcast service or to transmit the broadcast service outside the coverage of the broadcast service. The PCC rule of the first session update request sent by the PCRF to the PGW may further include a broadcast service transmission policy, where the broadcast service transmission policy is used to indicate, to the PGW, a location area where the broadcast service is unicast-transmitted, so that the PGW determines, according to a location where the specified UE is located, whether to transmit the broadcast service in a unicast manner. In a specific implementation, the broadcast service transmission policy may directly indicate the location range for transmitting the broadcast service, and may also indicate that the location range for transmitting the broadcast service is within the coverage of the broadcast service or outside the coverage of the broadcast service. If the broadcast service transmission policy indicates whether the location range for transmitting the broadcast service is the coverage range of the broadcast service, the PGW needs to acquire the coverage range of the broadcast service from the BMSC to obtain the location range for transmitting the broadcast service. As shown in fig. 9 or fig. 10, where fig. 9 is a signaling diagram of a GCS application server starting unicast transmission of a broadcast service during a broadcast service session, fig. 10 is a signaling diagram of a BMSC initiating unicast transmission of a broadcast service before a broadcast service session starts, after a PGW binds an acquired IP multicast service address with an EPS bearer of a specified UE, the PGW may send a request for subscribing a broadcast service coverage to the BMSC, and the BMSC includes the coverage of the broadcast service in a response for subscribing the broadcast service coverage and sends the response to the PGW.

It can be seen that, in the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, after receiving a first broadcast transmission request sent by a PGW, a BMSC requests an MBMS to broadcast an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service, and forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS to the PGW, so that the PGW binds the IP multicast service address to an EPS bearer of an assigned UE, and when receiving the broadcast service forwarded by an MBMS gateway, the PGW can find the EPS bearer of the assigned UE bound to the IP multicast service address according to the IP multicast service address, and transmit the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the assigned UE. The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention utilizes the MBMS gateway to forward the broadcast service to the PGW for unicast transmission, and does not use the GCS application server to send the broadcast service to the PGW, thereby fully utilizing the network equipment resources, reducing the communication pressure of the GCS application server equipment and further reducing the complexity and cost for researching and developing the GCS application server equipment. Further, before the broadcast service session starts, the BMSC may automatically initiate unicast transmission of the broadcast service to the PGW according to the PGW information recorded in the broadcast service information, without initiating unicast transmission of the broadcast service by the GCS application server, thereby reducing control signaling of the GCS application server and also improving efficiency of initiating unicast transmission of the broadcast service.

An embodiment five of the present invention provides a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, referring to fig. 12, where fig. 12 is a schematic flow chart of the method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to the embodiment five of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 12, the method according to the embodiment five of the present invention may include the following steps:

s501, when the broadcast service session is ended, the BMSC sends a session end request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to end the broadcast service session.

When the broadcast service session ends, the BMSC may automatically initiate a unicast transmission that ends the broadcast service. As shown in fig. 7, a schematic diagram of a signaling flow for the BMSC to initiate a stop of unicast transmission of the broadcast service when the broadcast service session is ended may be seen in fig. 7, where, when the broadcast service session is ended, the BMSC sends a session stop request to the MBMS gateway.

S502, when the BMSC receives a session end response sent by the MBMS gateway, sending a broadcast service end indication to the PGW to indicate the PGW to stop transmitting the broadcast service.

After receiving the session stop response fed back by the MBMS gateway, the BMSC sends a broadcast service end indication to the PGW to indicate the PGW to stop sending the broadcast service in a unicast manner. In a specific implementation, when the PGW sends the broadcast service in the unicast manner, the BMSC may receive the first broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW to record the information of the PGW, so that the BMSC may send a broadcast service end indication to all PGWs recorded in the broadcast service information to indicate that the PGW stops sending the broadcast service in the unicast manner. And when receiving the broadcast service end instruction, the PGW releases the EPS load of all the UE bound with the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and stops transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS load of the UE.

In some possible embodiments, when the broadcast service session is restarted, the BMSC may send a broadcast service transmission response to all PGWs recorded in the broadcast service information again, so that the PGWs bind the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service with the EPS bearer of the specified UE again and transmit the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE. As shown in fig. 4, the BMSC sends a session start request to the MBMS gateway, where the session start request includes a broadcast service address request indication to request the MBMS gateway to start a broadcast service session and send an IP multicast service address, and after receiving a session start response sent by the MBMS gateway, the BMSC sends the IP multicast service address included in the session start request to the PGW through a broadcast service transmission response.

In some possible embodiments, the GCS application server may trigger to stop the unicast transmission of the broadcast service, and a signaling diagram of the GCS application server initiating the stop of the unicast transmission of the broadcast service may refer to fig. 6, as shown in fig. 6, when the PGW receives the second session update request sent by the PCRF, the PGW removes the binding between the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service and the EPS bearer of the specified UE, and sends the first broadcast service stop request to the BMSC to indicate to the BMSC that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service. And when the BMSC receives the request for stopping the transmission of the first broadcast service, deleting the PGW information in the broadcast service information.

It can be seen that in the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, when a broadcast service session is ended, the BMSC automatically initiates unicast transmission for ending the broadcast service, and sends a broadcast service end indication to the PGW recorded in the broadcast service information to indicate that the PGW stops transmitting the broadcast service, without initiating unicast transmission for ending the broadcast service by the GCS application server. Therefore, the control signaling of the GCS application server is reduced, and the efficiency of stopping unicast transmission of the broadcast service can be improved.

Sixth embodiment of the present invention provides a method for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data, referring to fig. 13, where fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the method for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 13, the method may include the following steps:

s601, when the broadcast service session starts, the MBMS gateway receives a session start request sent by the BMSC, or after the broadcast service session starts, the MBMS gateway receives a broadcast service address request sent by the BMSC, wherein the session start request and the broadcast service address request are used for acquiring an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service.

And when the PGW triggers unicast transmission of the broadcast service according to the first session updating request sent by the PCRF, selecting the EPS bearer of the appointed UE for transmitting the broadcast service, and then acquiring an IP multicast service address. Since the IP multicast service address is allocated by the MBMS gateway, the PGW sends a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to trigger the BMSC to send an IP multicast service address request to the MBMS gateway.

When a broadcast service session starts, the MBMS gateway may receive a session start request sent by the BMSC, where the session start request includes a broadcast service address request indication, as shown in fig. 4, when the BMSC receives a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW before the broadcast service session starts, the BMSC first records the PGW in information of the broadcast service, and adds the broadcast service address request indication to the session start request sent by the MBMS gateway when the broadcast session starts, so as to request the MBMS gateway to start a broadcast service session and send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service. In addition, when the broadcast service of unicast transmission is restarted after finishing, the BMSC may also acquire the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the MBMS gateway through the session start request.

The MBMS gateway may also receive a broadcast service address request sent by the BMSC while a broadcast service session is in progress, as shown in fig. 3, when the BMSC receives a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW, the BMSC records the PGW in information of the broadcast service and immediately sends a broadcast service address request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service.

S602, the MBMS gateway sends the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC, so that the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the PGW.

After receiving a session start request carrying a broadcast service address request indication sent by a BMSC, an MBMS gateway allocates an IP multicast service address for a broadcast service and sends the IP multicast service address to the BMSC in a session start response; or when the MBMS gateway receives the broadcast service address request sent by the BMSC, the MBMS gateway sends the broadcast service IP multicast service address to the BMSC in the broadcast service address response. After receiving the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address to the PGW.

And S603, after receiving the second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW, the MBMS gateway sends the broadcast service to the PGW through the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, so that the PGW carries and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS of the specified UE.

As shown in fig. 3 or fig. 4, after the PGW binds the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the EPS bearer of the specified UE, a second broadcast service transmission request is sent to the MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to forward the broadcast service to the PGW. And after receiving the second broadcast service transmission request, the MBMS gateway records the PGW in the broadcast service information, and forwards the broadcast service to the PGW when receiving the broadcast service data. In a specific implementation, a logical transmission channel may be established between the MBMS gateway and the PGW, and after receiving the data of the broadcast service, the MBMS gateway sends the broadcast service data to the E-UTRAN and the PGW through an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, so that the E-UTRAN transmits the broadcast service in a broadcast multicast bearer and the PGW transmits the broadcast service in an EPS bearer.

In some possible embodiments, when the GCS application server triggers to stop unicast transmission of the broadcast service and the PGW does not send the broadcast service to all UEs in the PGW via the EPS, or when the broadcast service session ends, the MBMS gateway may receive a second broadcast service stop transmission request sent by the PGW, where the second broadcast service stop transmission request is used to instruct the MBMS gateway to stop forwarding the broadcast service. As shown in fig. 6, after the MBMS gateway receives the second broadcast service transmission stop request, the PGW information recorded in the broadcast service information is deleted. When the MBMS receives the broadcast service data, the MBMS stops forwarding the broadcast service to the PGW.

It can be seen that, in the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, after receiving the request, the MBMS sends the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC, so that the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address to the PGW, and then, after receiving the second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW, sends the broadcast service to the PGW through the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, so that the PGW transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE. Because the MBMS broadcast originally needs to be copied into a plurality of copies to be distributed to a plurality of E-UTRAN, and the copying of one copy to be sent to the PGW does not cause pressure to the MBMS gateway, the MBMS gateway with higher performance can be used for forwarding the broadcast service data to the PGW instead of sending the broadcast service to the PGW by using the GCS application server, thereby reducing the performance requirement on the GCS application server equipment and the cost for designing and developing the GCS application server.

The seventh embodiment of the present invention provides a packet data gateway, which is used for implementing the method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data provided by the present invention. Referring to fig. 14, the packet data gateway 700 may include a receiving unit 710, a processing unit 720, an obtaining unit 730, and a sending unit 740.

A receiving unit 710, configured to receive a first session update request sent by the PCRF, where the first session update request is used to instruct a PGW to transmit a broadcast service in a unicast manner;

a processing unit 720, configured to select an EPS bearer of a designated UE for transmitting a broadcast service according to the first session update request received by the receiving unit 710;

an obtaining unit 730, configured to send a first broadcast service transmission request to a BMSC to obtain an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service;

a sending unit 740, configured to send a second broadcast service transmission request to the MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to send a broadcast service;

the processing unit 720 is further configured to search for the bound EPS bearer of the specified UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway, and transmit the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE.

In a specific implementation, the first session request includes a PCC rule of the broadcast service, where the PCC rule includes a TMGI of the broadcast service or a TMGI and a Flow ID of the broadcast service, a destination IP address and a port number of the specified UE, a QoS requirement of the broadcast service, and a BMSC identifier for managing the broadcast service.

The processing unit 720 is specifically configured to acquire a PCC rule in the first session update request received by the receiving unit 710, and determine the designated UE according to a destination IP address of the designated UE in the PCC rule; selecting an established EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service according to the QoS requirement of the broadcast service in the PCC rule; or, establishing a new EPS bearer of the designated UE for transmitting the broadcast service; and sending the broadcast service to the destination IP address and the port number of the specified UE in the PCC rule through the EPS bearing of the specified UE.

The acquiring unit 730 is specifically configured to send a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC, so as to trigger the BMSC to acquire an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service from the MBMS gateway; and receiving a broadcast service transmission response sent by the BMSC, and acquiring the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service contained in the broadcast service transmission response.

In some possible embodiments, the receiving unit 710 is further configured to receive a second session update request sent by the PCRF, where the second session update request is used to instruct the PGW to stop transmitting the broadcast traffic in a unicast manner. The processing unit 720 is further configured to unbind the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service from the EPS bearer of the specified UE, and stop transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE. The sending unit 740 is further configured to send a first broadcast service stop transmission request to the BMSC to indicate to the BMSC that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service; and sending a second broadcast service transmission stopping request to the MBMS gateway to indicate the MBMS gateway to stop forwarding the broadcast service to the PGW.

In some possible embodiments, the receiving unit 710 is further configured to receive a broadcast service end indication sent by the BMSC when the broadcast service session ends. The processing unit 720 is further configured to unbind the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service from the EPS bearer of the specified UE, and stop transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE.

In some possible embodiments, the PCC rule of the broadcast service includes a broadcast service transmission policy, where the broadcast service transmission policy is used to indicate a location range for transmitting the broadcast service or is used to indicate whether the location range for transmitting the broadcast service is a coverage of the broadcast service. The processing unit 720 is further configured to determine a location reporting area PRA corresponding to the location range for transmitting the broadcast service according to the broadcast service transmission policy. The apparatus 700 further includes a subscribing unit 750 configured to send a subscribe UE location change event request to the MME to request the MME to send an event that specifies the UE enters the PRA and an event that specifies the UE leaves the PRA. The processing unit 720 is further configured to determine whether the designated UE is located within the location range for transmitting the broadcast service according to an event that the UE enters or leaves the PRA, where the event is sent by the MME, and if the designated UE is located within the location range for transmitting the broadcast service, the designated UE carries the broadcast service through an EPS of the designated UE. If the receiving unit 710 receives the second session update request sent by the RCRF, or the receiving unit 710 receives the broadcast service end instruction sent by the BMSC, the subscribing unit 750 sends a request for stopping subscribing the UE location change event to the MME, so as to request the MME to stop sending the event that the designated UE enters the PRA and the event that the designated UE leaves the PRA.

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention utilizes the MBMS gateway with higher performance to forward the broadcast service to the PGW for unicast transmission in the unicast transmission of the broadcast data, but not utilizes the GCS application server to transmit the broadcast service to the PGW, the PGW can find the EPS bearing of the appointed UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service transmitted by the MBMS gateway, and the broadcast service is transmitted through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE, so that the network equipment resource is fully utilized, the communication pressure of the GCS application server equipment is reduced, and the complexity and the cost for developing the GCS application server equipment are reduced.

The eighth embodiment of the present invention provides a multicast broadcast service center device, which is used for implementing the method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data provided by the present invention. Referring to fig. 15, the multicast broadcast service center apparatus 800 may include a receiving unit 810 and a transmitting unit 820.

A receiving unit 810, configured to receive a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW, where the first broadcast service transmission request is used to request to forward an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service;

a sending unit 820, configured to send a session start request to the MBMS gateway before a broadcast service session starts, so as to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service; or, in the broadcast service session, sending a broadcast service address request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

the sending unit 820 is further configured to forward the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, so that the PGW binds the IP multicast service address with the EPS bearer of the specified UE and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the specified UE.

In a specific implementation, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a session start response or a broadcast service address response sent by the MBMS gateway. The sending unit 820 is specifically configured to forward the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service in the session start response or the broadcast service address response to the PGW through the broadcast service transmission response when the receiving unit 810 receives the session start response or the broadcast service address response sent by the MBMS gateway.

In some possible embodiments, the receiving unit 810 is further configured to receive a first broadcast service stop transmission request sent by the PGW, where the first broadcast service stop transmission request is used to indicate that the PGW has stopped transmitting the broadcast service.

In some possible embodiments, the sending unit 820 is further configured to send a session ending request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to end the broadcast service session when the broadcast service session ends. The receiving unit 810 is further configured to receive a session end response sent by the MBMS gateway. The sending unit 820 is further configured to send a broadcast service end indication to the PGW to indicate the PGW to stop transmitting the broadcast service when the receiving unit 810 receives the session end response sent by the MBMS gateway.

In other possible embodiments, the receiving unit 810 is further configured to receive a request for coverage of the broadcast service, which is sent by the PGW after receiving the PCC rule of the broadcast service sent by the PCRF. The sending unit 820 is further configured to send the coverage of the broadcast service to the PGW, so that the PGW obtains the location range for transmitting the broadcast service according to the coverage of the broadcast service.

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention utilizes the MBMS gateway to forward the broadcast service to the PGW for unicast transmission, and does not use the GCS application server to send the broadcast service to the PGW, thereby fully utilizing the network equipment resources, reducing the communication pressure of the GCS application server equipment and further reducing the complexity and cost for researching and developing the GCS application server equipment. Further, before the broadcast service session starts, the BMSC may automatically initiate unicast transmission of the broadcast service to the PGW according to the PGW information recorded in the broadcast service information, without initiating unicast transmission of the broadcast service by the GCS application server, thereby reducing control signaling of the GCS application server and also improving efficiency of initiating unicast transmission of the broadcast service.

The ninth embodiment of the present invention provides a multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway, which is used for implementing the method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data provided by the present invention. Referring to fig. 16, the mbms service gateway 900 may include a receiving unit 910 and a transmitting unit 920.

A receiving unit 910, configured to receive a session start request sent by a BMSC when a broadcast service session starts, or receive a broadcast service address request sent by the BMSC after the broadcast service session starts, where the session start request and the broadcast service address request are used to obtain an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service;

a sending unit 920, configured to send the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC, so that the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the PGW;

the receiving unit 910 is further configured to receive a second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW;

the sending unit 920 is further configured to send, after the receiving unit 910 receives the second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW, the broadcast service to the PGW through an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, so that the PGW transmits the broadcast service through an EPS bearer of the specified UE.

In a specific implementation, the sending unit 920 is configured to send the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC by sending a session start response or by sending a broadcast service address response.

In some possible embodiments, the receiving unit 910 is further configured to receive a second broadcast service stop transmission request sent by the PGW. The sending unit 920 is further configured to stop sending the broadcast service to the PGW after the receiving unit 910 receives the second broadcast service transmission stop request sent by the PGW.

Therefore, the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention can utilize the MBMS gateway with higher performance to forward the broadcast service data to the PGW, instead of sending the broadcast service to the PGW by using the GCS application server, thereby reducing the performance requirement on the GCS application server equipment and reducing the cost for designing and developing the GCS application server.

The tenth embodiment of the present invention provides another packet data gateway, which is used for implementing the method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data provided by the present invention. Referring to fig. 17, the apparatus a00 includes a processor a10, a memory a20, a bus system a30, a receiver a40, and a transmitter a 50. The processor a10, the memory a20, the receiver a40 and the transmitter a50 are connected through a bus system a30, the memory a20 is used for storing instructions, and the processor a10 is used for executing the instructions stored in the memory a20 to control the receiver a40 to receive signals and control the transmitter a50 to transmit signals, so as to complete the steps in the method for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data. Wherein receiver a40 and transmitter a50 may be the same or different physical entities. When the same physical entity, may be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

The method steps performed by the apparatus a00 may include at least:

receiving a first session update request sent by a PCRF (policy and charging rules function), and selecting an EPS bearer of a designated UE (user equipment) for transmitting a broadcast service, wherein the first session update request is used for indicating a PGW (packet data gateway) to transmit the broadcast service in a unicast mode;

sending a first broadcast service transmission request to a BMSC (BMSC) to acquire an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service, and binding the acquired IP multicast service address with an EPS (evolved packet system) bearer of the specified UE;

sending a second broadcast service transmission request to the MBMS gateway to indicate the MBMS gateway to send the broadcast service;

and searching the bound EPS bearing of the appointed UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway, and transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

For the concepts, explanations, details and other steps related to the packet data gateway and related to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, please refer to the description of the foregoing methods or embodiments, which are not described herein again.

The eleventh embodiment of the present invention provides another multicast broadcast service center device, which is configured to implement the method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to the present invention. Referring to fig. 18, the device b00 includes a processor b10, a memory b20, a bus system b30, a receiver b40, and a transmitter b 50. Wherein, the processor b10, the memory b20, the receiver b40 and the transmitter b50 are connected through a bus system b30, the memory b20 is used for storing instructions, and the processor b10 is used for executing the instructions stored in the memory b20 to control the receiver b40 to receive signals and control the transmitter b50 to transmit signals, thereby completing the steps in the method for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data. Wherein receiver b40 and transmitter b50 may be the same or different physical entities. When the same physical entity, may be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

The method steps performed by the apparatus b00 may include at least:

receiving a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PCRF (policy and charging rules function) by a PGW (packet data gateway), wherein the first broadcast service transmission request is used for requesting to forward an IP (Internet protocol) multicast service address of a broadcast service;

before the broadcast service session starts, sending a session starting request to an MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service; or, in the broadcast service session, sending a broadcast service address request to the MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

and forwarding the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, so that the PGW binds the IP multicast service address with the EPS bearing of the appointed UE and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

For the concepts, explanations, details and other steps related to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention related to the multicast broadcast service center device, reference is made to the description of these contents in the foregoing method or embodiment, and no further description is given here.

The twelfth embodiment of the present invention provides another broadcast multicast service gateway, which is used to implement the method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data provided by the present invention. Referring to fig. 19, the apparatus c00 includes a processor c10, a memory c20, a bus system c30, a receiver c40, and a transmitter c 50. Wherein, the processor c10, the memory c20, the receiver c40 and the transmitter c50 are connected through a bus system c30, the memory c20 is used for storing instructions, and the processor c10 is used for executing the instructions stored in the memory c20 to control the receiver c40 to receive signals and control the transmitter c50 to transmit signals, thereby completing the steps in the method for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data. Wherein receiver c40 and transmitter c50 may be the same or different physical entities. When the same physical entity, may be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

The method steps performed by the apparatus c00 may include at least:

when a broadcast service session starts, receiving a session start request sent by a BMSC (multimedia broadcast service center), or receiving a broadcast service address request sent by the BMSC after the broadcast service session starts, wherein the session start request and the broadcast service address request are used for acquiring an IP (Internet protocol) multicast service address of the broadcast service;

sending the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC so that the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the PGW;

and after receiving a second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW, sending the broadcast service to the PGW through the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, so that the PGW carries and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS of the specified UE.

For the concepts, explanations, details and other steps related to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention related to the broadcast multicast service gateway, please refer to the description of the foregoing methods or embodiments, which are not repeated herein.

A thirteenth embodiment of the present invention provides a communication system for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data, referring to fig. 20, where fig. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of the communication system for unicast transmission of broadcast and multicast data according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 20, the communication system includes: the system comprises a packet data gateway d10, a multicast broadcast service center device d20 and a multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway d30, wherein the packet data gateway d10 communicates with the multicast broadcast service center device d20 through a Gr interface, the packet data gateway d10 communicates with the multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway d30 through an M5 interface, and the multicast broadcast service center device d20 communicates with the multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway d30 through an SGi interface.

The packet data gateway d10 is the packet data gateway provided in the above embodiment of the present invention for implementing a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to the present invention;

the multicast broadcast service center device d20 is the multicast broadcast service center device provided in the above embodiment of the present invention for implementing the method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to the present invention;

the multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway d30 is the multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway provided in the above embodiment of the present invention for implementing a method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data according to the present invention.

In some possible embodiments, the communication system may further include a mobility management entity device d40, and fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, which includes the mobility management entity device. Wherein the mobile management entity device d40 and the packet data gateway d10 communicate with each other through an S-11 interface. The mobility management entity device d40 is configured to receive the subscribed UE location change event request sent by the packet data gateway d10, and send an event that the UE enters or leaves the designated PRA to the packet data gateway d10 according to the subscribed UE location change event request.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, various aspects of the invention, or possible implementations of various aspects, may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Furthermore, aspects of the invention, or possible implementations of aspects, may take the form of a computer program product, which refers to computer-readable program code stored in a computer-readable medium.

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable data medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, and portable read-only memory (CD-ROM).

A processor in the computer reads the computer-readable program code stored in the computer-readable medium, so that the processor can perform the functional actions specified in each step, or a combination of steps, in the flowcharts; and means for generating a block diagram that implements the functional operation specified in each block or a combination of blocks.

The computer readable program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's local computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the flowchart or block diagram block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two steps or two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

In the embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus may be implemented in other manners. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and the division of the functional units is only one logical functional division, and other divisions may be possible when specific implementations are implemented, for example, multiple units may be combined into one subsystem or module, or one unit may be divided into several units for implementation, or some implementation features may be omitted or not executed.

The method, the apparatus, and the system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, and a specific example is applied in the present disclosure to explain the principle and the implementation of the present invention, and the description of the above embodiments is only used to help understanding the method and the core idea of the present invention; meanwhile, for a person skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present invention, there may be variations in the specific embodiments and the application scope, and in summary, the content of the present specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data for use in a packet data gateway, comprising:

a packet data gateway (PGW) receives a first session update request sent by a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF), and selects an Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer of a designated User Equipment (UE) for transmitting a broadcast service, wherein the first session update request is used for indicating the PGW to transmit the broadcast service in a unicast mode;

the PGW sends a first broadcast service transmission request to a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BMSC) to acquire an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, and binds the acquired IP multicast service address with the EPS bearing of the specified UE;

the PGW sends a second broadcast service transmission request to a broadcast multicast service (MBMS) gateway so as to indicate the MBMS gateway to send the broadcast service;

and the PGW searches the bound EPS bearing of the appointed UE according to the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service forwarded by the MBMS gateway, and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearing of the appointed UE.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first session request comprises a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule of the broadcast service, and wherein the PCC rule comprises a Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI) of the broadcast service or a TMGI and a Flow identification (Flow ID) of the broadcast service, a destination IP address and a port number of the designated UE, a quality of service (QoS) requirement of the broadcast service, and a BMSC identity for managing the broadcast service.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the PGW receives a first session update request sent by the PCRF and selects an EPS bearer of a specific UE for transmitting the broadcast service, including:

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending, by the PGW, a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC for obtaining an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service, comprises:

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the sending, by the PGW, a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to obtain the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service comprises:

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the sending, by the PGW, a first broadcast service transmission request to the BMSC to obtain the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service comprises:

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein after the step of the PGW transmitting the broadcast traffic over the EPS bearer of the specified UE, the method further comprises:

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

after the step of the PGW transmitting the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the designated UE, the method further includes:

9. A method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data,

the method of unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data has all the features of the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, and,

the PCC rule of the broadcast service comprises a broadcast service transmission strategy, wherein the broadcast service transmission strategy is used for indicating the position range of the broadcast service or indicating whether the position range of the broadcast service is the coverage range of the broadcast service;

the PGW determines a location reporting area (PRA) corresponding to the location range for transmitting the broadcast service according to a broadcast service transmission strategy in a PCC rule in the first session update request, and sends a request for subscribing a UE location change event to a Mobile Management Entity (MME) to request the MME to send an event that the designated UE enters the PRA and an event that the designated UE leaves the PRA;

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining, by the PGW, the PRA corresponding to the location range of the broadcast service according to the broadcast service transmission policy in the PCC rule in the first session update request comprises:

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein after the PGW sends a subscription UE location change event request to MME, the method further comprises:

12. A method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, used in a multicast broadcast service center, comprising:

a multicast broadcast service center (BMSC) receives a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a packet data gateway (PGW), wherein the first broadcast service transmission request is used for requesting to forward an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service;

before the broadcast service session starts, the BMSC sends a session start request to an MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service; or during the broadcast service session, the BMSC sends a broadcast service address request to an MBMS gateway to request the MBMS gateway to send an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

and the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, so that the PGW binds the IP multicast service address with an EPS bearer of the appointed UE and transmits the broadcast service through the EPS bearer of the appointed UE.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of forwarding, by the BMSC, the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW comprises:

14. The method of claim 12, wherein after the BMSC forwards an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, the method further comprises:

15. The method of claim 13, wherein after the BMSC forwards an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, the method further comprises:

16. The method of claim 12, wherein after the BMSC forwards an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, the method further comprises:

17. The method of claim 13, wherein after the BMSC forwards an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service sent by the MBMS gateway to the PGW, the method further comprises:

18. The method according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein after the step of the BMSC receiving a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a PGW after receiving the PCC rule of the broadcast service sent by the PCRF, the method further comprises:

19. A method for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, for use in a multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway, comprising:

when a broadcast service session starts, an MBMS gateway receives a session start request sent by a multicast broadcast service center (BMSC), or after the broadcast service session starts, the MBMS gateway receives a broadcast service address request sent by the BMSC, wherein the session start request and the broadcast service address request are used for acquiring an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

the MBMS gateway sends the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC so that the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to a packet data gateway (PGW);

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the MBMS gateway transmitting an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC comprises:

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein after the receiving the second broadcast service transmission request sent by the PGW, the method further comprises:

22. A packet data gateway, comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a first session update request sent by a policy and charging rule function PCRF, where the first session update request is used to instruct a PGW to transmit a broadcast service in a unicast manner;

a processing unit, configured to select an EPS bearer of an Evolved Packet System (EPS) of a designated User Equipment (UE) for transmitting the broadcast service according to the first session update request received by the receiving unit;

the system comprises an acquisition unit, a service center and a service center, wherein the acquisition unit is used for sending a first broadcast service transmission request to a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BMSC) so as to acquire an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

a sending unit, configured to send a second broadcast service transmission request to a broadcast multicast service MBMS gateway to instruct the MBMS gateway to send the broadcast service;

23. The packet data gateway of claim 22, wherein the first session request comprises a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule for the broadcast service, and wherein the PCC rule comprises a Temporary Mobile Group Identity (TMGI) of the broadcast service or a TMGI and a Flow identification (Flow ID) of the broadcast service, a destination IP address and a port number of the designated UE, a quality of service (QoS) requirement of the broadcast service, and a BMSC identity for managing the broadcast service.

24. The packet data gateway according to claim 23, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to:

25. The packet data gateway according to claim 22, wherein the obtaining unit is specifically configured to:

26. The packet data gateway according to claim 23, wherein the obtaining unit is specifically configured to:

27. The packet data gateway according to claim 24, wherein the obtaining unit is specifically configured to:

28. A packet data gateway according to any of claims 22 to 27, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to:

29. A packet data gateway according to any of claims 22 to 27, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to:

30. A packet data gateway having all the features of the packet data network according to any of claims 22 to 28, wherein the PCC rule for the broadcast service comprises a broadcast service transmission policy, wherein the broadcast service transmission policy is used to indicate a location range for transmitting broadcast service or to indicate whether the location range for transmitting broadcast service is a coverage range of the broadcast service;

the apparatus further comprises:

a subscribing unit, configured to send a UE location change event subscription request to a mobility management entity MME, so as to request the MME to send an event that the designated UE enters the PRA and an event that the designated UE leaves the PRA;

31. The packet data gateway of claim 30, wherein the sending unit is further configured to:

32. A packet data gateway according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the subscribing unit is further configured to:

33. A multicast broadcast service center apparatus, comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a first broadcast service transmission request sent by a packet data gateway PGW, where the first broadcast service transmission request is used to request to forward an IP multicast service address of a broadcast service;

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to:

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to:

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to:

37. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the sending unit is further configured to:

38. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the sending unit is further configured to:

39. The apparatus according to any of claims 33 to 38, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to receive a request for coverage of broadcast service subscription sent by the PGW after receiving the PCC rule of the broadcast service sent by PCRF;

40. A multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway, comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a session start request sent by a multicast broadcast service center BMSC when a broadcast service session starts, or receive a broadcast service address request sent by the BMSC after the broadcast service session starts, where the session start request and the broadcast service address request are used to obtain an IP multicast service address of the broadcast service;

a sending unit, configured to send the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to the BMSC, so that the BMSC forwards the IP multicast service address of the broadcast service to a packet data gateway PGW;

41. The MBMS gateway of claim 40, wherein the sending unit is specifically configured to:

42. The MBMS gateway of claim 40 or 41, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to:

receiving a second broadcast service transmission stop request sent by the PGW;

43. A communication system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data, the system comprising a packet data gateway, a multicast broadcast service center device and a multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway;

the packet data gateway is the apparatus of any of claims 22 to 29;

the multicast broadcast service center apparatus is the apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 39;

the MBMS gateway is the apparatus of any one of claims 40 to 42.

44. A communication system for unicast transmission of broadcast multicast data is characterized in that the system comprises a packet data gateway, a multicast broadcast service center device, a multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway and a mobile management entity device;

the packet data gateway is the apparatus of any of claims 30 to 32;

the multimedia broadcast multicast service gateway is the apparatus of any of claims 40 to 42;

the mobility management entity device is configured to receive a UE location change event subscription request sent by the packet data gateway, and send an event that the UE enters or leaves a PRA in a specified location reporting area to the packet data gateway according to the UE location change event subscription request.

45. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that it stores a computer program which, when executed by hardware, is able to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 21.