A method for processing business flow, a communication method and a device

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing a service flow, a communication method and a device, and relates to the field of communication technology. The solution is used to solve the problem in the prior art that the service flow cannot achieve the expected effect after being moved. The solution includes: the terminal obtains the policy information of the service flow, and the policy information includes: at least one of the diversion strategy, diversion mode and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, and the packet data unit PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies; the terminal processes the service flow according to the policy information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technology, and in particular, to a method for processing a business flow, a communication method, and a device. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the challenges of wireless broadband technology and maintain the leading edge of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network, the 3GPP standard group has developed the next generation mobile communication network architecture (Next Generation System), called the fifth generation (5-Generation, 5G) network architecture. The 5G network architecture not only supports terminals to access the core network side (Core Network, CN) through wireless technologies defined by the 3GPP standard group (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G Radio Access Network (RAN), etc.), but also supports non-3GPP access technologies to access the core network side through non-3GPP Interworking Function (N3IWF) or next generation access gateway (next Generation Packet Data Gateway, ngPDG).

[0003] In a 5G network, there is a packet data unit (PDU) session between the user equipment (UE) and the data network (DN) to provide a data transmission channel. For a single PDU session, multiple access technologies can be supported. Figure 1 As shown, PDU Session A can support the first access technology, can support the second access technology, and can support the first access technology and the second access technology at the same time.

[0004] When a PDU session supports multiple access technologies, the network side can configure a diversion strategy for the UE to instruct the UE to move service flows between different access technologies. For example, the diversion strategy instructs service flow 1 to be transmitted through the first access technology, and the subsequent service flow 1 to be transmitted through the second access technology. However, the existing technology solution cannot achieve refined processing of service flows. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention provide a method for processing a service flow, a communication method and a device, so as to solve the problem in the prior art that the service flow cannot achieve the expected effect after being moved.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing a service flow, including: a terminal obtains policy information of the service flow, the policy information including: a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and at least one of link condition information for transmitting the service flow, and the PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies; the terminal processes the service flow according to the policy information.

[0008] The embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing a service flow, which obtains policy information of the service flow through a terminal, and processes the service flow based on the policy information of the service flow. Since the terminal processes the service flow based on at least one of the diversion strategy, diversion mode and link condition information sent by the network side, not only can the processed service flow be transmitted on a link that meets the link condition information, but also the terminal can realize more refined processing of the service flow.

[0009] In a possible design, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: link detection information sent by the terminal to the core network element for obtaining link status information of the link; and the terminal receives the link status information sent by the core network element. This facilitates the terminal to determine whether the link for transmitting the service flow meets the link condition information based on the link status information sent by the network side, so as to serve as a reference for determining whether to process the service flow.

[0010] In a possible design, the terminal processes the service flow according to the policy information, including: the terminal determines that the link status information of the target link satisfies or the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information; the terminal processes the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode. When the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information or the link status information of the target link satisfies the link condition information, the service flow is processed. It can be ensured that the service flow after migration is transmitted on a link that meets the requirements.

[0011] In one possible design, the terminal processes the service flow, including: the terminal transmits the service flow on links corresponding to multiple access technologies; or, the terminal migrates the service flow from a link corresponding to a first access technology among multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to a second access technology for transmission; or, the terminal migrates the service flow from the multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to the first access technology or the second access technology among the multiple access technologies for transmission; or, the terminal initiates the service flow processing process.

[0012] In a possible design, the link detection information includes: at least one of the subscribed link state parameters and the sending condition information of the subscribed link state parameters. This allows the network side to clearly detect which parameters of the link, thereby sending the link state information required by the terminal.

[0013] In one possible design, the subscribed link status parameters include one or more of the following: access network signal quality, access network signal strength, access network bandwidth, access network load, backhaul network bandwidth or load, link delay parameters, link packet loss rate parameters, and link jitter parameters.

[0014] In one possible design, the link detection information also includes one or more of the following: access technology indication, guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, non-GBR indication, QFI and flow description parameters.

[0015] In a possible design, the link detection information also includes: sending frequency information of the subscribed link status parameters. By setting the sending frequency information, the network side can periodically report the subscribed link status parameters according to the frequency information.

[0016] In one possible design, the link condition information includes: at least one of condition information related to access and condition information unrelated to access.

[0017] In one possible design, the access-related conditional information includes one or more of the following: an access network signal strength threshold, an access network signal quality threshold, a backhaul bandwidth threshold or a load threshold, an access network bandwidth threshold, and an access network load threshold; the access-unrelated conditional information includes one or more of the following: a link delay threshold, a link packet loss rate threshold, and at least one of a link jitter threshold.

[0018] In one possible design, the terminal obtains policy information of the service flow, including: the terminal obtains at least one of the diversion mode of the service flow and the link condition information for transmitting the service flow sent by the policy control network element from the non-access layer NAS transmission message; the terminal obtains at least one of the diversion strategy, diversion mode and link condition information for transmitting the service flow from the session management response message sent by the session management network element.

[0019] In one possible design, the terminal processes the service flow according to the policy information, including: the terminal migrates the service flow from a link corresponding to a first access technology among multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to a second access technology for transmission according to the policy information; the terminal determines that the data packet transmission of the service flow sent on the first access technology is completed; the terminal sends a first indication to the user plane functional network element, and the first indication is used to indicate the completion of the data packet transmission of the service flow transmitted on the first access technology.

[0020] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the terminal sends indication information to a core network element, and the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to process the service flow.

[0021] In one possible design, the diversion mode includes one or more of the following: an access technology priority indication, used to indicate that the service flow is preferentially transmitted through the access technology associated with the access technology priority indication; an optimal link diversion indication, used to indicate that the service flow is preferentially transmitted through the optimal link; the optimal link is a link with a better link status than other links; a link load balancing-based diversion indication, used to indicate that the service flow is transmitted according to the link load balancing strategy; an access technology and diversion ratio indication, used to indicate that the service flow is transmitted according to the diversion ratio corresponding to the access technology; a redundant transmission indication, used to indicate that the same data packet in the service flow is transmitted through different access technologies at the same time.

[0022] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the terminal receives link status information sent by the network side, or link status parameters and at least one of an access technology indication, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, a non-Non-GBR indication, a service quality flow identifier QFI, and a flow description parameter.

[0023] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the terminal receives link status information sent by the access network device as the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device; or the terminal receives link status information sent by the session management network element or the user plane network element as the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device.

[0024] In one possible design, the terminal processes the service flow according to the policy information, including: the terminal processes the service flow according to the policy information and the available bandwidth value.

[0025] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a session management network element obtains policy information of a service flow, including: a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and at least one of link condition information for transmitting the service flow, and the PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies; the session management network element sends the policy information to the terminal.

[0026] In a possible design, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: the session management network element receives link detection information sent by the terminal, and the link detection information is used to obtain link status information of the link transmitting the service flow, so as to facilitate the network side to clearly obtain which link detection parameters.

[0027] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element sends link detection information to the user plane network element; the session management network element receives link status information sent by the user plane network element; and the session management network element sends the link status information to the terminal.

[0028] In one possible design, the method provided by an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element sends the link state parameters and at least one of the access technology indication, guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, non-Non-GBR indication, quality of service flow identifier QFI and flow description parameters to the terminal.

[0029] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: a session management network element sends a first indication to a user plane network element, where the first indication is used to indicate a link for which link status information needs to be sent.

[0030] In one possible design, the first indication includes: a quality of service flow identifier QFI, an access technology indication and a tunnel identifier, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, a non-Non-GBR indication, and at least one of a flow description parameter.

[0031] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element sends a QFI and a notification indication to the access network device, the QFI and the notification indication are used to indicate that when the access network device cannot meet the bandwidth requirements of the QoS flow of the QFI, the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device is sent to the session management network element or the user plane network element.

[0032] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element receives the QFI sent by the access network device and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device; the session management network element sends the QFI and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device to the terminal.

[0033] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element receives a session management request message sent by the terminal, and the session management request message includes an access technology indication of the terminal requesting to transmit a service flow.

[0034] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing a service flow, including: a session management network element obtains policy information of the service flow, the policy information including at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, and the packet data unit PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies; the session management network element sends at least one access technology indication to the terminal according to the policy information, and the access technology indication is used to indicate that the service flow is migrated to a link corresponding to the access technology indicated by the access technology indication.

[0035] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element sends link detection information to the terminal or user plane network element, and the link detection information is used to obtain link status information of the link; the session management network element receives the link status information sent by the terminal or user plane network element.

[0036] In one possible design, the session management network element sends at least one access technology indication to the terminal based on the policy information, including: the session management network element determines that the link status information of the target link satisfies or the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information, and the session management network element sends at least one access technology indication to the terminal based on at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode.

[0037] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element generates link detection information based on policy information.

[0038] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element sends a first indication to the terminal or user plane network element to indicate a link for which link status information needs to be sent.

[0039] In one possible design, the first indication includes: a quality of service flow identifier QFI, an access technology indication and a tunnel identifier, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, a non-Non-GBR indication, and at least one of a flow description parameter.

[0040] For the specific content of the link detection information, the diversion mode, the link condition information and the link detection information, please refer to the description in the first aspect and various possible implementation methods of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0041] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element receives first indication information sent by the terminal, and the first indication information is used to instruct the core network to process the service flow.

[0042] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element sends a QFI and a notification indication to the access network device, and the QFI and the notification indication are used to indicate that when the access network side cannot meet the bandwidth requirements of the QoS flow of the QFI, the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device is sent to the session management network element or the user plane network element.

[0043] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the session management network element receives the QFI sent by the access network device and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device; the session management network element sends the QFI and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device to the terminal.

[0044] In a possible design, the session management network element obtains the policy information of the service flow, including: the session management unit obtains the policy information of the service flow from the policy control network element during the session management process. Or the session management network element obtains the policy information of the service flow from the policy control network element when the terminal completes registration.

[0045] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing a service flow, including: a policy control network element obtains policy information of the service flow, the policy information includes at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, and the packet data unit PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies. The policy control network element sends at least one updated access technology indication corresponding to the service flow to the session management network element according to the policy information, and the at least one access technology indication is used to indicate that the service flow is migrated to a link corresponding to the access technology indicated by the access technology indication.

[0046] For the specific content of the link detection information, the diversion mode, the link condition information and the link detection information, please refer to the description in the first aspect and various possible implementation methods of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0047] In a possible design, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: the policy control network element sends link detection information to the terminal, or sends link detection information to the session management network element.

[0048] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the policy control network element receives link status information sent by the session management network element.

[0049] In one possible design, the policy control network element sends at least one updated access technology indication corresponding to the service flow to the session management network element based on the policy information, including: the policy control network element determines, based on the acquired link status information of the service flow, that the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information, or the link status information of the target link satisfies the link condition information, and then sends at least one updated access technology indication corresponding to the service flow to the session management network element.

[0050] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: after the policy control network element receives the multi-access session indication sent by the session management network element, the policy control network element sends policy information of the service flow to the session management network element.

[0051] In one possible design, the policy control network element receives indication information sent by the session management network element regarding the processing of service flows by the policy control network element.

[0052] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing a service flow, comprising: a user plane network element obtains policy information of the service flow, the policy information comprising: at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow. The user plane network element processes the service flow according to the policy information.

[0053] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the user plane network element obtains link detection information from the session management network element.

[0054] A possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the user plane network element sends link status information obtained by the user plane network element based on link detection information to the terminal.

[0055] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the user-side network element receiving terminal obtains link status information of the current link or the target link based on link detection information.

[0056] In one possible design, the user plane network element processes the service flow according to the policy information, including: when the user plane network element determines that the link status information of the current link does not meet or the link status information of the target link meets the link condition information, the service flow is processed according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode.

[0057] In one possible design, if the user plane network element determines that the link status information of the current link does not meet or the link status information of the target link meets the link condition information, the service flow is processed according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode, including: the user plane network element determines the access technology used by the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode. The user plane network element transmits the service flow on the determined access technology.

[0058] In one possible design, the user plane network element transmits the service flow on a determined access technology, including: the user plane network element transmits the service flow on links corresponding to multiple access technologies. Alternatively, the user plane network element migrates the service flow from a link corresponding to a first access technology among multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to a second access technology for transmission. Alternatively, the core network network element migrates the service flow from multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to the first access technology or the second access technology among multiple access technologies for transmission.

[0059] In one possible design, the user plane network element receives indication information sent by the session management network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that the service flow is processed by the user plane network element.

[0060] For the specific content of the link detection information, the diversion mode, the link condition information and the link detection information, please refer to the description in the first aspect and various possible implementation methods of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0061] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including: a terminal receives link detection information sent by a session management network element / user plane function network element, and the link detection information is used to obtain link status information of the link. The PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies; the terminal sends the link status information to the core network element.

[0062] Exemplarily, the terminal may send link status information of the current link, and may also send link status information of the target link.

[0063] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the terminal receives a first indication sent by a session management network element, and the first indication is used to indicate a link for which link status information needs to be sent.

[0064] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the terminal receives an access technology indication corresponding to a service flow sent by a session management network element, and the access technology indication is used to indicate the migration of the service flow to a link corresponding to the access technology indicated by the access technology indication; the terminal processes the service flow according to the access technology indication.

[0065] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: the terminal receives the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device sent by the access network device; or the terminal receives the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device sent by the session management network element or the user plane network element.

[0066] In a possible design, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: the terminal processes the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode based on the link state information sent by the user plane functional network element. For the specific processing method, please refer to the description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0067] It should be noted that in the methods described in any one of the above-mentioned aspects from the third to the sixth, when the terminal migrates the service flow from one access technology to another access technology, in order to enable the user-side network element to determine the end of the service flow transmission on the first access technology, the method described in the seventh aspect or any one of the aspects of the seventh aspect can be adopted.

[0068] For specific content of the link detection information, please refer to the description in the first aspect and various possible implementations of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0069] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data packet processing method, including: a sending network element determines that a service flow needs to be migrated from a link corresponding to a first access technology among multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to a second access technology for transmission; the sending network element determines that the data packet transmission of the service flow sent on the link corresponding to the first access technology is completed; and the sending network element sends a first indication to a receiving network element to indicate the completion of the data packet transmission of the service flow transmitted on the link corresponding to the first access technology.

[0070] In one possible design, the sending network element sends a first indication to the receiving network element, including: the sending network element carries the first indication in the last packet sent on the link corresponding to the first access technology.

[0071] In one possible design, the last packet is an empty packet or the last data packet of the service flow.

[0072] In one possible design, the first indication is carried in at least one of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) header and the Service Data Application Protocol (SDAP) header of the last data packet.

[0073] In one possible design, the sending network element carries the first indication information in the GTP-U data packet header of the data packet.

[0074] In one possible design, the sending network element sends a first indication to the receiving network element, including: the sending network element carries the first indication through the header of the last packet.

[0075] In one possible design, the header of the last packet includes one or more of the following: an IP header, an Ethernet header, a User Datagram Protocol UDP header, a Transmission Control Protocol TCP header, a PDCP header, and a SDAP header.

[0076] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data packet processing method, including: a receiving network element receives data packets of a service flow from a link corresponding to a first access technology or / and a link corresponding to a second access technology among multiple access technologies supported by the service flow; the receiving network element receives a first indication sent by a sending network element, the first indication being used to indicate the end of transmission of data packets of the service flow transmitted on the link corresponding to the first access technology; the receiving network element sorts the data packets of the service flow received through the link corresponding to the first access technology and the link corresponding to the second access technology according to the first indication.

[0077] In one possible design, the method provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: a receiving network element receives the last packet sent on the link corresponding to the first access technology carrying the first indication.

[0078] In a possible design, the last packet is an empty packet or the last data packet of the service flow.

[0079] In one possible design, the receiving network element determines the service flow corresponding to the first indication based on the flow description parameters in the empty packet or the last data packet of the service flow.

[0080] In one possible design, the receiving network element sorts the data packets of the service flow received through the link corresponding to the first access technology and the link corresponding to the second access technology according to the first indication, including: the receiving network element processes the data packets of the service flow received through the link corresponding to the second access technology after receiving the first indication.

[0081] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for processing a business flow, which can implement a method for processing a business flow described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The device for processing a business flow can be a terminal, or it can be a device for processing a business flow that can support the terminal to implement the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. For example, a chip applied to a terminal. The communication device can implement the above method through software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software through hardware.

[0082] The device for processing a service flow is a terminal or a chip used in a terminal, and the device for processing a service flow comprises: an acquisition unit, used to acquire policy information of the service flow, the policy information comprises: at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, and the PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies. A processing unit, used to process the service flow according to the policy information.

[0083] In a possible design, the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: a sending unit, configured to send link detection information for obtaining link status information of a link to a core network element; and a receiving unit, configured to receive link status information sent by the core network element.

[0084] In one possible design, the device provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: a determination unit, used to determine whether the link status information of the target link satisfies or the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information; and a processing unit, specifically used to process the business flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode when the determination unit determines that the link status information of the target link satisfies or the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information.

[0085] In one possible design, the processing unit is used to transmit the service flow on the links corresponding to multiple access technologies; or, the processing unit is used to migrate the service flow from the link corresponding to the first access technology among the multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to the second access technology for transmission; or, the processing unit is used to migrate the service flow from the multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to the first access technology or the second access technology among the multiple access technologies for transmission; or, the processing unit is used to initiate the service flow processing process.

[0086] In one possible design, the link detection information includes: a subscribed link state parameter and at least one of the sending condition information of the subscribed link state parameter.

[0087] In one possible design, the subscribed link status parameters include one or more of the following: access network signal quality, access network signal strength, access network bandwidth, access network load, backhaul network bandwidth or load, link delay parameters, link packet loss rate parameters, and link jitter parameters.

[0088] In one possible design, the link detection information also includes one or more of the following: access technology indication, guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, non-GBR indication, QFI and flow description parameters.

[0089] In one possible design, the link detection information also includes: sending frequency information of subscribed link status parameters.

[0090] In one possible design, the link condition information includes: at least one of condition information related to access and condition information unrelated to access.

[0091] In one possible design, the access-related conditional information includes one or more of the following: an access network signal strength threshold, an access network signal quality threshold, a backhaul bandwidth threshold or a load threshold, an access network bandwidth threshold, and an access network load threshold; the access-unrelated conditional information includes one or more of the following: a link delay threshold, a link packet loss rate threshold, and at least one of a link jitter threshold.

[0092] In one possible design, the acquisition unit is specifically used to acquire at least one of the diversion mode of the service flow sent by the policy control network element and the link condition information for transmitting the service flow from the non-access layer NAS transmission message. Or the acquisition unit is used to acquire at least one of the diversion strategy, diversion mode and link condition information for transmitting the service flow from the session management response message sent by the session management network element.

[0093] In one possible design, the processing unit is specifically used to migrate the service flow from the link corresponding to the first access technology among multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to the second access technology for transmission according to policy information; the determination unit is used to determine the completion of data packet transmission of the service flow sent on the first access technology; and the sending unit is used to send a first indication to the user plane functional network element when the determination unit determines that the data packet transmission of the service flow sent on the first access technology is completed, and the first indication is used to indicate the completion of data packet transmission of the service flow transmitted on the first access technology.

[0094] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to send indication information to the core network element, where the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to process the service flow.

[0095] In one possible design, the diversion mode includes one or more of the following: an access technology priority indication, used to indicate that the service flow is preferentially transmitted through the access technology associated with the access technology priority indication; an optimal link diversion indication, used to indicate that the service flow is preferentially transmitted through the optimal link; the optimal link is a link with a better link status than other links; a link load balancing-based diversion indication, used to indicate that the service flow is transmitted according to the link load balancing strategy; an access technology and diversion ratio indication, used to indicate that the service flow is transmitted according to the diversion ratio corresponding to the access technology; a redundant transmission indication, used to indicate that the same data packet in the service flow is transmitted through different access technologies at the same time.

[0096] In one possible design, the device provided by an embodiment of the present application further includes: a receiving unit for receiving link status information sent by the network side, or link status parameters and at least one of an access technology indication, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, a non-Non-GBR indication, a service quality flow identifier QFI, and a flow description parameter.

[0097] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to receive link status information sent by the access network device as the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device; or the receiving unit is also used to receive link status information sent by the session management network element or the user plane network element as the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device.

[0098] In one possible design, the processing unit is further used to process the business flow according to the policy information and the available bandwidth value.

[0099] A possible implementation method, an embodiment of the present application also provides a device for processing a business flow, the device for processing a business flow can be a terminal or a chip applied to a terminal, and the device for processing a business flow includes: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to support the device for processing a business flow to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages / data on the device side for processing a business flow as described in any possible implementation method from the first aspect to the first aspect. The processor is used to support the device for processing a business flow to perform the steps of processing messages / data on the device side for processing a business flow as described in any possible implementation method from the first aspect to the first aspect. The specific corresponding steps can refer to the description in any possible implementation method from the first aspect to the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0100] Optionally, the interface circuit and processor of the device for processing business flow are coupled to each other.

[0101] Optionally, the device for processing a business flow may further include a memory for storing codes and data, and the processor, interface circuit and memory are coupled to each other.

[0102] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which can implement a communication device described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The communication device can be a session management network element, or a device that can support a session management network element to implement a communication method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. For example, a chip used in a session management network element. The communication device can implement the above method through software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software through hardware.

[0103] A communication device includes: an acquisition unit, used to acquire policy information of a service flow, including: at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, wherein the PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies; and a sending unit, used to send the policy information to a terminal.

[0104] In one possible design, a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application also includes: a receiving unit, used to receive link detection information sent by a terminal, and the link detection information is used to obtain link status information of a link that transmits a service flow.

[0105] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to send link detection information to the user plane network element; the receiving unit is also used to receive link status information sent by the user plane network element; the sending unit is also used to send the link status information to the terminal.

[0106] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to send the link state parameters and at least one of the access technology indication, guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, non-Non-GBR indication, quality of service flow identifier QFI and flow description parameters to the terminal.

[0107] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to send a first indication to the user plane network element, where the first indication is used to indicate a link for which link status information needs to be sent.

[0108] In one possible design, the first indication includes: a quality of service flow identifier QFI, an access technology indication and a tunnel identifier, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, a non-Non-GBR indication, and at least one of a flow description parameter.

[0109] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to send QFI and notification indication to the access network device. The QFI and notification indication are used to indicate that when the access network device cannot meet the bandwidth requirements of the QoS flow of the QFI, the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device is sent to the session management network element or the user plane network element.

[0110] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to receive the QFI sent by the access network device and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device; the sending unit is also used to send the QFI and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device to the terminal.

[0111] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to receive a session management request message sent by the terminal, where the session management request message includes an access technology indication for the terminal to request transmission of a service flow.

[0112] In a possible implementation manner, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which may be a session management network element or a chip used in a session management network element, and the communication device includes: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to support the communication device to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages / data on the communication device side as described in the second aspect to any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. The processor is used to support the communication device to perform the steps of processing messages / data on the communication device side as described in the second aspect to any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. The specific corresponding steps can refer to the description in the second aspect to any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0113] Optionally, the interface circuit and processor of the communication device are coupled to each other.

[0114] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory for storing codes and data, and the processor, the interface circuit and the memory are coupled to each other.

[0115] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for processing a service flow, which can implement a method for processing a service flow described in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The device for processing a service flow can be a session management network element, or it can be a device that can support a session management network element to implement a method for processing a service flow in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. For example, a chip used in a session management network element. The device for processing a service flow can implement the above method through software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software through hardware.

[0116] A device for processing a service flow, comprising: an acquisition unit, which acquires policy information of the service flow, the policy information including at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, wherein the packet data unit PDU session in which the service flow resides supports multiple access technologies. A sending unit, which is used to send at least one access technology indication to a terminal according to the policy information, wherein the access technology indication is used to indicate that the service flow is migrated to a link corresponding to the access technology indicated by the access technology indication.

[0117] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to send link detection information to the terminal or user plane network element, and the link detection information is used to obtain link status information of the link; the session management network element receives the link status information sent by the terminal or user plane network element.

[0118] In one possible design, the sending unit is specifically used to send at least one access technology indication to the terminal according to at least one of the diversion strategies and diversion modes when the determination unit determines that the link status information of the target link satisfies or the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information.

[0119] In one possible design, the device provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: a generation unit, used to generate link detection information based on policy information.

[0120] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to send a first indication to the terminal or user-plane network element for indicating a link for which link status information needs to be sent.

[0121] In one possible design, the first indication includes: a quality of service flow identifier QFI, an access technology indication and a tunnel identifier, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, a non-Non-GBR indication, and at least one of a flow description parameter.

[0122] For the specific content of the link detection information, the diversion mode, the link condition information and the link detection information, please refer to the description in the first aspect and various possible implementation methods of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0123] In one possible design, the device provided by an embodiment of the present application further includes: a receiving unit, used to receive first indication information sent by the terminal, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the core network is to process the service flow.

[0124] In one possible design, the sending unit is also used to send QFI and notification indication to the access network device. The QFI and notification indication are used to indicate that when the access network side cannot meet the bandwidth requirements of the QoS flow of the QFI, the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device is sent to the session management network element or the user plane network element.

[0125] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to receive the QFI sent by the access network device and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device; the session management network element sends the QFI and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device to the terminal.

[0126] In a possible design, the acquisition unit is further used to acquire the policy information of the service flow from the policy control network element in the session management process. Or the acquisition unit is further used to acquire the policy information of the service flow from the policy control network element when the terminal completes registration.

[0127] In a possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application also provides a device for processing a service flow, which can be a session management network element or a chip used in a session management network element, and the device for processing a service flow includes: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to support the device for processing a service flow to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages / data on the device side for processing a service flow as described in any possible implementation of the third aspect to the third aspect. The processor is used to support the device for processing a service flow to perform the steps of processing messages / data on the device side for processing a service flow as described in any possible implementation of the second aspect to the second aspect. The specific corresponding steps can refer to the description in any possible implementation of the third aspect to the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0128] Optionally, the interface circuit and processor of the device for processing business flow are coupled to each other.

[0129] Optionally, the device for processing a business flow may further include a memory for storing codes and data, and the processor, interface circuit and memory are coupled to each other.

[0130] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for processing a business flow, and the device for processing a business flow can implement a method for processing a business flow described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. The device for processing a business flow can be a policy control network element, or it can be a device that can support a policy control network element to implement a method for processing a business flow in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. For example, a chip used in a policy control network element. The device for processing a business flow can implement the above method through software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software through hardware.

[0131] A method for processing a service flow, comprising: an acquisition unit, configured to acquire policy information of the service flow, the policy information comprising at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, wherein a packet data unit (PDU) session in which the service flow resides supports multiple access technologies; and a sending unit, configured to send at least one updated access technology indication corresponding to the service flow to a session management network element according to the policy information, wherein the at least one access technology indication is used to indicate that the service flow is migrated to a link corresponding to the access technology indicated by the access technology indication.

[0132] For the specific content of the link detection information, the diversion mode, the link condition information and the link detection information, please refer to the description in the first aspect and various possible implementation methods of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0133] In a possible design, the sending unit provided in the embodiment of the present application is also used to send link detection information to the terminal, or to send link detection information to the session management network element.

[0134] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to receive link status information sent by the session management network element.

[0135] In one possible design, the acquisition unit is also used to determine, based on the acquired link status information of the service flow, that the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information, or that the link status information of the target link satisfies the link condition information, and the sending unit is used to send at least one updated access technology indication corresponding to the service flow to the session management network element.

[0136] In one possible design, the sending unit provided in an embodiment of the present application is also used to send policy information of the service flow to the session management network element after the receiving unit sends a multi-access session indication to the session management network element.

[0137] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to receive indication information sent by the session management network element that the service flow is processed by the policy control network element.

[0138] A possible implementation method, an embodiment of the present application also provides a device for processing business flows, the device for processing business flows can be a policy control network element or a chip used in a policy control network element, and the device for processing business flows includes: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to support the device for processing business flows to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages / data on the device side for processing business flows as described in any possible implementation method from the fourth aspect to the fourth aspect. The processor is used to support the device for processing business flows to perform the steps of processing messages / data on the device side for processing business flows as described in any possible implementation method from the second aspect to the second aspect. The specific corresponding steps can refer to the description in any possible implementation method from the fourth aspect to the fourth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0139] Optionally, the interface circuit and processor of the device for processing business flow are coupled to each other.

[0140] Optionally, the device for processing a business flow may further include a memory for storing codes and data, and the processor, interface circuit and memory are coupled to each other.

[0141] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for processing a service flow, and the device for processing a service flow can implement a method for processing a service flow described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect. The device for processing a service flow can be a user plane network element, or it can be a device that can support the user plane network element to implement a method for processing a service flow in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect. For example, a chip used in a user plane network element. The device for processing a service flow can implement the above method through software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software through hardware.

[0142] The embodiment of the present application provides a device for processing a service flow, comprising: an acquisition unit, configured to acquire policy information of the service flow, the policy information comprising: at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow; and a processing unit, configured to process the service flow according to the policy information.

[0143] In one possible design, the acquisition unit is also used to obtain link detection information from the session management network element.

[0144] In a possible design, the device provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: a sending unit, used to send link status information obtained by the user plane network element based on link detection information to the terminal.

[0145] In one possible design, the device provided by an embodiment of the present application also includes: a receiving unit, used to receive link status information of the current link or the target link obtained by the terminal based on link detection information.

[0146] In one possible design, the processing unit is specifically used to process the business flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode when the determination unit determines that the link status information of the current link does not meet or the link status information of the target link meets the link condition information.

[0147] In a possible design, the determination unit is further used to determine the access technology used by the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode. The processing unit is specifically used to transmit the service flow on the determined access technology.

[0148] In one possible design, the processing unit is specifically used to transmit the service flow on the links corresponding to multiple access technologies. Alternatively, the processing unit is specifically used to migrate the service flow from the link corresponding to the first access technology among the multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to the second access technology for transmission. Alternatively, the processing unit is specifically used to migrate the service flow from the multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to the first access technology or the second access technology among the multiple access technologies for transmission.

[0149] In one possible design, a receiving unit is used to receive indication information sent by a session management network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that a service flow is processed by a user plane network element.

[0150] For the specific content of the link detection information, the diversion mode, the link condition information and the link detection information, please refer to the description in the first aspect and various possible implementation methods of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0151] A possible implementation manner, an embodiment of the present application also provides a device for processing business flows, the device for processing business flows can be a user plane network element or a chip applied to a user plane network element, the device for processing business flows includes: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to support the device for processing business flows to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages / data on the device side for processing business flows as described in any possible implementation manner of the third aspect to the fifth aspect. The processor is used to support the device for processing business flows to perform the steps of processing messages / data on the device side for processing business flows as described in any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect to the fifth aspect. The specific corresponding steps can refer to the description in any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect to the fifth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0152] Optionally, the interface circuit and processor of the device for processing business flow are coupled to each other.

[0153] Optionally, the device for processing a business flow may further include a memory for storing codes and data, and the processor, interface circuit and memory are coupled to each other.

[0154] In the fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which can implement a communication method described in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect. The communication device can be a device, or a device that can support the communication method in the seventh aspect or any possible implementation of the seventh aspect. For example, a chip used in a terminal. The communication device can implement the above method through software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software through hardware.

[0155] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including: a receiving unit, used to receive link detection information sent by a session management network element / user plane function network element, the link detection information is used to obtain link status information of the link. The PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies; a sending unit, used to send the link status information to the core network element.

[0156] Exemplarily, the terminal may send link status information of the current link, and may also send link status information of the target link.

[0157] In one possible design, a receiving unit is used to receive a first indication sent by a session management network element, where the first indication is used to indicate a link for which link status information needs to be sent.

[0158] In one possible design, a receiving unit receives an access technology indication corresponding to a service flow sent by a session management network element, and the access technology indication is used to indicate the migration of the service flow to a link corresponding to the access technology indicated by the access technology indication. The device provided in an embodiment of the present application also includes: a processing unit, used to process the service flow according to the access technology indication.

[0159] In one possible design, a receiving unit receives a recommended bandwidth value of an access network device sent by the access network device. Alternatively, a receiving unit receives a recommended bandwidth value of an access network device sent by a session management network element or a user plane network element.

[0160] In a possible design, the processing unit is specifically used to process the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and diversion mode based on the link state information sent by the user plane functional network element. The specific processing method can be referred to the description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0161] A possible implementation method, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can be a terminal or a chip used in a terminal, and the communication device includes: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to support the communication device to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages / data on the communication device side described in any possible implementation method of the sixth aspect to the sixth aspect. The processor is used to support the communication device to perform the steps of processing messages / data on the communication device side described in any possible implementation method of the sixth aspect to the sixth aspect. The specific corresponding steps can refer to the description in any possible implementation method of the sixth aspect to the sixth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0162] Optionally, the interface circuit and processor of the communication device are coupled to each other.

[0163] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory for storing codes and data, and the processor, the interface circuit and the memory are coupled to each other.

[0164] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data packet processing device, which can implement a data packet processing method described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the seventh aspect or any possible implementation of the seventh aspect. The data packet processing device can be a sending network element, or a device that can support a sending network element to implement a data packet processing method in the seventh aspect or any possible implementation of the seventh aspect. For example, a chip used in a sending network element. The data packet processing device can implement the above method through software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software through hardware.

[0165] A data packet processing device includes: a determination unit, used to determine that a service flow needs to be migrated from a link corresponding to a first access technology among multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to a second access technology for transmission; and used to determine that the data packet transmission of the service flow sent on the link corresponding to the first access technology has ended; a sending unit, used to send a first indication to a receiving network element to indicate the end of the data packet transmission of the service flow transmitted on the link corresponding to the first access technology.

[0166] In one possible design, the sending unit is specifically used to carry the first indication in the last packet sent on the link corresponding to the first access technology.

[0167] In one possible design, the last packet is an empty packet or the last data packet of the service flow.

[0168] In one possible design, the first indication is carried in at least one of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) header and the Service Data Application Protocol (SDAP) header of the last data packet.

[0169] In one possible design, the sending unit is used to carry the first indication information in a GTP-U data packet header of a data packet.

[0170] In one possible design, the sending unit is used to carry the first indication through the header of the last packet.

[0171] In one possible design, the header of the last packet includes one or more of the following: an IP header, an Ethernet header, a User Datagram Protocol UDP header, a Transmission Control Protocol TCP header, a PDCP header, and a SDAP header.

[0172] In a possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application also provides a data packet processing device, which can be a sending network element or a chip used in a sending network element, and the data packet processing device includes: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to support the data packet processing device to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages / data on the data packet processing device side as described in any possible implementation of the seventh aspect to the seventh aspect. The processor is used to support the data packet processing device to perform the steps of processing messages / data on the data packet processing device side as described in any possible implementation of the seventh aspect to the seventh aspect. The specific corresponding steps can refer to the description in any possible implementation of the seventh aspect to the seventh aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0173] Optionally, the interface circuit and processor of the data packet processing device are coupled to each other.

[0174] Optionally, the data packet processing device may further include a memory for storing codes and data, and the processor, interface circuit and memory are coupled to each other.

[0175] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data packet processing device, which can implement a data packet processing method described in the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect. The data packet processing device can be a receiving network element, or a device that can support the receiving network element to implement a data packet processing method in the eighth aspect or any possible implementation of the eighth aspect. For example, a chip applied to a receiving network element. The data packet processing device can implement the above method through software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software through hardware.

[0176] A data packet processing device, a receiving unit, used to receive data packets of a service flow from a receiving network element from a link corresponding to a first access technology or / and a link corresponding to a second access technology among multiple access technologies supported by the service flow, and used to receive a first indication sent by a sending network element, the first indication being used to indicate the end of transmission of data packets of the service flow transmitted on the link corresponding to the first access technology; a processing unit, used to sort the data packets of the service flow received through the link corresponding to the first access technology and the link corresponding to the second access technology according to the first indication.

[0177] In one possible design, the receiving unit is also used to receive the first indication carried in the last packet sent on the link corresponding to the first access technology.

[0178] In a possible design, the last packet is an empty packet or the last data packet of the service flow.

[0179] In one possible design, a determination unit is used to determine a service flow corresponding to the first indication based on a flow description parameter in an empty packet or the last data packet of the service flow.

[0180] In one possible design, the processing unit is used to process data packets of a service flow received through a link corresponding to a second access technology after receiving a first indication.

[0181] In a possible implementation, an embodiment of the present application also provides a data packet processing device, which can be a receiving network element or a chip used in a receiving network element, and the data packet processing device includes: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to support the data packet processing device to perform the steps of receiving and sending messages / data on the data packet processing device side as described in any possible implementation of the eighth aspect to the eighth aspect. The processor is used to support the data packet processing device to perform the steps of processing messages / data on the data packet processing device side as described in any possible implementation of the eighth aspect to the eighth aspect. The specific corresponding steps can refer to the description in any possible implementation of the eighth aspect to the eighth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0182] Optionally, the interface circuit and processor of the data packet processing device are coupled to each other.

[0183] Optionally, the data packet processing device may further include a memory for storing codes and data, and the processor, interface circuit and memory are coupled to each other.

[0184] In the seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes a method for processing business flows described in the first aspect or various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0185] In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes a communication method described in the second aspect or various possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0186] In the nineteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes a method for processing business flows described in the third aspect or various possible implementations of the third aspect.

[0187] In the twentieth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes a method for processing business flows described in the fourth aspect or various possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0188] In the twenty-first aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes a method for processing business flows described in the fifth aspect or various possible implementations of the fifth aspect.

[0189] In the twenty-second aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes a communication method described in the sixth aspect or various possible implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0190] In the twenty-third aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes a data packet processing method described in the seventh aspect or various possible implementations of the seventh aspect.

[0191] In the twenty-fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes a data packet processing method described in the eighth aspect or various possible implementations of the eighth aspect.

[0192] In the twenty-fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute a method for processing a business flow described in the first aspect or various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0193] In the twenty-sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute a communication method described in the second aspect or various possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0194] In the twenty-seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute a method for processing a business flow described in the third aspect or various possible implementations of the third aspect.

[0195] In the twenty-eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute a method for processing a business flow described in the fourth aspect or various possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0196] In the twenty-ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute a method for processing a business flow described in the fifth aspect or various possible implementations of the fifth aspect.

[0197] In the thirtieth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute a communication method described in the sixth aspect or various possible implementations of the sixth aspect.

[0198] In the thirty-first aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute a data packet processing method described in the seventh aspect or various possible implementations of the seventh aspect.

[0199] In aspect 32, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute a data packet processing method described in aspect 8 or various possible implementations of aspect 8.

[0200] In a thirty-third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, the chip including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the processor are coupled, the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement a method for processing a service flow described in the first aspect or various possible implementations of the first aspect. The interface circuit is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0201] In a thirty-fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, the chip comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the processor are coupled, the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement a communication method described in the second aspect or various possible implementations of the second aspect. The interface circuit is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0202] In a thirty-fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, the chip including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the processor are coupled, the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement a method for processing a service flow described in the third aspect or various possible implementations of the third aspect. The interface circuit is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0203] In a thirty-sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, the chip including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the processor are coupled, the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement a method for processing a service flow described in the fourth aspect or various possible implementations of the fourth aspect. The interface circuit is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0204] In a thirty-seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, the chip including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the processor are coupled, the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement a method for processing a service flow described in the fifth aspect or various possible implementations of the fifth aspect. The interface circuit is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0205] In aspect 38, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, the chip comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the processor are coupled, the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement a communication method described in aspect 6 or various possible implementations of aspect 6. The interface circuit is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0206] In a thirty-ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, the chip comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the processor are coupled, the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement a data packet processing method described in the seventh aspect or various possible implementations of the seventh aspect. The interface circuit is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0207] In the fortieth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, the chip comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the processor are coupled, the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to implement a data packet processing method described in the eighth aspect or various possible implementations of the eighth aspect. The interface circuit is used to communicate with other modules outside the chip.

[0208] Specifically, the chip provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes a memory for storing computer programs or instructions.

[0209] In the forty-first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a device for processing business flows provided by the ninth aspect or various possible implementations of the ninth aspect, and a communication device provided by the tenth aspect or various possible implementations of the tenth aspect.

[0210] In a 42nd aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising a device for processing a service flow provided by the 11th aspect or various possible implementations of the 11th aspect, and a communication device provided in the 14th aspect and any possible design of the 14th aspect. Optionally, the communication system provided by the 42nd aspect further comprises: a policy control network element and a user plane network element interacting with the device for processing the service flow.

[0211] In a 43rd aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising a device for processing a service flow provided in the 12th aspect or various possible implementations of the 12th aspect, and a communication device provided in the 14th aspect and any possible design of the 14th aspect. Optionally, the communication system provided in the 43rd aspect further comprises: a session management network element and a user plane network element interacting with the device for processing the service flow.

[0212] In a 44th aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising a device for processing a service flow provided by the 13th aspect or various possible implementations of the 13th aspect, and a communication device provided in the 14th aspect and any possible design of the 14th aspect. Optionally, the communication system provided by the 44th aspect further comprises: a session management network element interacting with the device for processing the service flow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0213] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a multi-access PDU session;

[0214] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0215] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0216] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a terminal accessing a network through multiple access technologies provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0217] Figure 5-Figure 13 A flow chart of a method for processing a business flow and a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0218] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of a data packet processing method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0219] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of a specific implementation example of a terminal processing service flow provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0220] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of a session management network element processing a service flow provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0221] Fig.17 A schematic diagram of a specific implementation example of a policy control network element processing a service flow provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0222] Fig.18 A schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of a user plane network element processing a service flow provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0223] Fig.19 A schematic diagram of a device for processing a service flow provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0224] Fig. 20 A schematic diagram of a device for processing a service flow provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0225] Fig.21 A schematic diagram of a device for processing a service flow provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0226] Fig. 22 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0227] Fig.23 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0228] Fig.24 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0229] Fig.25 A schematic diagram of a data packet transmission device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0230] Fig.26 A schematic diagram of a data packet transmission device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0231] Fig. 27A schematic diagram of a data packet transmission device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0232] Fig.28 A schematic diagram of a data packet transmission device provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0233] Fig.29 A schematic diagram of a device for processing a service flow provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 4 ;

[0234] Fig.30 A schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0235] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present 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 the embodiments of the present 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.

[0236] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" 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 represent: 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 objects associated before and after 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 items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple. In addition, 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" and "second" are used to distinguish the same or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that the words "first", "second", etc. do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first", "second", etc. do not necessarily limit the differences.

[0237] The system architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. A person of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0238] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the communication system includes: a core network, an access network and one or more terminals 104. One or more terminals 104 ( Figure 2 Only one terminal is shown in the figure) accesses the core network through the access network. The core network includes the following network elements: a session management network element 101, one or more user plane network elements 102 ( Figure 2 Only one user plane network element is shown in the figure), and a policy control network element 103 connected to the session management network element 101.

[0239] The access network may be an access network device that adopts a variety of access technologies.

[0240] When the terminal 104 accesses the wireless network through different access technologies, the terminal 104 can connect to the core network equipment through different access network devices.

[0241] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, at least one of the one or more terminals 104 has a session with the user plane network element 102, and the session can support multiple access technologies. For example, taking the multiple access technologies as the first access technology and the second access technology as an example, the session can be accessed through the first access technology or through the second access technology.

[0242] The first access technology in the embodiment of the present application may be an access technology that complies with 3GPP standard specifications, for example, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access technology. For example, the access technology used in long term evolution (LTE), 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G systems. An access network using 3GPP access technology is called a radio access network (RAN). For example, the terminal 104 may use 3GPP access technology to access a wireless network through an access network device in a 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G system.

[0243] The second access technology may be a wireless access technology that is not defined in the 3GPP standard specification, such as a non 3rd Generation Partnership Project (non3GPP) access technology. Non-3GPP access technology may be an untrusted non3GPP access technology or a trusted non3GPP access technology. Non-3GPP access technologies may include: wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), code division multiple access (CDMA), wireless local area networks (WLAN), fixed network technology or wired technology, etc. Terminal 104 may access the network through an air interface technology represented by wireless fidelity (WIFI), wherein the access network device may be an access point (AP).

[0244] In the embodiment of the present invention, the terminals may be distributed in a wireless network, and each terminal may be static or mobile.

[0245] In the embodiment of the present application, the session management network element 101, the user plane network element 102 and the policy control network element 103 are all network elements in the core network network elements, and can be collectively referred to as core network network elements.

[0246] The core network element is mainly responsible for packet data forwarding, QoS control, billing statistics, etc. (for example, user plane element). It is also mainly responsible for user registration and authentication, mobility management, and sending packet forwarding strategies, QoS control strategies, etc. to user plane functional elements (for example, session management element). Among them, the session management element is responsible for establishing the corresponding session connection (for example, PDU session) on the network side when the user initiates the service, providing specific services to the user, especially sending packet forwarding strategies, QoS strategies, etc. to the user plane element based on the interface between the session management element and the user plane element.

[0247] Among them, if Figure 2 The communication system shown is applied to a 5G network. Figure 3As shown, the network element or entity corresponding to the session management network element 101 may be a session management function (SMF) network element, the user plane network element may be a user plane function (UPF) network element, and the policy control network element may be a policy control function (PCF).

[0248] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown, the 5G network may also include: access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, application function (AF) network element, access network equipment (for example, access network (AN)), also known as radio access network equipment (RAN), authentication server function (AUSF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, network capability exposure function (NEF) network element, network repository storage function (NRF) network element and data network (DN), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0249] Among them, the terminal communicates with the AMF network element through the N1 interface (referred to as N1). The AMF network element communicates with the SMF network element through the N11 interface (referred to as N11). The SMF network element communicates with one or more UPF network elements through the N4 interface (referred to as N4). Any two UPF network elements among one or more UPF network elements communicate through the N9 interface (referred to as N9). The UPF network element communicates with the data network (DN) through the N6 interface (referred to as N6). The terminal accesses the network through the access network device (for example, RAN device). The access network device and the AMF network element communicate through the N2 interface (referred to as N2). The SMF network element communicates with the PCF network element through the N7 interface (referred to as N7), and the PCF network element communicates with the AF network element through the N5 interface. The access network device communicates with the UPF network element through the N3 interface (referred to as N3). Any two or more AMF network elements communicate through the N14 interface (referred to as N14). The SMF network element communicates with the UDM network element through the N10 interface (referred to as N10). The AMF network element communicates with the AUSF network element through the N12 interface (referred to as N12). The AUSF network element communicates with the UDM network element through the N13 interface (referred to as N13). The AMF network element communicates with the UDM network element through the N8 interface (referred to as N8).

[0250] It should be noted that Figure 3 The interface name between the network elements in the example is just an example. In a specific implementation, the interface name may be other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0251] It should be noted that Figure 3 The access network equipment, AF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, AUSF network element, UDM network element, UPF network element and PCF network element are just names, and the names do not limit the equipment itself. In 5G networks and other future networks, the network elements corresponding to the access network equipment, AF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, AUSF network element, UDM network element, UPF network element and PCF network element may also be other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this. For example, the UDM network element may also be replaced by a home subscriber server (HSS) or a user subscription database (USD) or a database entity, etc., which are uniformly explained here and will not be repeated later.

[0252] Exemplarily, the access network equipment involved in the embodiments of the present application refers to equipment for accessing the core network, such as a base station, a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, a non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access network equipment, etc. The base station may include various forms of base stations, such as: a macro base station, a micro base station (also called a small station), a relay station, an access point, etc.

[0253] Exemplarily, the AMF network element involved in the embodiment of the present application may also be responsible for the registration process when the terminal accesses, the location management during the terminal movement, legal monitoring and other functions, which are not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0254] Exemplarily, the SMF network elements involved in the embodiments of the present application are used for session management, including: session establishment, session modification, session release, allocation and management of internet protocol (IP) addresses for interconnection between terminal networks, selection and control of UPF network elements, legal monitoring and other session-related control functions.

[0255] For example, the UPF network element involved in the embodiment of the present application has Figure 3 The functions of the user plane function network element shown can also realize the user plane functions of the serving gateway (SGW) and the packet data network gateway (PGW). In addition, the UPF network element can also be a software defined network (SDN) switch, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0256] The AUSF network element is an authentication server function, which is mainly responsible for authenticating the terminal and determining the legitimacy of the terminal. For example, the terminal is authenticated based on the user contract data of the terminal.

[0257] The UDM network element is a unified user data management, mainly used to store the contract data of the terminal. In addition, the UDM network element also includes authentication, processing terminal identification information, contract management and other functions, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0258] The PCF network element is a policy control function, which is mainly used to issue service-related policies to the AMF network element or SMF network element.

[0259] The AF network element sends application-related requirements to the PCF, so that the PCF network element generates corresponding policies.

[0260] DN provides services to terminals, such as mobile operator services, Internet services, or third-party services.

[0261] The PDU session in the embodiment of the present application refers to: a data transmission channel between the connected terminal 104 and the DN established by the session management network element. The network elements involved in the data transmission channel include the terminal, the access network device, the SMF network element, the UPF network element selected by the SMF network element for the session, and the DN corresponding to the UPF network element. The data transmission channel includes multiple links between two adjacent network elements. For example, it includes a link between the terminal and the access network device, a link between the access network device and the AMF network element, a link between the AMF network element and the SMF network element, a link between the SMF network element and the UPF network element, and a link between the UPF network element and the DN corresponding to the UPF network element.

[0262] A terminal is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, such as a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. A terminal may also be called user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile, remote station, remote terminal, mobile equipment, user terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, user equipment or user device. The terminal may be a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a terminal in a next-generation communication system (e.g., a fifth-generation (5G) communication network) or a terminal in a future-evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, etc. Among them, 5G can also be referred to as a new radio (NR).

[0263] As an example, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that use wearable technology to intelligently design and develop wearable devices for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also powerful functions achieved through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include full-featured, large-sized, and independent of smartphones to achieve complete or partial functions, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0264] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an architecture in which a terminal uses multiple access technologies to access a network in an embodiment of the present application, for example, an architecture in which a terminal uses both 3GPP access technology and non-3GPP access technology. Figure 4 As shown, the terminal can be connected to the AMF network element through both 3GPP access technology and non-3GPP access technology. Figure 4 As shown, when the terminal uses non-3GPP access technology to access the AMF network element, it can access the AMF network element through the non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) entity.

[0265] When the 3GPP access technology and the non 3GPP access technology belong to the same PLMN, the terminal selects the same AMF network element. When the 3GPP access technology and the non 3GPP access technology belong to different PLMNs, the terminal can select different AMF network elements. The SMF network element is selected by the AMF network element. Different PDU sessions can select different SMF network elements, but the same PDU session must select the same SMF network element.

[0266] The SMF network element selects the UPF network element. A PDU session can have multiple UPF network elements, so the SMF network element may select multiple UPF network elements to create a tunnel connection for a certain PDU session.

[0267] Among them, the AUSF network element and the Authentication Repository Function (ARPF) / UDM network element constitute the Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN). When the terminal accesses the network through different access technologies, it can have different visited public land mobile networks (VPLMN) or the same visited public land mobile network. Specifically, Figure 4 The functions of the various network elements shown in can be found in the above embodiments, and this application will not go into details here.

[0268] The following is an explanation of some of the terms involved in this application:

[0269] 1) Traffic flow migration (switching or splitting) includes: corresponding to the support of multi-access PDU session, the traffic flow in the multi-access PDU session supports moving from the link corresponding to the first access technology among multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to the second access technology (switching). Or, the traffic flow moves from the link corresponding to one access technology to the link corresponding to multiple access technologies (splitting). Or, the traffic flow moves from the link corresponding to multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to one access technology (switching).

[0270] The core network element in the embodiment of the present application may be any one of a session management network element, a policy control network element and a user plane network element.

[0271] Embodiment 1

[0272] like Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a flow chart showing the interaction between a method for processing a service flow and a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the method includes:

[0273] S101. A session management network element obtains policy information of a service flow, where the policy information includes at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow.

[0274] The link condition information used to transmit the service flow may include link threshold parameters, such as linkperformance thresholds / measurement thresholds.

[0275] The packet data unit PDU session where the service flow belongs supports multiple access technologies.

[0276] In an embodiment of the present application, a link may be a transmission channel corresponding to an access technology, or may be a data transmission channel corresponding to a service flow, or may be a data transmission channel corresponding to a quality of service flow.

[0277] Specifically, the session management network element may obtain policy information from the policy control network element during the process in which the terminal requests to register with the network using at least one access technology among multiple access technologies. Alternatively, the session management network element may obtain policy information from the policy control network element during the session management process.

[0278] For example, the session management process may include: a PDU session establishment process or a PDU session update (also referred to as a PDU session modification) process.

[0279] It is understandable that the policy information of the service flow includes: a flow description parameter and policy information corresponding to the flow description parameter. Specifically, it may refer to: at least one of the flow description parameter and the diversion strategy corresponding to the flow description parameter, the flow description parameter and the diversion mode corresponding to the flow description parameter, and the flow description parameter and the link condition information corresponding to the flow description parameter for transmitting the service flow.

[0280] The flow description parameters are used to determine the service flow. For example, the flow description parameters may include one or more of the following: five-tuple information of the service flow (for example, at least one of the source IP address, the destination IP address, the source port number, the destination port number, and the protocol type).

[0281] The link condition information includes at least one of access-related condition information and access-irrelevant condition information.

[0282] Exemplarily, the access-related condition information includes one or more of the following: an access network signal strength threshold, an access network signal quality threshold, a backhaul bandwidth threshold or a load threshold, an access network bandwidth threshold, and an access network load threshold;

[0283] Exemplarily, the access-independent conditional information includes one or more of the following: at least one of a link delay threshold (e.g., an uplink delay threshold, a downlink delay threshold, and an uplink / downlink delay threshold (i.e., an RTT threshold)), a link packet loss rate threshold (e.g., an uplink packet loss rate threshold, a downlink packet loss rate threshold, and an uplink / downlink packet loss rate threshold), and a link jitter threshold (e.g., an uplink jitter threshold, a downlink jitter threshold, and an uplink / downlink jitter threshold).

[0284] Specifically, when the link state information of a link satisfies the link condition information corresponding to the service flow, the link can be used to transmit the service flow. When the link state information of a link does not satisfy the link condition information corresponding to the service flow, the link may not be used to transmit the service flow.

[0285] Exemplarily, the diversion policy may be ATSSS policy / ATSSS RULE. The diversion policy may include at least one access technology indication. The diversion policy may be used to determine at least one access technology for transmitting a service flow, such as a 3GPP access technology and at least one of a non-3GPP access technology.

[0286] The diversion mode includes one or more of the following:

[0287] a) An access technology priority indication, used to indicate that a service flow is preferentially transmitted through a link corresponding to an access technology associated with the access technology priority indication.

[0288] For example, the access technology priority indication is 3GPP access technology or non3GPP access technology. When the access technology with priority transmission is unavailable, the service flow can be transmitted through a link corresponding to another access technology.

[0289] b) An optimal link diversion indication is used to indicate that the service flow is preferentially transmitted through the optimal link; the optimal link is a link whose link status is better than other links.

[0290] Exemplarily, the optimal link offloading indication may include at least one parameter of: optimal link indication, link minimum delay indication, minimum RTT indication, link minimum load indication, link maximum bandwidth indication, and access signal strongest indication.

[0291] The terminal can determine the optimal link through the above parameters. For example, the optimal link may be: a link with the smallest delay, a link with the lowest load, or a link with the strongest access signal strength.

[0292] c) Traffic diversion indication based on link load balancing, used to indicate the transmission of service flows according to the link load balancing strategy.

[0293] The traffic diversion indication based on link load balancing includes: load balancing indication.

[0294] d) Access technology and diversion ratio indication, used to indicate the transmission of service flows according to the diversion ratio corresponding to the access technology.

[0295] For example, when the diversion ratio is a specific value, the terminal transmits the service flow according to the diversion ratio corresponding to the access technology. For example, the diversion ratio indicates that the diversion ratio of 3GPP access technology is 20%, and the diversion ratio of non-3GPP access technology is 80%, then 20% of the data packets in the service flow are transmitted through 3GPP access technology. 80% of the data packets in the service flow are transmitted through non-3GPP access technology. When the diversion ratio is empty or does not include the diversion ratio, it means that the service flow is diverted based on link load balancing.

[0296] e) Redundant transmission indication, used to indicate that the same data packet in the service flow is transmitted simultaneously through different access technologies.

[0297] S102: The session management network element sends policy information to the terminal.

[0298] In one example, in a session management process, a session management network element sends policy information to a terminal.

[0299] Specifically, the session management network element sends a PDU session management response message carrying policy information to the terminal based on the terminal's response to the PDU session management request message. For example, the PDU session management request message may be a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session update request message.

[0300] For example, the PDU session management response message may be: a PDU session creation acceptance message or a PDU session update success message.

[0301] In one example, during the process of the terminal successfully registering with the network, the session management network element may send the policy information sent by the policy control network element to the terminal via a non-access stratum (NAS) transmission message.

[0302] In a possible implementation manner, the session management network element may obtain policy information from the policy control network element.

[0303] S103: The terminal obtains policy information of the service flow.

[0304] Exemplarily, step S103 may be implemented in the following manner: the terminal obtains at least one of the diversion mode of the service flow sent by the policy control network element and the link condition information for transmitting the service flow from the non-access layer NAS transmission message. Alternatively, the terminal obtains at least one of the diversion strategy, diversion mode and link condition information for transmitting the service flow from the session management response message sent by the session management network element.

[0305] S104: The terminal processes the service flow according to the policy information.

[0306] The embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing a service flow, which obtains policy information of the service flow through a terminal, and processes the service flow based on the policy information of the service flow. Since the terminal processes the service flow based on at least one of the diversion strategy, diversion mode and link condition information sent by the network side, not only can the processed service flow be transmitted on a link that meets the link condition information, but also the terminal can realize more refined processing of the service flow.

[0307] In one possible implementation, Figure 6 As shown, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes:

[0308] S105. The terminal sends link detection information to the session management network element. The link detection information is used to obtain link status information of the link.

[0309] For example, the link detection information includes: link status detection reporting policy (measurement assistance policy / reporting).

[0310] Optionally, in order to reduce signaling overhead, the terminal may carry link detection information in the PDU session management request message.

[0311] Exemplarily, the link detection information provided by the present application includes at least one of a subscribed link state parameter and a sending condition information of the subscribed link state parameter. The condition information is used to indicate that when the subscribed link state parameter satisfies a threshold value corresponding to the subscribed link state parameter included in the link condition information, the subscribed link state parameter is reported. For example, if the subscribed link state parameter is the access network signal quality, then when the detected access network signal quality reaches the access network signal quality threshold value, the detected access network signal quality is reported.

[0312] For example, the subscribed link state parameter includes at least one of an access-related state parameter and an access-independent state parameter.

[0313] For example, the access-related status parameters include: one or more of access network signal quality, access network signal strength, access network bandwidth, access network load, and backhaul network bandwidth or load.

[0314] For example, in 3GPP access technology, access network bandwidth refers to: the bandwidth of RAN equipment. In non-3GPP access technology, access network bandwidth refers to the bandwidth of access network elements, for example, the bandwidth of N3IWF. Or the bandwidth of a trusted access gateway. Access network load refers to the load of access points, such as the load of access point AP in non-3GPP access technology. Or the load of RAN equipment in 3GPP access technology.

[0315] The access-independent state parameter link includes: one or more of a delay parameter, a link packet loss rate parameter, and a link jitter parameter.

[0316] Optionally, the link detection information also includes information about service flows, which is used to determine which service flows correspond to links to be detected. For example, the link detection information also includes one or more of the following: access technology indication, guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, non-Non-GBR indication, quality of service flow identifier QFI, and flow description parameters.

[0317] Among them, the access technology indication is used to indicate that the link corresponding to the access technology associated with the access technology indication needs to be subscribed, and the GBR indication is used to indicate that the link that needs to send link status information is the link where the GBR service flow is located. The non-Non-GBR indication is used to indicate that the link that needs to send link status information is the link where the non-GBR service flow is located. The flow description parameter is used to indicate that the link that needs to send link status information is the link where the service flow determined by the flow description parameter is located. The QFI is used to indicate that the link that needs to send link status information is the link corresponding to the quality of service QoS flow associated with the QFI.

[0318] In a possible implementation, the link detection information may further include: information on the sending frequency of the subscribed link state parameters, that is, the time interval for reporting the subscribed link state parameters, for example, reporting once every 1 second or once every 1 minute.

[0319] S106. The session management network element obtains link detection information.

[0320] For example, the session management network element may receive the link detection information in a PDU session management request message.

[0321] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the session management network element may also generate link detection information according to the policy information sent by the PCF to the terminal. When the link detection information is generated by the session management network element, step S105 may be omitted.

[0322] S107. The session management network element obtains link status information.

[0323] Exemplarily, step S107 may be implemented in the following manner: the session management network element sends link detection information to the user plane network element. The session management network element receives the link status information sent by the user plane network element.

[0324] For example, the session management network element sends an N4 session message (such as an N4 session establishment / update request message) to the user plane network element, and the N4 session message carries the link detection information. Alternatively, when the access network device requests to send a tunnel identifier related to the PDU session to the user plane network element, the session management network element sends an N4 session update message to the user plane network element, and the N4 session update message carries the link detection information.

[0325] Optionally, the session management network element further sends a first indication to the user plane network element, where the first indication is used to indicate a link for which link status information needs to be sent.

[0326] Exemplarily, the first indication includes: a quality of service flow identifier (Qos identifier, QFI), an access technology indication and a tunnel identification, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, a non-Non-GBR indication and at least one of a flow description parameter.

[0327] If QFI=1, the link detection information is a round-trip time (RTT) detection report. The user plane network element performs RTT detection on the QoS flow with QFI=1, and sends the detected link status information to the terminal or session management network element. If the access technology is 3GPP access technology, the link detection information is an RTT detection report. The user plane network element performs RTT detection on the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology, and sends the detected link status information to the terminal or session management network element. If the first indication is a tunnel identifier, the link detection information is an RTT detection report. The user plane network element performs RTT detection on the link corresponding to the above-mentioned tunnel identifier, and sends the detected link status information to the terminal or session management network element.

[0328] S108. The session management network element sends the link status information to the terminal.

[0329] Optionally, the link state parameter and at least one of an access technology indication, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, a non-GBR indication, a quality of service flow identifier QFI, and a flow description parameter are sent to the terminal.

[0330] S109: The terminal receives link status information sent by the session management network element.

[0331] Optionally, after the terminal obtains the link status information, S104 may be implemented in the following manner:

[0332] S1041. The terminal determines that the link status information of the target link satisfies or the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information.

[0333] The target link is a link corresponding to the access technology that will transmit the service flow after the migration, and the current link is a link corresponding to the access technology that currently transmits the service flow.

[0334] For example, the current link is a link corresponding to a 3GPP access technology, and the target link may be a link corresponding to a non-3GPP access technology, or a link corresponding to a non-3GPP access technology and a 3GPP access technology.

[0335] Alternatively, the current link is a link corresponding to a non-3GPP access technology, and the target link may be a link corresponding to a 3GPP access technology, or a link corresponding to a non-3GPP access technology and a 3GPP access technology.

[0336] Alternatively, the current link is a non-3GPP access technology and a link corresponding to a 3GPP access technology, and the target link may be a link corresponding to a 3GPP access technology or a link corresponding to a non-3GPP access technology.

[0337] S1042: The terminal processes the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode.

[0338] In a possible implementation manner, step S1042 may be implemented in the following manner: the terminal transmits the service flow on links corresponding to multiple access technologies.

[0339] For example, when the terminal determines that the link status information of the link corresponding to the non-3GPP access technology and the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology meets the link condition information, the service flow is migrated from the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology to the link corresponding to the non-3GPP access technology and the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology.

[0340] In another possible implementation manner, step S1042 may be implemented in the following manner: the terminal migrates the service flow from a link corresponding to a first access technology among multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to a second access technology for transmission.

[0341] For example, if the access technology currently transmitting the service flow is 3GPP access technology, when the link status information of the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology does not meet the link condition information, the terminal migrates the service flow from the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology to the link corresponding to the non3GPP access technology. Alternatively, if the terminal determines that the access technology priority indication indicates that the non 3GPP access technology is preferred, then when the terminal determines that the link of the non 3GPP access technology meets the conditions, the terminal migrates the service flow to the link corresponding to the non 3GPP access technology.

[0342] In another possible implementation, step S1042 may be implemented in the following manner: the terminal migrates the service flow from multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to the first access technology or the second access technology among the multiple access technologies for transmission.

[0343] For example, the access technology currently transmitting the service flow is 3GPP access technology and non-3GPP access technology. When the link status information of the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology and the non-3GPP access technology does not meet the link condition information, the terminal migrates the service flow from the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology and the non-3GPP access technology to the link corresponding to the non-3GPP access technology or to the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology. Or when the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology or the link corresponding to the non-3GPP access technology meets the conditions, the terminal switches the service flow from the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology and the non-3GPP access technology to the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology or the link corresponding to the non-3GPP access technology.

[0344] In another possible implementation manner, the terminal initiates a service flow processing procedure.

[0345] Exemplarily, the service flow processing process initiated by the terminal includes: a PDU session establishment process or a PDU session update process. The PDU session establishment process or the PDU session update process carries at least one access technology indication corresponding to the service flow. The at least one access technology indication is used to indicate that the terminal requests to migrate the service flow to a link corresponding to at least one access technology indicated by the at least one access technology indication for transmission. Thereafter, the session management network element can send an updated diversion strategy to the terminal, and the updated diversion strategy includes at least one access technology indication corresponding to the service flow.

[0346] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, there is a diversion strategy 1 at the terminal. When the terminal determines to transmit the service flow according to the access technology 1 indicated by the diversion strategy 1, the terminal determines that the link status information corresponding to the link does not meet the link condition information, then the terminal can redetermine the access technology according to at least one of the diversion mode and the link condition information. Alternatively, the terminal determines that the link status information corresponding to the access technology for preferentially transmitting the service flow (i.e., the access technology indicated by the diversion strategy) does not meet the link condition information according to the diversion mode, and requests the session management network element to transmit the service flow with the re-determined access technology. The session management network element can resend the access technology indication to the terminal based on the access technology requested by the terminal (i.e., update the diversion strategy). Afterwards, the terminal migrates the service flow according to the updated diversion strategy.

[0347] As another embodiment of the present application, Figure 7 As shown, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes:

[0348] S110. The terminal sends indication information to a session management network element, where the indication information is used to instruct the terminal to process the service flow.

[0349] Exemplarily, the indication information may be UE-initiated.

[0350] Optionally, the terminal also sends a multi-access session indication to the session management network element to indicate that the PDU session supports multiple access technologies.

[0351] Exemplarily, the indication information may be carried in the above session management request message.

[0352] S111. The session management network element receives instruction information sent by the terminal.

[0353] Optionally, when the session management network element determines to authorize the terminal to perform service flow migration, the session management network element may carry UE-initiated in the PDU session management response message or send a service flow diversion strategy to the terminal.

[0354] As another embodiment of the present application, Figure 8 As shown, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes:

[0355] S112. The terminal migrates the service flow from the link corresponding to the first access technology among the multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to the second access technology for transmission according to the policy information.

[0356] S113: The terminal determines that transmission of data packets of the service flow sent on the first access technology is completed.

[0357] S114. The terminal sends a first indication to the user plane network element, where the first indication is used to indicate the end of data packet transmission of the service flow transmitted on the first access technology.

[0358] S115. The user plane network element receives the first indication, and sorts the data packets on at least one corresponding link of the first access technology and the second access technology according to the first indication.

[0359] Specifically, for the description of steps S112-S115, reference may be made to the description in the subsequent embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0360] As another embodiment of the present application, Fig. 9 As shown, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes:

[0361] S116. The session management network element sends a QFI and a notification indication to the access network device. The notification indication is used to indicate that when the access network device cannot meet the bandwidth requirement of the QoS flow of the QFI, the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device is sent to the session management network element or the user plane network element.

[0362] The recommended bandwidth value may also be referred to as the "available bandwidth value", that is, the bandwidth resources that the access network device can provide for the QoS flow of the above QFI. For example, if the access network device can provide 5Mbps bandwidth for the QoS flow of QFI=1, the recommended bandwidth is 5Mbps.

[0363] Exemplarily, the QFI and available bandwidth indication indicate that the bandwidth requirement of the QoS flow of the QFI is 10M, and at this time, the available bandwidth of the access network device is 3M, so the recommended bandwidth value sent by the access network device to the session management network element or the user plane network element is 3M.

[0364] S117. The session management network element receives the QFI sent by the access network device and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device.

[0365] S118. The session management network element sends the QFI and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device to the terminal.

[0366] For example, the session management network element may send a recommended bandwidth value of the access network device to the terminal via a NAS transmission message.

[0367] S119: The link status information sent by the access network device and received by the terminal is the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device, or the link status information sent by the session management network element or the user plane network element and received by the terminal is the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device.

[0368] It should be noted that, when the terminal obtains link status information from the access network device or the user plane network element, step S118 can be omitted.

[0369] Optionally, after the terminal obtains the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device, step S104 may be specifically implemented in the following manner: the terminal processes the service flow according to the policy information and the recommended bandwidth value.

[0370] Specific solutions for processing service flows include: if the terminal determines that the bandwidth required by the service flow is greater than the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device, it means that the current access network device cannot meet the bandwidth requirements of the service flow. The terminal requests the bandwidth required by the service flow from another access technology, and migrates the above service flow as a whole to another access technology. Or the terminal obtains additional bandwidth by subtracting the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device from the bandwidth required by the service flow. The terminal requests additional bandwidth from another access technology, and partially migrates the above service flow to another access technology, so that the access device corresponding to the current access device and the other access technology provides the required bandwidth for the above service flow.

[0371] Embodiment 2

[0372] like Fig.10 As shown, Fig.10 A method for initiating service flow mobility by a core network element is shown, the method comprising:

[0373] S201. A core network element obtains policy information of a service flow, where the policy information includes at least one of a diversion strategy, a diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, and a packet data unit PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies.

[0374] Among them, the specific description of at least one of the diversion strategy, the diversion mode and the link condition information for transmitting the business flow can refer to the description in Example 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0375] Due to the different core network elements, the methods of obtaining policy information are different. The following will introduce them separately:

[0376] In one example, the core network element is a session management element:

[0377] The session management network element may obtain at least one of the diversion strategy, the diversion mode and the link condition information for transmitting the service flow from the policy control network element during the PDU session management process.

[0378] The diversion strategy may be determined by the policy control network element according to the link state information and at least one of the diversion mode and the link condition information for transmitting the service flow. Of course, the diversion strategy may also be pre-configured locally by the session management network element.

[0379] In this case, the policy control network element only sends instructions based on optimal link distribution and instructions based on link load balancing to the session management network element.

[0380] The session management network element determines the optimal link. That is, the session management network element determines the optimal link as the link indicated by at least one parameter among the link minimum delay indication, minimum RTT indication, link minimum load indication, link maximum bandwidth indication, and access signal strongest indication according to the indication of the optimal link diversion.

[0381] In addition, the session management network element determines the distribution ratio of the links corresponding to each access technology based on the link load balancing instruction sent by the policy control network element.

[0382] Another example, the core network element is a policy control element:

[0383] The policy control network element obtains at least one of the diversion strategy, the diversion mode and the link condition information for transmitting the service flow from the local configuration.

[0384] In another example, the core network element is a user plane element:

[0385] The user plane network element may obtain at least one of the diversion strategy, diversion mode, and link condition information for transmitting the service flow from the session management network element. Specifically, after the session management network element obtains the policy information in the PDU session management process, it may send the policy information to the user plane network element through an N4 session message.

[0386] S202. The core network element processes the service flow according to the policy information.

[0387] As another embodiment of the present application, Fig.11 As shown, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes:

[0388] S203. The core network element obtains link status information.

[0389] Since the core network elements are different, the implementation methods of S203 are different, so the following embodiments will be introduced respectively:

[0390] When the core network element is a session management element, such as Fig.12 As shown, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes:

[0391] S204. The core network element sends link detection information to the user plane network element or the terminal.

[0392] Specifically, the specific content of the link detection information can refer to the description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0393] The difference from the first embodiment is that in the first embodiment, the link detection information obtained by the session management network element from the terminal is sent by the policy control network element. The link detection information here is generated by the session management network element according to the policy information.

[0394] It should be noted that when the session management network element sends link detection information to the terminal, the terminal already has the link detection information (for example, when registering to the network side, the policy control network element sends link detection information to the terminal), then the terminal uses the link detection information sent by the session management network element to detect the link status parameters.

[0395] Optionally, the core network element sends a first indication to the terminal or the user plane network element, where the first indication is used to indicate a link for which link status information needs to be sent.

[0396] Exemplarily, the first indication includes: at least one of a quality of service flow identifier QFI, an access technology indicator and a tunnel identifier, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indicator, a non-Non-GBR indicator, and a flow description parameter. Specifically, the meaning of each content included in the first indication can be referred to the description in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0397] S205. The user plane network element or the terminal sends link detection information to the core network element.

[0398] Exemplarily, the user plane network element may send link detection information to the core network element via an N4 interface message.

[0399] Exemplarily, the terminal may send link detection information to the core network element via a NAS transmission message. Alternatively, the terminal may send link status information to the user plane element via a user plane message, and then the user plane element may send the link status information to the core network element.

[0400] The corresponding step S203 can be specifically implemented in the following manner: the core network element obtains the link status information sent by the terminal or the user plane network element from the terminal or the user plane network element.

[0401] When the core network element is a policy control element, step S203 is specifically implemented in the following manner: the policy control element sends link detection information to the session management element, and the session management element sends link detection information to the terminal or user plane element. After receiving the link status information sent by the terminal or user plane element, the session management element reports it to the policy control element.

[0402] When the core network element is a user plane element, step S203 is specifically implemented in the following manner: the session management element sends link detection information to the core network element / terminal, the terminal sends the link status information to the core network element, and the core network element sends link status information to the terminal. That is, the user plane element detects the link status information by itself and sends the detected link status information to the terminal. Alternatively, the terminal detects the link status information by itself and sends the detected link status information to the user plane element.

[0403] After the core network element obtains the link status information, S202 can be implemented in the following manner: the core network element determines that the link status information does not satisfy the link condition information, and the core network element processes the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode.

[0404] Specifically, the core network element determines that the link status information of the target link satisfies or the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information, and the core network element processes the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode.

[0405] The method for determining the target link and the method for determining the current link may refer to the description in the first embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0406] In one example, when the core network element is a session management element, such as Fig.12 As shown, S202 can be specifically implemented in the following manner: S2021. Send an access technology indication corresponding to a service flow to the terminal, where the access technology indication is used to instruct the service flow to be migrated to a link corresponding to the access technology indication.

[0407] Exemplarily, the core network element may carry the access technology indication corresponding to the service flow in the PDU session management response message to instruct the terminal to migrate the service flow to the link corresponding to the access technology indication.

[0408] In addition, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes: S206, the terminal receives an access technology indication corresponding to the service flow sent by the core network element, and the access technology indication is used to indicate that the service flow is migrated to the link corresponding to the access technology indicated by the access technology indication. S207, the terminal processes the service flow according to the access technology indication. It can be understood that the process performed by the terminal in S206 and S207 can also be performed by the user plane network element.

[0409] Specifically, the terminal migrates the service flow to the link corresponding to the access technology indicated by the access technology indication according to the access technology indication. The implementation of S207 can refer to the method of processing the service flow by the terminal in the above embodiment, and the embodiment of the present application will not be repeated here.

[0410] In another example, when the core network element is a policy control element, S202 can be specifically implemented in the following way: the core network element sends an updated diversion policy corresponding to the service flow to the session management element, and the updated diversion policy includes at least one access technology indication, and the at least one access technology indication is used to indicate that the service flow is migrated to the link corresponding to the access technology indication.

[0411] Specifically, the policy control network element determines that the diversion strategy configured for the service flow cannot meet the link requirements based on the received link status information and at least one of the locally configured diversion mode and link condition information, and then sends the updated diversion strategy to the session management network element. For example, the currently configured diversion strategy is to transmit the service flow using 3GPP access technology, and it is determined based on the link condition information that the link status information corresponding to the 3GPP access technology does not meet the link condition information, then the updated diversion strategy is sent to the session management network element, for example, non 3GPP access technology. Thereafter, after receiving the diversion strategy, the session management network element initiates the service flow movement, or the session management network element sends it to the terminal, and the terminal initiates the service flow movement.

[0412] In another example, when the core network network element is a user plane network element, S202 can be specifically implemented in the following ways: the core network network element transmits the service flow on the links corresponding to the multiple access technologies; or, the core network network element migrates the service flow from the link corresponding to the first access technology among the multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to the second access technology for transmission; or, the core network network element migrates the service flow from the multiple access technologies to the link corresponding to the first access technology or the second access technology among the multiple access technologies for transmission.

[0413] Optionally, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: the terminal sends first indication information to a core network element, the first indication information being used to instruct the core network to process the service flow. The core network element receives the first indication information sent by the terminal.

[0414] Specifically, the first indication information may be Network-initiated, or may be empty. When the first indication information is empty, the core network element determines that the network side initiates the service flow migration.

[0415] As another embodiment of the present application, Fig.13 As shown, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes: S208, the core network network element sends a QFI and a notification indication to the access network device, the QFI and the notification indication are used to indicate that when the access network side cannot meet the bandwidth requirements of the QoS flow of the QFI, the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device is sent to the session management network element or the user plane network element.

[0416] Optional, such as Fig.13The method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: S209, the core network element receives the QFI sent by the access network device and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device. S210, the core network element sends the QFI and the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device to the terminal. S211, the terminal receives the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device sent by the access network device; or the terminal receives the recommended bandwidth value of the access network device sent by the session management element or the user plane element.

[0417] Embodiment 3

[0418] When a sending network element (for example, a terminal or a user plane network element) migrates a service flow from multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to any one of multiple access technologies, or migrates a link corresponding to a first access technology among multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to a second access technology, in order to avoid the problem of data packets being out of order when the receiving network element (for example, a user plane network element or a terminal) sorts the data packets of the received service flow, such as Fig.14 As shown, the present application also provides a data packet transmission method, the method comprising:

[0419] S301. A sending network element determines that a service flow needs to be migrated from a link corresponding to a first access technology among multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to a second access technology for transmission.

[0420] Specifically, the implementation method of step S301 may refer to the description in the above embodiment or other methods, which will not be described again here.

[0421] S302. The sending network element determines that the transmission of the data packet of the service flow sent on the link corresponding to the first access technology is completed.

[0422] S303. The sending network element sends a first indication (for example, an Endmark indication) to the receiving network element, where the first indication is used to indicate the end of transmission of the data packet of the service flow transmitted on the link corresponding to the first access technology.

[0423] A possible implementation manner is: S303 may be implemented in the following manner: the sending network element carries the first indication in the last packet of the service flow on the link corresponding to the first access technology.

[0424] Exemplarily, the last packet may be a null packet or the last data packet.

[0425] In one example, taking the last packet as the last data packet as an example, the sending network element may carry the first indication in at least one of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) header and the service data application protocol (SDAP) header. Alternatively, taking the last packet as an empty packet as an example, the sending network element generates an empty packet after sending the last data packet, and carries the first indication in at least one of the PDCP header and the SDAP header of the empty packet.

[0426] The empty packet in the embodiment of the present application means that the data packet includes information for determining the service flow, and the payload of the data packet is empty. For example, the data packet contains at least one of an IP header, a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) header, a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) header, and an Ethernet header.

[0427] For example, taking the sending network element as a terminal, the terminal determines that the data packet transmission of the service flow on the link corresponding to the first access technology is completed, then the terminal carries the first indication in the PDCP header or SDAP header of the last packet and sends it to the access network device (such as 5G RAN, or non 3GPP access network element). The access network device obtains the first indication carried in the last packet, and passes the first indication to the UPF network element through the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GPRS Tunneling Protocol, GTP-U) or other protocols (such as Ethernet protocol, SRv6 protocol IPv6 Segment Routing protocol) data packet header. In addition, the access network device encapsulates the last packet (empty packet, or the last data packet) in the GTP-U data packet header carrying the first indication and passes it to the UPF network element. Based on the first indication, the UPF network element determines that this data packet is the last data packet on the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology, and determines the service flow based on the information in the last packet. The GTP-U protocol is used as an example of the tunnel protocol between the subsequent access network device and the UPF.

[0428] For example, taking the sending network element as a UPF network element, the UPF network element carries the first indication in the GTP-U data packet header and sends the GTP-U data packet header to the access network device. After the access network device removes the GTP-U data packet header, it carries the first indication in the PDCP packet header or the SDAP packet header and sends it to the terminal. In addition, the UPF network element encapsulates the last packet (empty packet, or the last service data packet) in the GTP-U data packet header containing the first indication and sends it to the access network device. The access network device encapsulates the above-mentioned last packet in the PDCP packet header or the SDAP packet header carrying the first indication and sends it to the terminal.

[0429] As another example, taking the last packet as an empty packet, the first indication may be carried in the information in the empty packet for determining the service flow.

[0430] For example, the sending network element carries the first indication in the IP header, UDP header, TCP header, or Ethernet header. For example, an option is added to the IP header, and the first indication is carried in the option. Or the Ethernet type is set to a special value in the Ethernet header as the first indication, or the length of the Ethernet header is set to a special value as the end marker indication.

[0431] In another example, taking the last packet as the last data packet as an example, the sending network element may carry the first indication in at least one of the UDP header, the TCP header, and the Ethernet header. For specific details on how to carry the first indication in at least one of the UDP header, the TCP header, and the Ethernet header, please refer to the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0432] For example, taking the sending network element as a terminal, the terminal determines that the service flow ends transmission on the link corresponding to the first access technology, and the terminal sends the last data packet to the access network device on the link corresponding to the first access technology. At least one of the Ethernet header, UDP header, and TCP header of the last data packet carries the first indication. The access network device sends the last data packet to the UPF network element. The UPF parses the last data packet, obtains the flow description information from the header information of the last data packet, and obtains the first indication from the last data packet.

[0433] Taking the sending network element as a UPF network element as an example, the UPF network element determines that the service flow ends transmission on the link corresponding to the first access technology, and the UPF network element carries the first indication in at least one of the Ethernet header, UDP header and TCP header of the last data packet. The UPF network element encapsulates the last data packet in the GTP-U data packet header, and sends it to the access network device on the link corresponding to the first access technology. After receiving the GTP-U data packet header, the access network device removes the GTP-U data packet header. Then the last data packet is sent to the terminal. The terminal parses the last data packet, obtains the flow description information from the header information of the last data packet, and obtains the first indication from the last data packet. The access network device determines the service flow targeted by the first indication based on the flow description information.

[0434] Optionally, when the sending network element is a UPF network element, the sending network element carries the first indication in the GTP-U data packet header of the data packet.

[0435] The packet header of the above data packet also includes one or more of the following information used to indicate the business flow: the source IP address and / or destination IP address in the IP packet header, the source IP address and / or destination IP address in the Ethernet packet header, the source port number and / or destination port number in the UDP packet header and the TCP packet header, the virtual local area network (VLAN) tag, and the protocol type of the above IP packet header, Ethernet header, UDP header, and TCP header.

[0436] S304. A receiving network element receives a data packet of the service flow from a link corresponding to a first access technology or / and a link corresponding to a second access technology among multiple access technologies supported by the service flow.

[0437] S305: The receiving network element receives a first indication sent by the sending network element, where the first indication is used to indicate that transmission of a data packet of the service flow transmitted on the link corresponding to the first access technology is completed;

[0438] Optionally, the first indication is carried in the last packet sent on the link corresponding to the first access technology received by the receiving network element.

[0439] S306. The receiving network element sorts the data packets of the service flow received through the link corresponding to the first access technology and the link corresponding to the second access technology according to the first indication.

[0440] Optionally, the receiving network element determines the service flow corresponding to the first indication based on a flow description parameter in an empty packet or the last data packet of the service flow.

[0441] Exemplarily, S306 in the embodiment of the present application may be implemented in the following manner: after receiving the first indication, the receiving network element processes the data packet of the service flow received through the link corresponding to the second access technology.

[0442] Specifically, for uplink data packets, when the terminal migrates the service flow from the link corresponding to the first access technology to the link corresponding to the second access technology, if the terminal determines that the data packets of the service flow have finished transmitting on the link corresponding to the first access technology, the terminal sends a first indication to the UPF network element. During this process, the UPF network element receives data packets of the service flow from the link corresponding to the first access technology and / or the link corresponding to the second access technology. Before receiving the first indication, the UPF network element caches the data packets of the service flow on the link corresponding to the second access technology. After receiving the first indication, the UPF network element first sorts the data packets of the service flow on the link corresponding to the first access technology, and then processes the data packets of the service flow received through the link corresponding to the second access technology.

[0443] For downlink data packets, the process of sorting the data packets of the service flow by the terminal according to the first indication sent by the UPF network element can refer to the process of sorting the data packets of the service flow by the UPF network element according to the first indication in the uplink data packets, which will not be repeated here.

[0444] Fig.15 A specific embodiment of a terminal processing service flow migration provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown, and the method includes:

[0445] S401. The terminal registers with the network side.

[0446] For example, the terminal can access the network side through 3GPP access technology and complete the registration process. Or the terminal can access the network side through non3GPP access technology and complete the registration process. Alternatively, the terminal can access the network side through non3GPP access technology and 3GPP access technology respectively and complete the registration process.

[0447] S402. The PCF network element sends policy information to the AMF network element for the successfully registered terminal. The policy information includes: flow description parameters and at least one diversion mode and flow description parameters and at least one of link condition information for transmitting service flows.

[0448] S403. The AMF network element sends policy information to the terminal via a NAS message.

[0449] It is understandable that if the terminal completes registration in S401 through one of the non3GPP access technology and the 3GPP access technology, the terminal completes registration through the other access technology of the non3GPP access technology and the 3GPP access technology, so that the terminal accesses the network side through the non3GPP access technology and the 3GPP access technology at the same time.

[0450] S404: The terminal sends a session management request message to the AMF network element. The session management request message carries a PDU session identifier, a UE-initiated indication, and a multi-access session indication.

[0451] The UE-initiated indication indicates that the service flow migration in the PDU session associated with the PDU session identifier is handled by the terminal. The multi-access session indication indicates that the PDU session supports multiple access technologies, that is, the PDU session is a multi-access PDU session (Multi Access PDU, MA PDU) session.

[0452] Exemplarily, the session management request message may be a PDU session establishment request (PDU Session establishment request) message or a PDU session update request message.

[0453] Optionally, the session management request message also carries link detection information.

[0454] For the specific content of the link detection information, please refer to the description in the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0455] Optionally, the session management request message also carries the sending frequency information of the subscribed link state parameters.

[0456] S405. After receiving the session management request message, the AMF network element selects the SMF network element and sends the session management request message to the SMF network element.

[0457] Optionally, the SMF network element stores UE-initiated, so that after receiving the policy information sent by the PCF network element, the terminal can determine to send the policy information to the terminal indicated by UE-initiated.

[0458] S406. The SMF network element sends a policy request message to the PCF network element. The policy request message carries a multiple access session indication.

[0459] S407, the PCF network element sends policy information related to the multi-access PDU session to the SMF network element based on the multi-access session indication. The policy information here includes: a mapping relationship between flow description parameters and diversion strategies, at least one of flow description parameters and at least one diversion mode, and flow description parameters and link condition information.

[0460] For example, the PCF network element can send policy information to the SMF network element via a policy response message.

[0461] Among them, the diversion strategy can be carried in the Policy Control and Charging (PCC) rules and sent to the SMF network element.

[0462] In addition, the SMF network element can also send UE-initiated to the PCF network element, and then the PCF network element stores UE-initiated.

[0463] If the session management request message received by the SMF network element also contains link detection information, the SMF network element executes S408-S410.

[0464] S408. The SMF network element sends link detection information to the UPF network element associated with the PDU session.

[0465] Optionally, the SMF network element may also send at least one of a QFI, an access technology indication, a tunnel identifier, a guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, a non-Non-GBR indication, and a flow description parameter to the UPF network element. Among them, the QFI is used to indicate that the detected link information is the link where the Qos flow associated with the QFI is located. The tunnel identifier is used to indicate that the detected link information is the link corresponding to the tunnel associated with the tunnel identifier. The access technology indication is used to indicate that the detected link information is the link corresponding to the access technology indicated by the access technology indication. The GBR indication is used to indicate that the link where the link status information needs to be sent is the link where the GBR service flow is located. The non-Non-GBR indication is used to indicate that the link where the link status information needs to be sent is the link where the non-GBR service flow is located. The flow description parameter is used to indicate that the link where the link status information needs to be sent is the link where the service flow determined by the flow description parameter is located.

[0466] S409. The UPF network element sends link status information to the SMF network element based on the link detection information.

[0467] If the link status information is detected based on at least one of QFI, access technology indication, tunnel identification, guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, non-Non-GBR indication and flow description parameters, the UPF network element also sends at least one of QFI, access technology indication, tunnel identification, guaranteed bit rate GBR indication, non-Non-GBR indication and flow description parameters to the SMF network element or terminal.

[0468] S410. The SMF network element sends link status information to the terminal.

[0469] Optionally, step S409 can also be replaced by the following method: sending the link status information to the SMF network element, and the SMF sends the link status information to the terminal through a NAS message. Or the UPF network element sends the link status information to the terminal through a user plane message (such as a link message) between the UPF network element and the terminal.

[0470] S411. The SMF network element sends a session management response message to the terminal. The session management response message includes a mapping relationship between flow description parameters and diversion strategies or an indication for authorizing the terminal to perform service flow migration.

[0471] For example, the session management response message may be a PDU session creation acceptance message, or a PDU session update success message.

[0472] The flow description parameters and the diversion strategy are used to indicate the association between the service flow and an access technology, that is, the service flow is transmitted through one or more access technologies.

[0473] Optionally, the SMF network element may send an N1N2 message to the AMF network element. The N1N2 message carries a session management response message.

[0474] Optionally, the N1N2 message also carries a QFI and an available bandwidth indication.

[0475] S412. The AMF network element sends the QFI and available bandwidth indication to the access network device.

[0476] Optionally, if the N1N2 message also includes an access technology indication, the AMF network element sends the QFI and available bandwidth indication to the access network device indicated by the access technology indication. The QFI and available bandwidth indication are used to indicate that when the access network side cannot meet the bandwidth requirements of the QoS flow corresponding to the QFI, the access network device reports the recommended bandwidth of the access network device to the SMF network element or UPF network element.

[0477] For example, if the access technology indication is a 3GPP access technology indication, the AMF network element sends the QFI and available bandwidth indication to the 5G RAN. If the access technology indication is a non-3GPP access technology indication, the AMF network element sends the QFI and available bandwidth indication to the device in the non-3GPP access network.

[0478] It is understandable that the access network device can allocate relevant tunnel identifiers for the PDU session and send them to the UPF network element through the AMF network element or the SMF network element. If the SMF network element does not execute S408-S410, the SMF network element can send link detection information to the UPF network element during the process of sending the tunnel identifier to the UPF network element through the N4 session update message.

[0479] The network elements at the two end points of the tunnel each notify the other end of its own tunnel identifier, so that subsequent data will encapsulate the tunnel identifier of the other end.

[0480] S413: The access network device detects whether the bandwidth of the QoS flow meets the request according to the QFI and the available bandwidth indication.

[0481] S414. When the access network device determines that the bandwidth of the Qos flow is not met, it sends the recommended bandwidth value of the Qos flow to the AMF network element.

[0482] Specifically, the access network device can send the QFI and recommended bandwidth value to the AMF through a RAN notification message.

[0483] Then, the AMF network element sends the QFI and the recommended bandwidth value to the terminal through a NAS message. Or the AMF network element sends the QFI and the recommended bandwidth value to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element sends it to the terminal through a NAS message. Or the SMF network element sends the QFI and the recommended bandwidth value to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element sends it to the terminal through a user plane message.

[0484] S415: The terminal obtains link status information.

[0485] S416: The terminal processes the service flow according to the link status information, and at least one of the offload mode and the link condition information for transmitting the service flow.

[0486] For example, if service flow 1 is currently transmitted on the 3GPP side, the offload mode is 3GPP access technology priority. The link condition information includes the 3GPP side channel strength threshold. The terminal determines that the current 3GPP side signal strength is lower than the 3GPP side channel strength threshold based on the link status information, and then the terminal initiates the migration of service flow 1.

[0487] The terminal initiates the migration of service flow 1 as follows: the terminal sends a PDU session update request message, which carries a flow description parameter and at least one access technology indication. For the above example, the PDU session update request message carries the description parameter of service flow 1 and the non-3GPP access technology indication, which indicates that the terminal requests to move service flow 1 to the non-3GPP side.

[0488] Optionally, after receiving the policy information sent in S407, the SMF network element saves the policy information so that the SMF can determine whether the service flow migration initiated by the terminal is allowed based on the policy information authorized by the SMF. If not allowed, the SMF network element can reject the service flow migration request sent by the terminal. If allowed, the SMF network element can send a diversion policy to the terminal based on the service flow migration initiated by the terminal. After receiving the diversion policy sent by the SMF network element based on the PDU session update request message, the terminal migrates the service flow to the link corresponding to the access technology indicated in the diversion policy.

[0489] It is understandable that before the service flow migration is performed, the terminal has a diversion strategy 1, for example, including: 3GPP access technology indication. After requesting the service flow migration, the terminal obtains an updated diversion strategy, for example, including non 3GPP access technology indication.

[0490] As another solution provided in an embodiment of the present application, when the terminal migrates the service flow from the link corresponding to the first access technology side to the link corresponding to the second access technology, it may also include:

[0491] S417. The terminal determines that the transmission of the data packet of the service flow on the link corresponding to the first access technology is completed, and the terminal sends a first indication to the UPF network element. The first indication is used to indicate the completion of the transmission of the data packet of the service flow transmitted on the first access technology.

[0492] Specifically, the sending method and implementation method of the first indication may refer to the description in the above embodiment, which will not be described in detail here.

[0493] S418. The UPF network element receives the first indication.

[0494] S419. The UPF network element sorts the data packets of the service flow received on the link corresponding to the first access technology and / or the second access technology according to the first indication.

[0495] The specific sorting method can refer to the description in the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0496] S420. The UPF network element determines that the data packet of the service flow has finished being transmitted on the link corresponding to the first access technology, and the UPF network element sends a first indication to the terminal.

[0497] S421. The terminal receives a first instruction.

[0498] S422. The terminal sorts the data packets of the service flow received on the link corresponding to the first access technology and / or the second access technology according to the first indication.

[0499] like Fig.16 As shown, Fig.16 A schematic diagram of a process of initiating service flow migration by an SMF network element is shown. Fig.16 In the scheme shown, S501-S504 can refer to S401-S404, except that link condition information is sent to the terminal in S502 and S503. In S504, a Network-initiated indication is used instead of a UE-initiated indication, wherein the UE-initiated indication is used to indicate that the core network sends a service flow migration.

[0500] It is understandable that the terminal and the network side may also negotiate in advance, and when the session management request message does not carry any indication, the network side initiates the service flow migration.

[0501] S505-S507 can refer to S405-S407. Optionally, the diversion mode here is different from that in S407 in that the PCF network element can only send to the SMF network element: 1) Optimal link diversion indication. The SMF network element determines what is the optimal link, that is, the SMF network element determines which parameters are used to determine the optimal link. 2) Indication of diversion based on load link balancing. The SMF network element determines the diversion ratio of the links corresponding to each access technology based on the current link status.

[0502] S508-S509 can refer to S408-S409, the difference is that the link detection information in S408 is obtained by the SMF network element from the terminal, and the link detection information here is generated by the SMF network element based on the policy information obtained from the PCF network element.

[0503] S510. The SMF network element sends a session management response message to the terminal, where the session management response message includes link detection information.

[0504] S511. The terminal receives link detection information.

[0505] It should be noted that if the terminal has received the link detection information sent by the PCF network element in S501-S504, the link detection information received in S511 is used to replace the link detection information sent by the PCF network element received in S501-S504.

[0506] S512. The terminal sends link status information to the SMF network element based on the link detection information sent by the SMF network element.

[0507] Specifically, the terminal can send link status information to the SMF network element through a NAS message. The link status information can also be sent to the UPF network element through a user plane message, and then the UPF network element can send it to the SMF network element through an N4 interface message.

[0508] Optionally, in this embodiment, the SMF network element receives a recommended bandwidth of the access network device. The specific process can be referred to S411-S414. No further details will be given here.

[0509] S513, the SMF network element processes the service flow according to the link status information and at least one of the diversion strategy, diversion mode and link condition information.

[0510] Optionally, the method also includes: the process of the terminal and the UPF network element processing data packets during the service flow migration process, the specific process can refer to the description in S417-S422, and will not be repeated here. By sending a first indication to the UE or UPF, the problem of data packet disorder that occurs when the service flow migrates from a link corresponding to an access technology to a link corresponding to another access technology can be solved.

[0511] like Fig.17 As shown, Fig.17 The schematic diagram of the process of initiating service flow migration by PCF network element is shown. Fig.15 and Fig.16 The difference is: Fig.17 In the example, S601-S607 are the same as S501-S507. S608-S611 can refer to S508-S611. No further description is given here. The difference is that in Fig.16 In the process, the link detection information is obtained by the SMF network element from the PCF network element.

[0512] S612. The terminal sends link status information to the PCF network element based on the link detection information sent by the SMF network element.

[0513] Specifically, the UE sends the link status information directly or through the UPF network element to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element sends it to the PCF network element.

[0514] In addition, the link status information obtained by the UPF network element based on the link detection information is also sent to the SMF network element, and then sent to the PCF network element by the SMF network element.

[0515] S613. The PCF network element processes the service flow based on the received link status information and at least one of the locally configured diversion mode, diversion strategy, and link condition information.

[0516] Specifically, the PCF network element determines that the link status information of the target link satisfies or the link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information, and the PCF network element processes the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode.

[0517] Specifically, the PCF network element processes the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode, which may refer to: the PCF network element updates the service flow according to at least one of the diversion strategy and the diversion mode.

[0518] Among them, the target link is the link corresponding to the access technology where the service flow is located after migration (for example, the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology), and the current link is the link corresponding to the access technology where the service flow is located before migration (the link corresponding to the non-3GPP access technology).

[0519] For example, the PCF network element determines that the link corresponding to the 3GPP access technology satisfies the link condition information, then the PCF network element sends an updated diversion strategy to the SMF network element, where the updated diversion strategy includes: 3GPP access technology indication.

[0520] Specifically, the PCF network element sends the updated diversion strategy to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element can initiate the service flow migration or the terminal can initiate the service flow migration. In order to solve the above-mentioned disorder problem during the migration process, S417-S422 can also be executed, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, in this embodiment, it also includes: the SMF network element receives the recommended bandwidth of the access network device. The specific process can refer to S411-S414. It will not be repeated here.

[0521] like Fig.18 As shown, Fig.18 The following is a flow chart of a terminal and UPF network element directly sending service flow movement for non-GBR service flow:

[0522] S701-S707 may refer to the description in S401-S407 or S501-S507, which will not be repeated here.

[0523] S708. The SMF network element sends link status detection information, policy information, and the relationship between QFI or flow description parameters and diversion indications to the UPF network element.

[0524] The diversion indication is used to indicate that the service flow corresponding to the QFI or the service flow corresponding to the flow description parameter can be migrated by the UPF network element. Optionally, another implementation of the diversion indication is: access technology indication and diversion ratio, that is, the SMF network element sends the QFI and access technology indication and diversion ratio to the UPF network element.

[0525] When the diversion ratio is a specific value, it means that the UPF network element moves the service flow based on the diversion ratio. When the diversion ratio is empty, it means that the UPF network element can move the service flow according to any ratio.

[0526] S709. The UPF network element sends link status detection information, policy information, QFI or the relationship between flow description parameters and diversion indication to the terminal.

[0527] S710, UPF network element and terminal splitter report their respective detected link status information to each other based on link condition information.

[0528] S711. The terminal processes the service flow according to the link status information and policy information sent by the UPF network element.

[0529] Specifically, if the terminal determines that the link state information of the link corresponding to the current access technology does not meet the link condition information, the terminal migrates the service flow to the link corresponding to the target access technology. Alternatively, if the terminal determines that the link state information of the link corresponding to the target access technology meets the link condition information, the terminal migrates the service flow to the link corresponding to the target access technology.

[0530] S712. The UPF network element processes the service flow according to the link status information and policy information sent by the terminal.

[0531] Specifically, if the UPF network element determines that the link status information of the link corresponding to the current access technology does not meet the link condition information, the UPF network element migrates the service flow to the link corresponding to the target access technology. Alternatively, if the UPF network element determines that the link status information of the link corresponding to the target access technology meets the link condition information, the UPF network element migrates the service flow to the link corresponding to the target access technology.

[0532] It can be understood that in step S712, the terminal determines the link where the service flow sent to the UPF network element is located, and the UPF network element determines the link where the service flow sent to the terminal is located.

[0533] The above mainly introduces the scheme of the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that in order to realize the above functions, each network element, such as a service flow processing device, a communication device, etc., includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function. It should be easy for those skilled in the art to realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this document, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0534] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional units of the device and communication device for processing the service flow according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units. It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0535] The following is an example of dividing each functional module into corresponding functions:

[0536] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig.19 A possible structural diagram of a device for processing a service flow involved in the above embodiment is shown, and the device for processing a service flow may be a terminal or a chip applied in a terminal. The device for processing a service flow includes: an acquisition unit 201 and a processing unit 202.

[0537] The acquisition unit 201 is used to support a device for processing a service flow to execute step S103 in the above embodiment. The processing unit 202 is used to support a device for processing a service flow to execute steps S104, S1042, and S112 in the above embodiment.

[0538] As a possible implementation manner, the device for processing a service flow includes: a sending unit 203 , a receiving unit 204 , and a determining unit 205 .

[0539] The sending unit 203 is used to support a device for processing a service flow to execute steps S105, S110, and S114 in the above embodiment.

[0540] The receiving unit 204 is used to support an apparatus for processing a service flow to execute steps S109 and S119 in the above embodiment.

[0541] The determining unit 205 is configured to support an apparatus for processing a service flow to execute steps S1041 and S113 in the above embodiment.

[0542] All relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0543] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig. 20A possible logical structure diagram of a device for processing a service flow involved in the above embodiment is shown. The device for processing a service flow can be a terminal in the above embodiment, or a chip applied to a terminal. A device for processing a service flow includes: a processing module 212 and a communication module 213. The processing module 212 is used to control and manage the actions of a device for processing a service flow. For example, the processing module 212 is used to execute the steps of message or data processing on the side of a device for processing a service flow, and the communication module 213 is used to execute the steps of message or data processing on the side of a device for processing a service flow.

[0544] For example, the processing module 212 is used to support a device for processing a service flow to execute S104, S1042, and S112 in the above embodiment. The communication module 213 is used to support a device for processing a service flow to execute S103, S105, S109, S110, S114, and S119 in the above embodiment. And / or other processes performed by a device for processing a service flow for the technology described herein.

[0545] Optionally, the device for processing a service flow may further include a storage module 211 for storing program codes and data of the device for processing a service flow.

[0546] Among them, the processing module 212 can be a processor or a controller, for example, a central processing unit, a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of the present invention. The processor can also be a combination that implements a computing function, for example, including a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, and the like. The communication module 213 can be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit, and the like. The storage module 211 can be a memory.

[0547] When the processing module 212 is the processor 220, the communication module 213 is the interface circuit 230 or the transceiver, and the storage module 211 is the memory 240, the device for processing a service flow involved in the present application may be Fig.21 Device shown.

[0548] The interface circuit 230, one or more (including two) processors 220 and the memory 240 are connected to each other via a bus 210. The bus 210 may be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, etc. The bus 210 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig.21Only one thick line is used in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The memory 240 is used to store program code and data of a device for processing a service flow. The interface circuit 230 is used to support a device for processing a service flow to communicate with other devices (for example, a communication device). The processor is used to support a device for processing a service flow to execute the program code and data stored in the memory 240, so as to control and manage the actions of the device for processing a service flow.

[0549] For example, the interface circuit 230 supports a device for processing a service flow to execute S103, S105, S109, S110, S114 and S119. The processor 220 is used to support a device for processing a service flow to execute the program code and data stored in the memory 240 to implement S104, S1042, S112 provided in the present application.

[0550] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig. 22 A possible structural diagram of a communication device involved in the above embodiment is shown, and the communication device may be a session management network element, or a chip used in a session management network element. The communication device includes: an acquisition unit 301 and a sending unit 302.

[0551] The acquiring unit 301 is used to support the communication device to execute steps S101, S106 and S107 in the above embodiment. The sending unit 302 is used to support the communication device to execute steps S102, S108, S116 and S118 in the above embodiment.

[0552] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device further includes: a receiving unit 303, configured to support the communication device to execute steps S111 and S117 in the above embodiment.

[0553] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig.23 A possible logical structure diagram of the communication device involved in the above embodiment is shown, and the communication device can be the session management network element in the above embodiment, or a chip used in the session management network element. The communication device includes: a processing module 312 and a communication module 313. The processing module 312 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device, and the communication module 313 is used to execute the steps of message or data processing on the communication device side.

[0554] For example, the communication module 313 is used to support the communication device to execute S101, S102, S106, S107, S108, S111, S116, S117 and S118 in the above embodiments.

[0555] and / or other processes performed by a communication device for the techniques described herein.

[0556] Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage module 311 for storing program codes and data of the communication device.

[0557] Among them, the processing module 312 can be a processor or a controller, for example, a central processing unit, a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of the present invention. The processor can also be a combination that implements a computing function, for example, including a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, and the like. The communication module 313 can be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit, and the like. The storage module 311 can be a memory.

[0558] When the processing module 312 is a processor 320, the communication module 313 is an interface circuit 330 or a transceiver, and the storage module 311 is a memory 340, the communication device involved in the present application can be Fig.24 Device shown.

[0559] The interface circuit 330, one or more (including two) processors 320 and the memory 340 are connected to each other via a bus 310. The bus 310 may be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, etc. The bus 310 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig.24 Only one thick line is used in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The memory 340 is used to store the program code and data of the communication device. The interface circuit 330 is used to support the communication device to communicate with other devices (e.g., terminals), and the processor 320 is used to support the communication device to execute the program code and data stored in the memory 340 to implement the action of message / data control on the communication device side.

[0560] As a possible implementation, the interface circuit 330 is used to support the communication device to execute S101, S102, S106, S107, S108, S111, S116, S117 and S118 in the above embodiments, and / or other processes performed by the communication device for the technology described herein.

[0561] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig.25 A possible structural diagram of a data packet transmission device involved in the above embodiment is shown, and the data packet transmission device may be a sending network element, or a chip used in a sending network element. The data packet transmission device includes: a determining unit 401 and a sending unit 402.

[0562] The determining unit 401 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute steps S301 and 302 in the above embodiment. The sending unit 302 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute step S303 in the above embodiment.

[0563] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig.26 A possible logical structure diagram of the data packet transmission device involved in the above embodiment is shown, and the data packet transmission device can be the sending network element in the above embodiment, or a chip used in the sending network element. The data packet transmission device includes: a processing module 412 and a communication module 413. The processing module 412 is used to control and manage the actions of the data packet transmission device, and the communication module 413 is used to execute the steps of message or data processing on the data packet transmission device side.

[0564] For example, the communication module 413 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute S301, S302 and S303 in the above embodiment.

[0565] and / or other processes performed by a data packet transmission device for the techniques described herein.

[0566] Optionally, the data packet transmission device may further include a storage module 411 for storing program codes and data of the data packet transmission device.

[0567] Among them, the processing module 412 can be a processor or a controller, for example, a central processing unit, a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of the present invention. The processor can also be a combination that implements a computing function, for example, including a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, and the like. The communication module 413 can be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit, and the like. The storage module 411 can be a memory.

[0568] When the processing module 412 is a processor 420, the communication module 413 is an interface circuit 430 or a transceiver, and the storage module 411 is a memory 440, the data packet transmission device involved in the present application can be Fig. 27 Device shown.

[0569] The interface circuit 430, one or more (including two) processors 420 and the memory 440 are connected to each other via a bus 410. The bus 410 may be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, etc. The bus 410 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig. 27 Only one thick line is used in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The memory 440 is used to store the program code and data of the data packet transmission device. The interface circuit 430 is used to support the data packet transmission device to communicate with other devices (e.g., terminal / user plane network element), and the processor 420 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute the program code and data stored in the memory 440 to implement the action of message / data control on the data packet transmission device side.

[0570] As a possible implementation, the interface circuit 330 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute S301, S302 and S303 in the above embodiment and / or other processes executed by the data packet transmission device for the technology described herein.

[0571] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig.25 A possible structural diagram of a data packet transmission device involved in the above embodiment is shown, and the data packet transmission device may be a sending network element, or a chip used in a sending network element. The data packet transmission device includes: a determining unit 401 and a sending unit 402.

[0572] The determining unit 401 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute steps S301 and 302 in the above embodiment. The sending unit 302 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute step S303 in the above embodiment.

[0573] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig.26 A possible logical structure diagram of the data packet transmission device involved in the above embodiment is shown, and the data packet transmission device can be the sending network element in the above embodiment, or a chip used in the sending network element. The data packet transmission device includes: a processing module 412 and a communication module 413. The processing module 412 is used to control and manage the actions of the data packet transmission device, and the communication module 413 is used to execute the steps of message or data processing on the data packet transmission device side.

[0574] For example, the communication module 413 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute S301, S302 and S303 in the above embodiment.

[0575] and / or other processes performed by a data packet transmission device for the techniques described herein.

[0576] Optionally, the data packet transmission device may further include a storage module 411 for storing program codes and data of the data packet transmission device.

[0577] Among them, the processing module 412 can be a processor or a controller, for example, a central processing unit, a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of the present invention. The processor can also be a combination that implements a computing function, for example, including a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, and the like. The communication module 413 can be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit, and the like. The storage module 411 can be a memory.

[0578] When the processing module 412 is a processor 420, the communication module 413 is an interface circuit 430 or a transceiver, and the storage module 411 is a memory 440, the data packet transmission device involved in the present application can be Fig. 27 Device shown.

[0579] The interface circuit 430, one or more (including two) processors 420 and the memory 440 are connected to each other via a bus 410. The bus 410 may be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, etc. The bus 410 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig. 27 Only one thick line is used in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The memory 440 is used to store the program code and data of the data packet transmission device. The interface circuit 430 is used to support the data packet transmission device to communicate with other devices (e.g., terminal / user plane network element), and the processor 420 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute the program code and data stored in the memory 440 to implement the action of message / data control on the data packet transmission device side.

[0580] As a possible implementation, the interface circuit 330 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute S301, S302 and S303 in the above embodiment and / or other processes executed by the data packet transmission device for the technology described herein.

[0581] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig.28 A possible structural diagram of another data packet transmission device involved in the above embodiment is shown, and the data packet transmission device may be a receiving network element, or a chip used in a receiving network element. The data packet transmission device includes: a receiving unit 501 and a processing unit 502.

[0582] The receiving unit 501 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute steps S304 and 305 in the above embodiment. The processing unit 502 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute step S306 in the above embodiment.

[0583] In the case of using an integrated unit, the data packet transmission device can be used as follows Fig.26 As shown in the logical structure diagram, the data packet transmission device can be the receiving network element in the above embodiment, or a chip used in the receiving network element. At this time, the communication module 413 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute S304 and 305 in the above embodiment. The processing module 412 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute S306 in the above embodiment.

[0584] A possible implementation is Fig.28 The data packet transmission device shown can also be used Fig. 27 Device shown. Fig. 27 The connection and function between each network element in the network can refer to the description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here. At this time, the interface circuit 330 is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute S304 and S305 in the above embodiment. The processor is used to support the data packet transmission device to execute S306. And / or other processes performed by the data packet transmission device for the technology described in this article.

[0585] In the case of an integrated unit, Fig.29 A possible structural diagram of a device for processing a service flow involved in the above embodiment is shown, and the device for processing a service flow may be a core network element, or a chip applied to a core network element. The device for processing a service flow includes: an acquisition unit 601 and a processing unit 602.

[0586] The acquisition unit 601 is used to support the device for processing the service flow to execute steps S201 and S203 in the above embodiment. The processing unit 602 is used to support the device for processing the service flow to execute step S202 in the above embodiment.

[0587] It should be noted that when Fig.29 When the device shown is a core network element or a chip used in a core network element, a possible implementation method is, if the core network element is a user plane element or a policy control element, then the user plane element or the policy control element includes: an acquisition unit 601 and a processing unit 602.

[0588] In another possible implementation, when the core network element is a session management element, the device for processing a service flow may further include: a receiving unit 603 and a sending unit 604 .

[0589] The receiving unit 603 is used to support the device for processing the service flow to execute step S209 in the above embodiment. The sending unit 604 is used to support the device for processing the service flow to execute steps S204, S2021 and S210 in the above embodiment.

[0590] An example, Fig.29 The device for processing the service flow shown can also be used as follows Fig. 20 The logical structure shown in Figure 1 is as follows. Fig.29 The device for processing the service flow shown can also be used as follows Fig. 20 In the logical structure shown, the processing module 212 is used to support the device for processing the service flow to execute step S202 in the above embodiment. The communication module 213 is used to support the device for processing the service flow to execute steps S201 and S203 in the above embodiment.

[0591] Optionally, when the core network element is a session management element, the communication module 213 is further configured to support the device for processing the service flow to execute S204, S2021, S210, and S209.

[0592] Another example, Fig.30 The device for processing the service flow shown can also be used as follows Fig.21 The structure shown. Fig.29 The device for processing the service flow shown can also be used as follows Fig.21 In the structure shown, the processor 220 is used to support the device for processing service flow to execute step S202 in the above embodiment. The interface circuit 230 is used to support the device for processing service flow to execute steps S201 and S203 in the above embodiment.

[0593] Optionally, when the core network element is a session management element, the interface circuit 230 is also used to support the execution of S204, S2021, S210, and S209 by the device for processing the service flow.

[0594] It should be noted that the receiving unit and the acquisition unit (or the unit for receiving / acquiring) involved in the embodiment of the present application are an interface circuit of the device, which is used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the receiving unit is an interface circuit of the chip used to receive signals from other chips or devices. The above sending unit and the transmission unit (or the unit for sending / transmitting) are an interface circuit of the device, which is used to send signals to other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the sending unit is an interface circuit of the chip used to send signals to other chips or devices. The processing unit and the determination unit in the embodiment of the present application are a processor of the device, which is used to process received signals or process its own signals. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the processing unit and the determination unit are processors of the chip used to process signals received from other chips or devices.

[0595] Fig.30 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 150 provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The chip 150 includes one or more than two (including two) processors 1510 and an interface circuit 1530 .

[0596] Optionally, the chip 150 further includes a memory 1540, which may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides operation instructions and data to the processor 1510. A portion of the memory 1540 may also include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0597] In some embodiments, the memory 1540 stores the following elements, executable modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an extended set thereof:

[0598] In the embodiment of the present invention, the corresponding operation is performed by calling the operation instruction stored in the memory 1540 (the operation instruction may be stored in the operating system).

[0599] One possible implementation is that the communication device and the device for determining the communication capability use chips with similar structures, and different devices may use different chips to implement their respective functions.

[0600] The processor 1510 controls the operation of the communication device and the device for determining the communication capability, and the processor 1510 may also be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). The memory 1540 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor 1510. A portion of the memory 1540 may also include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). For example, in an application, the memory 1540, the interface circuit 1530, and the memory 1540 are coupled together through the bus system 1520, wherein the bus system 1520 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.30 Various buses are labeled as bus system 1520.

[0601] The method disclosed in the above embodiment of the present invention can be applied to the processor 1510, or implemented by the processor 1510. The processor 1510 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 in the processor 1510 or the instructions in the form of software. The above processor 1510 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. 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 can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. 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 1540, and the processor 1510 reads the information in the memory 1540 and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0602] In a possible implementation, the interface circuit 1530 is used to execute Figure 5-Figure 9 The steps of receiving and sending by the terminal and the session management network element in the embodiment shown. The processor 1510 is configured to execute Figure 5-Figure 9The steps of terminal and session management network element processing in the illustrated embodiment.

[0603] In another possible implementation, the interface circuit 1530 is used to execute Figure 10-13 The steps of receiving and sending by the terminal / user plane network element and the core network element in the embodiment shown. The processor 1510 is configured to execute Figure 10-13 The steps of terminal / user plane network element and core network element processing in the illustrated embodiment.

[0604] In another possible implementation, the interface circuit 1530 is used to execute Fig.14 The steps of receiving and sending of the sending network element and the receiving network element in the embodiment shown. The processor 1510 is configured to execute Fig.14 The steps of processing by the sending network element and the receiving network element in the illustrated embodiment.

[0605] 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.

[0606] 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.

[0607] On the one hand, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored, and when the instructions are executed, a terminal or a chip applied in the terminal executes S103, S104, S1042, S105, S109, S110, S112, S114 and S119 in the embodiments. And / or other processes performed by the terminal or a chip applied in the terminal for the technology described herein.

[0608] In another aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored, and when the instructions are executed, a session management network element or a chip used in the session management network element executes S101, S102, S106, S107, S108, S111, S116, S117, and S118 in the embodiments, and / or other processes executed by a session management network element or a chip used in the session management network element for the technology described herein.

[0609] On the other hand, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored, and when the instructions are executed, a sending network element or a chip used in the sending network element executes S301, S302, and S303 in the embodiment. And / or other processes performed by the sending network element or a chip used in the sending network element for the technology described herein.

[0610] On the other hand, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed, the receiving network element or the chip applied in the receiving network element executes S304, S305 and S306 in the embodiment. And / or other processes executed by the receiving network element or the chip applied in the receiving network element for the technology described herein

[0611] On the other hand, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored, and when the instructions are executed, a core network element or a chip used in the core network element executes S201, S202, S203, S204, S2021, S209, and S210 in the embodiment. And / or other processes performed by the core network element or a chip used in the core network element for the technology described herein.

[0612] The aforementioned readable storage medium may include: a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and other media that can store program codes.

[0613] On the one hand, a computer program product including instructions is provided, wherein the computer program product stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed, a terminal or a chip applied in the terminal executes S103, S104, S1042, S105, S109, S110, S112, S114, and S119 in the embodiments. And / or other processes performed by the terminal or a chip applied in the terminal for the technology described herein.

[0614] On the other hand, a computer program product including instructions is provided, wherein the computer program product stores the instructions, and when the instructions are executed, a session management network element or a chip used in the session management network element executes S101, S102, S106, S107, S108, S111, S116, S117, and S118 in the embodiments, and / or other processes executed by a session management network element or a chip used in the session management network element for the technology described herein.

[0615] On the other hand, a computer program product including instructions is provided, wherein the computer program product stores the instructions, and when the instructions are executed, the sending network element or the chip used in the sending network element executes S301, S302, and S303 in the embodiment. And / or other processes executed by the sending network element or the chip used in the sending network element for the technology described herein.

[0616] On the other hand, a computer program product including instructions is provided, wherein the computer program product stores the instructions, and when the instructions are executed, the receiving network element or the chip applied in the receiving network element executes S304, S305, and S306 in the embodiment. And / or other processes executed by the receiving network element or the chip applied in the receiving network element for the technology described herein.

[0617] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product including instructions, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed, a core network element or a chip applied to a core network element executes S201, S202, S203, S204, S2021, S209 and S210 in the embodiment.

[0618] On the one hand, a chip is provided, which is applied to a terminal, and the chip includes one or more (including two) processors and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the one or more (including two) processors are interconnected through a line, and the processor is used to run instructions to execute S103, S104, S1042, S105, S109, S110, S112, S114 and S119 in the embodiment. And / or other processes performed by the terminal for the technology described herein.

[0619] In another aspect, a chip is provided, which is applied to a session management network element, and the chip includes one or more (including two) processors and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the one or more (including two) processors are interconnected through a line, and the processor is used to run instructions to execute S101, S102, S106, S107, S108, S111, S116, S117 and S118 in the embodiment. And / or other processes performed by the session management network element for the technology described herein.

[0620] On the other hand, a chip is provided, which is applied to a sending network element, and the chip includes one or more (including two) processors and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the one or more (including two) processors are interconnected through a line, and the processor is used to run instructions to execute S301, S302 and S303 in the embodiment. And / or other processes performed by the sending network element for the technology described in this article.

[0621] On the other hand, a chip is provided, which is applied to a receiving network element, and the chip includes one or more (including two) processors and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the one or more (including two) processors are interconnected through a line, and the processor is used to run instructions to execute S304, S305, and S306 in the embodiment. And / or other processes performed by the receiving network element for the technology described herein.

[0622] On the other hand, a chip is provided, which is applied to a core network element, and the chip includes one or more (including two) processors and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the one or more (including two) processors are interconnected through a line, and the processor is used to run instructions to execute S201, S202, S203, S204, S2021, S209 and S210 in the embodiment. And / or other processes performed by the core network element for the technology described herein.

[0623] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it 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 loading and executing computer program instructions on a 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 device. Computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, referred to as 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 access or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that includes one or more servers that can be integrated with a medium. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0624] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other changes to the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "one" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0625] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for processing a business flow, characterized in that: include: The user plane network element obtains policy information of the service flow, the policy information including: a diversion mode and link condition information for transmitting the service flow, the packet data unit PDU session where the service flow is located supports multiple access technologies, and the link condition information includes one or more of the following: a link delay threshold and a link packet loss rate threshold; The user plane network element determines that link status information of the current link does not satisfy the link condition information; The user plane network element processes the service flow according to the diversion mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The user plane network element receives the link status information of the current link from the terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The user plane network element obtains link detection information from the session management network element; The user plane network element obtains the link status information of the current link according to the link detection information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The link detection information includes: subscribed link status parameters.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The subscribed link status parameters include one or more of the following: a link delay parameter and a link packet loss rate parameter.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The user plane network element processes the service flow according to the offload mode, including: The user plane network element determines the access technology used by the service flow according to the offload mode; The user plane network element transmits the service flow on the determined access technology.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The user plane network element transmits the service flow on the determined access technology, including: The user plane network element transmits the service flow on the links corresponding to the multiple access technologies; or, The user plane network element migrates the service flow from a link corresponding to a first access technology among the multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to a second access technology for transmission; or, The user plane network element migrates the service flow from the multiple access technologies to a link corresponding to the first access technology or the second access technology among the multiple access technologies for transmission.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The user plane network element receives indication information sent by the session management network element, where the indication information is used to instruct the user plane network element to process the service flow.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The user plane network element obtains policy information of the service flow, including: The user plane network element receives an N4 session message sent by a session management network element, where the N4 session message includes the policy information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The diversion mode includes one or more of the following: An access technology priority indication, used to indicate that the service flow is preferentially transmitted through the access technology associated with the access technology priority indication; An optimal link diversion indication, used to indicate that the service flow is preferentially transmitted through an optimal link, where the optimal link is a link whose link status is better than that of other links; A traffic diversion indication based on link load balancing, used to indicate that the service flow is transmitted according to the link load balancing strategy; An access technology and split ratio indication, used to indicate that the service flow is transmitted according to the split ratio corresponding to the access technology; The redundant transmission indication is used to indicate that the same data packet in the service flow is transmitted simultaneously through different access technologies.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: It is characterized in that The multiple access technologies include 3GPP access technologies and non-3GPP access technologies.

12. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The user plane network element obtains policy information of the service flow, including: The user plane network element receives an N4 session message sent by a session management network element, where the N4 session message includes the policy information.

13. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The diversion mode includes one or more of the following: An access technology priority indication, used to indicate that the service flow is preferentially transmitted through the access technology associated with the access technology priority indication; An optimal link diversion indication, used to indicate that the service flow is preferentially transmitted through an optimal link, where the optimal link is a link whose link status is better than that of other links; A traffic diversion indication based on link load balancing, used to indicate that the service flow is transmitted according to the link load balancing strategy; An access technology and split ratio indication, used to indicate that the service flow is transmitted according to the split ratio corresponding to the access technology; The redundant transmission indication is used to indicate that the same data packet in the service flow is transmitted simultaneously through different access technologies.

14. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that It is characterized in that The multiple access technologies include 3GPP access technologies and non-3GPP access technologies.

15. A device for processing a service flow, characterized in that: include: Processor and memory; The memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the device for processing business flows executes the method described in any one of claims 1-14.

16. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute computer instructions so that a device including the chip performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

18. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 to be performed.

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