Communication method and device

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and device, which relates to the field of communication. The method includes: a user plane network element receives information from a control plane network element for indicating a first strategy, the first strategy is used to indicate that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the continuity of the user plane service is maintained; the user plane network element runs the service according to the first strategy. In this way, the user plane network element can be instructed in advance to maintain the service continuity of the user plane network element when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, thereby avoiding service disconnection and meeting application scenarios with high requirements for service continuity.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on July 17, 2020, with application number 202010697927.0 and application name “Communication Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] In the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) system architecture, the session management function (SMF) network element in the 5G core network control plane (NG-CP) and the user plane function (UPF) network element in the 5G core network user plane (NG-UP) can exchange messages through the N4 interface.

[0004] In the 5G core network system, a detection mechanism can be designed at the N4 interface to sense whether the communication between the UPF network element and the SMF network element is normal. When the communication between the UPF network element and the SMF network element is abnormal (such as a fault or communication disconnection), the UPF network element forcibly releases the session.

[0005] However, forced release of the session by the UPF network element will lead to session interruption and cause service discontinuity. Summary of the invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device, which can indicate the user plane network element in advance, maintain the service continuity of the user plane network element when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, avoid service disconnection, and meet application scenarios with high requirements for service continuity.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a user plane network element receives information from a control plane network element for indicating a first policy; wherein the first policy is used to indicate that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the continuity of the user plane service is maintained; and the user plane network element runs the service according to the first policy. In this way, the user plane network element can be instructed in advance to maintain the service continuity of the user plane network element when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, thereby avoiding service disconnection and meeting application scenarios with high requirements for service continuity.

[0008] Among them, the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane in the embodiment of the present application may include: the disconnection between the user plane network element and the control plane network element, or the disconnection between the radio access network device and the control plane network element, or the disconnection between the user plane network element and the radio access network device and the control plane network element.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the first policy includes one or more of the following: a policy for indicating that the user plane service continues to run when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; or a policy for indicating that the user plane service continues to run until the user plane service ends when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; or a policy for indicating that the user plane service continues to run until the control plane and the user plane are restored when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; or a policy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up, a first duration and / or a first threshold of traffic is configured for the user plane service so that the user plane service continues to run based on the first duration and / or the first threshold of traffic; or a policy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane expires, the user plane service continues to run until the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up. In this way, the user plane network element can run the service according to the first policy to maintain the service continuity of the user plane network element.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the information used to indicate the first policy is an enumeration value. Thus, when indicating the first policy, only the enumeration value may be transmitted without transmitting the first policy itself, thereby saving communication resources.

[0011] In a possible implementation manner, the first policy is determined by the control plane network element according to traffic quota information of the service and policy control information of the service.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the user plane network element runs a service according to a first strategy, including: when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user plane network element maintains a data channel connection relationship with a first wireless access network device; wherein the first wireless access network device is a wireless access network device to which the user plane network element is connected when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner, the first policy includes: a policy for indicating that a session control timing mechanism is disabled when a user plane is disconnected from a control plane.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the user plane network element receives information indicating the first policy from the control plane network element, including: the user plane network element receives a message from the control plane network element, the message does not carry a header field related to the session control timing mechanism; the user plane network element sends the message to the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device can maintain the continuity of the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0015] In a possible implementation, it also includes: the user plane network element determines the traffic usage of the service running during the period when the user plane and the control plane are disconnected; when the control plane and the user plane are restored to connection, the user plane network element sends the traffic usage to the control plane network element.

[0016] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a control plane network element determines a first strategy, the first strategy being used to indicate maintaining the continuity of user plane services when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; the control plane network element sends information indicating the first strategy to the user plane network element and / or the wireless access network device.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first policy includes one or more of the following: a policy for indicating that the user plane service continues to run when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; or a policy for indicating that the user plane service continues to run until the user plane service ends when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; or a policy for indicating that the user plane service continues to run until the control plane and the user plane are restored when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; or a policy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up, a first duration and / or a first threshold of traffic is configured for the user plane service so that the user plane service continues to run based on the first duration and / or the first threshold of traffic; or a policy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane expires, the user plane service continues to run until the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up. In this way, the user plane network element can run the service according to the first policy to maintain the service continuity of the user plane network element.

[0018] In a possible implementation manner, the control plane network element determines the first policy, including: the control plane network element receives a session creation request; the control plane network element determines the first policy according to traffic quota information of the service and policy control information of the service.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the information used to indicate the first policy is an enumeration value. Thus, when indicating the first policy, only the enumeration value may be transmitted without transmitting the first policy itself, thereby saving communication resources.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: a control plane network element instructing a wireless access network device to enable a deactivation state mechanism for the terminal device.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the first policy includes: a policy for indicating that a session control timing mechanism is disabled when a user plane is disconnected from a control plane.

[0022] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a second wireless access network device determines that a user plane is disconnected from a control plane; and when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the second wireless access network device maintains the continuity of services on the user plane.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the second wireless access network device maintains the continuity of user plane services when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, including: the second wireless access network device obtains context data of the terminal device from the first wireless access network device, the first wireless access network device is a wireless access network device that communicates with the terminal device when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, and the context data of the terminal device is used to restore the connection between the terminal device and the second wireless access network device; the second wireless access network device notifies the first wireless access network device to maintain connection with the user plane network element; the second wireless access network device forwards the data of the terminal device to the user plane network element through the first wireless access network device.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the second radio access network device determines that the user plane and the control plane are disconnected, including: the second radio access network device receives first indication information from a first network element, the first network element is deployed in a physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the user plane and the control plane are disconnected.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is a cause value.

[0026] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, comprising: when a user plane is disconnected from a control plane, a first network element establishes a communication connection with a wireless access network device; wherein the first network element is deployed in a physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs; and the first network element maintains the continuity of the user plane service according to the communication connection with the wireless access network device. In the embodiment of the present application, the wireless access network device may be a first wireless access network device or a second wireless access network device, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the first network element maintains the continuity of the user plane service based on the communication connection with the wireless access network device, including: the first network element sends first indication information to the wireless access network device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0028] In a possible implementation, it also includes: the first network element instructs the user plane network element to establish a data channel connection relationship with the wireless access network device through the second network element; wherein the second network element is deployed in the physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs, and the second network element has communication interfaces with the first network element and the user plane network element respectively.

[0029] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a wireless access network device receives information from a control plane network element for indicating a first strategy, the first strategy being used to indicate maintaining the continuity of user plane services when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; the wireless access network device operates services according to the first strategy.

[0030] Among them, the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane in the embodiment of the present application may include: the disconnection between the user plane network element and the control plane network element, or the disconnection between the radio access network device and the control plane network element, or the disconnection between the user plane network element and the radio access network device and the control plane network element.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the first strategy includes one or more of the following: a strategy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user plane service continues to run; a strategy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user plane service continues to run until the user plane service ends; a strategy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user plane service continues to run until the control plane and the user plane are restored.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the information indicating the first strategy is an enumeration value. In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a user plane network element or a wireless access network device, or a chip or chip system in a user plane network element, or a chip or chip system in a wireless access network device. The communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit. When the communication device is a user plane network element or a wireless access network device, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a communication interface or an interface circuit. The communication device may also include a storage unit, which may be a memory. The storage unit is used to store instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit so that the wireless access network device implements a communication method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. When the communication device is a chip or chip system in a user plane network element or a wireless access network device, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a communication interface. For example, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit so that the user plane network element or the radio access network device implements a communication method described in any possible implementation of the first aspect or the fifth aspect. The storage unit may be a storage unit in the chip (for example, a register, a cache, etc.), or may be a storage unit in the radio access network device that is located outside the chip (for example, a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.).

[0033] Exemplarily, a communication unit is used to receive information from a control plane network element for indicating a first strategy; wherein the first strategy is used to indicate maintaining the continuity of user plane services when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; and a processing unit is used to run services according to the first strategy.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is specifically configured to receive information from a control plane network element for indicating a policy for continuing operation of user plane services when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0035] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is specifically configured to receive information from a control plane network element regarding a policy for indicating that, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the service on the user plane continues to run until the service on the user plane ends.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is specifically configured to receive information from a control plane network element regarding a policy for indicating that, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, services on the user plane continue to run until the control plane and the user plane are restored to a connection.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is specifically used to receive information from the control plane network element for indicating a policy for configuring a first duration and / or a first threshold of traffic for the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up, so that the user plane service continues to run based on the first duration and / or the first threshold of traffic.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is specifically used to receive information from the control plane network element about a policy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota usage time of the current period of the user plane expires, the user plane service continues to run until the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up.

[0039] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is specifically configured to receive an enumeration value from a control plane network element.

[0040] In a possible implementation manner, the first policy is determined by the control plane network element according to traffic quota information of the service and policy control information of the service.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to maintain, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, a data channel connection relationship between the user plane network element and the first wireless access network device; wherein the first wireless access network device is a wireless access network device to which the user plane network element is connected when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0042] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to instruct that, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the service is run according to a policy of disabling the session control timing mechanism.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is specifically used to receive a message from a control plane network element, and the message does not carry a header field related to a session control timing mechanism; the communication unit is also specifically used to send a message to a terminal device.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used to determine the traffic usage of the services running during the period when the user plane and the control plane are disconnected; the communication unit is specifically used to send the traffic usage to the control plane network element when the control plane and the user plane are restored to connection.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used to: trigger a check on resource occupancy when a service has not been running for more than a second time period; or trigger a check on resource occupancy when a resource occupancy rate exceeds a threshold; or trigger a check on resource occupancy when a control plane and a user plane are restored to connection.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a control plane network element, or a chip or chip system in a control plane network element. The communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit. When the communication device is a control plane network element, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a communication interface or an interface circuit. The communication device may also include a storage unit, and the storage unit may be a memory. The storage unit is used to store instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit so that the wireless access network device implements a communication method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. When the communication device is a chip or chip system in a control plane network element, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a communication interface. For example, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit so that the wireless access network device implements a communication method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The storage unit may be a storage unit in the chip (eg, a register, a cache, etc.), or a storage unit in the wireless access network device that is located outside the chip (eg, a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.).

[0047] Exemplarily, the processing unit is used to determine a first strategy, where the first strategy is used to indicate maintaining the continuity of user plane services when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; the communication unit is used to send information indicating the first strategy to the user plane network element.

[0048] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is specifically configured to send, to the user plane network element, information indicating a policy for continuing operation of user plane services when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0049] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is specifically configured to send, to the user plane network element, information of a policy for indicating that, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user plane service continues to run until the user plane service is terminated.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is specifically configured to send to the user plane network element information indicating a policy for continuing to run the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane until the control plane is restored to the user plane.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is specifically used to send information to the user plane network element for indicating a policy for configuring a first duration and / or a first threshold of traffic for the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up, so that the user plane service continues to run based on the first duration and / or the first threshold of traffic.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the communication unit is specifically used to send information about a policy to a user plane network element for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota usage time of the current period of the user plane expires, the user plane service continues to run until the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is specifically configured to receive a session creation request; and the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first policy according to traffic quota information of the service and policy control information of the service.

[0054] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit instructs the wireless access network device to enable a deactivation state mechanism for the terminal device.

[0055] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a strategy for disabling a session control timing mechanism when a user plane is disconnected from a control plane.

[0056] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a second radio access network device, or a chip or chip system in the second radio access network device. The communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit. When the communication device is a second radio access network device, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a communication interface or an interface circuit. The communication device may also include a storage unit, and the storage unit may be a memory. The storage unit is used to store instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit so that the radio access network device implements a communication method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. When the communication device is a chip or chip system in the second radio access network device, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a communication interface. For example, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit so that the radio access network device implements a communication method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The storage unit may be a storage unit in the chip (eg, a register, a cache, etc.), or a storage unit in the wireless access network device that is located outside the chip (eg, a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.).

[0057] Exemplarily, the processing unit maintains the continuity of the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; and the communication unit determines that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used to obtain context data of the terminal device from the first wireless access network device. The first wireless access network device is a wireless access network device that communicates with the terminal device when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. The context data of the terminal device is used to restore the connection between the terminal device and the second wireless access network device; the processing unit is specifically used to notify the first wireless access network device to maintain the connection with the user plane network element; the communication unit forwards the data of the terminal device to the user plane network element through the first wireless access network device.

[0059] The communication unit is specifically used to receive first indication information from a first network element, where the first network element is deployed in a physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the first indication information is a cause value.

[0061] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a first network element, or a chip or chip system in a first network element device. The communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit. When the communication device is a first network element, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a communication interface or an interface circuit. The communication device may also include a storage unit, and the storage unit may be a memory. The storage unit is used to store instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit so that the wireless access network device implements a communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. When the communication device is a chip or chip system in a first network element, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a communication interface. For example, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit so that the wireless access network device implements a communication method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The storage unit may be a storage unit in the chip (eg, a register, a cache, etc.), or a storage unit in the wireless access network device that is located outside the chip (eg, a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.).

[0062] Exemplarily, the processing unit establishes a communication connection with the second wireless access network device, and the first network element is deployed in a physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs; the communication unit maintains the continuity of the user plane service based on the communication connection with the second wireless access network device.

[0063] In a possible implementation manner, the communication unit is specifically configured to send first indication information to the second radio access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used to instruct the user plane network element to establish a data channel connection relationship with the second wireless access network device; wherein the second network element is deployed in the physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs, and the second network element has communication interfaces with the first network element and the user plane network element respectively.

[0065] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer executes the communication method described in any one of the implementation methods of the first to fourth aspects.

[0066] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the communication method described in any one of the implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0067] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes any one or more of the following: the communication device described in the fifth aspect and various possible implementations, the communication device described in the sixth aspect and various possible implementations of the sixth aspect, the communication device described in the seventh aspect and various possible implementations of the seventh aspect, and the communication device described in the eighth aspect and various possible implementations of the eighth aspect.

[0068] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication method described in any implementation method of the first to fourth aspects is implemented.

[0069] In the fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip or a chip system, which includes at least one processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and at least one processor are interconnected through lines, and the at least one processor is used to run computer programs or instructions to perform the communication method described in any implementation method of the first to fourth aspects.

[0070] It should be understood that the second to fourteenth aspects of the embodiments of the present application correspond to the technical solutions of the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation methods are similar and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the regional data center telecommunication cloud construction architecture;

[0072] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the 5G-oriented enterprise park manufacturing factory architecture;

[0073] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the 5GC cloud service architecture;

[0074] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of another application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 8 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Fig. 9 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Fig.10 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Fig.11 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Fig.12 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] In order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first", "second" and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. For example, the first radio access network device and the second radio access network device are only used to distinguish different radio access network devices, and their order is not limited. Those skilled in the art can understand that the words "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first", "second" and the like do not limit them to be different.

[0087] It should be noted that, in this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0088] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0089] In the fifth generation mobile communication (5 generation, 5G) technology system architecture, SMF network elements and UPF network elements can exchange messages through the N4 interface. For example, the N4 interface supports the user policy delivery from the control plane (CP) to the user plane (UP), as well as the event reporting processing from the user plane to the control plane. For example, the SMF network element is responsible for management functions such as UPF network element selection, policy delivery, and event reporting, and the UPF network element is responsible for processing user messages, such as forwarding and billing.

[0090] In the 5G network architecture, the network architecture of the 5G core network (5G core, 5GC) can be implemented in a variety of ways. In possible implementations, operators can centrally deploy the 5G core network in a regional data center or on the infrastructure of a public cloud region (region) and an available zone (AZ). In possible implementations, the 5G core network can be applied to vertical industry services. The diversified services of vertical industries have high reliability requirements and often require business continuity. Exemplarily, vertical industry services may include one or more of the following: ultra-rliable and low reliability connections (URLLC) services (such as smart manufacturing factories, Internet of Vehicles) or enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services (such as cloud games, live media broadcasts, remote surgery, remote conferencing, distance education, etc.), etc.

[0091] For example, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the regional data center telecommunication cloud construction architecture, such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the regional data center telecommunication cloud construction architecture may include multiple regions, each region includes corresponding control plane network elements, user plane network elements have communication relationships with base stations and data networks (DN), the networking topology has multiple levels, and the combination of failure modes is complex. When natural disasters (fires, earthquakes, etc.) or external factors (power outages in regional data centers, etc.) occur, there is a possibility of disaster recovery switching failure or network interruption. For example, although disaster recovery regions provide mutual disaster recovery capabilities, the SMF network element failure of the disaster recovery data center may result in a takeover failure due to software defined networking (SDN) anomalies in disaster recovery takeover or the concentrated impact of the accumulated downlink of third-party applications during the failure period. In addition, the N4 interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element, and the N2 interface between the wireless access network equipment and the AMF network element correspond to the long-distance bearer network. The large traffic caused in the disaster recovery switching scenario may cause interface congestion, packet loss or flash disconnection, resulting in the disconnection of the user plane and the control plane.

[0092] For example, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the 5G architecture for enterprise park manufacturing plants. Figure 2As shown in the figure, the enterprise park and the operator's data center (DC) are connected through the 5GC control plane. The communication between the enterprise park and the data center may be long-distance, with long links and many nodes. For example, the link can be "campus slicing packet network (SPN) -> surrounding rented base stations -> multiple intermediate computer rooms / optical cross-connection points -> hub building -> provincial trunk wavelength division -> 5GC core network". Any link or node failure may cause the user plane to be disconnected from the control plane. For example, due to many uncontrollable factors such as municipal road construction, although the bearer network itself may have a redundant design, there is still a possibility of network interruption. For example, some large areas are not geographically far apart, such as City A and City B are more than 300 kilometers apart, but due to force majeure such as earthquakes, the primary and backup areas fail at the same time, resulting in a disconnection between the user plane and the control plane. However, if the control plane of the data center fails or is disconnected, it will cause the park production to stop. Therefore, Figure 2 The corresponding scenarios have high requirements for reliability.

[0093] For example, Figure 3 Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the 5GC cloud service architecture. Figure 3 As shown, the control plane is deployed on the public cloud center Region / AZ, and the UPF network element can be deployed in various cities at the edge of the distributed network. The cities and data centers communicate through the public network. The public network communication is widely used and the number of people using the public network is large, so the transmission quality is not guaranteed, and there is a possibility of network interruption, resulting in the disconnection of the user plane and the control plane. Among them, the disconnection of the user plane and the control plane in the embodiment of the present application may include: the disconnection of the user plane network element and the control plane network element, or the disconnection of the wireless access network device and the control plane network element, or the disconnection of the user plane network element and the wireless access network device from the control plane network element.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the UPF network element and the SMF network element in the 5GC system are designed with a device-level fault perception mechanism and a session-level verification mechanism at the N4 interface. The device-level fault perception mechanism can be based on the device as the detection granularity to detect whether there is a fault between devices. For example, the device-level fault perception mechanism can sense whether the communication between the SMF network element and the UPF network element is normal based on the number of heartbeats. The session-level verification mechanism can be based on the session as the detection granularity to detect whether there is a fault in the session. For example, the session-level verification mechanism can sense whether the session data between the SMF network element and the UPF network element is consistent based on the number of heartbeats. Usually, when the user-plane UPF network element finds that the control-plane SMF network element fails or the communication is disconnected, it will force the release of the session within a period of time, or after the control-plane failure is restored, the UPF network element will also force the release of the session in order to maintain the consistency of the session data with the SMF network element, resulting in service interruption, which makes it impossible to meet the business continuity requirements of industries such as manufacturing plants.

[0095] At the same time, the N2 interface between the 5G access network equipment and the 5G core network control plane AMF network element will establish an SCTP link. If the links between the 5G access network equipment and all AMF network elements are interrupted, the wireless access network equipment will forcibly release the session and business continuity cannot be guaranteed.

[0096] Based on this, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, in which, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user plane network element can receive information from the control plane network element for indicating the first strategy, maintain the continuity of the user plane service, and avoid service discontinuity caused by control plane failure / communication disconnection. The specific implementation method will be described in detail in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0097] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied in a long term evolution (LTE) system, can also be applied in a 5G system, and can also be applied in a future mobile communication system, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this. For the convenience of description, the following example is illustrated by applying the embodiment of the present application to the 5G system, and the example does not constitute a limitation on the communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applied.

[0098] For example, Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a network architecture provided for an embodiment of the present application. The network architecture includes terminal equipment, access network (AN), core network and data network (DN). Among them, the terminal equipment can be a network terminal equipment, such as a mobile phone, an Internet of Things terminal equipment, etc.; the access network device is mainly used to implement wireless physical layer functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control and mobility management functions; the core network equipment can include management equipment and gateway equipment, the management equipment is mainly used for equipment registration, security authentication, mobility management and location management of the terminal equipment, etc., the gateway equipment is mainly used to establish a channel with the terminal equipment, and forward data packets between the terminal equipment and the external data network on the channel; the data network can include network equipment (such as: servers, routers and other equipment), and the data network is mainly used to provide a variety of data service services for the terminal equipment. Exemplarily, the access network, core network and data network in 5G are used as examples for explanation.

[0099] The access network in 5G can be a radio access network ((R)AN). The (R)AN device in the 5G system can be composed of multiple 5G-(R)AN nodes, which can include: 3GPP access network, non-3GPP access network such as WiFi network access point (AP), next-generation base station (collectively referred to as new generation radio access network node (NG-RAN node), where the next-generation base station includes new air interface base station (NR nodeB, gNB), new generation evolved base station (NG-eNB), central unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU) separated gNB, etc.), transmission receive point (TRP), transmission point (TP) or other nodes.

[0100] The 5G core network (5G core / new generation core, 5GC / NGC) includes multiple functional units such as access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, authentication server function (AUSF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, application function (AF) network element, unified data management function (UDM) network element, network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, and network function (NEF) network element.

[0101] The AMF network element is mainly responsible for services such as mobility management and access management, such as user location update, user registration network, user switching, etc. The SMF network element is mainly responsible for session management, dynamic host configuration protocol functions, selection and control of user plane functions, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating IP addresses to users, selecting UPF network elements that provide message forwarding functions, etc. The UPF network element is mainly responsible for external connection to the data network (DN) and the user plane data packet routing forwarding, message filtering, and execution of quality of service (QoS) control related functions, such as forwarding, billing, etc. DN mainly provides services for user equipment, such as mobile operator services, Internet services or third-party services. The AUSF network element is mainly responsible for the authentication function of terminal equipment, etc. The PCF network element is mainly responsible for providing a unified policy framework for network behavior management, providing policy rules for control plane functions, and obtaining registration information related to policy decisions, such as QoS policies and slice selection policies. It should be noted that these functional units can work independently or be combined to implement certain control functions, such as access control and mobility management functions such as access authentication, security encryption, and location registration of terminal devices, as well as session management functions such as establishment, release, and change of user plane transmission paths. UDM network elements are unified user data management, mainly used to store user equipment subscription data, such as subscription information and authentication / authorization information; AF network elements are responsible for providing service-related information to the 3GPP network, such as affecting service routing, interacting with PCF network elements for policy control, etc.

[0102] The functional units in the 5G system can communicate with each other through the next generation network (NG) interface, such as: the terminal device can transmit control plane messages with the AMF network element through the NG interface 1 (N1 for short), the RAN device can establish a user plane communication connection channel with the UPF network element through the NG interface 3 (N3 for short), the AN / RAN device can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF network element through the NG interface 2 (N2 for short), the UPF network element can exchange information with the SMF network element through the NG interface 4 (N4 for short), the UPF network element can exchange user plane data with the data network DN through the NG interface 6 (N6 for short), the AMF network element can exchange information with the SMF network element through the NG interface 11 (N11 for short), the SMF network element can exchange information with the PCF network element through the NG interface 7 (N7 for short), and the AMF network element can exchange information with the AUSF network element through the NG interface 12 (N12 for short).

[0103] For example, Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, a "control plane failure or disconnection bypass policy control logic entity" can be set. The control plane failure or disconnection bypass policy control logic entity can be set in the control plane network element in the 5GC, or it can be set in the control plane network element of the IP multimedia subsystem (ipmultimedia subsystem, IMS) core network (Core). The control plane failure or disconnection bypass policy control logic entity can generate an adaptive policy for the user plane to continue to run when the control plane fails or is disconnected according to the actual application scenarios of 5GC and / or IMS core, and send the policy to the user plane, so that the user plane network element maintains the continuity of the user plane service according to the policy when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. The specific policy content and the policy issuance method will be explained in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0104] For example, Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing another application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6As shown, enterprise park 1 and enterprise park 2 are respectively connected to the 5GC of the operator's data center DC. In the embodiment of the present application, a first network element can be set in each enterprise park (or it can be understood that the first network element is deployed in the physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs). The first network element can maintain link connectivity with the base station, thereby maintaining normal activity of the session. Among them, the first network element can be a network element with simpler functions. For example, the first network element can be an AMF edge network element (or it may be called the simplest AMF network element, etc.). The AMF edge network element can support the RAN side to maintain the link reachable state, so that when the RAN finds that the link with the AMF network element of the control plane of the data center DC is broken, it will not force the release of the session. Subsequent new service requests can be sent to the first network element AMF edge. For example, the RAN can send new service requests to the AMF edge by planning different link priorities, different weights (capacity), link blocking / unblocking, link weight factors (Weight Factor) and other schemes between the data center DC AMF and the park AMF Edge. At the same time, other core network elements around the control plane support sending new service requests to the first network element when the data center DC control plane network element fails / is disconnected. For example, by extending the meaning of the backup AMF information (backupAmfInfo) parameter, backupAmfInfo supports carrying the information of the data center DCAMF network element and its backup campus AMF Edge. After the data center DC AMF fails and is disconnected, other core network elements around the control plane can send new service requests to the backup campus AMF Edge according to the backupAmfInfo parameter. The specific content that the first network element can maintain link connectivity with the base station will be explained in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0105] The AMF network elements of the data center DC and the campus AMF edge can be planned in the same set, but the campus AMF edge can choose not to register with the network repository function (NRF) network element of the center DC 5GC. The campus AMF edge can choose to plan to use the same globally unique AMF identifier (globally unique AMF identifier, GUAMI), or choose to plan to use different GUAMIs (in this case, a new set needs to be planned for every 64 AMF network elements, so the data center DC AMF needs to support multiple set capabilities); the data center DC AMF network elements and the campus AMF edge can also be planned into different sets, and each campus AMF edge also plans different sets and different GUAMIs.

[0106] When the AMF edges of the campus are planned to use the same GUAMI, when users in different campuses roam between campuses, in order to avoid the inability to judge the user's roaming due to duplication / serial number of the globally unique temporary identity (GUTI), the 32-bit T-IMSI in the GUTI can be segmented, and different temporary international mobile subscriber identity (T-IMSI) number segments can be allocated to different campus plans; you can also choose to trigger all related business processes initiated by the UE to the UDM network element for authentication at the AMF edge of the campus, and use the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number obtained through the authentication process to determine the user's roaming attributes.

[0107] For example, Figure 6 As shown, in an embodiment of the present application, a second network element can be respectively set in each enterprise park (or it can be understood that the second network element is deployed in the physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs, and the second network element can maintain link connectivity with the user plane network element, thereby maintaining normal activity of the session. Among them, the second network element can be a network element with simpler functions. For example, the second network element can be an SMF edge network element (or may be called a simplest SMF network element, etc.), and the SMFedge network element can communicate with the first network element, thereby supporting the user plane network element side to maintain a link reachable state, so that the user plane network element will not be forced to release the session when other control planes are disconnected. The specific content that the second network element can maintain link connectivity with the base station will be explained in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0108] Among the possible implementations, Figure 6 The first network element and the second network element in the protocol can be omitted. By enhancing the RAN side, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the RAN side does not actively release the radio resource control (RRC) connection, thereby maintaining the continuity of the user plane service.

[0109] For example, Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing another application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the LINK service responsible for connecting to the RAN N2 interface ( Figure 7The LINK service (simplified as link service) is deployed remotely from the data center DC to the campus. The RAN base station is connected to the campus LINK service. The RAN base station is not directly connected to the data center DC AMF network element. The campus LINK service senses the status of the data center DC AMF network element and the campus AMF edge. When the campus LINK service finds that the LINK service and the data center DC AMF network element are disconnected, the LINK service sends the service message to the campus AMF edge, and the campus AMF edge takes over the GUAMI identity of the data center DC AMF network element to continue processing the service. Among them, the LINK service can be deployed together with the campus AMF edge. For example, the corresponding LINK service can be deployed in both the first network element and the second network element. In terms of specific solutions, the following options are available:

[0110] 1. The LINK link service and RAN are connected using the 3GPP standard set protocol. The number of LINK link services corresponds to the number of AMF network elements in the data center DC. The LINK link service and the campus AMF edge are deployed together, and only the business of the N2 interface of the data center DC AMF network element is proxied. The LINK link service and the data center DC AMF network element communicate by establishing a tunnel.

[0111] 2. The LINK service and RAN are connected by a single virtual network function (VNF). The stream control transmission protocol (SCTP) dual-homing or multi-link communication can be used between them. The DC AMF network element of the data center and the AMF edge of the park form a large VNF, which spans both the DC and the park. Links are established between multiple different LINK services in the park. Multiple LINK services collaborate to detect the status of the DC AMF network element in the data center. The LINK service and the DC AMF network element in the data center communicate through tunnels.

[0112] 3. The LINK link service is defined as an independent VNF. The communication between it and the data center DC AMF network element and the campus AMF edge is inter-network element communication. Links are planned and configured between the LINK link service and RAN, data center DC AMF network element, and campus AMF edge.

[0113] For the Set ID or GUAMI planning of the DC AMF network element and the campus AMF edge, the following two options are available:

[0114] 1. The DC AMF network element in the data center independently allocates GUAMI to each campus. When the LINK service and the DC AMF network element in the data center are disconnected, the AMF edge in the campus takes over the GUAMI identity corresponding to the DC AMF network element in the data center and continues to process the service. At this time, a new set needs to be planned for every 64 AMF network elements. In this way, the DC AMF network element in the data center needs to support multiple set capabilities.

[0115] 2. When each park takes over the services of the DC AMF network element of the data center, it reuses the GUAMI of the DC AMF network element of the data center. At the same time, it is necessary to plan the GUTI, allocate most of the GUTI to the DC AMF network element of the data center, and reserve a part of the GUTI number segment for each park. After the park and the center are disconnected, the park AMF edge can use this reserved number segment when taking over the services or when GUTI allocation is required. After the disconnection is restored and the services are switched back to the AMF network element of the data center DC, it is necessary to actively release the reserved GUTI resources of the park that have been allocated during the disconnection and reallocate the GUTI number segment resources that are not reserved for the park and used by the DC AMF network element of the data center.

[0116] For LINK services, in addition to connecting with RAN, DC AMF network elements, and AMF edge, the LINK service itself must also have at least the following functions:

[0117] 1. The LINK service may represent multiple GUAMI identities and needs to maintain the corresponding relationship between the GUAMI and the central AMF / campus AMF edge.

[0118] 2. Supports parsing of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, can identify GUAMI and next generation application protocol (NGAP) UE ID information, and supports forwarding UE messages to the corresponding data center DC AMF network elements and campus AMF edge.

[0119] 3. Whether it is an uplink message or a downlink message, it can support the processing of link-level messages between RAN, and can summarize and merge the response results and status of the data center DC AMF network element and the campus AMF edge.

[0120] 4. Supports GUTI parsing, and can accurately determine roaming when users roam between different campuses and between large networks.

[0121] Some terms in the embodiments of the present application are explained below.

[0122] The control plane network element described in the embodiment of the present application may be an SMF network element, a PCF network element, a charging function (CHF) network element or an AMF network element in the 5GC, etc., which are network elements used to implement policy determination, and the embodiment of the present application does not make any specific limitations on this.

[0123] The control plane network element described in the embodiment of the present application may also be a proxy call session control function (P-CSCF) network element, a serving call session control function (S-CSCF) network element or an application server (AS) in the IMS core, and the embodiment of the present application does not make any specific limitation on this.

[0124] The user plane network element described in the embodiment of the present application may be a network element for implementing user plane functions such as a UPF network element. The first strategy described in the embodiment of the present application is used to indicate that the continuity of user plane services is maintained when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0125] Exemplarily, the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane may be a disconnection at the device granularity or a disconnection at the session granularity. The cause of the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane may be a control plane failure, or it may be a natural disaster, network failure, or other reasons as recorded above. The user plane network element may detect whether the user plane and the control plane are disconnected based on the heartbeat between the detection and control plane network elements. The user plane network element may also determine whether the user plane and the control plane are disconnected based on the indication information of other network elements. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the specific form, cause, and detection method of the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane.

[0126] Exemplarily, the user plane service may be a protocol data unit (PDU) session (hereinafter referred to as session) established in a user plane network element. Maintaining the continuity of the user plane service may include: not forcibly releasing the session established in the user plane network element, or it may be understood as maintaining the activity of the session in the user plane network element.

[0127] Exemplarily, the user plane service may also be a call service in the IMS core, and maintaining the continuity of the user plane service may include: not forcibly releasing the call service.

[0128] The specific implementation of the first strategy in 5GC may be different from the specific implementation of the first strategy in IMS core.

[0129] Exemplarily, in 5GC, the first strategy may include one or more of the following possible implementations:

[0130] The first possible implementation method is used to indicate that the user plane service continues to run when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. In the possible implementation method, the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane may make it impossible to charge for traffic. Therefore, the first policy can also be understood as: indicating that when the user plane and the control plane are disconnected, the user is allowed to use traffic for free and the user plane service continues to run. In this implementation method, there is no limit on the amount of free traffic that users can use, and the user plane service continues to run.

[0131] The second possible implementation is a policy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user plane service continues to run until the user plane service ends. In the possible implementation, the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, which may result in the inability to charge for traffic. Therefore, the first policy can also be understood as a policy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user is allowed to use traffic for free and the user plane service continues to run until the service currently running on the user plane ends.

[0132] The third possible implementation is a strategy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user plane service continues to run until the control plane and the user plane are connected again. In the possible implementation, the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane may result in the inability to charge for traffic. Therefore, the first strategy can also be understood as a strategy for indicating that when the user plane and the control plane are disconnected, the user is allowed to use traffic for free and the user plane service continues to run until the control plane and the user plane are connected again.

[0133] The fourth possible implementation method: a strategy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up, a first duration and / or a first threshold traffic is configured for the user plane service, so that the user plane service continues to run based on the first duration and / or the first threshold traffic. In a possible implementation method, the first strategy can indicate that the user plane service is configured with a first duration and / or a first threshold traffic. The specific values ​​of the first duration and the first threshold can be set according to the actual application scenario, and the embodiment of the present application does not make specific restrictions. In this implementation method, it can further include: if the time limit of the first duration has expired and the traffic quota of the first threshold has been used up, the operation of the user plane service is terminated (for example, the session is released); or, if the time limit of the first duration has expired and the traffic quota of the first threshold has not been used up, the operation of the user plane service is terminated (for example, the session is released); or, if the time limit of the first duration has not expired and the traffic quota of the first threshold has been used up, the operation of the user plane service is terminated (for example, the session is released); the embodiment of the present application does not make specific restrictions on this.

[0134] The fifth possible implementation method: a policy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota usage time of the user plane in the current period expires, the user plane service continues to run until the traffic quota of the user plane in the current period is used up. In this implementation method, the traffic quota of the user plane in the current period has not only a traffic amount limit but also a usage time limit. When the traffic quota usage time of the current period expires, the user plane service can still continue to run until the traffic quota of the user plane in the current period is used up, thereby maintaining the continuity of the user plane service to a certain extent.

[0135] It can be understood that the specific implementation of the first strategy in 5GC can also be set according to the actual application scenario, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this. In a possible implementation, in 5GC communication, different implementations of the first strategy can be defined as different enumeration values. When indicating the first strategy, the enumeration value can be passed without passing the first strategy itself, because the enumeration value reduces resource occupancy. Therefore, defining the first strategy as an enumeration value can save communication resources.

[0136] Exemplarily, in the IMS core, the first strategy may be to disable the session control timing mechanism. The session control timing mechanism may be the session timer mechanism in the protocol. For example, the session timer mechanism may be understood as follows: after the session is established, the terminal or network element periodically initiates a session refresh request to the other end. The terminals and network elements in the same session can detect the status of other devices in a timely manner. When any network element of the terminal or the IMS core fails, the session can be released in a timely manner to avoid occupying network resources. If the session timer mechanism is disabled, the user plane network element may instruct the terminal device to no longer periodically initiate requests to the control plane network element, thereby avoiding the forced release of the call after the IMS core control plane fails / is disconnected and the call is detected by the session timer mechanism.

[0137] The deactivation state described in the embodiment of the present application may be an inactive state in the protocol. In a possible understanding, in the inactive state, the terminal device still maintains a communication connection state, and the UE can move within the RAN area without notifying the CN. When the terminal device is in the inactive state, the last serving 5G base station (gNodeB, gNB) retains the context of the terminal device and the NG connection associated with the terminal device with the serving AMF network element and the UPF network element. From the core network's perspective, the terminal device is the same as if the terminal device was in a connected state.

[0138] The wireless access network device described in the embodiments of the present application may be a base station, etc.

[0139] The first wireless access network device described in the embodiment of the present application may be: the last wireless access network device providing communication services for the terminal device and the user plane network element before the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0140] The second wireless access network device described in the embodiment of the present application may be: a wireless access network device that provides communication services for the terminal device after the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0141] The following specific embodiments are used to describe in detail the technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above technical problems. The following specific embodiments can be implemented independently or in combination with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described in detail in some embodiments.

[0142] Figure 8 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0143] S701: The control plane network element determines a first strategy, where the first strategy is used to indicate that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, continuity of the user plane service is maintained.

[0144] In the embodiment of the present application, the control plane network element may determine the first strategy when a user plane service is initiated.

[0145] Exemplarily, in the case where the control plane network element is a 5GC network element, the control plane network element may determine a first policy for the PDU session when the terminal device initiates a PDU session establishment request. For example, the control plane network element may determine whether the PDU session has high service continuity requirements based on information such as different terminal devices, different network data names (DNN), different types of services, or different package users corresponding to the PDU session. If the PDU session has high service continuity requirements, a first policy may be determined for the PDU session. For example, the control plane network element may determine whether the PDU session has high service continuity requirements based on the policy control information indicated by the PCF network element for the PDU session and the traffic quota information indicated by the CHF network element for the PDU session. If the PDU session has high service continuity requirements, a first policy may be determined for the PDU session. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific basis for the control plane network element to determine the first policy.

[0146] Exemplarily, when the control plane network element is an IMS core network element, the control plane network element can determine whether the call service has a high requirement for service continuity according to information such as different terminal devices, different network data names (DNN), different types of services, or different package users corresponding to the call service. If the call service has a high requirement for service continuity, a first strategy can be determined for the call service. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific basis for the control plane network element to determine the first strategy.

[0147] The specific instruction content of the first strategy in the embodiment of the present application can be referred to the above explanation and will not be repeated here.

[0148] S702: The control plane network element sends information indicating a first policy to the user plane network element.

[0149] In the embodiment of the present application, the control plane network element may send information indicating the first policy to the user plane network element through a newly defined message for indicating the first policy. The control plane network element may also carry information for indicating the first policy in an existing message. The control plane network element may also not carry certain information in an existing message to achieve the purpose of indicating the first policy.

[0150] Exemplarily, when the control plane network element is a 5GC network element, the control plane network element may carry a message for indicating the first strategy in a session establishment or modification response (session establishment / modification request) message.

[0151] For example, when the control plane network element is a network element of the IMS core, the control plane network element may not carry header fields such as session-expires and min-SE related to the session timer mechanism in the 200OK and other messages sent to the user plane network element. Furthermore, the user plane network element may not carry header fields such as session-expires and min-SE related to the session timer mechanism when forwarding the 200OK message to the terminal device, thereby deactivating the session timer mechanism and maintaining the continuity of the user plane service.

[0152] S703: The control plane network element instructs the wireless access network device to maintain the continuity of the terminal device service.

[0153] In an embodiment of the present application, the control plane network element may instruct the wireless access network device to maintain the terminal device in a connected state and maintain the continuity of the terminal device service.

[0154] Exemplarily, when the control plane network element is a 5GC network element, the control plane network element can instruct the wireless access network device to start the inactive state mechanism for the terminal device. The subsequent wireless access network device can also retain the context of the terminal device and the content associated with the terminal device based on the last serving gNB to maintain the continuity of the terminal device service.

[0155] Exemplarily, when the control plane network element is a network element of the IMS core, the control plane network element can forward a 200OK message through the user plane network element. The 200OK message does not carry header fields such as Session-Expires and Min-SE related to the session timer mechanism, so that the session timer mechanism can be disabled to maintain the continuity of the terminal device service.

[0156] S704: The user plane network element runs the service according to the first policy.

[0157] S705: The wireless access network device maintains the continuity of the terminal device service.

[0158] In an embodiment of the present application, in S704 and S705, both the user plane network element and the wireless access network device receive an instruction to maintain the continuity of the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. Subsequently, the user plane network element and the wireless access network device can adopt any method to maintain the continuity of the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. The embodiment of the present application does not make any specific limitations on this.

[0159] To sum up, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, in an embodiment of the present application, the control plane network element can determine a first strategy for indicating that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and maintaining the continuity of the user plane service, and send it to the user plane network element and the wireless access network device. Then, when the user plane is subsequently disconnected from the control plane, the user plane network element and the wireless access network device can maintain the continuity of the user plane service, avoiding service discontinuity caused by control plane failure / communication disconnection.

[0160] exist Figure 8 Based on the corresponding embodiments, Fig. 9 The following is a flow chart of a specific communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, the embodiment of the present application takes the control plane network element as the SMF network element in the 5GC (or it can be understood that the policy control logic determined by the first policy used to implement the embodiment of the present application is executed by the SMF network element) as an example to illustrate the same method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0161] It can be understood that if the policy control logic acts on the CHF network element, PCF network element, AMF network element or UPF network element in the 5GC, in addition to extending the N4 interface signaling parameters, the information indicating the first policy can be transmitted between the corresponding SMF network element and the CHF network element, PCF network element, AMF network element or UPF network element according to the protocol. For example, the information indicating the first policy can be transmitted through one or more of the following messages: Nchf_ConvergedCharging_Create_Response message, Nchf_ConvergedCharging_Notify message, Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create_Response message or Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0162] For example, Fig. 9 The communication method shown may include the following steps:

[0163] S801: The terminal device sends a session establishment request to the AMF network element.

[0164] Exemplarily, the terminal device may initiate a PDU session establishment request to the AMF network element through the RAN. For example, the terminal device may send an N2 message to the RAN, and the N2 message may carry an N2 Message (also referred to as a Service Request), and the N2 Message carries session establishment request information, for example, the N2 Message (Service Request) carries a PDUSession Establishment Request message.

[0165] S802: The AMF network element sends a session establishment request to the SMF network element.

[0166] Exemplarily, the AMF network element may send an N11 message to the SMF network element, where the N11 message carries a request to establish a session instruction, for example, the N11 message carries an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request.

[0167] S803: The SMF network element obtains the policy control information of the session from the PCF network element.

[0168] In an embodiment of the present application, the policy control information of the session may be determined by the PCF based on a usual policy determination method. For example, the policy control information of the session may indicate the access technology, communication link, etc. of the session. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0169] S804: The SMF network element obtains traffic quota information from the CHF network element.

[0170] Exemplarily, the SMF network element may send a ChargingDataRequest request to the CHF network element to obtain traffic quota information, and the traffic quota information may be used to indicate that the session service needs to be run when the traffic quota has not been fully used.

[0171] S805: The SMF network element determines the first strategy.

[0172] In the embodiment of the present application, the specific implementation of S805 can refer to the description of the control plane network element in 5GC in S701 to determine the first strategy, which will not be repeated here.

[0173] S806: The UPF network element receives information indicating the first policy from the SMF network element, and optionally, session policy control information and traffic quota information.

[0174] In the embodiment of the present application, the specific implementation of S806 can refer to the description of the user plane network element in the 5GC receiving the information indicating the first strategy in S702, which will not be repeated here.

[0175] S807: The SMF network element instructs the AMF network element to enable the inactive mechanism.

[0176] Exemplarily, the SMF network element may reply to the AMF network element with an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContextResponse response, which carries parameters indicating that the AMF network element can enable the inactive mechanism.

[0177] S808: The AMF network element instructs the RAN to enable the inactive state mechanism for the terminal device.

[0178] Exemplarily, the AMF network element may carry RRCInactive assistance information in the N2 Request message to the RAN / terminal device, notifying the RAN to enable the inactive state mechanism for the terminal device.

[0179] S809: The terminal device performs data transmission service based on the session.

[0180] In an embodiment of the present application, after the PDU session is established, the terminal device can perform data transmission services with the UPF network element.

[0181] In a possible implementation, if the traffic quota of the terminal device in the current period is about to be used up, a PFCP Session Report Request can be reported to the SMF network element. The SMF network element can send an Nchf_ConvergedCharging_Update message to the CHF network element to report the used traffic. The CHF network element can issue a new quota to the SMF network element. The SMF network element sends the traffic quota re-issued by the CHF network element to the UPF network element through a packet forwarding control protocol (PFCP) Session Modification Request message.

[0182] In an embodiment of the present application, before the user plane and the control plane are disconnected, the control plane network element can determine a first strategy and send the first strategy to the user plane network element. When the user plane network element subsequently runs the service according to the first strategy, it can maintain the user plane service to continue running when the user plane and the control plane are disconnected according to the instructions of the first strategy, thereby avoiding service discontinuity caused by control plane failure / communication disconnection.

[0183] exist Figure 8 or Fig. 9 On the basis of Fig.10 The following is a flow chart of a specific communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10 As shown, the communication method may be a communication schematic diagram for maintaining user plane service continuity after the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. Specifically, it may include:

[0184] S901: The second radio access network device determines that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0185] In the embodiment of the present application, the second radio access network device may be a base station serving the terminal device after the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. The second radio access network device may sense the disconnection of the user plane from the control plane based on instructions from other network elements or by itself. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0186] Furthermore, the second radio access network device can maintain the continuity of the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. For example, after sensing that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the second radio access network device does not force the release of the session, and when receiving a switching request message from the terminal device, it does not send a switching request message to the 5GC, but only completes the air interface switching between base stations serving the terminal on the radio access network side to maintain the continuity of the user plane service. Exemplarily, S902-S905 shows a possible implementation method for the second radio access network device to maintain the continuity of the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0187] S902: The second radio access network device receives a handover request message from the terminal device. The handover request message may carry an inactive radio network temporary identity (I-RNTI).

[0188] In an embodiment of the present application, when a terminal device moves across an indoor baseband processing unit (building base bandunite, BBU), it is necessary to perform switching signaling interaction with the control plane. The terminal device can send a switching request message to the second radio access network device. The second radio access network device (also may be called a new base station) can parse the I-RNTI to obtain information about the first radio access network device. The first radio access network device (also may be called an old base station) may be the last radio access network device to serve the terminal device before the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0189] S903: The second radio access network device obtains context data of the terminal device from the first radio access network device. Based on the context data, the second radio access network device can complete the RRC connection reply with the terminal device.

[0190] In a possible implementation, in order to prevent the loss of downlink data previously cached in the first radio access network device, the second radio access network device may further provide a forwarding address to the first radio access network device to obtain the downlink data from the first radio access network device.

[0191] S904: The second radio access network device notifies the first radio access network device to maintain connection with the UPF network element.

[0192] In an embodiment of the present application, the UPF network element still maintains a channel connection with the first wireless access network device, and the subsequent uplink or downlink data of the terminal device can be forwarded through the Xn interface between the second wireless access network device and the first wireless access network device, thereby achieving continuity of user plane services.

[0193] S905: The second radio access network device forwards the data of the terminal device through the first radio access network device.

[0194] In an embodiment of the present application, the second wireless access network device can provide services for the terminal device, the first wireless access network device maintains a channel connection with the UPF network element, and the second wireless access network device and the first wireless access network device can communicate through the Xn interface. Therefore, the uplink and downlink data of the terminal device can be forwarded through the Xn interface between the second wireless access network device and the first wireless access network device, thereby achieving continuity of user plane services.

[0195] In the embodiment of the present application, after the second radio access network device senses that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the continuity of the user plane service can be maintained based on communication with the first radio access network device.

[0196] Among the possible ways of understanding, Fig.10 In the corresponding embodiment, the wireless access network device can be enhanced and developed so that when the wireless access network device determines that the control plane fails or is disconnected (for example, there is no available AMF network element), the wireless access network device does not actively release the RRC connection to maintain the continuity of the user plane service. For example, when the PathSwitch interaction between the second wireless access network device and the AMF network element fails, the second wireless access network device does not actively release the RRC connection, and the first wireless access network device temporarily maintains the connection with the UPF network element. During this failure, it supports forwarding uplink or downlink data through the Xn interface between the first wireless access network device and the second wireless access network device, thereby maintaining the continuity of the user plane service.

[0197] exist Figure 8 or Fig. 9 On the basis of Fig.11 The following is a flow chart of a specific communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.11 As shown, the communication method may be a communication schematic diagram for maintaining user plane service continuity after the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. Specifically, it may include:

[0198] S1001: When the user plane and the control plane are disconnected, the second radio access network device establishes a communication connection with the first network element.

[0199] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network element may be set in a campus. The first network element may be a separately set network element for implementing a simpler AMF (such as an AMF edge network element), or it may be a network element jointly set with other network elements for implementing a simpler AMF. The embodiment of the present application does not make any specific limitation on this.

[0200] In an embodiment of the present application, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the second radio access network device can establish a communication connection with the first network element. For example, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the second radio access network device can send a request to the first network element, the request being used to request the establishment of a communication connection between the second radio access network device and the first network element.

[0201] S1002: The first network element instructs the second radio access network device to disconnect the user plane and the control plane.

[0202] Exemplarily, the first network element may send a cause value to the second radio access network device, indicating that the current user plane and control plane on the RAN side are disconnected.

[0203] In an embodiment of the present application, the campus UPF network element may not actively delete the session or release the N3 connection with the RAN side after the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, so as to maintain the connection with the first wireless access network device.

[0204] S1003: The second radio access network device receives a handover request message from the terminal device. The handover request message may carry an inactive radio network temporary identity (I-RNTI).

[0205] S1004: The second radio access network device obtains context data of the terminal device from the first radio access network device. Based on the context data, the second radio access network device can complete the RRC connection reply with the terminal device.

[0206] S1005: The second radio access network device notifies the first radio access network device to maintain connection with the UPF network element.

[0207] S1006: The second radio access network device forwards the data of the terminal device through the first radio access network device.

[0208] In the embodiment of the present application, S1003-S1006 can refer to Fig.10 The description of S901-S905 of the corresponding embodiment is not repeated here.

[0209] In the embodiment of the present application, a first network element may be set in the park, and the first network element may instruct the user plane network element to maintain service continuity.

[0210] In a possible implementation, when the first network element is an AMF edge network element, when the user plane and the control plane resume communication, the AMF edge network element can synchronize the data generated in the AMF edge network element during the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane to the AMF network element of the 5GC control plane.

[0211] In possible implementations, according to the needs of the enterprise park, a second network element (for example, an SMF edge network element set in the park) can also be deployed in the enterprise park. The second wireless access network device can communicate with the AMF edge network element, the AMFedge network element can communicate with the SMF edge network element, and the SMF edge network element can communicate with the UPF network element. In possible implementations, such as Fig.11 As shown, the SMF edge network element can notify the UPF network element to establish a connection with the second wireless access network device, thereby realizing service communication between the terminal device and the UPF network element.

[0212] When AMF edge network elements and SMF edge network elements are deployed in an enterprise campus, they can support the switching of terminal devices when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, support services initiated by idle terminal devices, and support terminal devices to go online again after being disconnected from the network or shut down.

[0213] In a possible implementation, when the second network element is an SMF edge network element, when the user plane and the control plane resume communication, the SMF edge network element can synchronize the data generated in the SMF edge network element during the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane to the SMF network element of the 5GC control plane.

[0214] In a possible implementation method, UDM Edge or AUSF Edge can also be deployed in the enterprise campus. When the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, it can also support terminal devices accessing the network to register to access the network.

[0215] In possible implementations, if the campus has a demand for relatively low-latency positioning services, the positioning services can also be implemented by AMF edge network elements. Since the AMF edge network elements are set up in the campus, the data transmission path is shorter when implementing positioning services. Compared with using the central DC AMF network elements to implement positioning services, using AMF edge network elements to implement services can effectively reduce latency. In possible implementations, user data can be synchronized between the central DC AMF network elements and the AMF edge network elements. When the campus user plane is disconnected from the central DC, the AMF edge network elements can continue to cooperate with the gateway mobile location center (GMLC) or location management function (LMF) to provide positioning services (GMLC or LMF can be co-deployed on the edge UPF or MEC of the campus).

[0216] In a possible implementation, when the user plane and control plane are disconnected, the terminal device initiates a new service, and the AMFedge network element can reply with a failure response, triggering the UE to fall back to a public, unconnected 4G / 3G / 2G network.

[0217] It should be noted that Fig.11 In the corresponding embodiment, the scenario of long-distance communication interruption with the data center DC is described by taking the enterprise campus as an example. In the public cloud service deployment scenario, there are similar network interruption scenarios and solutions. The difference is that the AMF edge can be optionally deployed on a third-party public cloud, which may also have UPF deployed on it (for example, UPF is deployed on the public cloud corresponding to the roaming location to facilitate local access).

[0218] Fig.12 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown as follows: Fig.12 As shown, the embodiment of the present application takes the control plane network element as the S-CSCF network element in the IMS core (or it can be understood that the policy control logic determined by the first policy of the embodiment of the present application is executed by the S-CSCF network element) as an example to illustrate the same method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0219] like Fig.12 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0220] S1101: The S-CSCF network element receives a call access request from a terminal device.

[0221] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can send a call access request to the S-CSCF network element through the UPF network element and the P--CSCF network element.

[0222] For example, for VoLTE / VoNR call services, when the terminal device initiates a call access (INVITE) request, it can carry the Session-Expires header field to indicate that the Session Timer detection is performed after the session is established. For example, the terminal device can send a call access request to the UPF network element, the UPF network element forwards the call access request to the P-CSCF network element, and the P-CSCF network element sends the call access request to the S-CSCF network element.

[0223] S1102: The S-CSCF network element determines to maintain the continuity of the call when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

[0224] In the embodiment of the present application, the S-CSCF network element can determine whether the call service has a high requirement for service continuity according to information such as different terminal devices, different network data names (DNN), different types of services or different package users corresponding to the call service. If the call service has a high requirement for service continuity, it can determine for the call service to maintain the continuity of the call when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane. The embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0225] In a possible implementation, the S-CSCF network element may determine not to enable the Session Timer mechanism to prevent the call from being forcibly released after being detected by the Session Timer mechanism after a subsequent IMS Core control plane failure / disconnection.

[0226] S1103: The S-CSCF network element sends an access request without a header field related to the session control timing mechanism to the AS.

[0227] S1104: The AS sends a reply message without a header field related to the session control timing mechanism to the S-CSCF network element.

[0228] Exemplarily, the AS may send a 200OK message without a header field related to the session control timing mechanism to the S-CSCF network element.

[0229] S1105: The S-CSCF network element sends a reply message without a header field related to the session control timing mechanism to the terminal device.

[0230] Exemplarily, the S-CSCF network element can send a 200OK message without a header field related to the session control timing mechanism to the P-CSCF network element; the P-CSCF network element can send a 200OK message without a header field related to the session control timing mechanism to the UPF network element; the UPF network element can send a 200OK message without a header field related to the session control timing mechanism to the terminal device. In summary, in IMScore, the session timer mechanism can be disabled to maintain the continuity of the user plane service when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, avoiding service discontinuity caused by control plane failure / communication disconnection.

[0231] exist Figure 8-Figure 12 Based on the corresponding embodiment, in a possible implementation method, the user plane network element can also determine the traffic usage of the services running during the period when the user plane and the control plane are disconnected; when the control plane and the user plane are restored to connection, the user plane network element sends the traffic usage to the control plane network element.

[0232] For example, the UPF network element may also accumulate and count the excess traffic used by users during the fault period according to the needs of the operator's customers, and then report the accumulated traffic to the SMF network element or CHF network element through a report message after the control plane is restored. A special identifier may be added to the relevant interface message so that the SMF network element or CHF network element can process the excess traffic.

[0233] exist Figure 8-Figure 12 On the basis of the corresponding embodiment, in a possible implementation method, when the service of the user plane network element has not been running for more than a second time period (which can be set according to the actual application scenario), the resource occupancy status of the user plane network element is triggered to be checked; or, when the resource occupancy rate in the user plane network element exceeds a threshold, the resource occupancy status of the user plane network element is triggered to be checked; or, when the control plane and the user plane are restored to be connected, the resource occupancy status of the user plane network element is triggered to be checked.

[0234] In the embodiment of the present application, during the disconnection between the user plane and the control plane, the user plane maintains the service to continue running, for example, to prevent the user plane resources from being hung (which can be understood as the user plane resources being occupied and cannot be released in time), then when the service of the user plane network element has not been running for a long time, or the resource occupancy rate of the user plane network element is high, or the user plane and the control plane are disconnected, the resource occupancy of the user plane network element can be triggered to check, so as to reasonably release the resources of the user plane network element. In the specific implementation, the resources of the user plane network element can also be forcibly released manually, and the embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0235] Combined with the above Figure 8-Figure 12 , the method of the embodiment of the present application is explained, and the communication device for executing the above method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described below. Those skilled in the art can understand that the method and the device can be combined and referenced with each other, and a communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application can execute the steps executed by the user plane network element in the above communication method. Another communication device can execute the steps executed by the control plane network element in the communication method in the above embodiment.

[0236] The following is an example of dividing each functional module into corresponding functions:

[0237] like Fig.13 As shown, Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication device may be a user plane network element, a control plane network element, a second radio access network device, or a first network element in an embodiment of the present application, or may be a chip applied to a user plane network element, a control plane network element, a second radio access network device, or a first network element. The communication device includes: a processing unit 121 and a communication unit 122. The communication unit 122 is used to support the communication device to perform information sending or receiving steps. The processing unit 121 is used to support the communication device to perform information processing steps.

[0238] In one example, taking the communication device as a user plane network element or a chip or chip system applied in a user plane network element, the communication unit 122 is used to support the communication device to execute S702 and the like in the above embodiments, and the processing unit 121 is used to support the communication device to execute S704 and the like in the above embodiments.

[0239] In one example, taking the communication device as a control plane network element or a chip or chip system used in a control plane network element, the communication unit 122 is used to support the communication device to execute S702 and the like in the above embodiments, and the processing unit 121 is used to support the communication device to execute S703 and the like in the above embodiments.

[0240] In another example, taking the communication device as a second wireless access network device or a chip or chip system used in a second wireless access network device, the communication unit 122 is used to support the communication device to execute S901 and the like in the above embodiments, and the processing unit 121 is used to support the communication device to execute S903 and the like in the above embodiments.

[0241] In another example, taking the communication device as the first network element or a chip or chip system in the first network element, the communication unit 122 is used to support the communication device to execute S1002 and the like in the above embodiments, and the processing unit 121 is used to support the communication device to execute S1005 and the like in the above embodiments.

[0242] In a possible embodiment, the communication device may further include: a storage unit 123. The processing unit 121, the communication unit 122, and the storage unit 123 are connected via a communication bus.

[0243] The storage unit 123 may include one or more memories, and the memory may be a device in one or more devices or circuits for storing programs or data.

[0244] The storage unit 123 may exist independently and be connected to the processing unit 121 of the communication device via a communication bus. The storage unit 123 may also be integrated with the processing unit.

[0245] The communication device may be used in a communication device, a circuit, a hardware component or a chip.

[0246] Taking the communication device as an example, the chip or chip system of the user plane network element, control plane network element, second radio access network device or first network element in the embodiment of the present application, the communication unit 122 may be an input or output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. Exemplarily, the storage unit 123 may store computer execution instructions of the method on the user plane network element, control plane network element, second radio access network device or first network element side, so that the processing unit 121 executes the method on the user plane network element, control plane network element, second radio access network device or first network element side in the above embodiment. The storage unit 123 may be a register, a cache or a RAM, etc., and the storage unit 123 may be integrated with the processing unit 121. The storage unit 123 may be a ROM or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, and the storage unit 123 may be independent of the processing unit 121.

[0247] The present application provides a communication device, which includes one or more modules for implementing the above Figure 8-Figure 12 In the method of the steps included in the above, the one or more modules can be Figure 8-Figure 12The steps in the method included in the steps correspond to each other. Specifically, for each step in the method performed by the user plane network element in the embodiment of the present application, there is a unit or module in the user plane network element that performs each step in the method. For each step in the method performed by the control plane network element, there is a unit or module in the control plane network element that performs each step in the method. For each step in the method performed by the second radio access network device, there is a unit or module in the second radio access network device that performs each step in the method. For each step in the method performed by the first network element, there is a unit or module in the first network element that performs each step in the method. For example, a module that performs control or processing of the action of the communication device can be called a processing module. A module that performs steps of processing messages or data on the communication device side can be called a communication module.

[0248] Fig.14 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application. The hardware structure of the user plane network element, the control plane network element, the second wireless access network device or the first network element in the embodiment of the present application can refer to FIG. Fig.14 The hardware structure diagram of the communication device shown in FIG. The communication device includes a processor 131, a communication line 134 and at least one communication interface ( Fig.14 The communication interface 133 is used as an example for explanation).

[0249] The processor 131 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0250] The communication link 134 may include a pathway for transmitting information between the above-mentioned components.

[0251] The communication interface 133 uses any transceiver or other device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc.

[0252] Possibly, the communication device may further include a memory 132 .

[0253] The memory 132 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or 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 compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a communication line 134. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0254] The memory 132 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 131. The processor 131 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 132, thereby implementing the policy control method provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0255] Possibly, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0256] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 131 may include one or more CPUs, such as Fig.14 CPU0 and CPU1 in.

[0257] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device may include multiple processors, such as Fig.14 1 and 135. Each of these processors may be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. A processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0258] Fig.15 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 140 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The chip 140 includes one or more than two (including two) processors 1410 and a communication interface 1430 .

[0259] In a possible embodiment, Fig.15The chip 140 shown also includes a memory 1440, which may include a read-only memory and a random access memory and provides operation instructions and data to the processor 1410. A portion of the memory 1440 may also include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0260] In some embodiments, the memory 1440 stores the following elements, executable modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an extended set thereof:

[0261] In the embodiment of the present invention, the corresponding operation is performed by calling the operation instruction stored in the memory 1440 (the operation instruction may be stored in the operating system).

[0262] In a possible implementation manner, the structure of the chip used by the user plane network element, the control plane network element, the second radio access network device or the first network element is similar, and different devices can use different chips to implement their respective functions.

[0263] The processor 1410 controls the operation of the terminal device, the wireless access network device or the session management network element. The processor 1410 may also be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). The memory 1440 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor 1410. A portion of the memory 1440 may also include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). For example, in an application, the memory 1440, the communication interface 1430 and the memory 1440 are coupled together through the bus system 1420, wherein the bus system 1420 may include a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus in addition to a data bus. However, for the sake of clarity, in Fig.15 Various buses are labeled as bus system 1420.

[0264] The above communication unit may be an interface circuit or communication interface of the device, used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in a chip, the communication unit is an interface circuit or communication interface of the chip used to receive or send signals from other chips or devices.

[0265] The method disclosed in the above embodiment of the present invention can be applied to the processor 1410, or implemented by the processor 1410. The processor 1410 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the hardware integrated logic circuit or software instructions in the processor 1410. The above processor 1410 can be a general processor, a digital signal processor (digital signal processing, DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (field-programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. The methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented or executed. The general processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention can be directly embodied as a hardware decoding processor to execute, or the hardware and software modules in the decoding processor are combined to execute. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the field such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory 1440, and the processor 1410 reads the information in the memory 1440 and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0266] In one possible implementation, the communication interface 1430 is used to execute Figure 8-Figure 12 The steps of receiving and sending by the user plane network element, the control plane network element, the second radio access network device or the first network element in the embodiment shown. The processor 1410 is configured to execute Figure 8-Figure 12 The processing steps of the user plane network element, the control plane network element, the second radio access network device or the first network element in the illustrated embodiment.

[0267] In the above embodiments, the instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product may be pre-written in the memory, or may be downloaded and installed in the memory in the form of software.

[0268] The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on the computer, the process or function according to the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, a computer, a server, or a data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server, or data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can store or a data storage device such as a server, a data center, etc. that includes one or more available media integration. Available media can be magnetic media, (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, tape), optical media (e.g., DVD), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid state hard disk solid statedisk, SSD), etc.

[0269] The present application embodiment also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The method described in the above embodiment can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the function can be stored as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium or transmitted on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media, and may also include any medium that can transfer a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium may be any target medium that can be accessed by a computer.

[0270] As a possible design, the computer-readable medium may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium targeted to carry or store the required program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and can be accessed by the computer. Moreover, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) or wireless technology (such as infrared, radio and microwave), the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. Disks and optical disks as used herein include compact disks (CDs), laser disks, optical disks, digital versatile disks (DVDs), floppy disks and blue-ray disks, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while optical disks reproduce data optically using lasers. The combination of the above should also be included in the scope of computer-readable media.

[0271] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product. The methods described in the above embodiments can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, they can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the above computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the above method embodiment is generated in whole or in part. The above computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a base station, a terminal or other programmable device.

[0272] The above specific implementation methods further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above are only specific implementation methods of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0273] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, each network element may also adopt other definitions or names in a specific application. For example, the SMF network element may be called a control plane network element, the UPF network element may be called a user plane network element, etc. Alternatively, the above network elements may also be collectively referred to as core network elements. Alternatively, the above network elements may also be defined by other names according to actual functions, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network element establishes a communication connection with the wireless access network device; wherein the first network element is deployed in the physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs, and the first network element is not registered with the network storage function network element; The first network element maintains the continuity of the service of the user plane according to the communication connection with the radio access network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first network element and the network elements of the data center are configured in the same set.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A plurality of the first network elements are configured with the same globally unique access and mobility management function identifier.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The temporary international mobile user identity codes in the globally unique temporary identities of users in different parks are different.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first network element maintains the continuity of the service of the user plane according to the communication connection with the radio access network device, including: The first network element sends first indication information to the radio access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Also includes: The first network element instructs the user plane network element to establish a data channel connection relationship with the wireless access network device through the second network element; wherein the second network element is deployed in the physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs, and the second network element has communication interfaces with the first network element and the user plane network element respectively.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The second radio access network device receives first indication information from a first network element, where the first network element is deployed in a physical location area to which a user plane network element belongs, and the first network element is not registered in a network storage function network element; The first indication information is used to indicate that the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; The second radio access network device maintains continuity of services on the user plane when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that When the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the second radio access network device maintains the continuity of the service of the user plane, including: The second radio access network device obtains context data of the terminal device from the first radio access network device; the first radio access network device is a radio access network device that communicates with the terminal device when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; the context data of the terminal device is used to restore the connection between the terminal device and the second radio access network device; The second radio access network device notifies the first radio access network device to maintain connection with the user plane network element; The second radio access network device forwards the data of the terminal device to the user plane network element through the first radio access network device.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first indication information is a cause value.

10. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The user plane network element receives information indicating a first strategy from the control plane network element, where the first strategy is used to indicate that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the continuity of the service of the user plane is maintained; The user plane network element runs a service according to the first policy; The maintaining the continuity of the service of the user plane includes: The user plane network element is connected to the second network element, the second network element is connected to the first network element, the second network element and the first network element are both deployed in the physical location area to which the user plane network element belongs, and the first network element is not registered in the network storage function network element.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first strategy includes one or more of the following: A policy for indicating that, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the service of the user plane continues to run; A policy for indicating that, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the service of the user plane continues to run until the service of the user plane is terminated; A policy for indicating that, in the case where the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the service of the user plane continues to run until the control plane and the user plane are restored to a connection; A strategy for indicating that, when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up, a first duration and / or a first threshold traffic volume is configured for the service of the user plane, so that the service of the user plane continues to run based on the first duration and / or the first threshold traffic volume; A strategy for indicating that when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane and the traffic quota usage time of the current period of the user plane expires, the service of the user plane continues to run until the traffic quota of the current period of the user plane is used up.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The information indicating the first strategy is an enumeration value.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The first policy is determined by the control plane network element according to the traffic quota information of the service and the policy control information of the service.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The user plane network element runs a service according to the first policy, including: When the user plane is disconnected from the control plane, the user plane network element maintains a data channel connection relationship with a first radio access network device, where the first radio access network device is the radio access network device to which the user plane network element is connected when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

15. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first policy includes: a policy for indicating that a session control timing mechanism is disabled when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The user plane network element receives information indicating the first policy from the control plane network element, including: The user plane network element receives a message from the control plane network element, where the message does not carry a header field related to the session control timing mechanism; The method further comprises: The user plane network element sends the message to the terminal device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, 15-16, characterized in that: Also includes: The user plane network element determines, by the user plane network element, traffic usage of a service running during a period when the user plane is disconnected from the control plane; When the control plane and the user plane are restored to connection, the user plane network element sends the traffic usage status to the control plane network element.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, 15-16, characterized in that: Also includes: When the service of the user plane network element does not run for more than a second time period, triggering a check on the resource occupancy of the user plane network element; Alternatively, when the resource occupancy rate in the user plane network element exceeds a threshold, triggering a check on the resource occupancy of the user plane network element; Alternatively, when the control plane is connected to the user plane again, a check on the resource occupancy of the user plane network element is triggered.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Processor and communication interface; The communication interface is used to perform the operation of sending and receiving messages in the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or to perform the operation of sending and receiving messages in the communication method as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, or to perform the operation of sending and receiving messages in the communication method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18; the processor runs instructions to perform the operation of processing or controlling in the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or to perform the operation of processing or controlling in the communication method as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, or to perform the operation of processing or controlling in the communication method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18.

20. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes at least one processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or to implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, or to implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 10 to 18; the communication interface is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed, the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is implemented, or the communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 is implemented, or the communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 18 is implemented.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is implemented, or the communication method according to any one of claims 7 to 9 is implemented, or the communication method according to any one of claims 10 to 18 is implemented.

23. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes any one or more of the following: a communication device for executing any one of the communication methods of claims 1-6, a communication device for executing any one of the communication methods of claims 7-9, and a communication device for executing any one of the communication methods of claims 10-18.

Images