Network architecture having multicast and broadcast multimedia subsystem capabilities

Abstract

Examples of network architectures are provided. Some network architecture comprises a core network (CN) sub-architecture and a broadcast-multicast service-centre (BM-SC) sub-architecture. Some network architecture comprises a CN that implements functionality of the BM-SC. The architectures comprise network functions and interfaces between some of the network functions that allow for multicast broadcast multimedia system (MBMS) messaging and transmissions.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of managing a multicast broadcast (MB) session, by a session management function (SMF), the method comprising:
 receiving, from a user equipment (UE), a MB session request;   sending, to a unified data management (UDM), an MB authorization request for session subscription information;   receiving, from the UDM, an authorization response including the session subscription information; and   establishing a user plane (UP) connection for the MB session between a RAN node and a UP function (UPF).   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the receiving, from a UE, an MB session request comprises receiving the MB session request via a radio access network (RAN) node and an access and mobility management function (AM F). 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein: the MB session request is one of: an MB session establishment request and a request to join an MB session. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the MB session request comprises one or more of:
 a UE identifier (ID), an MB service ID, a content ID, and an MB session ID.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the MB authorization request for session subscription information comprises one or more of: a UE identifier (ID), DNN an MB session ID, a packet data unit (PDU) session type, an internal group ID, and an SMF ID. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 sending, to an authentication server function (AUSF), an authentication request related to the UE; and 
 receiving, from the AUS, an authentication response. 
 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the authentication request comprises one or more of: a UE identifier (ID), an MB service ID, a content ID, and an MB session ID, and a group ID of the UE. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the establishing a UP connection comprises associating the UE with the MB session. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the establishing a UP connection comprises establishing unicast bearers to send MB data toward the UE. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the establishing a UP connection comprises establishing the connection via an NG3 interface. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the establishing a UP connection comprises controlling the MB session setup between the RAN node and UPF via NG4 and NG2 interfaces. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 sending, to an AUSF, a request for one or more of: an encryption key and a decryption key; 
 receiving, from an AUSF, one or more of: an encryption key and a decryption key; and 
 sending, to the UE, the one or more of: an encryption key and a decryption key. 
 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 receiving, from a core network function (CNF), charging records related to the MB session; and 
 sending, to a policy control function (PCF), the charging records. 
 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one network interface;   a processor; and   a non-transient machine-readable memory storing machine readable instructions which when executed by the processor causes the apparatus to:
 receive, from a user equipment (UE), a multicast broadcast (MB) session request; 
 send, to a unified data management (UDM), an MB authorization request for session subscription information; 
 receive, from the UDM, an authorization response including the session subscription information; and 
 establish a user plane (UP) connection for the MB session between a RAN node and a UP function (UPF). 
   
     
     
         34 . A communication system comprising a session management function (SMF) and a unified data management (UDM), wherein:
 the SMF is configured to:
 receive, from a user equipment (UE), a multicast broadcast (MB) session request for a MB service; 
 send, to the UDM, an MB authorization request for session subscription information; 
 receive, from the UDM, an authorization response including the session subscription information; and 
 establish a user plane (UP) connection for the MB session between a RAN node and a UP function (UPF); 
   the UDM is configured to:
 receive, from the SMF, the MB authorization request; 
 verify that the UE is subscribed to the MB service; and 
 send, to the SMF, an authorization response. 
   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the UDM is further configured to:
 receive, from an application function (AF), information comprising user equipment (UE) subscription information related to the MB service; and   store the information.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the SMF is further configured to:
 send, to an authentication server function (AUSF), an authentication request related to the UE; and   receive, from the AUS, an authentication response.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the SMF is further configured to:
 receive, from a core network function (CNF), charging records related to the MB session; and   send, to a policy control function (PCF), the charging records.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the MB session request is one of: an MB session establishment request and a request to join an MB session. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the establish a UP connection comprises establishing unicast bearers to send MB data toward the UE.