CN111148165A

CN111148165A - Method and device for processing user access in network slice

Info

Publication number: CN111148165A
Application number: CN201811314710.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 辛阳; 吴晓波; 崇卫微; 朱方园; 克拉丽莎·玛奎赞
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-06
Filing date: 2018-11-06
Publication date: 2020-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-06
Also published as: CN111148165B; WO2020093780A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a method and a device for processing user access in a network slice. The scheme is used for guaranteeing the network quality of the network slice and comprises the following steps: the slice management control network element acquires first information corresponding to at least one network slice, wherein the at least one network slice comprises a first network slice; the slice management control network element determines slice quality indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice according to first information corresponding to the at least one network slice, wherein the slice quality indication information is used for indicating a relation between slice quality corresponding to the network slice and a quality requirement of the network slice; and the slice management control network element controls the user access in the first network slice according to the slice quality indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice.

Description

Method and device for processing user access in network slice

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a method and a device for processing user access in a network slice.

Background

The 5 th Generation (5-Generation, 5G) mobile communication technology network (for short, 5G network) introduces the concept of Network Slice (NS) to deal with the difference of the demands of different communication services on the network performance, i.e. the 5G network divides the actual network into resources and functions to form different network slices to meet the different demands, so that the investment cost of network operation can be reduced, and the network operation mode can be enriched.

At present, for network slices of different tenants, a network management device determines Service Level Agreement (SLA) templates of the network slices of different tenants according to requirements of each tenant on service levels, and deploys corresponding network slices according to the SLA templates.

However, the granularity of the SLA template determined by the network management device only according to the requirement of each tenant on the service level is very coarse, and it is difficult to guarantee the performance of the network slice. Meanwhile, when the network management device allocates network resources for network slices of different tenants, if the rough resource deployment condition is determined according to the SLA template, the problem of resource waste or insufficient deployment resources may be caused, so that the performance of the network slices is reduced. In addition, the service level agreement for guaranteeing the network slice mainly aims to guarantee the service satisfaction requirement of the tenant for a certain service in the network slice.

At present, when Network resources are not enough to meet the requirements of all Network slices, a policy control Network element determines a Slice requirement list for indicating the satisfaction requirement of a service based on the priority of the Network slices, the policy of a local operator and the like, and sends a corresponding Network Slice KPI list result to OAM, and the OAM adjusts Network configuration based on the Network Slice KPIs list result to guarantee Slice SLAs. If the network configuration is adjusted through OAM to guarantee Slice SLA, as in the following problem: in the current network configuration of network management, common means is to expand capacity through means such as NFV, and the like, and is only applicable to core network devices and not applicable to access network devices, and the current key factors influencing service experience in network slices are still at the air interface, so a solution based on a management plane may not be helpful.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a method and a device for processing user access in a network slice, which are used for guaranteeing the network quality of the network slice.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiments of the present application provide the following technical solutions:

in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing user access in a network slice, including: the slice management control network element acquires first information corresponding to at least one network slice. It is to be understood that if the number of the at least one network slice is one, the at least one network slice is a first network slice. Or if the number of the at least one network slice is two or more, the at least one network slice includes the first network slice and the other network slices. The first information of one network slice is used for determining the first indication information of the network slice. The slice management control network element determines first indication information corresponding to any one network slice according to first information corresponding to any one network slice in at least one network slice, wherein the first indication information of any one network slice is used for indicating the relation between the slice quality corresponding to the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice; and the slice management control network element controls the user access in the first network slice according to the first indication information corresponding to at least one network slice.

It should be understood that the first indication information may also be referred to as slice quality indication information, and in other words, the present embodiment does not limit the name of the indication information indicating the relationship between the slice quality corresponding to the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice.

The embodiment of the application provides a method for processing user access in a network slice, and first information corresponding to at least one network slice is obtained through a slice management control network element. Since at least one network slice joins the network, the slice quality of any one network slice may be affected by users accessed in other network slices. The slice management control network element obtains the first information corresponding to the at least one network slice, so that the slice management control network element can determine slice quality indication information corresponding to each network slice in the at least one network slice to determine the quality of the operation quality of each network slice. The slice quality of the at least one network slice may be guaranteed by controlling user access in the first network slice, while guaranteeing that the slice quality of other network slices than the first network slice in the at least one network slice is not affected (i.e., such that the slice quality of the other network slices meets the quality requirement).

In one possible implementation, the first network slice is a newly established network slice or a network slice that is not signed for a service level agreement SLA. Since the newly established network Slice does not sign Slice SLA, the Slice management control network element can sequentially control the user access of the first network Slice so as to avoid the influence on the existing network Slice which already signs Slice SLA.

In a possible implementation manner, a slice management control network element controls user access in a first network slice according to slice quality indication information of at least one network slice, including: and the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and increases the number of users accessed in the first network slice. Therefore, when the slicing quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, the first network slice can be allowed to access more users, so that the first network slice can be prevented from influencing the slicing quality of other network slices, and the user access number in the first network slice can be increased.

In a possible implementation manner, a slice management control network element controls user access in a first network slice according to first indication information of at least one network slice, including: and the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and reduces the number of users accessed in the first network slice. If the slice quality of the first network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the first network slice, it indicates that the first network slice is overloaded, so the number of users accessed in the first network slice can be reduced.

In a possible implementation manner, a slice management control network element controls user access in a first network slice according to first indication information of at least one network slice, including: and the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the first network slice, and maintains the number of users accessed in the first network slice. By maintaining the number of users accessed in the first network slice, the slice quality of the first network slice can be guaranteed to meet quality requirements.

In a possible implementation manner, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: and the slice management control network element controls the user access in other network slices except the first network slice in at least one network slice according to the first indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice. Therefore, the slicing quality of other network slices can be ensured by adjusting the user access in other network slices according to the first indication information corresponding to at least one network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: the slice management control network element sends first indication information of the first network slice to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice. The first access network device determines how to allocate the resource allocation of the first network slice by sending first indication information of the first network slice to at least one first access network device to provide the first access network device with the quality of the operation of the network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, a slice management control network element sending first indication information of a first network slice to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice includes: and the slice management control network element sends first indication information of the first network slice to at least one first access network device through at least one access and mobility management function network element, wherein the at least one first access and mobility management function network element serves the first network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the slice management control network element sends first indication information of a first network slice to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice, and further includes: the slice management control network element sends at least one of the following information of the first network slice to the at least one first access network device: the service information includes area information, time information, a first average service experience of at least one service, or a first service experience interval.

In a possible implementation manner, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: the slice management control network element sends first indication information of other network slices to at least one second access network device serving the other network slices of the at least one network slice except the first network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: and the slice management control network element sends the first indication information of other network slices to at least one second access network device serving the other network slices through at least one access and mobility management function network element corresponding to the other network slices. Therefore, at least one second access network device corresponding to other network slices can adjust the air interface resources of other network slices according to the operation quality of other network slices.

In a possible implementation manner, the slice management control network element sends first indication information of other network slices to at least one second access network device serving other network slices than the first network slice in the at least one network slice, and further includes: the slice management control network element sends at least one of the following information of the other network slices to the at least one second access network device: the service information includes area information, time information, first average service experience of at least one service, or first service experience interval information.

In a possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by a slice management control network element, first information corresponding to each network slice in at least one network slice includes: the slice management control network element sends a first request to a data analysis network element, wherein the first request is used for requesting first information corresponding to the at least one network slice, the first request comprises filtering information, and the filtering information is used for indicating a range for acquiring the first information of each network slice; the slice management control network element receives a first response from the data analysis network element, wherein the first response comprises first information corresponding to the at least one network slice; the first information is used to determine first indication information for the at least one network slice. The first request is sent to the data analysis network element, so that the overall operation quality of at least one network slice is obtained through the analysis of the data analysis network element, and then the slice management control network element conveniently informs the access network equipment to adjust the air interface resource according to the overall operation quality of the at least one network slice.

In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following information of at least one network slice: identification information, time information, area information, a first maximum number of registered users, information of at least one service. Therefore, the slice management control network element determines the first indication information of at least one network slice according to the identification information, the time information, the area information, the first maximum number of registered users and the information of at least one service. Wherein the information of the service is used to determine the state of the service.

In a possible implementation manner, the information of the service includes at least one of the following information corresponding to the service: the service identification, the first maximum number of users, the first average service experience, the first service experience interval information and the first service satisfaction.

In one possible implementation, the filtering information includes at least one of the following information of at least one network slice: identification information, time information, area information. Therefore, the acquisition range of the first information can be limited, and the data analysis network element can determine that the slice management control network element needs to acquire the first information of at least one network slice indicated by the identification information in the specified area within the specified time period.

In a possible implementation manner, the slice management control network element determines an address or identification information of at least one access and mobility management function network element through the area information corresponding to the first network slice. This facilitates the slice management control network element to determine at least one access and mobility management function network element serving the first network slice.

In one possible implementation, the quality requirement of the first network slice includes at least one of the following information of the first network slice: identification information, time information, area information, a second maximum number of registered users, service requirement information of at least one service. This facilitates determining the quality requirement of the first network slice. The service requirement information is used to indicate requirements of the service.

In one possible implementation, the service requirement information includes at least one of the following information of the service: the service identifier, the second maximum number of users, the second average service experience, the second service experience interval information and the second service satisfaction degree. Therefore, the slice management control network element can determine the service requirement according to the service requirement information conveniently.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a slice quality information generating method, including: the data analysis network element receives a first request from the slice management control network element, wherein the first request is used for requesting first information corresponding to at least one network slice; the first request comprises filtering information, and the filtering information is used for indicating the range of acquiring the first information; and the data analysis network element sends a first response comprising first information corresponding to the at least one network slice to the slice management control network element, wherein the first information is used for determining the relation between the slice quality of the at least one network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice.

In one possible implementation, the filtering information includes at least one of the following information of the at least one network slice: identification information, time information, area information.

In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following information of at least one network slice: identification information, time information, area information, a first maximum number of registered users, information of at least one service. The information of the service is used to determine the status of the service.

In one possible implementation, the information of the service includes at least one of the following information of the service: the service identification, the first maximum number of users, the first average service experience, the first service experience interval information and the first service satisfaction.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a resource adjustment method, where the method includes: the method comprises the steps that access network equipment obtains first indication information of a network slice, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the relation between the slice quality corresponding to the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice; and the access network equipment processes the air interface resources scheduled for the network slice according to the first indication information.

The embodiment of the present application provides a resource adjustment method, where first indication information of a network slice, which is used to indicate a relationship between slice quality corresponding to the network slice and a quality requirement of the network slice, is obtained, and then an access network device may determine how to allocate an air interface resource scheduled for the network slice according to the first indication information.

In a possible implementation manner, processing, by the access network device, an air interface resource scheduled for the network slice according to the first indication information includes: and when the slicing quality of the network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the network slice, the access network equipment reduces the air interface resources scheduled for the network slice. When the slice quality of the network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the network slice, the access network equipment increases the air interface resource scheduled for the network slice; when the quality of the network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the network slice, the access network equipment maintains the air interface resource scheduled for the network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the obtaining, by an access network device, first indication information of a network slice includes: the access network equipment acquires the first indication information of the network slice from the slice management control network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the obtaining, by an access network device, first indication information of a network slice from a slice management control network element includes: and the access network equipment acquires the first indication information of the network slice through at least one access and mobility management function network element or network management network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the method for acquiring, by an access network device, slice quality information corresponding to a network slice further includes: the access network equipment acquires at least one of the following information of the network slice: area information, time information, average service experience of at least one service, or service experience interval.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus for processing user access in a network slice, where the apparatus for processing user access in a network slice may implement the method for processing user access in a network slice described in the first aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect, and therefore may also implement beneficial effects in any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect or the first aspect. The apparatus for processing user access in a network slice may be a slice management control network element, or may also be an apparatus supporting the slice management control network element to implement the first aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect. For example, to chips in slice management control network elements. The device for processing user access in the network slice can realize the method through software, hardware or corresponding software executed by hardware.

An example, an apparatus for handling user access in a network slice, comprising: the acquisition unit is used for acquiring first information corresponding to at least one network slice. The first information of one network slice is used for determining the first indication information of the network slice. The processing unit is used for determining first indication information corresponding to any one network slice according to first information corresponding to any one network slice in at least one network slice, wherein the first indication information of any one network slice is used for indicating the relation between the slice quality corresponding to the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice; and the processing unit is used for controlling the user access in the first network slice according to the first indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice.

In one possible implementation, the first network slice is a newly established network slice or a network slice that is not signed for a service level agreement SLA.

In a possible implementation manner, a slice management control network element controls user access in a first network slice according to first indication information of at least one network slice, including: and the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and increases the number of users accessed in the first network slice. Therefore, when the slicing quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, the first network slice can be allowed to access more users, so that the first network slice can be prevented from influencing the slicing quality of other network slices, and the user access number in the first network slice can be increased.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the slice quality of the first network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and reduce the number of users accessed in the first network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the slice quality of the first network slice is equal to a quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element maintains the number of users accessed in the first network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to control user access in other network slices except for the first network slice in the at least one network slice according to the first indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: a sending unit, configured to send first indication information of the first network slice to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is specifically configured to send, to the at least one first access network device, first indication information of a first network slice through the at least one access and mobility management function network element, where the at least one first access and mobility management function network element serves the first network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send, to at least one first access network device, at least one of the following information of the first network slice: the service information includes area information, time information, a first average service experience of at least one service, or a first service experience interval.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send the first indication information of the other network slices to at least one second access network device serving other network slices of the at least one network slice except the first network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send, to at least one second access network device serving the other network slice, first indication information of the other network slice through at least one access and mobility management function network element corresponding to the other network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further specifically configured to send, to at least one second access network device, at least one of the following information of the other network slice: the service information includes area information, time information, first average service experience of at least one service, or first service experience interval information.

In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send a first request to a data analysis network element, where the first request is used to request first information corresponding to at least one network slice, and the first request includes filtering information, and the filtering information is used to indicate a range for acquiring the first information of each network slice; an obtaining unit, configured to receive a first response from a data analysis network element, where the first response includes first information corresponding to the at least one network slice; the first information is used to determine first indication information for the at least one network slice.

In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following information of at least one network slice: identification information, time information, area information, a first maximum number of registered users, information of at least one service. Therefore, the slice management control network element determines the first indication information of at least one network slice according to the identification information, the time information, the area information, the first maximum number of registered users and the information of at least one service.

In one possible implementation, the filtering information includes at least one of the following information of at least one network slice: identification information, time information, area information.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine, through the area information corresponding to the first network slice, an address or identification information of at least one access and mobility management function network element.

In one possible implementation, the quality requirement of the first network slice includes at least one of the following information of the first network slice: identification information, time information, area information, a second maximum number of registered users, service requirement information of at least one service. This facilitates determining the quality requirement of the first network slice.

For another example, an apparatus for processing user access in a network slice provided in an embodiment of the present application may be a slice management control network element or a chip applied in the slice management control network element, and the apparatus for processing user access in a network slice includes: a communication interface and one or more processors.

The apparatus for handling user access in a network slice communicates with other devices via a communication interface, and when one or more processors execute the instructions, the apparatus for handling user access in a network slice performs a method for handling user access in a network slice as described in the above first aspect.

For example, the communication interface is configured to support the apparatus for processing user access in a network slice to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages/data at the apparatus for processing user access in a network slice described in any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect to the first aspect. The processor is configured to support the apparatus for processing user access in a network slice to perform the steps of message/data processing on the apparatus side for processing user access in the network slice as described in any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect to the first aspect. For specific corresponding steps, reference may be made to descriptions in any one of possible implementation manners of the first aspect to the first aspect, which are not described herein again.

Optionally, the communication interface of the apparatus for handling user access in a network slice and the processor are coupled to each other.

Optionally, the apparatus for handling user access in a network slice may further comprise a memory for storing computer program code, the computer program code comprising instructions. Optionally, the processor, the communication interface and the memory are coupled to each other.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a slice quality information generating apparatus, which may implement one of the slice quality information generating methods described in any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect or the second aspect, and therefore may also achieve beneficial effects in any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect or the second aspect. The slice quality information generating device may be a data analysis network element, or may also be a device that can support the data analysis network element to implement the second aspect or any one of possible implementation manners of the second aspect. For example, to chips in a data analysis network element. The slice quality information generation device can realize the method through software, hardware or corresponding software executed by hardware.

An example, the slice quality information generating apparatus includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive a first request from a slice management control network element, where the first request is used to request first information corresponding to at least one network slice; the first request comprises filtering information, and the filtering information is used for indicating the range of acquiring the first information; a sending unit, configured to send a first response including first information corresponding to at least one network slice to a slice management control network element, where the first information is used to determine first indication information of the at least one network slice.

In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of the following information of the at least one network slice: identification information, time information, area information, a first maximum number of registered users, information of at least one service.

Another example, a slicing quality information generating device provided in an embodiment of the present application may be a data analysis network element or a chip applied to the data analysis network element, and the slicing quality information generating device includes: a communication interface and one or more processors.

The slice quality information generation apparatus communicates with other devices through a communication interface, and when one or more processors execute the instructions, the slice quality information generation apparatus executes a slice quality information generation method as described in the second aspect above.

For example, the communication interface is configured to support the one slice quality information generation apparatus to perform the steps of receiving and transmitting messages/data on the one slice quality information generation apparatus side described in any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect to the second aspect. The processor is configured to support the one slice quality information generation apparatus to perform the steps of message/data processing on the one slice quality information generation apparatus side as described in any one of possible implementations of the second aspect to the second aspect. For specific corresponding steps, reference may be made to descriptions in any one of possible implementation manners of the second aspect to the second aspect, and details are not repeated here.

Optionally, the communication interface of the slice quality information generation apparatus and the processor are coupled to each other.

Optionally, the slice quality information generating apparatus may further comprise a memory for storing computer program code, the computer program code comprising instructions. Optionally, the processor, the communication interface and the memory are coupled to each other.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a resource adjusting apparatus, which can implement a resource adjusting method described in any one of the possible implementations of the third aspect or the third aspect, and therefore can also achieve beneficial effects in any one of the possible implementations of the third aspect or the third aspect. The resource adjusting apparatus may be an access network device, or may be an apparatus that can support the access network device to implement the third aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect. For example, to chips in access network equipment. The resource adjusting device can implement the method through software, hardware or corresponding software executed by hardware.

An example, the resource adjusting apparatus includes: the receiving unit is used for acquiring first indication information of the network slice, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the relation between the slice quality corresponding to the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice; and the processing unit is used for processing the air interface resources scheduled for the network slice according to the first indication information.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to reduce, by the access network device, air interface resources scheduled for the network slice when the slice quality of the network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the network slice; when the slice quality of the network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the network slice, the access network equipment increases the air interface resource scheduled for the network slice; when the quality of the network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the network slice, the access network equipment maintains the air interface resource scheduled for the network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to obtain, from a slice management control network element, first indication information of the network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to obtain, through at least one access and mobility management function network element or network management network element, first indication information of a network slice.

In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to: obtaining at least one of the following information for a network slice: area information, time information, average service experience of at least one service, or service experience interval.

Another example, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a resource adjustment apparatus, where the resource adjustment apparatus may be an access network device or a chip applied in the access network device, and the resource adjustment apparatus includes: a communication interface and one or more processors.

The resource adjusting apparatus communicates with other devices through a communication interface, and when one or more processors execute the instructions, the resource adjusting apparatus performs a resource adjusting method as described in the third aspect.

For example, the communication interface is configured to support the resource adjusting apparatus to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages/data on the resource adjusting apparatus side described in any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect to the third aspect. The processor is configured to support the resource adjusting apparatus to perform the step of performing message/data processing on the resource adjusting apparatus side as described in any one of possible implementation manners of the third aspect to the third aspect. For specific corresponding steps, reference may be made to descriptions in any one of possible implementation manners of the third aspect to the third aspect, which is not described herein again.

Optionally, the communication interface of the resource adjusting apparatus and the processor are coupled to each other.

Optionally, the resource adjusting apparatus may further include a memory for storing computer program code, the computer program code including instructions. Optionally, the processor, the communication interface and the memory are coupled to each other.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for handling user access in a network slice, as described in the first aspect or in various possible implementations of the first aspect.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a slice quality information generation method as described in the second aspect or in various possible implementations of the second aspect.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a resource adjustment method as described in the third aspect or in various possible implementations of the third aspect.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of handling user access in a network slice as described in the first aspect or in various possible implementations of the first aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of generating slice quality information as described in the second aspect or in various possible implementations of the second aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of resource adjustment as described in the third aspect or in various possible implementations of the third aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a chip, where the chip includes a processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions to implement the method for handling user access in a network slice described in the first aspect or in various possible implementations of the first aspect. The communication interface is used for communicating with other modules outside the chip.

In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a chip, where the chip includes a processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions to implement the slice quality information generation method described in the second aspect or various possible implementations of the second aspect. The communication interface is used for communicating with other modules outside the chip.

In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a chip, where the chip includes a processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions to implement the third aspect or one of the resource adjustment methods described in the various possible implementations of the third aspect. The communication interface is used for communicating with other modules outside the chip.

In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, including: the fourth aspect and any one of various possible implementations of the fourth aspect describe an apparatus for handling user access in a network slice, any one of the fifth aspect and various possible implementations of the fifth aspect describes a slice quality information generating apparatus, and any one of the sixth aspect and various possible implementations of the sixth aspect describes a resource adjusting apparatus.

In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing a network slice, including: the slice management control network element acquires first information corresponding to at least one network slice (for example, the at least one network slice includes a first network slice). The first information of a network slice is used to determine a relationship between the slice quality of the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice. The slice management control network element determines first indication information corresponding to at least one network slice according to first information corresponding to the at least one network slice, wherein the first indication information of one network slice is used for indicating the relation between the slice quality corresponding to the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice; and the slice management control network element sends the first indication information of the first network slice to the access network equipment corresponding to the first network slice.

It should be understood that the slice management control network element may also send the first indication information of the other network slices to the access network devices corresponding to the other network slices.

The process of the slice management control network element obtaining the first information corresponding to at least one network slice, and the process of the slice management control network element sending the first indication information of any network slice to the access network device corresponding to any network slice may refer to the description of the corresponding part in the first aspect, and is not described herein again.

In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an apparatus for processing a network slice, including: the acquisition unit is used for acquiring first information corresponding to at least one network slice. The first information of one network slice is used for determining the first indication information of the network slice. The processing unit is used for determining first indication information corresponding to at least one network slice according to first information corresponding to the at least one network slice, wherein the first indication information of one network slice is used for indicating the relation between the slice quality corresponding to the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice; and the sending unit is used for sending the first indication information of the first network slice to the access network equipment corresponding to the first network slice.

It should be understood that the apparatus provided in the eighteenth aspect may also perform the steps in the corresponding places in the first aspect, and therefore, the detailed description is omitted here.

The beneficial effects of the second aspect to the sixteenth aspect and various implementation manners thereof in the present application may refer to the beneficial effect analysis of the first aspect and various implementation manners thereof, and are not described herein again.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a 5G communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a first flowchart illustrating a method for processing user access in a network slice according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second method for handling user access in a network slice according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a third flowchart illustrating a method for processing user access in a network slice according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a fourth flowchart illustrating a method for processing user access in a network slice according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a fifth flowchart illustrating a method for processing user access in a network slice according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a first flowchart illustrating a method for processing user access in a network slice according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic specific flowchart illustrating a second method for processing user access in a network slice according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a first schematic structural diagram of a user access device processing a network slice according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a second apparatus for processing user access in a network slice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a first schematic structural diagram of a slice quality information generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a slice quality information generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a first schematic structural diagram of a resource adjustment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a resource adjustment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

In the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same or similar items having substantially the same function and action. For example, the first information and the second information are only for distinguishing different information, and the order of the information is not limited. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terms "first," "second," etc. do not denote any order or quantity, nor do the terms "first," "second," etc. denote any order or importance.

It is noted that, in the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean exemplary, illustrative, or descriptive. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "e.g.," is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present concepts related in a concrete fashion.

The network architecture and the service scenario described in the embodiment of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and do not form a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, and as a person of ordinary skill in the art knows that along with the evolution of the network architecture and the appearance of a new service scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of the singular or plural items. For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c, may represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, wherein a, b, c may be single or multiple.

The system architecture and the service scenario described in the embodiment of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and do not form a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, and as a person of ordinary skill in the art knows that along with the evolution of the network architecture and the appearance of a new service scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems. In the embodiment of the present application, the method provided is applied to an NR system or a 5G network as an example.

As shown in fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application, where the communication system includes: an access network device 10, a slice management control network element 20, and a data analysis network element 30.

It should be understood that when the terminal may access the system shown in fig. 1 through the access network device, a network element (e.g., slice management control network element 20) in a 5G core network (5G core network, 5GC) allocates one or more network slices for the terminal. Each network slice may include: one or more of a UPF network element, an SMF network element, an NRF network element, and a PCF network element. Some network functions may be shared among the multiple network slices. The set of shared Network functions may be referred to as a Control plane shared Network Function (CCNF). For example, the CCNF may include one or more of an AMF network element and an NSSF network element. Wherein each network slice corresponds to at least one access network device.

One slice management control network element can manage a plurality of access and mobility management function network elements, the access network equipment is accessed into the core network through the access and mobility management function network elements, and one access and mobility management function network element can manage a plurality of access network equipment.

The network slice refers to customizing different logic networks according to different service requirements on physical or virtual network infrastructures. The network slice may be a complete end-to-end network including a terminal, an access network, a transmission network, a core network, and an application server, may provide a complete communication service, and has a certain network capability, and the network slice may be a communication resource that ensures a bearer service or a service to meet a Service Level Agreement (SLA) requirement, or may be a combination of a network function and a communication resource that is required to complete a certain communication service or certain communication services.

One network Slice corresponds to one Slice type and is identified by single network Slice Selection support Information (S-NSSAI). A network slice may have multiple Network Slice Instances (NSIs) for distinguishing different tenants and different areas.

The NSI is a logical network that operates in reality and can satisfy certain network characteristics or service requirements. A complete network slice instance may provide a complete end-to-end network service, and a network slice instance may include one or more Network Slice Subnet Instances (NSSI) and one or more Network Functions (NF).

It should be understood that the slice management control network element 20 and the data analysis network element 30 may belong to network elements in 5GC, and may also belong to network management network elements. For example, the Slice management control Network element 20 may be a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) Network element in the 5 GC. The slice management control network element 20 may also be a network slice selection function (NSMF) network element, a radio access network slice subnet management function (RAN-NSSMF) network element, a core network slice subnet management function (CN-NSSMF) network element, or a transport network slice subnet management function (TN-NSSMF) network element in a network manager.

The Data analysis network element 30 may be a network Data analysis function (NWDAF) network element in the 5GC, a Management Data Analysis Function (MDAF) network element of a network manager, or even a Data analysis network element on the RAN side.

The Access Network device in this embodiment may include a RAN (Radio Access Network) device, AN (Access Network) device, a nodeb device, AN eNodeB device, a UTRAN (universal terrestrial Radio Access Network) device, and AN E-UTRAN (evolved UTRAN) device.

In addition, as shown in fig. 2, the 5G network may further include: session Management Function (SMF) network elements, Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) network elements, Policy Control Function (PCF) network elements, User Plane Function (UPF) network elements, Application Function (AF) network elements, UDF network elements, operator (operator) AF network elements, 3^rdAN AF network element, AN access device (e.g., AN Access Network (AN)), AN authentication server function (AUSF) network element, a network capability opening function (NEF) network element, a network repository storage function (NRF) network element, a Data Network (DN), AN Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) network element (which may also be referred to as AN operation administration and maintenance network element), and the like, which are not particularly limited in this embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 2, the OAM network elements may overlay the network elements of the access network and the core network and may collect data from these network elements of the access network and the core network.

Wherein, the terminal communicates with the AMF network element through an N1 interface (N1 for short). The AMF entity communicates with the SMF network element over an N11 interface (abbreviated N11). The SMF network elements communicate with one or more UPF network elements over an N4 interface (abbreviated N4). Any two UPF network elements of the one or more UPF network elements communicate via an N9 interface (abbreviated as N9). The UPF network elements communicate with a Data Network (DN) over an N6 interface (N6 for short). The terminal accesses the network through an access device (for example, RAN device), and the access device communicates with the AMF network element through an N2 interface (abbreviated as N2). The SMF network element communicates with the PCF network element through an N7 interface (N7 for short), and the PCF network element communicates with the AF network element through an N5 interface. The access equipment communicates with the UPF network element through an N3 interface (abbreviated as N3). Any two AMF network elements communicate with each other through an N14 interface (N14 for short). The SMF network elements communicate with the UDM over an N10 interface (abbreviated N10). The AMF network element communicates with the AUSF through an N12 interface (abbreviated as N12). The AUSF network element communicates with the UDM network element via an N13 interface (abbreviated N13). The AMF network element communicates with the UDM network element via an N8 interface (N8 for short).

It should be noted that, in fig. 2, both the 3rd AF network element and the operator AF belong to the AF network element. The difference lies in that: the 3rd AF network element (such as a wechat service server and a pay payment service server) is not controlled by an operator, the operator AF network element (e.g., a proxy-call session control function (P-CSCF) network element in an IP multimedia system (IP multimedia system)) is controlled by the operator, and the 3rd AF network element and the NWDAF network element need to pass through the NEF network element when interacting.

It should be noted that the interface name between each network element in fig. 2 is only an example, and the interface name may be other names in a specific implementation, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

It should be noted that the access device, the AF network element, the AMF network element, the SMF network element, the AUSF network element, the UDM network element, the UPF network element, the PCF network element, and the like in fig. 2 are only names, and the names do not limit the device itself. In the 5G network and other future networks, the network elements corresponding to the access device, the AF network element, the AMF network element, the SMF network element, the AUSF network element, the UDM network element, the UPF network element, and the PCF network element may also be other names, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, the UDM network element may also be replaced by a user home server (HSS), a User Subscription Database (USD), or a database entity, and the like, which are described herein in a unified manner and will not be described again in detail later.

As shown in fig. 3, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for handling user access in a network slice, where the method includes:

step 101, a slice management control network element obtains first information corresponding to at least one network slice, where the at least one network slice includes a first network slice.

It should be understood that the first information corresponding to the at least one network slice includes: first information corresponding to each of the at least one network slice.

Illustratively, the first network slice is a newly established network slice or a network slice of an unsigned service level agreement SLA. The first network slice may represent one network slice, a group of newly established or unsigned SLAs, or multiple network slices of the same type.

Illustratively, the first information of one network slice is used for determining the first indication information of the network slice. For example, the first information of one network slice includes identification information of the network slice, and at least one of the following information corresponding to the network slice: time information, regional information, a first maximum number of registered Users in the network slice (maximum registration Users), information of at least one service of the network slice. The service information is used to determine the service status, that is, the service condition satisfied by the current network.

It should be understood that the first information of any one network slice may include, in addition to the identification information of the network slice: at least one of time information, area information, a first maximum number of registered users in the network slice, and information of at least one service of the network slice.

It should be understood that the information of the service includes at least one of the following information of the service: the Service providing method includes a Service identifier (Application id), a first Maximum number of Users (Maximum Users for the Application, that is, the Maximum number of Users of the Service that can be met by a current network), a first Average Service experience (Average Service MOS, that is, the Average Service experience of the Service that can be met by the current network), first Service experience interval information (Service MOS Range, that is, the Service experience interval of the Service that can be met by the current network), and a first Service satisfaction (How many percent UE's experience better than the user satisfaction of the Service that can be met by the current network).

Illustratively, the first maximum number of registered users is used to indicate the maximum number of users that can currently be registered in the network slice, i.e. the maximum number of registered users that can currently satisfy the network slice by the network.

Illustratively, the time information in the first information is used to indicate to the slice management control network element the time period of the first information of the network slice. For example, the Time information may be a Time Window (Time Window), a Timestamp (Timestamp), a Time period (Time Interval).

For example, the first information is from 3/1/2018 to 3/8/2018. Thus, the first information can determine that the first information of the network slice is the first information which is acquired by the data analysis network element and corresponds to the first information from 1/3/2018 to 8/3/2018.

The area information in the first information is used to indicate to the slice management control network element the area that can support the network slice.

For example, the area information may be a Tracking Area (TA) or a TA list or a Routing Area (RA) or an RA list, or a Cell (Cell) or a Cell list (Cell list).

Specifically, when the first information of one network slice includes: when the network slice comprises time information, area information, the maximum number of registered users in the network slice and information of at least one service of the network slice, the first information of the network slice is used for the slice management control network element to determine the service information of at least one service on the network slice in the specified area and the first maximum number of registered users in the specified time period. Specifically, when the first information of one network slice includes: when the time information, the area information and the information of at least one service of the network slice are acquired, the first information of the network slice is used for the slice management control network element to determine the service information of at least one service of the network slice in the specified area within the specified time period.

It should be understood that, before step 101, the method provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes: the slice management control network element obtains requirement information, wherein the requirement information is used for indicating the quality requirement of at least one network slice.

Illustratively, the demand information may include: at least one of identification information of the network slice, a second maximum number of registered users, and service requirement information of the at least one service. Illustratively, the service requirement information is used to indicate requirements of tenants for the network to be able to service.

The second maximum number of registered users indicates the maximum number of registered users required to be registered in the network slice. For example, 10 millions.

Optionally, the requirement information may further include: at least one of region information and time information. In addition, the requirement information may further include bandwidth requirements, delay requirements, and the like.

For example, the AF network element sends the requirement information to the slice management control network element through the PCF network element, that is, the slice management control network element obtains the requirement information from the AF network element managed and controlled by the tenant through the PCF network element. Or the requirement information may also be configured on the slice management control network element by the operator. Or the requirement information may be sent to the slice management control network element by the network management network element. Optionally, the AF network element may be managed by a slice tenant.

The identification information of the network slice in the embodiment of the present application may be: single Network Slice Selection support Information (S-NSSAI) or Network Slice Selection support Information (NSSAI) or NSI ID.

Illustratively, the service requirement information includes: the Service providing method includes at least one of a Service identifier (Application ID), a second Maximum number of Users (Required Maximum Users for the Application, that is, the Maximum number of Users of the Service that a tenant requires a network to satisfy), a second Average Service experience (Required Average Service MOS, that is, the Average Service experience of the Service that the tenant requires the network to satisfy), second Service experience interval information (Requested Service MOS range, that is, the Service experience interval of the Service that the tenant requires the network to satisfy), and a second Service satisfaction (How much Required Service UE's experience Service provider field satisfiesfieds that the tenant requires the network to satisfy).

The second maximum number of users indicates the maximum number of users in a service, that is, the total number of services using a certain service. Such as 10000.

Wherein the service identifier is used for identifying the service in the slice.

The second service experience interval information is used for representing service experience requirements in the service.

For example, the traffic in the network slice may be voice traffic, and the range of the second MOS is [0.0, 5.0], for example, the second MOS is greater than or equal to 3.0 and less than or equal to 5.0, so that the voice service experience requirement can be met, that is, the MOS ═ 3.0 is the minimum requirement for meeting the voice service experience. In the case where the MOS score is equal to or greater than 3.0, the MOS may be 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, or the like in good degree increments. The higher the MOS value is, the more stringent the QoS parameter requirement of the corresponding voice service is, and the higher the network quality requirement is, the higher the network resource requirement is at the end, which can also be understood as the higher the resource requirement of the network slice is.

The second service satisfaction is used for representing the proportion of the number of services meeting the second service experience interval information in the service to the total number of services required by the service tenant. Optionally, the ratio is a first threshold, that is, the tenant requires that the ratio of the number of services satisfying the second service experience interval information in the service to the total number of services is greater than or equal to the first threshold. The first threshold is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

For example, a tenant typically puts service satisfaction requirements on an operator, such as for voice services, the number of services with MOS greater than or equal to 3.0 is required to be greater than or equal to 95% of the total number of services.

Step 102, the slice management control network element determines, according to first information corresponding to at least one network slice, first indication information corresponding to each network slice in the at least one network slice, where the first indication information is used to indicate a relationship between slice quality corresponding to the network slice and a quality requirement of the network slice.

Specifically, step 102 may be implemented by: and the slice management control network element determines first indication information of any network according to the first information corresponding to any network slice in the at least one network slice and the quality requirement corresponding to any network slice.

Illustratively, the first indication information is determined by the first information of the network slice and a slice quality of a quality requirement of the network slice.

For example, assuming that a network slice only has one Service, a tenant requires Service experience (i.e., Service MOS) higher than 4.0 and requires more than 95% of user Service satisfaction, and slice operation quality information has the following two cases:

in the first case, the slice management control network element determines that the network can meet the quality requirement of the network slice by 120%, that is, the service MOS in the first information of the network slice is 4.8, and there is 98% of user service satisfaction. In this case, the slice quality corresponding to the network slice is higher than the slice quality required by the quality requirement of the network slice, which may be referred to as Overfitting.

In the second case, the slice management control network element determines that the network can meet the quality requirement of the network slice by 80%, that is, the service MOS in the first information of the network slice is 3.2, and there is 76% of user service satisfaction. In this case, the slice quality corresponding to the network slice is lower than the slice quality required by the quality requirement of the network slice, which may be referred to as under-fitting (understting).

It should be noted that, first, the above embodiment is only one of the methods for determining slice quality information, and particularly, a more complex scenario, for example, when there are multiple services in multiple network slices, needs to design a more complex algorithm, and belongs to the implementation of a product inside a data analysis network element. Then, in the actual operation process, a new network slice or a slice without signing a slice SLA may be introduced to affect the operation quality of the existing network slice, so when determining the quality indication information of one network slice, the first information of the network slice itself is also processed, and optionally, the first information of other network slices is referred to.

Illustratively, slice quality information (slice quality information) corresponding to one network slice is used to indicate the degree to which the current network meets the SLA of the network slice, i.e., the slice quality of the network slice.

For example, since the slice quality information of the slice management control network element indicates a degree to which the current network satisfies the SLA of the network slice, which is usually expressed in percentage (for example, the degree to which the current network satisfies the SLA of the network slice is 90%), and the quality requirement of the network slice is also expressed in percentage, the first indication information may be determined according to a size between the slice quality indicated by the slice quality information corresponding to the network slice and the slice quality indicated by the quality requirement.

Illustratively, the relationship between the slice quality corresponding to a network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice includes: the slice quality corresponding to the network slice is higher than the slice quality required by the quality requirement of the network slice, or the slice quality corresponding to the network slice is lower than the slice quality required by the quality requirement of the network slice, or the slice quality corresponding to the network slice is equal to the slice quality required by the quality requirement of the network slice. The interpretation of the values that the slice quality for a network slice is equal to the slice quality required by the quality requirement of the network slice does not mean that the two are completely equal, and both are understood to be equal as long as they are close or the slice quality for the network slice does not fluctuate greatly from the quality requirement of the network slice.

Specifically, step 102 may be implemented in the following manner: and the slice management control network element determines the first indication information corresponding to each network slice according to the first information corresponding to each network slice in at least one network slice and the pre-configuration strategy.

For example, the preconfigured policy may be a requirement for a maximum number of registered users in a network slice. When determining the first indication information of the network slice, considering a size relationship between a first maximum number of registered users of the network slice and a second maximum number of registered users of the network slice in a current network. The magnitude relationship may be, above, below, equal to, or close to, etc.

For example, the slice management control network element determines first indication information corresponding to the NS1 according to the first information corresponding to the NS1 and the preconfigured policy. And the slice management control network element determines first indication information corresponding to the NS2 according to the first information corresponding to the NS2 and the preconfigured policy. And the slice management control network element determines first indication information corresponding to the NS3 according to the first information corresponding to the NS3 and the preconfigured strategy.

And 103, controlling the user access in the first network slice by the slice management control network element according to the first indication information of at least one network slice.

Since the number of users accessed by each network slice in the at least one network slice affects the slice quality of each network slice, step 103 may include the following meanings:

and the slice management control network element controls the user access in the first network slice according to the first indication information of the first network slice. Or the slice management control network element controls the user access in the first network slice according to the first indication information of other network slices except the first network slice in at least one network slice.

For example, after obtaining the first indication information corresponding to each of the other network slices except the first network slice in the at least one network slice, the slice management control network element may control the user access in any one network slice according to the mapping relationship between the first indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice and the quality requirement of any one network slice.

In the embodiments of the present application, controlling user access in any network slice may be understood as controlling the number of terminals accessed in one network slice.

It is to be understood that the slice management control network element may cause the slice quality of the first network slice to meet the quality requirement of the first network slice through step 103. In addition, the slice quality of other network slices in at least one network slice can be ensured to meet the quality requirements of other network slices.

Because the first network Slice is a newly established network Slice or a network Slice of an unsigned Service Level Agreement (SLA), the Slice management control network element can control the number of users accessed in the first network Slice gradually, so as to avoid the influence on the existing network Slice which has signed the SLA. Therefore, in order to gradually control the number of users accessing in the first network slice, as shown in fig. 4, as a possible implementation manner, step 103 may be specifically implemented by:

step 1031, the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element increases the number of users accessed in the first network slice. That is, the current network can over-satisfy the quality requirement of the first network slice, and thus can continue to admit new users to the first network slice.

Illustratively, the slice management control network element determines the quality requirement of the first network slice through network administration and management (OAM) instructions or operator configuration.

Illustratively, the slice management control network element may determine the quality requirement of the first network slice according to demand information obtained from an administration and maintenance (OAM) instruction or an operator configuration.

Specifically, if the slice quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, it indicates that the air interface resource allocated to the first network slice by the access network device corresponding to the first network slice is excessive, and may mark the SLA state of the first network slice as a first state (for example, an excess or over-fitting (over-fitting) state).

For example, if the degree that the network can satisfy the SLA of the first network Slice is 95%, and the quality requirement of the first network Slice is 90%, since 95%/90% > 105.6% > 100%, it indicates that the Slice quality of the first network Slice is greater than the quality requirement of the first network Slice, or that the access network device of the first network Slice allocates excess air interface resources for the first network Slice, which is denoted as a Slice LA overlapping state.

Although the first network slice quality is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, there may be a first maximum number of registered users that the first network slice has access to that is greater than or equal to a second maximum number of registered users that the first network slice is required to access. It is also possible that there is a first maximum number of registered users that the first network slice has accessed less than a second maximum number of registered users that the first network slice is required to access, and therefore, step 1031 can also be implemented by:

and the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the first maximum number of registered users in the first network slice is smaller than the second maximum number of registered users, so that the slice management control network element increases the number of users accessed in the first network slice.

It should be understood that, in order to ensure the quality of service in the first network slice, when the slice management control network element increases the number of users accessed in the first network slice, the slice management control network element may control the number of the first maximum registered users and the second maximum registered users that are finally registered in the first network slice to be equal.

For example, if the slice management control network element determines that the ratio between the first indication information of the first network slice and the quality requirement of the first network slice is 120%, and the tenant requires that the second maximum number of registered users in the first network slice is 10million users, but the first maximum number of registered users in the current first network slice is 1million, which indicates that the access network device allocates excess air interface resources to the first network slice, therefore, more users may also be accessed in the first network slice.

Step 1032, the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element reduces the number of users accessed in the first network slice. That is, the current network does not meet the quality requirements of the first network slice, and thus may need to reduce the number of users admitted to that network slice.

Specifically, if the slice quality of the first network slice is less than the quality requirement of the first network slice, it indicates that the air interface resource allocated to the first network slice by the access network device corresponding to the first network slice is insufficient, and may mark the SLA state of the first network slice as a second state (e.g., an insufficient (understting) state).

Specifically, if the degree to which the network can satisfy the SLA of the first network slice is 80%, the quality requirement of the first network slice is 90%. Since 80%/90% ═ 88.9%, this means that the air interface resources allocated by the current access network device for the first network Slice are insufficient, and this is denoted as Slice SLA understting status.

Although the slice quality of the first network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the first network slice, there may be a case where the first maximum number of registered users in the first network slice is smaller than or equal to the second maximum number of registered users, or the first maximum number of registered users in the first network slice is larger than the second maximum number of registered users, and therefore, step 1032 may be specifically implemented by:

and under the condition that the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the first network slice, if the slice management control network element determines that the first maximum number of registered users in the first network slice is greater than the second maximum number of registered users, the slice management control network element reduces the number of users accessed in the first network slice. And if the slice management control network element determines that the first maximum number of registered users in the first network slice is less than or equal to the second maximum number of registered users, the slice management control network element keeps the number of users currently accessed in the first network slice unchanged.

It should be understood that the slice management control network element may cause the reduced number of users accessed in the first network slice to be less than or equal to the second maximum number of registered users.

Step 1033, the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element maintains the number of users accessed in the first network slice unchanged.

In the embodiment of the present application, the slice quality of a network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the network slice: the slice quality of the network slice is completely equal to the quality requirement of the network slice, or the error between the slice quality of the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice is in a preset range. The preset range may be set as required, and is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

In summary, since the Slice that is newly added does not sign the Slice SLA, the Slice management control network element may control the number of users accessing the first network Slice gradually (gradualy), so as to avoid an influence on the existing network Slice that has signed the Slice SLA. For example, a first network slice may allow a slice to access 1million user, and then if the SLA Overfitting (adapting) of the first network slice is performed, that is, the service experience of the 1million user can be completely met and exceeds the tenant requirement, for example, the second service satisfaction of service 1 required by the tenant is 90%, but the slice management control network element finds, through observation, that the first service satisfaction of service 1 in the first network slice reaches 95%, at this time, the slice management control network element may allow the slice to access more users, for example, another 1million user is added to the first network slice.

The process of controlling the user to access the network slice by the slice management control network element may refer to descriptions in the prior art, and is not described herein in detail in the embodiments of the present application. In the terminal registration process, the slice management control network element may notify the AMF of a network slice type that the terminal may access, that is, Allowed S-nssai (S), and then when the terminal subsequently establishes a session, the terminal selects one network slice type from the Allowed S-nssai (S) as the network slice type of the session. That is, if the slice management control network element allows the terminal to access a certain network slice, it only needs to fill the type of the network slice into Allowed S-NSSAI, and then send the network slice to the terminal.

In some embodiments, the slice management control network element may obtain, from the data analysis network element, first information corresponding to each network slice, and therefore, as shown in fig. 5, before step 101, the method provided in this embodiment of the present application further includes:

step 104, the slice management control network element sends a first request to the data analysis network element, where the first request is used to request first information corresponding to each network slice in at least one network slice, and the first request includes filtering information (filtering information) used to indicate a range for acquiring the first information of each network slice.

It is to be understood that the slice management control network element may send the first request to the data analysis network element over an interface with the data analysis network element.

That is, the slice management control network element subscribes to the data analysis network element for first information (which may also be referred to as statistical information or interested per slices) of at least one network slice of an area in a time period, where the at least one slice includes the first network slice, through step 104.

Illustratively, the filtering information includes identification information of the at least one network slice, and at least one of the following information corresponding to the at least one network slice: time information, area information.

It should be understood that the elements carried in the filtering information may be determined by the slice management control network element from the acquired requirement information. The time information carried in the filtering information may be less than or equal to the time information in the demand information, or may be greater than or equal to the time information in the demand information. The area information carried in the filtering information may be smaller than or equal to the area information in the demand information, or may be larger than or equal to the area information in the demand information. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

Step 105, the data analysis network element receives the first request.

And step 106, the data analysis network element acquires first information corresponding to each network slice in at least one network slice according to the first request, wherein the first information is used for determining the relation between the slice quality of the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice.

Illustratively, the process of the data analysis network element acquiring the first information corresponding to each network slice in the at least one network slice may be divided into the following steps:

step 1, after a network slice is deployed, the service of the network slice starts to operate in an initial slice network, and in the operation process, a data analysis network element generates a plurality of sets of QoS parameters of each service in at least one service corresponding to the network slice. Each set of QoS parameters includes: one or more of Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate (GFBR), Packet Delay Budget (PDB), Packet Error Rate (PER), Average Packet Loss Rate (Max PLR), Average Window Size (AWS), and the like.

Illustratively, step 1 may be implemented by:

step 11, the data analysis network element may collect service data at a Quality of service (QoS) flow level from the AF network element, and obtain network data from a network element (e.g., RAN, AMF network element, SMF network element, UPF network element).

By way of example, the service data referred to in the present application may be: bandwidth, delay, packet loss rate, jitter buffer, Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) congestion window, TCP receive window, media coding type, media coding rate, etc.

It is understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the data of a certain parameter may be the size, value or requirement of the parameter. For example, the CQI data may refer to a size or a value of a CQI, in this embodiment, data, a size, a value, or a requirement of a parameter all represent data values collected or obtained by the parameter at a corresponding network element, and all the following descriptions may be referred to herein, and are not described again in detail later.

The network data referred to in the present application may be any of the following parameters: parameter data such as bandwidth, delay, packet loss rate, Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Receiving Quality (RSRQ), block error rate (BLER), Channel Quality Indication (CQI), slice identification information, and Data Network Name (DNN).

For example, the service data may be as shown in table 1, and the network data may be as shown in table 2:

specifically, as shown in table 1, the data analysis network element obtains service data corresponding to one or more services, such as a video service, a payment service, an automatic driving service, a Vertical service, and the like, through the AF network element. Illustratively, the data analysis network element may obtain network data from a 5G Network Function (NF).

Illustratively, table 1 illustrates the data content from tenant business experience data, and table 2 illustrates the content of network data of 5G NF, which is detailed in the following tables 1 and 2:

table 1 service data from tenant service experience data

Table 2 network data from 5G NF

And step 12, analyzing the network data and the Service data by the data analysis network element to obtain a Service MOS model of each Service in the network slice.

Step 13, the data analysis network element obtains at least one set of QoS parameters of different Service experience intervals corresponding to each Service according to the Service requirements (i.e., MOS partition intervals, e.g., [3.0, 4.0], [4.0, 4.5], [4.5, 5.0]) and the Service MOS model of each Service.

And 2, the data analysis network element maps the corresponding relation between the geographical area where all services are located in the slice of the AF network element and the network area (such as TA identification, a TA identification list and a Cell identification list (CellID list)) through the Correlation ID according to the geographical area identification (Geographical area ID) of QoS flow in the service data and the TAI or the Cell ID in the network data.

And 3, analyzing by the data analysis network element to obtain service monitoring information of slices in the geographic area, user control information of the slices in the network area and service control information of the slices.

Wherein the user control information includes: at least one of network area information, at least one network slice instance information, wherein the network slice instance information comprises: identification information of the network slice instance, a first maximum number of registered users.

The service control information comprises at least one of network area information and at least one piece of network slice instance information, wherein the network slice instance information comprises identification information of a network slice instance and at least one piece of service configuration information.

The service configuration information includes a service identifier, a first maximum service number of the service, and at least one service experience interval information of the service.

The service experience interval information comprises: the service experience interval size, the maximum service number of the service experience interval, and at least one set of QoS parameters of the service experience interval.

For a service, which is at least one set of QoS parameters, for example, considering the service experience requirement for the vertical industry (for example, the MOS score of the service is greater than 3.0), the packet delay data and the packet loss rate data are conflicting,

for example, 1, in weak coverage, the RAN may transmit several more data packets to ensure a packet loss rate, but in this case, packet delay may be increased, and further, a stream bit rate may be increased;

for example, 2, under strong coverage, the RAN does not need to transmit data packets many times, and in this case, both packet loss rate and packet delay can be guaranteed, and further, the stream bit rate may be reduced. Thus, there are one or more sets of QoS parameters for a service.

Specifically, the data analysis network element obtains at least one set of QoS parameters of the service through a big data method based on the time-varying network data or the service data or the terminal data and the corresponding service experience data. The specific process can refer to step A and step B.

Step A, a data analysis network element acquires a service receipt from an AF network element, network data are respectively collected from network elements such as RAN equipment, a UPF network element, UE, an AMF network element, an SMF network element, a PCF network element and the like, and then the data of each network element are associated through information such as a service identifier, a service flow identifier, a terminal identifier, a session identifier where the service flow is located, an associated identifier on each network element, time and the like, so that complete training data are obtained. The training data includes:

1) and service experience data from the AF network element.

2) Other time-varying parameter data affecting the business experience data, including,

a. TCP congestion window data, TCP receive window data, jitter buffer data, media coding type and coding rate data, buffer data, data of at least one data type from an AF network element.

b. Bit rate data, packet loss rate data, time delay data, radio channel quality data, data of at least one data type from a RAN network stream.

c. Stream bit rate data, packet loss rate data, time delay data, data of at least one data type from the UPF network element.

d. Streaming bit rate data, packet loss rate data, time delay data, data of at least one data type, TCP congestion window data, TCP receive window data, jitter buffer data, media coding type and coding rate data, buffer data, CPU occupancy, memory occupancy data of at least one data type from the UE. And so on.

And step B, the NWDAF network element obtains a relation model of service experience and time-varying parameter data influencing the service experience data based on a Linear Regression (Linear Regression) method, namely a service experience model, and the NWDAF network element can plan one or more sets of QoS parameters of the service based on the service experience model.

Illustratively, as shown in table 3, table 3 shows the traffic monitoring information of the slices in the geographic area carried in the first request, as shown in table 3 below:

table 3 contents of service monitoring information

Illustratively, table 4 shows the content of the user control information, as shown in table 4 below:

TABLE 4 user control information

Cell	Means of
		Time window	A time window in a network area
Network area (Cell ID or Cell ID)	Network area identification
		Cell level UE registration control information
>Cell ID	Identifying a cell
		>>S-NSSAI	Section mark
>>>NSI ID	Identifying a slice instance
		>>>Number of registration of example section	Maximum number of users in slicing example

Illustratively, table 5 shows the content of the service control information, as shown in table 5 below:

table 5 service control information

Illustratively, the service experience interval may be MOS belonging to [0, 3], [3.0, 4.0] in table 5, and the maximum service number of the service experience interval may be a service number that can be accommodated in a cell in table 5 and belongs to [4.0, 5.0 ].

For example, in the embodiment of the present application, the data analysis network element may obtain the MOS score corresponding to the service in progress in the following manner:

step 1, the data analysis network element obtains a Service MOS model according to the Service data and the network data. The Service MOS model is used to characterize a relationship between Service experience (i.e., Service MOS) and network data.

It should be understood that, as shown in table 1, the data analysis network element may obtain Qos flow-level Service data from an AF network element and obtain network data from network elements in a 5GC (e.g., RAN, AMF network element, SMF network element, and UPF network element), and train to obtain a Service MOS model.

Illustratively, the data analysis network element may obtain the Service MOS model according to the following formula (1).

H(x)＝W0X0+W1X1+W2X2+W3X3+W4X4+W5X5+......+WnXn。 (1)

With reference to table 5, where X is a variable, X1 may be GFBR, X2 may be PDB, X3 is PER, X4 is network data X4, and X5 is network data X5. Wherein, Wn represents the weight of the nth variable, n represents the number of the variables, and Xn represents the nth variable. n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. H (x) represents a Service MOS model.

And 2, the data analysis network element obtains the QoS parameter recommendation of the Service according to the MOS requirement of the Service and the Service MOS model.

Specifically, the MOS requirement of the service represents a requirement of the tenant, and may also be understood as a QoE requirement, for example, the MOS score is greater than or equal to 3.0.

For example, the following matrix (1) can be obtained from equation (1) and H (x) ≧ 3.0.

Wherein each row in the matrix (1) represents a set of QoS parameters.

Wherein the QoS parameter recommendation for the service comprises a plurality of sets of QoS parameters. Wherein, each set of QoS parameters comprises values of GFBR, PDB, PER and other parameters.

And 3, the data analysis network element can obtain the corresponding MOS score in the Service process based on the Service MOS model and the network data. That is, the data analysis network element may obtain the MOS score by inputting the network data into the Service MOS model, as shown in table 6 below:

TABLE 6

For example, the data analysis network element may obtain the MOS score of 0 to 1 corresponding to the Service in progress based on the Service MOS model and the network data X4 (or the network data X5).

And 4, obtaining a service subsection model in the region by the data analysis network element.

As shown in table 1 and table 2, the data analysis network element obtains Service data and network data, and then obtains a Service MOS model through step 1.

The service distribution model training process is illustrated (taking a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) as an example), and the service distribution model includes: a neural network input layer, a hidden layer, and a neural network output layer.

Specifically, the parameters of the input of the neural network input layer and the output of the neural network output layer in the training process of the service distribution model may refer to the following tables 7 and 8:

TABLE 7 traffic distribution model Algorithm input

It should be understood that table 7 above is merely illustrative of the traffic distribution model algorithm inputs, and that in actual practice the traffic distribution model algorithm inputs may also include more or fewer parameters than table 7.

In the embodiment of the application, the number of users of the service is the number of terminals using the service, and the number of users of the slice is the number of terminals using the slice.

TABLE 8 traffic distribution model Algorithm output

And 5, obtaining the QoE Requirement corresponding to the Slice Load Level by the data analysis network element.

Step 5 can be specifically realized by the following method: the data analysis network element receives network area information (for example, Cell ID or Cell ID list) and the number of Slice Load levels from the NSSF network element. The data analysis network element receives the service satisfaction requirement of the tenant from the PCF network element, for example, the proportion that the MOS of the service 1 is greater than or equal to 3.0 is 85%.

For example, the number of Slice Load levels is 5, where the Slice Load levels of different Slice Load levels have different values, and the specific meaning of the different values may be: 1 indicates very light load, 2 indicates light load, 3 indicates normal, 4 indicates congestion, and 5 indicates very congestion.

And the data analysis network element inputs the acquired QoE requirement, Slice Load Level and network area information into the service distribution model. For example, there are service 1 and service 2 in slice a and service 3 and service 4 in slice B. The slice level corresponding to the service 1 is 1, and the proportion that the MOS of the service 1 is greater than or equal to 3.0 is 85%. The slice level corresponding to service 2 is 2, and the proportion of MOS of service 2 greater than or equal to 3.5 is 92%.

The slice level corresponding to service 3 is 3, and the proportion of the MOS of service 3 being greater than or equal to 4.0 is 87%. The slice level corresponding to service 4 is 4, and the proportion that the MOS of service 4 is greater than or equal to 3.0 is 80%.

And 6, the data analysis network element obtains QoE requirements of different services corresponding to different Slice Load levels.

Specifically, the data analysis network element executes a K-Means clustering algorithm based on the area-Level service information, wherein the size of K is equal to the number of Slice Load levels, K centroids are obtained from a clustering result, and each centroid comprises the service satisfaction degree of each service in the network area. Then, the data analysis network element receives the service satisfaction requirement of the tenant from the PCF network element as a Slice Load Level 3 (a normal vector), then calculates the included angle between the K centroids and the Slice Load Level 3 (a normal vector), and further determines the QoE requirement range corresponding to the Slice Load Level 3.

As another embodiment of the present application, in the present application, the data analysis network element may further determine service configuration information corresponding to the Slice Load Level in the following manner.

Specifically, the data analysis network element determines Slice Load Level information (information) corresponding to each Slice Load Level according to the QoERequirement corresponding to each Slice Load Level obtained through the above process, as shown in the following table 9:

TABLE 9Slice Load Level information

In summary, the data analysis network element may obtain, based on the service monitoring information, the user control information, and the service control information of each network slice in the at least one network slice obtained through the data analysis, the first information of each network slice in the at least one network slice in a summary manner.

It should be noted that, on one hand, the first request may carry filtering information, so that the data analysis network element obtains, according to the first request, first information for determining slice quality information. And determining the relation between the slice quality of the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice by the slice management control network element according to the first information. In another embodiment, the first request may further carry requirement information, so that after the data analysis network element determines the slice quality information, the first indication information may be determined according to the slice quality information of any network slice and the requirement information corresponding to the network slice. For example, the data analysis network element determines slice quality according to the slice quality information, and then determines a quality requirement of the network slice according to the requirement information corresponding to the network slice, so as to send the determined first indication information to the data analysis network element.

In summary, if the first request may also carry the requirement information, the first information may be the first indication information. If the first request does not carry the demand information, the first information may be slice quality information.

Specifically, the specific content of the first information may refer to the description in step 101, and is not described herein again.

Step 107, the data analysis network element sends a first response to the slice management control network element, where the first response includes first information corresponding to at least one network slice.

It is to be understood that the first response includes identification information of the at least one network slice, and first information corresponding to each of the at least one network slice.

Step 108, the slice management control network element receives the first response sent by the data analysis network element.

After receiving the first response, the slice management control network element may further send information indicating that the first response is received to the data analysis network element.

Correspondingly, step 101 may be specifically implemented in the following manner: and the slice management control network element acquires first information corresponding to each network slice in at least one network slice according to the first response.

In an actual process, if the first indication information of the other network slices in at least one network slice, except the first network slice, does not meet the quality requirements of the other network slices, the slice management control network element may also control the user access in the other network slices. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, the method provided in the embodiments of the present application further includes:

and step 109, controlling, by the slice management control network element, user access in other network slices except the first network slice in the at least one network slice according to the first indication information of the at least one network slice. In the operation of this step, it is mainly considered that introducing a new network slice or a slice without signing a slice SLA may affect the quality of the existing network slice, and if the affect is generated, the user access of the affected network slice also needs to be controlled.

It should be understood that the specific implementation of step 109 may refer to the specific implementation of step 103, and is not described herein.

The above mainly describes a process in which the slice management control network element controls the user access in the network slice according to the quality information of the network slice, and in some embodiments, the slice management control network element may also notify the access network device corresponding to the network slice to adjust the air interface resource of the network slice. As shown in fig. 7, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes:

step 110, the slice management control network element sends first indication information of at least one network slice to at least one access network device serving the at least one network slice.

Example 1, step 110 may be implemented by: the slice management control network element may send first indication information of the first network slice to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice. The first indication information for the at least one network slice may also be transmitted to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice.

Because one slice management control network element can manage a plurality of access and mobility management function network elements, the access network equipment is accessed into the core network through the access and mobility management function network elements, and one access and mobility management function network element can manage a plurality of access network equipment. An access and mobility management function network element generally includes a plurality of Tracking Areas (TAs), and a plurality of AMFs and a plurality of RANs may be supported in an area indicated by area information. And typically the number of AMFs is smaller than the number of RANs.

Thus, the slice management control network element may address a plurality of access and mobility management function network elements supporting S-NSSAI slices under the TA via the TA/S-NSSAI. The access and mobility management function network element may address a plurality of access network devices supporting S-NSSAI slices under the TA via the TA/S-NSSAI.

Illustratively, the method provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes: and the slice management control network element determines the address or identification information of at least one access and mobility management function network element through the area information corresponding to any first network slice.

The address or identification information of the at least one access and mobility management function network element is used to identify the at least one access and mobility management function network element.

For example, the slice management control network element may send, to the at least one first access network device, first indication information of a first network slice through at least one access and mobility management function network element, where the at least one first access and mobility management function network element serves the first network slice.

Illustratively, the first network slice NS1 corresponds to the RAN1 and the RAN2, and the NS2 corresponds to the RAN3, the slice management control network element sends the first indication information of the NS1 to the RAN1 and the RAN 2. Or the slice management control network element transmits the first indication information of the NS1 and the NS2 to the RAN1 and the RAN 2.

Example 2, step 110 may be implemented by: the slice management control network element may send the first indication information of the other network slice to at least one second access network device serving the other network slice. The first indication information for the at least one network slice may also be transmitted to at least one second access network device serving the other network slices.

It should be understood that the at least one second access network device in example 2 includes at least one second access network device corresponding to all of the other network slices.

For example, the slice management control network element may send the first indication information of the other network slices to the at least one second access network device through the at least one access and mobility management function network element, where the at least one access and mobility management function network element serves the other network slices.

It should be understood that the access network devices corresponding to different network slices may be the same. For example, the first network slice NS1 and NS2 both correspond to RAN1, but NS2 may also correspond to RAN 2.

Specifically, the slice management control network element may perform any one of example 1 and example 2 described above.

No matter which network slice first indication information is received by the access network device, the access network device may process the air interface resources scheduled for the network slice, and since the access network device processes the air interface resources scheduled for any network slice according to the first indication information of any network slice in the same manner, in the embodiment of the present application, the second network slice is taken as an example, and the second network slice is any network slice in at least one network slice, and does not have any indicative meaning:

as shown in fig. 7, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes:

step 111, the at least one access network device receives first indication information of the at least one network slice.

For example, at least one access network device may obtain the first indication information of the network slice from a slice management control network element.

Illustratively, step 111 may be specifically implemented by: the RAN acquires first indication information of the network slice through at least one access and mobility management function network element or network management network element.

And step 112, the at least one access network device processes the air interface resource scheduled for the second network slice according to the first indication information of the second network slice.

Since one network slice may correspond to multiple access network devices, the at least one access network device may negotiate which access network device handles the air interface resources scheduled for the second network slice. Or at least one access network device processes the air interface resource scheduled for the second network slice together.

Specifically, step 112 may be implemented by: and when the slicing quality of the second network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the second network slice, the RAN reduces the air interface resources scheduled for the second network slice. And when the slice quality of the second network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the second network slice, the RAN increases the air interface resources scheduled for the second network slice. When the quality of the second network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the second network slice, the RAN maintains the air interface resources scheduled for the second network slice.

In some embodiments, the slice management control network element may further send the area information, the time information, and the average traffic experience of the at least one traffic of any one of the network slices to the at least one access network device of the any one of the network slices. At this time, at least one access network device may further obtain area information, time information, and average service experience of at least one service of any network slice. After receiving the information, the access network equipment can more accurately control the air interface resources of the network slice. For example, air interface resource scheduling may be scheduled according to the region information and the time information.

It should be noted that, in an aspect of this embodiment of the present application, the slice management control network element may execute step 103 and execute step 110, that is, when the slice management control network element controls the user in the first network slice to access, the slice management control network element also sends the first indication information of the first network slice to the access network device. On the other hand the slice management control network element may use step 110 instead of step 103. In this case, the slice management control network element may not perform a process of controlling the user access in the first network slice, and only the access network device adjusts the air interface resource according to the first indication information.

Steps 110 to 112 mainly describe a process of how the RAN decides to adjust the air interface resource of the network slice according to the first indication information of the network slice, and in an actual process, the access network device may also adjust the air interface resource of the network slice according to the indication of the slice management control network element. The specific process is as follows:

it should be understood that, in this embodiment of the present application, after determining the first indication information of any network slice, the slice management control network element may further determine whether an air interface resource allocated to any network slice by the access network device is sufficient, and indicate to the access network device whether to reduce the air interface resource allocated to the network slice or increase the air interface resource allocated to the network slice, or maintain the air interface resource allocated to the network slice unchanged.

For example, if the access network device allocates sufficient air interface resources to any of the network slices, the slice management control network element sends a first indication to the access network device, where the first indication is used to indicate that the air interface resources allocated to any of the network slices are reduced. And if the air interface resources allocated to any network slice by the access network equipment are insufficient, the slice management control network element sends a second indication to the access network equipment, so as to indicate that the air interface resources allocated to any network slice are increased. And if the access network equipment allocates moderate air interface resources for any network slice, the slice management control network element sends a third indication to the access network equipment, wherein the third indication is used for indicating and maintaining the air interface resources allocated for any network slice.

Illustratively, when the network slice is in an excess state, i.e. the slice quality of the network slice is greater than the quality requirement, a first indication is sent to the access network device. Specifically, the first indication may be sent when the slice quality of the network slice is greater than the quality requirement and the maximum number of users joining the network slice meets the tenant requirement. In this way, the access network device may reduce the air interface resources allocated to the any network slice according to the first indication.

Illustratively, when the network Slice is in the Slice SLA understting state, i.e. the Slice quality of the network Slice is less than the quality requirement, a second indication is sent to the access network device. Specifically, the second indication may be sent when the slice quality of the network slice is less than the quality requirement and the maximum number of users joining the network slice does not meet the tenant requirement. In this way, the access network device may increase the air interface resources allocated to the any network slice according to the second indication.

Illustratively, when the slice quality of the network slice is equal to the quality requirement, a third indication is sent to the access network device. Specifically, the third indication may be sent when the slice quality of the network slice is equal to the quality requirement, and the maximum number of users joining the network slice is equal to the tenant requirement. In this way, the access network device may maintain the air interface resource allocated by any network slice unchanged according to the third indication.

Fig. 8 is a specific embodiment of quality information of a network slice provided in an embodiment of the present application, where in the scheme, a data analysis network element is an NWDAF network element, an access network device is a RAN, and a slice management control network element is an NSSF network element. Specifically, as shown in fig. 8, the method includes:

step 201, the NSSF network element determines that the first network slice is a newly established network slice or a network slice without signing the SLA.

Specifically, the NSSF network element may determine that the first network slice is newly established as follows. For example, in the process of creating the first network slice by the OAM, first indication information is sent to the NSSF network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network slice is newly created, so that the NSSF network element may determine that the first network slice is newly created according to the first indication information. Alternatively, the operator may directly configure the first network slice on the NSSF network element as a newly established network slice or as a network slice without signing the SLA.

Step 202, the NSSF network element obtains the requirement information.

Specifically, the content of the requirement information may refer to the description in the above embodiments, and is not described herein again.

Step 203, the NSSF network element subscribes to the NWDAF for statistics of at least one network slice through a Subscribe event request (e.g., NWDAF _ EventSubscription _ Subscribe).

Exemplarily, nwdaf _ EventSubscription _ Subscribe may be the first request in the above embodiment. The slice statistical information may be the first information of the network slice in the above embodiment.

For example, Nwdaf _ EventSubscription _ Subscripte may carry S-NSSAIs, Tracking Area, and Time Window.

The S-NSSAIs represent identification information of at least one network slice, and the at least one network slice includes identification information of a first network slice and identification information of an existing network slice.

The Tracking Area is Area information, and may be TA or TAlist/Cell list.

The existing network Slice may be the network Slice that has signed the Slice SLA.

It is to be understood that step 203 is for the NSSF network element to request statistical information of at least one network slice of an area within a time period from the NWDAF network element.

Step 204, the NWDAF network element analyzes to obtain statistical information of at least one network slice, and feeds back the statistical information of at least one network slice of the area in the NSSF request time period to the NSSF network element through a subscription event notification (NWDAF _ eventsuscription _ Notify) service operation.

For example, the nwdaf _ EventSubscription _ Notify service operation may be the first response in the above embodiment.

Illustratively, the statistical information includes: at least one of a time period, area information, statistical information of at least one network slice, identification information of a network slice, a first maximum number of registered users (e.g., 1million), and service information of each service of one network slice.

The information of the service is used for indicating the state that the current network can satisfy the service in the network slice. For example, the information of the service includes: the Service identifier, a first maximum user number (that is, the maximum user number in the Service that can be satisfied in the current network), a first Average Service experience (Average Service MOS), and a first Service satisfaction.

Step 205, the NSSF network element determines, according to the statistical information and/or the pre-configuration policy of at least one network slice of an area in a time period from the NWDAF, first indication information (estimated per slice quality information) of each network slice on a corresponding area in the time period, where the first indication information is used to indicate a relationship between a slice quality of a network slice and a quality requirement of the network slice, which is satisfied by a current network.

Step 206, the NSSF network element determines the state of the first network slice according to the first indication information of the at least one network slice.

Step 207, if the NSSF network element determines that the first network Slice is in the Slice SLA overlapping state, and the second maximum number of registered users required by the current tenant cannot be added to the first network Slice completely, the NSSF network element may allow more users to access the first network Slice.

For example, if the NSSF network element estimates (affected) the slice quality (slice quality) of the first network slice to be 120%, the tenant requires the number of users in the first network slice to be 1million (10 millions), but the number of users currently accessed by the first network slice is 1million (1 million). The RAN allocates excess air interface resources to the first network slice, and may allow more users to access the first network slice.

Step 208, if the NSSF network element determines that the first network Slice is in a Slice SLA overlapping state and finds that the second maximum number of registered users required by the current tenant has been completely added to the first network Slice, the NSSF network element may send a first indication to at least one RAN corresponding to the first network Slice through the AMF network element, where the first indication is used to indicate that air interface resources allocated to the first network Slice are reduced.

Step 209, the at least one RAN receives the first indication, and reduces air interface resources allocated to the first network slice according to the first indication.

Step 210, if the NSSF network element determines that the first network Slice is in Slice slandershaping, and the second maximum number of registered users required by the current tenant is not all added to the first network Slice, the RAN sends a second indication to at least one access network device corresponding to the first network Slice, where the second indication increases air interface resources allocated to the first network Slice.

And step 211, the at least one RAN receives the second indication, and increases the air interface resource allocated to the first network slice according to the second indication.

Step 212, if the NSSF network element determines that the slice quality and the quality requirement of the first network slice are equal, and the second maximum number of registered users required by the current tenant is all added to the first network slice, sending a third indication to at least one access network device corresponding to the first network slice, where the third indication is used to indicate that air interface resources allocated to the first network slice are maintained unchanged.

And step 213, the at least one RAN receives the third indication, and maintains the air interface resource allocated to the first network slice unchanged according to the second indication.

Fig. 9 differs from fig. 8 in that in fig. 9, after the NSSF network element performs steps 201 to 205, step 206 '-step 211' is used instead of step 206 to step 213 in fig. 8.

Step 206', the NSSF network element sends an NSSAI availability notification message (for example, NSSF _ nssaiiavavailability _ Notify) to the at least one AMF network element, where the NSSF _ nssaiiavailability _ Notify carries the first indication information of the first network slice.

It is to be understood that the area covered by the at least one AMF network element comprises the area in which the first network slice is located.

Step 207', the at least one AMF network element sends a CONFIGURATION UPDATE message (CONFIGURATION UPDATE message) to the at least one RAN serving the first network slice, where the CONFIGURATION UPDATE message carries the first indication information of the first network slice.

It is to be understood that at least one RAN in step 207' belongs to the area where the first network slice is located.

Step 208', the at least one RAN receives a first indication of the first network slice through the at least one access and mobility management function network element.

For example, the at least one RAN may obtain the first indication information of the first network slice from a configuration update message sent by the access and mobility management function network element.

Step 209', if the slicing quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, at least one RAN reduces the air interface resources scheduled for the first network slice.

Step 210', if the slice quality of the first network slice is lower than if the quality requirement of the first network slice, at least one RAN increases air interface resources scheduled for the first network slice.

Step 211', if the quality of the first network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the first network slice, the at least one RAN maintains the air interface resources scheduled for the network slice.

The above-mentioned scheme of the embodiment of the present application is introduced mainly from the perspective of interaction between network elements. It is understood that each network element, for example, a device for processing user access in a network slice, a slice quality information generating device, a resource adjusting device, etc., includes a hardware structure and/or a software module for performing each function in order to implement the above functions. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, according to the above method, a device for processing user access in a network slice, a slice quality information generation device, and a resource adjustment device may be divided into functional units, for example, each functional unit may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit. It should be noted that the division of the unit in the embodiment of the present application is schematic, and is only a logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

The following description will be given by taking the division of each function module corresponding to each function as an example:

as shown in fig. 10, fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a device for processing user access in a network slice according to an embodiment of the present application, where the device for processing user access in a network slice may be a slice management control network element in the embodiment of the present application, or may be a chip applied to the slice management control network element.

The device for processing user access in the network slice comprises: an acquisition unit 101 and a processing unit 102. The apparatus for supporting user access in the processing network slice, which is used by the obtaining unit 101, executes step 101 and step 108 in the above embodiments.

The processing unit 102 is specifically configured to support the apparatus for processing user access in the network slice to perform step 102, step 103, step 1031, step 1032, step 1033, and step 109 in the foregoing embodiment.

Optionally, the apparatus for processing user access in a network slice may further include: a sending unit 103, configured to support the apparatus for processing user access in the network slice to perform step 104 and step 110 in the foregoing embodiments.

All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

Optionally, the apparatus for handling user access in a network slice may further comprise a storage unit for storing signaling or data or computer program code.

On the basis of hardware implementation, the obtaining unit 101 and the sending unit 103 in this application may be slice management control network elements or communication interfaces or interface circuits applied to chips in the slice management control network elements, and the processing unit 102 may be integrated on processors of the slice management control network elements or chips applied to the slice management control network elements.

In the case of an integrated unit, fig. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a possible logical structure of the apparatus for handling user access in a network slice according to the above embodiment. The device for processing user access in a network slice can be a slice management control network element or a chip applied to the slice management control network element, and the device for processing user access in the network slice comprises: a processing module 112 and a communication module 113.

Wherein, the processing module 112 is configured to control and manage actions of a device for processing user access in a network slice, for example, the processing module 112 is configured to perform steps of performing message or data processing on a device side for processing user access in a network slice, for example, a device for supporting processing user access in a network slice performs steps 102, 103, 1031, 1032, 1033, and 109 in the foregoing embodiments. The communication module 113 is configured to support the apparatus for handling user access in the network slice to perform step 101, step 104, step 108, and step 110 in the foregoing embodiments. And/or other processes performed by an apparatus handling user access in a network slice for techniques described herein. Optionally, the apparatus for handling user access in a network slice may further comprise a storage module 111 for storing program codes and data of the apparatus for handling user access in a network slice.

The processing module 112 may be a processor or controller, such as a central processing unit, a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. A processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., a combination of one or more microprocessors, a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, or the like. The communication module 113 may be a transceiver, a transceiving circuit or a communication interface, etc. The storage module 111 may be a memory.

When the processing module 112 is the processor 100 or the processor 150, the communication module 113 is the communication interface 130 or the transceiver, and the storage module 111 is the memory 120, the apparatus for processing user access in a network slice according to the present application may be the communication device shown in fig. 12.

As shown in fig. 12, the communication device may include at least one processor 100, memory 120, communication interface 130, bus 140.

The following specifically describes each constituent element of the communication apparatus with reference to fig. 12:

the processor 100 is a control center of the communication device, and may be a single processor or a collective term for a plurality of processing elements. For example, the processor 100 is a CPU, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement embodiments of the present Application, such as: one or more microprocessors (DSPs), or one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs).

Among other things, the processor 100 may perform various functions of the communication device by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 120, as well as invoking data stored in the memory 120.

In particular implementations, processor 100 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU 0 and CPU 1 shown in FIG. 12, for example, as an embodiment.

In particular implementations, a communication device may include multiple processors, such as processor 100 and processor 150 shown in fig. 12, for example, as an embodiment. Each of these processors may be a single-Core Processor (CPU) or a multi-Core Processor (CPU). A processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

The Memory 120 may be a Read-Only Memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM) or other optical Disc storage, optical Disc storage (including Compact Disc, laser Disc, optical Disc, digital versatile Disc, blu-ray Disc, etc.), a magnetic Disc storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to such. Memory 120 may be self-contained and coupled to processor 100 via bus 140. Memory 120 may also be integrated with processor 100.

The memory 120 is used for storing software programs for executing the present application, and is controlled by the processor 100 to execute the software programs.

A communication interface 130 for communicating with other devices or a communication network. Such as for communicating with communication Networks such as ethernet, Radio Access Network (RAN), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), etc.

The bus 140 may be an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, an Extended ISA (enhanced Industry Standard Architecture) bus, or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 12, but this is not intended to represent only one bus or type of bus.

Illustratively, when the communication device as shown in fig. 12 is a device for handling user access in a network slice, for example, the processor 100 and/or the processor 150 supports the device for handling user access in a network slice to perform steps 102, 103, 1031, 1032, 1033, and 109 in the above embodiments. The communication interface 130 is used to support the means for handling user access in a network slice to perform steps 101, 104, 108 and 110 in the above embodiments.

The device architecture shown in fig. 12 does not constitute a limitation of the radio access network device and may include more or fewer components than shown, or some components may be combined, or a different arrangement of components.

As shown in fig. 13, fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram illustrating a slice quality information generating device provided in the embodiment of the present application, where the slice quality information generating device may be a data analysis network element in the embodiment of the present application, and may also be a chip applied to the data analysis network element.

The slice quality information generation device includes: a receiving unit 201, a processing unit 202, and a transmitting unit 203. Wherein the receiving unit 201 is configured to support the slice quality information generating apparatus to execute step 105 in the above-mentioned embodiment.

The processing unit 202 is adapted to support the slice quality information generating means to perform step 106 in the above described embodiment.

The transmitting unit 203 is used to support the slice quality information generating apparatus to execute step 107 in the above-described embodiment.

In the case of an integrated unit, fig. 14 shows a schematic diagram of a possible structure of the slice quality information generating apparatus according to the foregoing embodiment, which may be a data analysis network element or a chip applied in the data analysis network element. The slice quality information generation device includes: a processing module 212 and a communication module 213. The processing module 212 is configured to control and manage the operation of the slice quality information generating apparatus, for example, the processing module 212 is configured to support the slice quality information generating apparatus to perform the operation of performing message or data processing on the side of the slice quality information generating apparatus in the above-described embodiment, for example, step 106. The communication module 213 is used to support the slice quality information generation apparatus to perform operations of receiving and transmitting messages or data on the side of the slice quality information generation apparatus in the above-described embodiments, for example, step 105 and step 107 in the above-described embodiments. And/or other processes performed by the slice quality information generation apparatus for use with the techniques described herein.

Optionally, the slice quality information generating apparatus may further comprise a storage module 211 for storing program codes and data of the slice quality information generating apparatus.

The processing module 212 may be a processor or controller, such as a central processing unit, a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. A processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., a combination of one or more microprocessors, a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, or the like. The communication module 213 may be a transceiver, a transceiving circuit or a communication interface, etc. The storage module 211 may be a memory.

When the processing module 212 is the processor 100, the communication module 213 is the communication interface 130 or the transceiver, and the storage module 211 is the memory 120, the slice quality information generating apparatus according to the present application may be the device shown in fig. 12.

Illustratively, when the communication apparatus shown in fig. 12 is a slice quality information generating device, the processor 100 is configured to support the slice quality information generating device to perform the operation of performing message or data processing on the side of the slice quality information generating device in the above-described embodiment, for example, step 106. The communication interface 130 is used to support the slice quality information generation apparatus to perform operations of receiving and transmitting messages or data on the side of the slice quality information generation apparatus in the above-described embodiments, for example, step 105 and step 107 in the above-described embodiments.

As shown in fig. 15, fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a resource adjusting apparatus provided in this embodiment of the present application, where the resource adjusting apparatus may be an access network device in this embodiment of the present application, and may also be a chip applied to the access network device.

The resource adjusting apparatus includes: receiving section 301 and processing section 302. Wherein, the receiving unit 301 is configured to support the resource adjusting apparatus to execute step 111 in the foregoing embodiment.

The processing unit 302 is configured to support the resource adjusting apparatus to execute step 112 in the above embodiment.

In the case of an integrated unit, fig. 16 shows a schematic structural diagram of a possible resource adjusting apparatus involved in the foregoing embodiment, where the resource adjusting apparatus may be an access network device or a chip applied in the access network device. The resource adjusting apparatus includes: a processing module 312 and a communication module 313. The processing module 312 is configured to control and manage the actions of the resource adjusting apparatus, for example, the processing module 312 is configured to support the resource adjusting apparatus to perform the operations of performing message or data processing on the resource adjusting apparatus side in the foregoing embodiments, for example, step 112. The communication module 313 is configured to support the resource adjusting apparatus to perform operations of receiving and sending messages or data on the resource adjusting apparatus side in the foregoing embodiments, for example, step 111 in the foregoing embodiments. And/or other processes performed by the resource adjustment apparatus for the techniques described herein.

Optionally, the slice quality information generating apparatus may further include a storage module 311 for storing program codes and data of the resource adjusting apparatus.

The processing module 312 may be a processor or controller, such as a central processing unit, a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. A processor may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., a combination of one or more microprocessors, a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, or the like. The communication module 313 may be a transceiver, a transceiving circuit or a communication interface, etc. The storage module 311 may be a memory.

When the processing module 312 is the processor 100, the communication module 313 is the communication interface 130 or the transceiver, and the storage module 311 is the memory 312, the resource adjusting apparatus according to the present application may be the device shown in fig. 12.

Illustratively, when the communication device shown in fig. 12 is a resource adjusting apparatus, the processor 100 is configured to support the resource adjusting apparatus to perform the operation of performing message or data processing on the resource adjusting apparatus side in the above-described embodiment, for example, step 112. The communication interface 130 is used to support the resource adjusting apparatus to perform the operation of receiving and transmitting messages or data on the resource adjusting apparatus side in the above embodiment, for example, step 111 in the above embodiment.

It should be understood that the resource adjusting device, the slice quality information generating device, and the device for processing user access in a network slice have similar structures, for example, all adopt the structure shown in fig. 12, and different devices may implement their respective functions as required.

It should be understood that the above resource adjusting device, slice quality information generating device, and the division of the units in the device for processing user access in a network slice are merely a logical function division, and may be wholly or partially integrated into one physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. And the units in the device can be realized in the form of software called by the processing element; or may be implemented entirely in hardware; part of the units can also be realized in the form of software called by a processing element, and part of the units can be realized in the form of hardware. For example, each unit may be a processing element separately set up, or may be implemented by being integrated into a chip of the apparatus, or may be stored in a memory in the form of a program, and a function of the unit may be called and executed by a processing element of the apparatus. In addition, all or part of the units can be integrated together or can be independently realized. The processing element described herein may be an integrated circuit having signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps of the method or the units above may be implemented by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor element or in a form called by software through the processor element.

In one example, the units in any of the above apparatuses may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or one or more microprocessors (DSPs), or one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. As another example, when a Unit in a device may be implemented in the form of a Processing element scheduler, the Processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or other processor capable of invoking programs. As another example, these units may be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

The above receiving unit (or a unit for receiving) is an interface circuit or a communication interface of the apparatus for receiving signals from other apparatuses. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the receiving unit is an interface circuit or a communication interface for the chip to receive signals from other chips or devices. The above transmitting unit (or a unit for transmitting) is an interface circuit of the apparatus for transmitting a signal to other apparatuses. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the transmitting unit is an interface circuit or a communication interface for the chip to transmit signals to other chips or devices.

Fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip 150 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Chip 150 includes at least one processor 1510 and a communication interface 1530.

Optionally, the chip 150 further includes a memory 1540, which may include both read-only memory and random access memory, and provides operating instructions and data to the processor 1510. A portion of memory 1540 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

In some embodiments, memory 1540 stores the following elements, executable modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an expanded set thereof:

in the embodiment of the present application, by calling an operation instruction stored in the memory 1540 (the operation instruction may be stored in an operating system), a corresponding operation is performed.

One possible implementation is: the chips used by the data analysis network element, the access network device and the slice management control network element have similar structures, and different devices can use different chips to realize respective functions.

The processor 1510 controls the operations of the data analysis network element, the access network device, and the slice management control network element, and the processor 1510 may also be referred to as a Central Processing Unit (CPU). Memory 1540 can include both read-only memory and random-access memory, and provides instructions and data to processor 1510. A portion of memory 1540 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). In particular implementations, memory 1540, communication interface 1530, and memory 1540 are coupled together by a bus system 1520, where bus system 1520 may include a power bus, a control bus, a status signal bus, and so forth, in addition to a data bus. For clarity of illustration, however, the various buses are labeled as bus system 1520 in FIG. 17.

The resource adjustment method, the slice quality information generation method, or the method for processing user access in a network slice disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to the processor 1510, or implemented by the processor 1510. The processor 1510 may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the resource adjustment method, the slice quality information generation method, or the method for processing user access in a network slice may be implemented by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor 1510 or instructions in the form of software. The processor 1510 may be a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an off-the-shelf programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or performed. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware decoding processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory 1540, and the processor 1510 reads the information in the memory 1540, and performs the steps of the above method in combination with the hardware thereof.

Optionally, the communication interface 1530 is adapted to perform the steps of receiving and sending of the data analysis network element, the access network device, the slice management control network element in the embodiments shown in fig. 3-9.

The processor 1510 is configured to perform the steps of the processing of the first terminal, the network device in the embodiments shown in fig. 3-9.

In the above embodiments, the instructions stored by the memory for execution by the processor may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product may be written in the memory in advance or may be downloaded in the form of software and installed in the memory.

The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. The procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are all or partially generated when the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). A computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can store or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, etc., that is integrated with one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

In one aspect, a computer storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored, and when executed, the instructions cause a slice management control network element or a chip applied in the slice management control network element to perform step 101, step 102, step 103, step 1031, step 1032, step 1033, step 104, step 108, step 109, and step 110 in the embodiments. And/or other processes performed by the slice management control network element or chips applied in the slice management control network element for the techniques described herein.

In yet another aspect, a computer storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored, and when executed, the instructions cause a data analysis network element or a chip applied in the data analysis network element to perform steps 105, 106, and 107 in the embodiments. And/or other processes performed by the data analysis network element or chips applied in the data analysis network element for the techniques described herein.

In still another aspect, a computer storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored, and when executed, the instructions cause an access network device or a chip applied in the access network device to perform

steps

111 and 112 in the embodiments. And/or other processes performed by the access network device or a chip applied in the access network device for the techniques described herein.

The aforementioned readable storage medium may include: u disk, removable hard disk, read only memory, random access memory, magnetic or optical disk, etc. for storing program codes.

In one aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, where the instructions are stored in the computer program product, and when executed, the instructions cause a slice management control network element or a chip applied in the slice management control network element to perform step 101, step 102, step 103, step 1031, step 1032, step 1033, step 104, step 108, step 109, and step 110 in the embodiments. And/or other processes performed by the slice management control network element or chips applied in the slice management control network element for the techniques described herein.

In yet another aspect, a computer program product is provided, which comprises instructions stored therein, which when executed, cause a data analysis network element or a chip applied in the data analysis network element to perform steps 105, 106, 107 in an embodiment. And/or other processes performed by the data analysis network element or chips applied in the data analysis network element for the techniques described herein.

In still another aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, in which the instructions are stored, and when executed, the instructions cause an access network device or a chip applied in the access network device to perform

steps

In one aspect, a chip is provided, where the chip is applied to a slice management control network element, and the chip includes at least one processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is coupled to the at least one processor, and the processor is configured to execute instructions to perform step 101, step 102, step 103, step 1031, step 1032, step 1033, step 104, step 108, step 109, and step 110 in the embodiments. And/or other processes performed by the slice management control network element for the techniques described herein.

In another aspect, a chip is provided, which is applied in a data analysis network element, and includes at least one processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is coupled to the at least one processor, and the processor is configured to execute instructions to perform steps 105, 106, and 107 in the embodiments. And/or other processes performed by the data analysis network element for the techniques described herein.

In another aspect, a chip is provided, where the chip is applied in an access network device, and the chip includes at least one processor and a communication interface, where the communication interface is coupled to the at least one processor, and the processor is configured to execute instructions to perform

steps

111 and 112 in the embodiments. And/or other processes performed by an access network device for the techniques described herein.

In one aspect, the present application provides a communication system comprising: the apparatus for processing user access in a network slice as described in fig. 10, the slice quality information generating apparatus as described in fig. 13, and the resource adjusting apparatus as described in fig. 15.

In yet another aspect, the present application provides a communication system comprising: the apparatus for processing user access in a network slice as described in fig. 11, the slice quality information generating apparatus as described in fig. 14, and the resource adjusting apparatus as described in fig. 16.

Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be evident that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Accordingly, the specification and figures are merely exemplary of the present application as defined in the appended claims and are intended to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of the present application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as well.

Claims

1. A method for handling user access in a network slice, comprising:

the slice management control network element acquires first information corresponding to at least one network slice, wherein the at least one network slice comprises a first network slice;

the slice management control network element determines first indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice according to first information corresponding to the at least one network slice, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating a relation between slice quality corresponding to the network slice and quality requirements of the network slice;

and the slice management control network element controls the user access in the first network slice according to the first indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network slice is a newly established network slice or a network slice that is not signed for a Service Level Agreement (SLA).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the slice management control network element controls the user access in the first network slice according to the first indication information of the at least one network slice, and comprises:

the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element increases the number of users accessed in the first network slice; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element reduces the number of users accessed in the first network slice; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and the slice management control network element determines that the slice quality of the first network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element maintains the number of users accessed in the first network slice.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising:

the slice management control network element sends first indication information of the first network slice to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmitting, by the slice management control network element, the first indication information of the first network slice to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice comprises:

and the slice management control network element sends first indication information of the first network slice to the at least one first access network device through at least one access and mobility management function network element, wherein the at least one access and mobility management function network element serves the first network slice.

6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein the slice management control network element sends the first indication information of the first network slice to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice, and further comprising:

the slice management control network element sends at least one of the following information of the first network slice to the at least one first access network device: the service information includes area information, time information, a first average service experience of at least one service, or a first service experience interval.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the obtaining, by the slice management control network element, first information corresponding to at least one network slice comprises:

the slice management control network element sends a first request to a data analysis network element, wherein the first request is used for requesting first information corresponding to the at least one network slice, the first request comprises filtering information, and the filtering information is used for indicating a range for acquiring the first information of each network slice;

the slice management control network element receives a first response from the data analysis network element, wherein the first response comprises first information corresponding to the at least one network slice; the first information is used to determine first indication information of the at least one network slice.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following information for the at least one network slice:

the method comprises the steps of identifying information, time information, area information, the first maximum number of registered users and information of at least one service, wherein the information of the service is used for determining the state of the service.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the information of the service comprises at least one of the following information corresponding to the service:

the service identification, the first maximum number of users, the first average service experience, the first service experience interval information and the first service satisfaction.

10. The method according to any of claims 7-9, wherein the filtering information comprises at least one of the following information of the at least one network slice:

identification information, time information, area information.

11. A method for resource adjustment, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that access network equipment obtains first indication information of a network slice, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the relation between the slice quality corresponding to the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice;

and the access network equipment processes the air interface resources scheduled for the network slice according to the first indication information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the processing, by the access network device, the air interface resource scheduled for the network slice according to the first indication information includes:

when the slicing quality of the network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the network slice, the access network equipment reduces the air interface resources scheduled for the network slice;

when the slice quality of the network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the network slice, the access network equipment increases air interface resources scheduled for the network slice;

when the quality of the network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the network slice, the access network device maintains the air interface resource scheduled for the network slice.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the obtaining, by the access network device, the first indication information of the network slice comprises:

the access network equipment acquires first indication information of the network slice from a slice management control network element.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the obtaining, by the access network device, the first indication information of the network slice from a slice management control network element comprises:

and the access network equipment acquires the first indication information of the network slice through at least one access and mobility management function network element or network management network element.

15. The method according to any of claims 11-14, wherein the access network device obtains slice quality information corresponding to a network slice, the method further comprising:

the access network device obtains at least one of the following information of the network slice: area information, time information, average service experience of at least one service, or service experience interval.

16. An apparatus for handling user access in a network slice, comprising:

the device comprises an acquisition unit, a processing unit and a processing unit, wherein the acquisition unit is used for acquiring first information corresponding to at least one network slice, and the at least one network slice comprises a first network slice;

the processing unit is used for determining first indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice according to first information corresponding to the at least one network slice, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating a relation between slice quality corresponding to the network slice and quality requirements of the network slice;

the processing unit is further configured to control user access in the first network slice according to the first indication information corresponding to the at least one network slice.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first network slice is a newly established network slice or a network slice of an unsigned Service Level Agreement (SLA).

18. The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the processing unit is further specifically configured to determine that the slice quality of the first network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element increases the number of users accessed in the first network slice; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

the processing unit is further specifically configured to determine that the slice quality of the first network slice is lower than the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element reduces the number of users accessing the first network slice; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

the processing unit is further specifically configured to determine that the slice quality of the first network slice is equal to the quality requirement of the first network slice, and the slice management control network element maintains the number of users accessed in the first network slice.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 16-18, further comprising:

a sending unit, further configured to send first indication information of the first network slice to at least one first access network device serving the first network slice.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the sending unit is specifically configured to send the first indication information of the first network slice to the at least one first access network device through at least one access and mobility management function network element, where the at least one access and mobility management function network element serves the first network slice.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein the sending unit is further configured to send, to the at least one first access network device, at least one of the following information for the first network slice: the service information includes area information, time information, a first average service experience of at least one service, or a first service experience interval.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the sending unit is further configured to send a first request to a data analysis network element, where the first request is used to request first information corresponding to the at least one network slice, and the first request includes filtering information, where the filtering information is used to indicate a range for obtaining the first information of each network slice;

an obtaining unit, configured to receive a first response from the data analysis network element, where the first response includes first information corresponding to the at least one network slice; the first information is used to determine first indication information of the at least one network slice.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following information for the at least one network slice:

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the information of the service comprises at least one of the following information corresponding to the service:

25. The apparatus according to any of claims 22-24, wherein the filtering information comprises at least one of the following information for the at least one network slice:

identification information, time information, area information.

26. A resource adjustment apparatus, comprising:

the device comprises a receiving unit, a processing unit and a processing unit, wherein the receiving unit is used for acquiring first indication information of a network slice, and the first indication information is used for indicating the relation between the slice quality corresponding to the network slice and the quality requirement of the network slice;

and the processing unit is used for processing the air interface resources scheduled for the network slice according to the first indication information.

27. The apparatus of claim 26,

the processing unit is specifically configured to reduce, by the access network device, air interface resources scheduled for the network slice when the slice quality of the network slice is higher than the quality requirement of the network slice;

28. The apparatus according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the receiving unit is specifically configured to obtain the first indication information of the network slice from a slice management control network element.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the receiving unit is specifically configured to obtain the first indication information of the network slice through at least one access and mobility management function network element or a network management network element.

30. The apparatus according to any of claims 26-29, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to obtain at least one of the following information of a network slice: area information, time information, average service experience of at least one service, or service experience interval.

31. A readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed, implement the method of any one of claims 1-10 or implement the method of any one of claims 11-15.