Communication method and device

Abstract

The present application discloses a communication method, a corresponding device and a system. The method includes: a terminal device obtains association information between first service description information and second service description information; determines the first service description information and the second service description information for an initiated application; and sends a first request message and a second request message, wherein the first request message is used to request the establishment of a first session corresponding to the first service description information, including first association information indicating the association between the first session and the second session, and the second request message is used to request the establishment of a second session corresponding to the second service description information, including second association information indicating the association between the second session and the first session.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication technology, higher reliability requirements are required between terminals and other devices (such as terminals or network devices). For example, many industrial applications basically require reliability above 99.9999%, and these applications with high reliability requirements also have high requirements for latency. However, the current communication architecture often cannot meet the reliability requirements in some communication scenarios. For example, in the communication scenario of factory (to business, to B) related services, the reliability requirement of the motion control (MC) service from the terminal to other devices is 999.999%, for example, the total failure duration of the communication service terminal is allowed to be no more than 30 seconds in a year. When the MC service is carried out based on the current communication architecture, the reliability of the network equipment (for example, access network equipment) is only 99.9% to 99.99%, which also leads to the reliability of the entire communication link far from meeting the reliability requirements of the MC service and other to B services.

[0003] In order to solve the problem that the reliability of the communication link corresponding to the service cannot meet the reliability requirements of the service, two communication links can be configured to provide communication services for a single service synchronously to improve the overall reliability. Figure 1 , may include a terminal, a first access network device, a second access network device, a first user plane function (UPF) and a second UPF. These two communication links are called redundant communication links. In order to ensure reliability, it is necessary to ensure the independence of the two communication links. For example, one communication link is a terminal, a first access network device, and a first UPF; the other communication link is a terminal, a second access network device, and a second UPF. The terminal establishes a communication connection with the core network through the first access network device. For example, the terminal can perform signaling interaction with the core network through the first access network device to establish a communication connection between the first access network device and the first UPF. Thereby, service communication between the terminal and the data network (DN) at the back end of the first UPF is realized. For another example, the terminal can perform signaling interaction with the core network through the first access network device to establish a communication connection between the second access network device and the second UPF.

[0004] To adopt the above architecture, the primary access network device (e.g., the first access network device) needs to select a secondary access network device (e.g., the second access network device). In the prior art, the primary access network device selects the secondary access network device based on the redundancy sequence number (RSN) value provided by the session management function (SMF), and may select the same access network device for two redundant communication links, thereby failing to ensure the independence of the two communication links and reducing the communication quality. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method, device and system for ensuring the independence of two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a terminal device obtains association information between first business description information and second business description information. The terminal device determines the first business description information and the second business description information for the initiated application. The terminal device sends a first request message and a second request message, the first request message is used to request the establishment of a first session corresponding to the first business description information, and the second request message is used to request the establishment of a second session corresponding to the second business description information. The first request message includes first association information, the second request message includes second association information, the first association information is used to indicate the association between the first session and the second session, and the second association information is used to indicate the association between the second session and the first session.

[0007] According to the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the network side can determine the association between the first session and the second session from the received first request message and the second request message. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain dual connectivity (dual connectivity, DC) (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so as to determine which associated session to switch.

[0008] It should be noted that the association between the first business description information and the second business description information can also be understood as the association between the first rule where the first business description information is located and the second rule where the second business description information is located, or it can also be understood as the association between the first routing description information in the first rule and the second routing description information in the second rule. The present application does not limit this.

[0009] For example, the terminal device obtains association information between the first service description information and the second service description information from the routing selection policy.

[0010] For example, the routing strategy includes a first rule corresponding to the first business description information, and a second rule corresponding to the second business description information, wherein the first rule includes first information indicating that the first business description information and the second business description information are associated, and the second rule includes second information indicating that the second business description information and the first business description information are associated. In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information correspond to the same first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first business description information and the second business description information are associated. In another possible implementation, the first information includes information of the second rule, and the second information includes information of the first rule. For example, the information of the first rule is an identifier of the first rule, or the business description information or routing description information contained in the first rule. The information of the second rule is an identifier of the second rule, or the business description information or routing description information contained in the second rule.

[0011] For example, the terminal device obtains a locally configured routing policy, or the terminal device receives a routing policy from a policy control function device.

[0012] In addition, the method may further include: the terminal device may also determine the association between the first service description information and the second service description information according to the association information.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first association information includes identification information of the second session, and the second association information includes identification information of the first session. In another possible implementation, the first association information and the second association information correspond to the same second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the first session is associated with the second session.

[0014] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a flow chart of a communication method. The method includes: a policy control function device obtains association information between first service description information and second service description information from an application function device. The policy control function device generates a routing selection policy according to the association information. The policy control function device sends a routing selection policy to a terminal device, and the routing selection policy is used to determine the association between a first session corresponding to the first service description information and a second session corresponding to the second service description information.

[0015] According to the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal device receives the routing selection strategy, it sends the first request message and the second request message to the network side. The network side can determine the association between the first session and the second session from the received first request message and the second request message. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so as to determine which associated session to switch.

[0016] For example, the routing selection strategy includes a first rule corresponding to the first service description information and a second rule corresponding to the second service description information, wherein the first rule includes first information indicating that the first service description information is associated with the second service description information, and the second rule includes second information indicating that the second service description information is associated with the first service description information. In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information correspond to the same first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first service description information and the second service description information are associated. In another possible implementation, the first information includes information of the second rule, and the second information includes information of the first rule.

[0017] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a flow chart of a communication method. The method includes: in the process of establishing a first session, the terminal device receives first association information from a session management function device, and the first association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with the second session. The terminal device initiates a modification process of the second session; in the process of modifying the second session, the terminal device sends second association information to the session management function device, and the second association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with the second session. For example, the second association information includes an identifier of the first session.

[0018] Through the above method, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so that it can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0019] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a flow chart of a communication method. The method includes: a data management function device configures association information between first route description information and second route description information. The data management function device receives the first route description information corresponding to the first session from the session management function device, wherein the data management function device saves the second session and the second route description information corresponding to the second session. The data management function device sends an identifier of the second session to the session management function device based on the configured association information and the first route description information.

[0020] Through the above method, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so that it can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0021] For example, the data management function determines the association between the first route description information and the second route description information based on the configured association information and the first route description information; the data management function determines the identifier of the second session corresponding to the second route description information; the data management function sends the identifier of the second session to the session management function device.

[0022] For example, the data management function sends the identifier of the second session to the session management function device, including: the data management function sends association information to the session management function device, where the association information includes the identifier of the first session and the identifier of the second session.

[0023] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a flow chart of a communication method. The method includes: a session management function device sends first routing description information corresponding to a first session to a data management function device. The session management function device receives an identifier of a second session from the data management function device. The session management function device sends association information to an access network device or a terminal device, and the association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with the second session.

[0024] For example, the session management function device receives association information from the data management function device, where the association information includes an identifier of the first session and an identifier of the second session.

[0025] Through the above method, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so that it can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0026] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit is used to obtain association information between the first business description information and the second business description information; and determine the first business description information and the second business description information for the initiated application. The communication unit is used to send a first request message and a second request message, the first request message is used to request to establish a first session corresponding to the first business description information, and the second request message is used to request to establish a second session corresponding to the second business description information. The first request message includes first association information, the second request message includes second association information, the first association information is used to indicate that the first session and the second session are associated, and the second association information is used to indicate that the second session and the first session are associated. The communication device can be a terminal device, or a chip for implementing the functions of a terminal device.

[0027] By using the above-mentioned communication device, the network side can determine the association between the first session and the second session from the received first request message and the second request message. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so as to determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0028] For example, the processing unit is configured to obtain association information between the first service description information and the second service description information from the routing selection policy.

[0029] For example, the routing selection strategy includes a first rule corresponding to the first service description information and a second rule corresponding to the second service description information, wherein the first rule includes first information indicating that the first service description information is associated with the second service description information, and the second rule includes second information indicating that the second service description information is associated with the first service description information. In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information correspond to the same first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first service description information and the second service description information are associated. In another possible implementation, the first information includes information of the second rule, and the second information includes information of the first rule.

[0030] For example, the processing unit is used to obtain a locally configured routing selection policy. Alternatively, the processing unit is used to control the communication unit to receive a routing selection policy from a policy control function device.

[0031] In addition, the processing unit may also be configured to determine, according to the association information, that the first service description information is associated with the second service description information.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the first association information includes identification information of the second session, and the second association information includes identification information of the first session. In another possible implementation, the first association information and the second association information correspond to the same second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the first session is associated with the second session.

[0033] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, comprising: a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit is used to obtain association information between the first service description information and the second service description information from the application function device. The processing unit is used to generate a routing selection policy according to the association information. The communication unit is also used to send the routing selection policy to the terminal device, and the routing selection policy is used to determine the association between the first session corresponding to the first service description information and the second session corresponding to the second service description information.

[0034] The communication device may be a policy control function device, or a chip used to implement the function of the policy control function device.

[0035] With the above communication device, after receiving the routing strategy, the terminal device sends the first request message and the second request message to the network side. The network side can determine the association between the first session and the second session from the received first request message and the second request message. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so as to determine which associated session to switch.

[0036] For example, the routing selection strategy includes a first rule corresponding to the first service description information and a second rule corresponding to the second service description information, wherein the first rule includes first information indicating that the first service description information is associated with the second service description information, and the second rule includes second information indicating that the second service description information is associated with the first service description information. In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information correspond to the same first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first service description information and the second service description information are associated. In another possible implementation, the first information includes information of the second rule, and the second information includes information of the first rule.

[0037] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, comprising: a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit is used to receive first association information from a session management function device in a process of establishing a first session, and the first association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with a second session. The processing unit is used to initiate a modification process of the second session; in the process of modifying the second session, the communication unit is controlled to send second association information to the session management function device, and the second association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with the second session. For example, the second association information includes an identifier of the first session.

[0038] The communication device may be a terminal device, or a chip for implementing the functions of the terminal device.

[0039] By adopting the above-mentioned communication device, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so as to determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0040] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, comprising: a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit is used to configure association information between the first routing description information and the second routing description information. The communication unit is used to receive the first routing description information corresponding to the first session from the session management function device, wherein the data management function device stores the second session and the second routing description information corresponding to the second session. The processing unit is used to control the communication unit to send an identifier of the second session to the session management function device according to the configured association information and the first routing description information.

[0041] The communication device may be a data management functional device, or a chip for implementing the functions of the data management functional device.

[0042] By adopting the above-mentioned communication device, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so as to determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0043] For example, the processing unit is used to determine the association between the first route description information and the second route description information according to the configured association information and the first route description information; determine the identifier of the second session corresponding to the second route description information; and control the communication unit to send the identifier of the second session to the session management function device.

[0044] For example, the processing unit controls the communication unit to send association information to the session management function device, where the association information includes an identifier of the first session and an identifier of the second session.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, comprising: a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit is used to send first routing description information corresponding to a first session to a data management function device; receive an identifier of a second session from the data management function device; and send association information to an access network device or a terminal device, wherein the association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with the second session.

[0046] The communication device may be a session management function device, or a chip used to implement the function of the session management function device.

[0047] For example, the communication unit is used to receive association information from the data management function device, where the association information includes an identifier of the first session and an identifier of the second session.

[0048] By adopting the above-mentioned communication device, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so as to determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0049] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor. The processor is connected to a memory, the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, thereby implementing any one of the methods provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects. Exemplarily, the memory and the processor can be integrated together or can be independent devices. In the latter case, the memory can be located inside the communication device or outside the communication device.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the processor includes a logic circuit and an input interface and / or an output interface. Exemplarily, the output interface is used to perform the sending action in the corresponding method, and the input interface is used to perform the receiving action in the corresponding method.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface and a communication bus, and the processor, the memory, and the communication interface are connected via the communication bus. The communication interface is used to perform the sending and receiving actions in the corresponding method. The communication interface may also be referred to as a transceiver. Optionally, the communication interface includes at least one of a transmitter and a receiver, in which case the transmitter is used to perform the sending action in the corresponding method, and the receiver is used to perform the receiving action in the corresponding method.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the communication device exists in the form of a chip product.

[0053] In the twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the processor executes a computer program or computer execution instruction in the memory, any one of the methods provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects is executed.

[0054] In the thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising computer execution instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute any one of the methods provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0055] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer execution instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute any one of the methods provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0056] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: the terminal device provided in the first aspect and the policy control function device provided in the second aspect.

[0057] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: the data management function device provided in the fourth aspect and the session management function device provided in the fifth aspect. In a possible implementation, the communication system may also include the terminal device provided in the third aspect.

[0058] The technical effects brought about by any implementation method in the sixth to sixteenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the corresponding implementation methods in the first to fifth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0059] It should be noted that, under the premise that the solutions are not contradictory, the solutions in each aspect can be combined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of communication between a terminal and a DN;

[0061] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network architecture is provided;

[0062] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a PDU session;

[0063] Figure 4 A signaling interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 5 Another signaling interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 6 A flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Figure 7 Another flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figure 8Another signaling interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Fig. 9 A flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Fig.10 Another flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Fig.11 Another flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or, for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this article is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more than two.

[0075] In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference.

[0076] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the fourth generation (4th Generation, 4G) system, various systems based on the evolution of the 4G system, the fifth generation (fifth generation, 5G) system, and various systems based on the evolution of the 5G system. Among them, the 4G system can also be called an evolved packet system (evolved packet system, EPS). The core network (core network, CN) of the 4G system can be called an evolved packet core network (evolved packet core, EPC), and the access network can be called long-term evolution (long term evolution, LTE). The core network of the 5G system can be called 5GC (5G core), and the access network can be called new radio (new radio, NR). For the convenience of description, the following is an example of the application of the present application to the 5G system. When the present application is applied to a 4G system or other communication system, the network elements involved in the present application are replaced with network elements with the same or similar functions in the corresponding communication system.

[0077] Figure 2 A network architecture diagram of a 5G system is shown as an example. In the diagram, the 5G system may include: an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a DN, a unified data management (UDM) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, a (radio) access network (R) AN) network element, a UPF network element, a terminal, an application function (AF) network element, and a session management function (SMF) network element.

[0078] For the convenience of description, in the following text, (R)AN network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, UDM network element, UPF network element, PCF network element, etc. are referred to as RAN, AMF, SMF, UDM, UPF, PCF, etc. respectively.

[0079] The 5G system is divided into two parts: access network and core network. The access network is used to implement functions related to wireless access, mainly including RAN. The core network is used for network service control, data transmission, etc. The core network is composed of multiple network elements, mainly including: AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, UDM, etc.

[0080] Figure 2 The functions of some network elements are as follows:

[0081] PCF is responsible for providing policies to AMF and SMF, such as quality of service (QoS) policy and slice selection policy.

[0082] UDM is used to handle 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) authentication and key agreement (AKA) authentication credentials, user identification processing, access authorization, registration / mobility management, subscription management, SMS management, etc.

[0083] AF can be an application server, which can belong to the operator or a third party. It mainly supports interaction with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions or providing some third-party services to the network side.

[0084] AMF is mainly responsible for the signaling processing part, such as terminal registration management, terminal connection management, terminal reachability management, terminal access authorization and access authentication, terminal security functions, terminal mobility management (such as terminal location update, terminal registration network, terminal switching, etc.), network slice selection, SMF selection, terminal registration or deregistration and other functions.

[0085] SMF is mainly responsible for the control plane functions of terminal session management, including UPF selection, control and redirection, Internet protocol (IP) address allocation and management, session QoS management, obtaining policy and charging control (PCC) policy from PCF, bearer or session establishment, modification and release, etc.

[0086] UPF, as the anchor point of the protocol data unit (PDU) session connection, is responsible for terminal data packet filtering, data transmission / forwarding, rate control, billing information generation, user plane QoS processing, uplink transmission authentication, transmission level verification, downlink data packet caching and downlink data notification triggering. UPF can also serve as a branch point for multi-homed PDU sessions. The transmission resources and scheduling functions in UPF that provide services to terminals are managed and controlled by SMF.

[0087] RAN, a network composed of one or more access network devices (also called RAN nodes or network devices), implements wireless physical layer functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control and mobility management functions, service quality management, data compression and encryption, etc. The access network device is connected to the UPF through the user plane interface N3 to transmit terminal data. The access network device establishes a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through the control plane interface N2 to implement functions such as wireless access bearer control.

[0088] The access network equipment may be a base station, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point (AP), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) site, 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. Specifically, it can be: AP in wireless local area network (WLAN), base station (base transceiver station, BTS) in global system for mobile communications (GSM) or code division multiple access (CDMA), base station (NodeB, NB) in wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or relay station or access point, or vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device and next generation node B (gNB) in future 5G system or base station in future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, etc.

[0089] The terminal can be a wireless terminal or a wired terminal. A wireless terminal can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users, a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The terminal and the access network device communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR technology or LTE technology). Terminals can also communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR technology or LTE technology). The wireless terminal can communicate with one or more core network devices via the access network device, such as communicating with AMF, SMF, etc. The wireless terminal can be a mobile terminal (such as a mobile phone), a smart phone, a satellite wireless device, a wireless modem card, a computer with a mobile terminal (for example, a laptop, a portable, a pocket-sized, a handheld, a computer-built-in or a vehicle-mounted mobile device), a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), virtual reality (VR) glasses, augmented reality (AR) glasses, a machine type communication terminal, an Internet of Things terminal, a road side unit (RSU), a communication device mounted on a drone, etc. A wireless terminal may also be called user equipment (UE), terminal equipment, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile, remote station, access point, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, etc.

[0090] DN refers to the operator network that provides data transmission services to users, such as the Internet Protocol Multimedia Service (IP multi-media service, IMS) network, the Internet, etc. The terminal accesses the DN by establishing a PDU session (PDU session) from the terminal to the access network device to the UPF to the DN. The PDU session is a connection between the terminal and the DN, which is used to provide PDU connection services. Among them, the PDU session type can be an IP connection, an Ethernet connection, or an unstructured data connection. The PDU connection service supported by the core network of the 5G system refers to the service that provides PDU exchange between the terminal and the DN determined by the data network name (data network name, DNN). The terminal can initiate the establishment of one or more PDU sessions to connect to the same DN or different DNs. For example, Figure 3 In the example, the terminal initiates the establishment of PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 to connect to the same DN.

[0091] It is understandable that except Figure 2 In addition to the functional network elements shown, the network architecture of the 5G network may also include other functional network elements, such as network exposure function (NEF), etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the network element may also be referred to as an entity or a device.

[0092] based on Figure 1 In the communication architecture shown, the terminal can establish two PDU sessions, namely the first PDU session and the second PDU session. The anchor point of the first PDU session is the first UPF (that is, the data packets of the first PDU session need to pass through the first UPF), and the anchor point of the second PDU session is the second UPF (that is, the data packets of the second PDU session need to pass through the second UPF). Among them, the data packet can also be called a service message.

[0093] In an embodiment of the present application, as a possible implementation method, the second access network device can serve as a backup station for the first access network device, so that when the first access network device fails, the second access network device can ensure that business communications are not interrupted, thereby improving the reliability of the entire communication link.

[0094] In different implementation scenarios, the first access network device and the second access network device can have the same frequency deployment or different frequency deployment. The first access network device and the second access network device can have full bandwidth backup or partially share the spectrum. For example, take the spectrum bandwidth of 100 megahertz (MHz) as an example. The first access network device can use the first 50MHz to work and the last 50MHz to back up the second access network device. Similarly, the second access network device can use the first 50MHz to back up the first access network device and the last 50MHz to provide services to other terminals. In different implementation scenarios, the identifiers of the first access network device and the second access network device can be the same or different.

[0095] To adopt the above architecture, the main access network equipment (such as Figure 1 The first access network device in the above) needs to select an auxiliary access network device (for example Figure 1 In the prior art, the primary access network device selects the secondary access network device according to the RSN value provided by the session management function (SMF). The primary access network device determines the corresponding user plane resource according to the received RSN value. For example, assuming that the RSN of session 1 is 1, the primary access network device returns the tunnel information of the primary access network device, that is, the tunnel information of the primary access network device and the secondary access network device is established. Figure 1 Then when the primary access network device receives RSN=2 of session 2, the primary access network device returns the tunnel information of the secondary access network device, that is, the secondary access network device and the secondary access network device are established. Figure 1 The user plane connection between the second UPF in the redundant communication link. However, multiple SMFs are deployed in the network, and the two UPFs in the redundant communication link are controlled by two different SMFs. Each SMF provides an RSN value to the main access network device. The above mechanism requires the main access network device to determine different user plane connections based on different RSN values. However, different SMFs may provide the same RSN value to the main access network device, so that the same access network device will be selected for the two redundant communication links. Therefore, the main access network device needs to know which two sessions are associated and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links and improve the communication quality.

[0096] In addition, under the above communication architecture, it is assumed that there are multiple sessions on both the first access network device and the second access network device. Figure 1When the dual connection is shown, the first access network device can switch the corresponding dual connection session. For example, the session can be switched to the primary access network device or to the second access network device or other access network devices. To this end, in the switching scenario, the primary access network device also needs to know which two sessions are associated in order to clearly switch which session.

[0097] based on Figure 1 The communication architecture shown, this application provides multiple solutions, which are described below respectively.

[0098] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 As shown, the method includes:

[0099] Step 401: The terminal device locally configures UE route selection policy (URSP) rules.

[0100] Among them, the URSP rule includes multiple rules, each rule includes a traffic descriptor (TD) and a corresponding route selection descriptor (RSD). Among them, TD is used to match data streams. For example, TD includes at least one of a five-tuple of an internet protocol (IP), an application identifier, a data network name (DNN), or single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI). RSD includes parameters for routing data streams that match TD. For example, RSD may include at least one of DNN, S-NSSAI, or service and session continuity (SSC) mode. Each rule corresponds to a different TD and a different RSD. For example, at least one of the DNN, S-NSSAI, or SSC mode in two RSDs is different, which means that the two RSDs are different.

[0101] For example, the URSP rule includes a first rule and a second rule. The first rule includes a first TD and a first RSD. The second rule includes a second TD and a second RSD. In an embodiment of the present application, the URSP rule includes association information between the first rule and the second rule. The association information may be independent of each rule in the URSP rule, as shown in Table 1. Alternatively, the association information may be a part of each rule in the URSP. For example, the information of another rule corresponding to each rule that is mutually related may be added, as shown in Table 2. Alternatively, the same indication information may be added to each rule that is mutually related to indicate that the two rules are mutually related, such as the indication information a shown in Table 3. For example, the indication information may be an identifier.

[0102]

[0103] Table 1

[0104]

[0105] Table 2

[0106]

[0107] Table 3

[0108] Step 402: The terminal device starts an application and determines, according to the locally configured URSP rule, a first TD in a first rule and a second TD in a second rule in the URSP rule corresponding to the application.

[0109] In addition, the terminal device may determine that the first TD and the second TD are associated according to the association information in the URSP rule.

[0110] For example, the application is an ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) application. The terminal device starts the URLLC application, and the application layer of the terminal device copies the data of the application, and the data of the application corresponds to two different TDs. The two different TDs are located in two different rules in the URSP rules. In this way, the URLLC application is associated with different RSDs in the URSP rules, thereby triggering the terminal device to initiate the establishment process of two sessions, and respectively establish two sessions corresponding to two different RSDs.

[0111] It should be noted that the first TD and the second TD may correspond to the same application, or may correspond to two different applications, for example, two different URLLC applications.

[0112] Step 403: The terminal device sends a first request message and a second request message to the network side, wherein the first request message is used to request the establishment of a first session corresponding to the first TD, and the second request message is used to request the establishment of a second session corresponding to the second TD. The first request message includes a first RSD and first association information corresponding to the first TD, and the first association information is used to indicate the association between the first session and the second session. The second request message includes a second RSD and second association information corresponding to the second TD, and the second association information is used to indicate the association between the second session and the first session.

[0113] For example, the first association information in the first request message may be identification information of the second session, and the second association information in the second request message may be identification information of the first session, thereby reflecting that the first session and the second session are associated with each other.

[0114] Alternatively, for another example, the first association information in the first request message and the second association information in the second request message may correspond to the same indication information. For example, the indication information may be indication information in the above-mentioned URSP used to indicate that the first TD and the second TD are associated with each other, or the indication information may be another indication information, which is not limited in the present application.

[0115] The first association information and the second association information may be collectively referred to as PDU session pair information (PDU session pair information).

[0116] After the network side receives the first request message and the second request message, it can select appropriate UPFs for the first session and the second session, respectively. The primary access network device can select the secondary access network device to determine to establish a dual connection (dual connectivity, DC). That is, a user plane connection between the primary access network device and the first UPF, and a user plane connection between the secondary access network device and the second UPF are established respectively. In addition, the network side can determine the association between the first session and the second session from the received first request message and the second request message. For example, the SMF device on the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated, and save the identification information of the two mutually associated sessions.

[0117] The main access network device will know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side (for example, the SMF device) that the first session and the second session are associated, so that it can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0118] Figure 5 Shown is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 Will combine Figure 4 Give a description. Figure 5 and Figure 4 The difference is that in Figure 5 In the example, the URSP rule used by the terminal device is locally configured, and Figure 5 In the example, the URSP rule used by the terminal device is received from the PCF device. Figure 5 As shown, the method includes:

[0119] Step 501: The AF device sends association information between a first TD and a second TD to the PCF device.

[0120] For example, the AF may be an application server, and the AF can configure the initiated application to correspond to the first TD and the second TD, thereby knowing that the first TD and the second TD are associated, and sending the association information between the first TD and the second TD to the PCF device.

[0121] It should be noted that the first TD and the second TD may correspond to the same application, or may correspond to two different applications, for example, two different URLLC services.

[0122] For example, the AF device sends the association information between the first TD and the second TD to the PCF device through an AF request message. The AF device can interact and communicate with the PCF device directly, or the AF device can interact and communicate with the PCF device through the NEF device.

[0123] Step 502: The PCF device generates URSP rules according to the above association information.

[0124] For example, in the registration process of the terminal device, the AMF device sends a UE policy control create request to the PCF device. After receiving the UE policy control create request, the PCF generates a URSP rule based on the above association information.

[0125] The form and content of the URSP rules can be found in Figure 5 The description of step 501 in the above description will not be repeated here.

[0126] Step 503: The PCF device sends the URSP rules to the AMF device.

[0127] For example, the PCF device sends the URSP rules to the AMF device through a UE policy control create response.

[0128] For another example, the PCF device sends the URSP rules to the AMF device via an N1N2 message transfer request.

[0129] Step 504: The AMF device sends the URSP rules to the terminal device.

[0130] For example, the AMF device sends the above URSP rules to the terminal device through the RAN via a registration acceptance message.

[0131] For another example, the AMF device sends the above URSP rules to the terminal device through the downlink NAS transmission message via the RAN.

[0132] Alternatively, in a possible implementation, the URSP rule generated by the PCF in step 502 is as shown in Table 4. The PCF device sends the URSP rule to the terminal device through the AMF, as well as indication information indicating that the first rule and the second rule in the URSP rule are associated with each other.

[0133]

[0134] Table 4

[0135] Step 505: The terminal device starts the application and determines, according to the received URSP rule, that the application corresponds to the first TD in the first rule and the second TD in the second rule in the URSP rule.

[0136] In addition, the terminal device may determine, according to the received URSP rule, or according to the received URSP rule and indication information, that the first TD in the first rule and the second TD in the second rule in the URSP rule are associated.

[0137] Step 506: The terminal device sends a first request message and a second request message to the network side, wherein the first request message is used to request the establishment of a first session corresponding to the first TD, and the second request message is used to request the establishment of a second session corresponding to the second TD. The first request message includes a first RSD and first association information corresponding to the first TD, and the first association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with the second session. The second request message includes a second RSD and second association information corresponding to the second TD, and the second association information is used to indicate that the second session is associated with the first session.

[0138] For more details of steps 505 and 506, please refer to Figure 5 The description of steps 502 and 503 in the above description will not be repeated here.

[0139] Similarly, after receiving the first request message and the second request message, the network side can select appropriate UPFs for the first session and the second session, respectively. The primary access network device can select the secondary access network device to determine to establish a DC. That is to say, a user plane connection between the primary access network device and the first UPF, and a user plane connection between the secondary access network device and the second UPF are established, respectively. In addition, the network side can determine the association between the first session and the second session from the received first request message and the second request message. For example, the SMF device on the network side can determine the association between the first session and the second session, and save the identification information of the two mutually associated sessions.

[0140] The main access network device will know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side (for example, the SMF device) that the first session and the second session are associated, so that it can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0141] Figure 6 Shown is a flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 Will combine Figure 4 and Figure 5 The method is executed by a terminal device, for example, the terminal device is Figure 4 or Figure 5 Terminal devices in the Figure 6 As shown, the method includes:

[0142] Step 601: The terminal device obtains association information between the first service description information and the second service description information.

[0143] For example, the first service description information is the first TD, and the second service description information is the second TD.

[0144] It should be noted that the association between the first business description information and the second business description information can also be understood as the association between the first rule where the first business description information is located and the second rule where the second business description information is located, or it can also be understood as the association between the first routing description information in the first rule and the second routing description information in the second rule. The present application does not limit this.

[0145] For example, the terminal device obtains the association information between the first service description information and the second service description information from a routing selection policy (eg, the above-mentioned URSP rule).

[0146] For example, the routing selection strategy includes a first rule corresponding to the first service description information and a second rule corresponding to the second service description information, wherein the first rule includes first information indicating that the first service description information and the second service description information are associated, and the second rule includes second information indicating that the second service description information and the first service description information are associated. In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information correspond to the same first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first service description information and the second service description information are associated. In another possible implementation, the first information includes information of the second rule, and the second information includes information of the first rule.

[0147] For example, the terminal device obtains the routing selection strategy configured locally. Figure 4 The description of step 401 in the above description will not be repeated here.

[0148] Alternatively, the terminal device receives the routing policy from the policy control function device. Figure 5 The description of steps 503 and 504 is not repeated here.

[0149] Step 602: The terminal device determines the first service description information and the second service description information for the initiated application.

[0150] In addition, the terminal device may also determine the association between the first service description information and the second service description information according to the association information.

[0151] It should be noted that the first service description information and the second service description information may correspond to the same application, or may correspond to two different applications, for example, two different URLLC applications.

[0152] This step can refer to Figure 4 The description of step 402 is not repeated here.

[0153] Step 603: The terminal device sends a first request message and a second request message, wherein the first request message is used to request to establish a first session corresponding to the first service description information, and the second request message is used to request to establish a second session corresponding to the second service description information. The first request message includes first association information, and the second request message includes second association information, wherein the first association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with the second session, and the second association information is used to indicate that the second session is associated with the first session.

[0154] In a possible implementation manner, the first association information includes identification information of the second session, and the second association information includes identification information of the first session.

[0155] In another possible implementation manner, the first association information and the second association information correspond to the same second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the first session is associated with the second session.

[0156] This step can refer to Figure 4 The description of step 403 is not repeated here.

[0157] According to the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the network side can determine the association between the first session and the second session from the received first request message and the second request message. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so as to determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0158] Figure 7 Shown is a flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 Will combine Figure 5The method is performed by a policy control function device, for example, the policy control function device is Figure 5 PCF devices in. Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0159] Step 701: The policy control function device obtains association information between first service description information and second service description information from the application function device.

[0160] It should be noted that the first service description information and the second service description information may correspond to the same application, or may correspond to two different applications, for example, two different URLLC applications.

[0161] This step can refer to Figure 5 The description of step 501 in the above description will not be repeated here.

[0162] Step 702: The policy control function device generates a routing selection policy according to the association information.

[0163] For example, the routing selection policy includes a first rule corresponding to the first service description information and a second rule corresponding to the second service description information, wherein the first rule includes first information indicating that the first service description information and the second service description information are associated, and the second rule includes second information indicating that the second service description information and the first service description information are associated. In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information correspond to the same first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first service description information and the second service description information are associated. In another possible implementation, the first information includes information of the second rule, and the second information includes information of the first rule.

[0164] For routing strategy, please refer to Figure 5 The description of URSP rules in is not repeated here.

[0165] This step can refer to Figure 5 The description of step 502 is not repeated here.

[0166] Step 703: The policy control function device sends the routing selection policy to the terminal device, where the routing selection policy is used to determine the association between the first session corresponding to the first service description information and the second session corresponding to the second service description information.

[0167] This step can refer to Figure 5 The description of steps 503 and 504 is not repeated here.

[0168] According to the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, after the terminal device receives the routing selection strategy, it sends the first request message and the second request message to the network side. The network side can determine the association between the first session and the second session from the received first request message and the second request message. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so as to determine which associated session to switch.

[0169] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 As shown, the method includes:

[0170] Step 801: The UDM device obtains association information between the first RSD and the second RSD.

[0171] For example, the UDM device may obtain the association information between the first RSD and the second RSD by means of local configuration; or the AF device may send the above association information to the UDM device, and correspondingly, the UDM device obtains the above association information from the AF device.

[0172] Among them, the association information between the first RSD and the second RSD can also be described as the association information between the first rule where the first RSD is located and the second rule where the second RSD is located, or can also be described as the association information between the first TD in the first rule and the second TD in the second rule.

[0173] Step 802: The terminal device starts an application and determines the first TD in the first rule and the second TD in the second rule in the URSP rules corresponding to the application according to the URSP rules configured locally or received from the PCF device.

[0174] For example, the application is a URLLC application. The terminal device starts the URLLC application, and the application layer of the terminal device copies the data of the application, and the data of the application corresponds to two different TDs. The two different TDs are located in two different rules in the URSP rules. In this way, the URLLC application is associated with different RSDs in the URSP rules, thereby triggering the terminal device to initiate the establishment process of two sessions, and respectively establish two sessions corresponding to two different RSDs.

[0175] The following will take the establishment process of one of the sessions as an example for description. The session may be referred to as the first session. The first session may be a session a corresponding to the first TD and the first RSD in the first rule, or the first session may be a session b corresponding to the second TD and the second RSD in the second rule.

[0176] Step 803: The terminal device sends a request message for requesting to establish a first session to the AMF device through the RAN device (not shown in the figure), and the request message includes the identification information of the first session and the RSD corresponding to the first session.

[0177] When the first session is the session a, the RSD corresponding to the first session is the first RSD. When the first session is the session b, the RSD corresponding to the first session is the second RSD.

[0178] For example, the request message is a non-access stratum (NAS) message. The NAS message includes a session identifier and a session establishment request message. The session establishment request message includes a session identifier and an RSD. Alternatively, the RSD may also be directly included in the NAS message.

[0179] In another possible implementation, the UDM device is configured with association information between the first TD and the second TD. In step 803, the request message includes identification information of the first session and the TD corresponding to the first session. In the following steps, the RSD corresponding to the first session can be replaced with the TD corresponding to the first session, which will not be described in detail in this application.

[0180] It should be noted that the RAN device here is a main RAN device.

[0181] Step 804: The AMF device sends the identifier of the first session and the RSD corresponding to the first session to the SMF device.

[0182] For example, the AMF device sends the session identifier and the RSD corresponding to the session to the SMF device by creating a session management context request (create SM context request) message.

[0183] Step 805: The SMF device sends the identifier of the first session and the RSD corresponding to the first session to the UDM device.

[0184] For example, the SMF device sends the session identifier and the RSD corresponding to the session to the UDM device through a registration request message.

[0185] After receiving the session identifier and the RSD corresponding to the session, the UDM device can save the corresponding relationship between the session identifier and the RSD.

[0186] Step 806: The UDM device determines another RSD associated with the RSD based on the association information in step 801, and then determines whether there is a session identifier corresponding to the other RSD.

[0187] For example, in the process of establishing the first session (e.g., the above-mentioned session a), the SMF device sends the identifier of session a and the first RSD corresponding to session a to the UDM device through step 805, and the UDM device saves the corresponding relationship between the identifier of session a and the first RSD. However, in step 806, the UDM device determines that there is no session identifier corresponding to another RSD associated with the first RSD.

[0188] In the process of establishing the second session (for example, the above-mentioned session b), the SMF device sends the identifier of session b and the second RSD corresponding to session b to the UDM device through step 805, and the UDM device saves the correspondence between the identifier of session b and the second RSD. In step 806, since the UDM device stores the correspondence between the identifier of session a and the first RSD, the UDM device can determine another RSD associated with the second RSD based on the association information and the saved correspondence, that is, the first RSD is the RSD of session a, thereby obtaining the identifier of session a.

[0189] The session identifier corresponding to the other RSD is the identifier of the second session associated with the first session.

[0190] Step 807: The UDM device sends an identifier of a second session associated with the first session to the SMF device.

[0191] Alternatively, the UDM device may send the identifier of the first session and the identifier of the second session to the SMF device, thereby indicating that the first session and the second session are associated.

[0192] For example, the UDM device sends the identifier of the second session associated with the first session, or the identifier of the first session and the identifier of the second session to the SMF device through a registration response message.

[0193] As described above, in the process of establishing session b, the UDM device obtains the identifier of session a associated with session b in the above steps.

[0194] Step 808: The SMF device determines that the first session is associated with the second session.

[0195] Step 809: The SMF device sends association information to the AMF device.

[0196] For example, the association information may be the identifier of the first session and the identifier of the second session received by the SMF in step 807. Alternatively, the association information is indication information generated by the SMF and used to indicate the association between the first session and the second session.

[0197] Step 810a, the AMF device sends the above-mentioned association information to the terminal device through the RAN device.

[0198] For example, the AMF device sends the above-mentioned association information to the terminal device through a session establishment acceptance message.

[0199] Step 811a: The terminal device initiates a session modification process.

[0200] For example, the terminal device initiates a session modification process for the second session, such as the above session a. In the session modification process, the terminal device sends association information to the SMF device serving the second session, and the SMF device sends the association information to the RAN device, so that the RAN device records the association information between the first session and the second session. Then, if a RAN device in the DC fails to maintain the DC, the RAN device can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0201] It should be noted that step 811a is an optional step.

[0202] It should be noted that the association information sent by the terminal device in step 811a and the association information received by the terminal device in step 810a may have different information. For example, the association information received by the terminal device in step 810a may be the identifier of the first session and the identifier of the second session, or indication information indicating the association between the first session and the second session. The association information sent by the terminal device in step 811a may be the identifier of the first session, or the same or different indication information indicating the association between the first session and the second session.

[0203] Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the above steps 810a and 811a may be replaced by step 810b (not shown in the figure).

[0204] Step 810b: The AMF device sends association information to the RAN device.

[0205] In this way, the RAN device can record the association information between the first session and the second session. Then, if one of the RAN devices in the DC fails to maintain the DC later, the RAN device can determine which associated session to switch.

[0206] In another possible implementation, Figure 8 The operations performed by the UDM mentioned above may also be performed by a UDR device, and this application does not limit this.

[0207] Through the above method, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so that it can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0208] Fig. 9 Shown is a flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 Will combine Figure 8 The method is executed by a terminal device, for example, the terminal device is Figure 8 Terminal devices in the Fig. 9 As shown, the method includes:

[0209] Step 901: In the process of establishing a first session, the terminal device receives first association information from a session management function device, where the first association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with a second session.

[0210] This step can refer to Figure 8 The description of steps 809 and 810a in the above description will not be repeated here.

[0211] Step 902: The terminal device initiates a modification process of the second session. In the process of modifying the second session, the terminal device sends second association information to the session management function device, where the second association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with the second session.

[0212] For example, the second association information includes an identifier of the first session.

[0213] This step can refer to Figure 8 The description of step 811a in will not be repeated here.

[0214] Through the above method, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so that it can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0215] Fig.10 Shown is a flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10 Will combine Figure 8 The method is performed by a data management function device, for example, the data management function device is Figure 8 UDM device in or Figure 8 The UDR device is not shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown, the method includes:

[0216] Step 1001: The data management function device configures association information between first route description information and second route description information.

[0217] This step can refer to Figure 8 The description of step 801 in will not be repeated here.

[0218] Step 1002: The data management function device receives the first route description information corresponding to the first session from the session management function device, wherein the data management function device stores the second session and the second route description information corresponding to the second session.

[0219] This step can refer to Figure 8 The description of step 805 is not repeated here.

[0220] Step 1003: The data management function device sends the identifier of the second session to the session management function device according to the configured association information and the first routing description information.

[0221] For example, the data management function determines the association between the first routing description information and the second routing description information based on the configured association information and the first routing description information; the data management function determines the identifier of the second session corresponding to the second routing description information; and the data management function sends the identifier of the second session to the session management function device.

[0222] For example, the data management function sends the identifier of the second session to the session management function device, including: the data management function sends association information to the session management function device, the association information includes the identifier of the first session and the identifier of the second session.

[0223] This step can refer to Figure 8 The description of steps 806 and 807 in the above description will not be repeated here.

[0224] Through the above method, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so that it can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0225] Fig.11 Shown is a flow chart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig.11 Will combine Figure 8 The method is performed by a session management function device, for example, the session management function device is or Figure 8 SMF devices in. Fig.11 As shown, the method includes:

[0226] Step 1101: The session management function device sends first route description information corresponding to a first session to the data management function device.

[0227] This step can refer to Figure 8 The description of step 805 is not repeated here.

[0228] Step 1102: The session management function device receives an identifier of a second session from the data management function device.

[0229] For example, the session management function device receives the identifier of the second session from the data management function device, including: the session management function device receives association information from the data management function device, and the association information includes the identifier of the first session and the identifier of the second session.

[0230] This step can refer to Figure 8 The description of step 807 in will not be repeated here.

[0231] Step 1103: The session management function device sends association information to the access network device and / or the terminal device, where the association information is used to indicate that the first session is associated with the second session.

[0232] This step can refer to Figure 8 Alternatively, you may refer to the description of steps 809, 810a and 811a in Figure 8 The description of steps 809 and 810b in the above description will not be repeated here.

[0233] Through the above method, the network side can determine that the first session and the second session are associated. The main access network device can know which two sessions are associated, and determine different access network devices for the two redundant sessions, so as to ensure the independence of the two communication links, thereby improving the communication quality. In addition, when the main access network device or the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC (for example, a failure occurs or the load is too high), the access network device can switch the session in the DC connection. For example, when the auxiliary access network device cannot maintain the DC, the session on the auxiliary access network device in the DC can be switched to the main access network device or to other auxiliary access network devices. At this time, the access network device can learn from the network side that the first session and the second session are associated, so that it can determine which specific associated session to switch.

[0234] It should be noted that each message in the above figure may have other names. In addition, the information transmission between each network element may also be realized by calling the network function of each network element under the service-oriented architecture, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0235] The above mainly introduces the scheme of the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the method. It can be understood that each network element, such as a terminal device, a policy control function device, a data management function device or a session management function device, includes at least one of the hardware structures and software modules corresponding to the execution of each function in order to realize the above functions. Those skilled in the art should easily 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.

[0236] The embodiments of the present application can divide the terminal device, policy control function device, data management function device or session management function device into functional units according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit can be divided according 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 function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0237] For example, Fig.12 A possible structural diagram of a communication device (referred to as communication device 120 ) involved in the above embodiment is shown. The communication device 120 includes a processing unit 1201 . Optionally, it also includes a communication unit 1202 and / or a storage unit 1203 . Fig.12 The structural schematic diagram shown can be used to illustrate the structure of the terminal device, policy control function device, data management function device or session management function device involved in the above embodiments.

[0238] when Fig.12 The schematic diagram of the structure shown is used to illustrate the structure of the terminal device involved in the above embodiment. The processing unit 1201 is used to control and manage the actions of the terminal device. For example, the processing unit 1201 is used to execute Figure 4 Steps 401 and 402 in Figure 5 Step 505 in Figure 6 Steps 601 and 602 in Figure 8 Step 802, optionally, 811a, or Fig. 9The processing unit 1201 may communicate with other network entities through the communication unit 1202. For example, the communication unit 1202 is used to perform Figure 4 Step 403 in Figure 5 Step 506, Figure 6 Step 603 in Figure 8 Step 803, optionally, 810a, or Fig. 9 The storage unit 1203 is used to store program codes and data of the terminal device.

[0239] when Fig.12 The structural diagram shown is used to illustrate the structure of the policy control function device involved in the above embodiment. The processing unit 1201 is used to control and manage the actions of the policy control function device. For example, the processing unit 1201 is used to execute Figure 5 Step 502 in Figure 7 The processing unit 1201 may communicate with other network entities through the communication unit 1202. For example, the communication unit 1202 is used to perform Figure 5 Steps 501 and 503 in Figure 7 The storage unit 1203 is used to store program codes and data of the policy control function device.

[0240] when Fig.12 The structural diagram shown in FIG. 1 is used to illustrate the structure of the data management function device involved in the above embodiment. The processing unit 1201 is used to control and manage the actions of the data management function device. For example, the processing unit 1201 is used to execute Figure 8 Steps 801 and 806 in, or Fig.10 The processing unit 1201 may communicate with other network entities through the communication unit 1202. For example, the communication unit 1202 is used to perform Figure 8 Steps 805 and 807 in Figure 7 Steps 701 and 703 in, or Fig.10 The storage unit 1203 is used to store program codes and data of the data management function device.

[0241] when Fig.12 The structural diagram shown is used to illustrate the structure of the session management function device involved in the above embodiment. The processing unit 1201 is used to control and manage the actions of the session management function device. For example, the processing unit 1201 is used to execute Figure 8 The processing unit 1201 may communicate with other network entities through the communication unit 1202. For example, the communication unit 1202 is used to perform Figure 8 Steps 804, 805, 807, 808, Fig.11 The storage unit 1203 is used to store program codes and data of the session management function device.

[0242] Fig.12 The structural diagram shown can also be used to illustrate the structure of other network elements involved in this application. In this case, Fig.12 Each unit in the method is used to execute the action of the corresponding network element. For details, please refer to the method part for understanding, which will not be repeated here.

[0243] Among them, the communication device 120 can be a device or a chip in the device. When the communication device 120 is a device, the processing unit 1201 can be a processor or a controller, and the communication unit 1202 can be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver device, etc. Among them, the communication interface is a general term and can include one or more interfaces. The storage unit 1203 can be a memory. When the communication device 120 is a chip in the device, the processing unit 1201 can be a processor or a controller, and the communication unit 1202 can be an input interface and / or an output interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The storage unit 1203 can be a storage unit in the chip (for example, a register, a cache, etc.), or it can be a storage unit in the device located outside the chip (for example, a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.).

[0244] Among them, the communication unit can also be called a transceiver unit. The antenna and control circuit with transceiver functions in the communication device 120 can be regarded as the communication unit 1202 of the communication device 120, and the processor with processing function can be regarded as the processing unit 1201 of the communication device 120. Optionally, the device used to implement the receiving function in the communication unit 1202 can be regarded as a receiving unit, and the receiving unit is used to perform the receiving steps in the embodiment of the present application. The receiving unit can be a receiver, a receiver, a receiving circuit, etc. The device used to implement the sending function in the communication unit 1202 can be regarded as a sending unit, and the sending unit is used to perform the sending steps in the embodiment of the present application. The sending unit can be a transmitter, a transmitter, a sending circuit, etc.

[0245] Fig.12 If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The storage medium for storing computer software products includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes.

[0246] The present application also provides a hardware structure diagram of a communication device, see Fig.13 or Fig.14 The communication device includes a processor 1301, and optionally, also includes a memory 1302 connected to the processor 1301.

[0247] Processor 1301 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application. Processor 1301 may also include multiple CPUs, and processor 1301 may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. The processor here may refer to one or more devices, circuits, or processing cores for processing data (such as computer program instructions).

[0248] The memory 1302 may be a ROM or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a RAM or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a disk storage medium or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, and the embodiments of the present application do not impose any restrictions on this. The memory 1302 may exist independently, in which case the memory 1302 may be located inside or outside the communication device. The memory 1302 may also be integrated with the processor 1301. Among them, the memory 1302 may contain a computer program code. The processor 1301 is used to execute the computer program code stored in the memory 1302, thereby realizing the method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0249] In the first possible implementation, see Fig.13 , the communication device also includes a transceiver 1303. The processor 1301, the memory 1302 and the transceiver 1303 are connected via a bus. The transceiver 1303 is used to communicate with other devices or a communication network. Optionally, the transceiver 1303 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The device used to implement the receiving function in the transceiver 1303 can be regarded as a receiver, and the receiver is used to perform the receiving step in the embodiment of the present application. The device used to implement the sending function in the transceiver 1303 can be regarded as a transmitter, and the transmitter is used to perform the sending step in the embodiment of the present application.

[0250] Based on the first possible implementation, Fig.13 The structural diagram shown can be used to illustrate the structure of the terminal device, policy control function device, data management function device or session management function device involved in the above embodiments. The processor 1301 can be used to implement Fig.12 The function of the processing unit 1201, the memory 1302 is used to implement Fig.12 The function of the storage unit 1203 in the embodiment of the present invention is implemented by the transceiver 1303. Fig.12 The function of the communication unit 1202. Fig.13 The structural diagram shown can also be used to illustrate the structure of other network elements involved in this application. In this case, Fig.13Each device in the method is used to execute the actions of the corresponding network element. For details, please refer to the method part for understanding, which will not be repeated here.

[0251] In a second possible implementation, the processor 1301 includes a logic circuit, and an input interface and / or an output interface. The output interface is used to perform the sending action in the corresponding method, and the input interface is used to perform the receiving action in the corresponding method. Based on the second possible implementation, see Fig.14 , Fig.14 The structural schematic diagram shown can be used to illustrate the structure of the terminal device, policy control function device, data management function device or session management function device involved in the above embodiments.

[0252] when Fig.14 The schematic diagram of the structure shown in FIG. 1 is used to illustrate the structure of the terminal device involved in the above embodiment. The processor 1301 is used to control and manage the actions of the terminal device. For example, the processor 1301 is used to execute Figure 4 Steps 401 and 402 in Figure 5 Step 505 in Figure 6 Steps 601 and 602 in Figure 8 Step 802, optionally, 811a, or Fig. 9 The processor 1301 may communicate with other network entities via an input interface and / or an output interface. The memory 1302 is used to store program codes and data of the terminal device.

[0253] when Fig.14 The schematic diagram of the structure shown in FIG. 1 is used to illustrate the structure of the policy control function device involved in the above embodiment. The processor 1301 is used to control and manage the actions of the policy control function device. For example, the processor 1301 is used to execute Figure 5 Step 502 in Figure 7 The processor 1301 may communicate with other network entities through an input interface and / or an output interface. The memory 1302 is used to store program codes and data of the policy control function device.

[0254] when Fig.14 The structural diagram shown in FIG. 1 is used to illustrate the structure of the data management function device involved in the above embodiment. The processor 1301 is used to control and manage the actions of the data management function device. For example, the processor 1301 is used to execute Figure 8 Steps 801 and 806 in, or Fig.10The processor 1301 may communicate with other network entities through an input interface and / or an output interface. The memory 1302 is used to store program codes and data of the data management function device.

[0255] when Fig.14 The structural diagram shown is used to illustrate the structure of the session management function device involved in the above embodiment. The processor 1301 is used to control and manage the actions of the session management function device. For example, the processor 1301 is used to execute Figure 8 The processor 1301 may communicate with other network entities through an input interface and / or an output interface. The memory 1302 is used to store program codes and data of the session management function device.

[0256] Fig.14 The structural diagram shown can also be used to illustrate the structure of other network elements involved in this application. In this case, Fig.14 Each device in the method is used to execute the actions of the corresponding network element. For details, please refer to the method part for understanding, which will not be repeated here.

[0257] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute any of the above methods.

[0258] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any of the above methods.

[0259] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the processor executes a computer program or a computer execution instruction in the memory, any of the above methods is executed.

[0260] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including: at least two network elements involved in the embodiment of the present application, for example, one or more of the above-mentioned terminal devices, policy control function devices, data management function devices or session management function devices.

[0261] 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 the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in 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. The 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, the 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, 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 contains one or more servers that can be integrated with the 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)).

[0262] 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.

[0263] 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 communication method, characterized in that: include: The terminal device obtains association information between the first service description information and the second service description information from the routing selection strategy; The terminal device determines the first service description information and the second service description information for the initiated application; The terminal device sends a first request message and a second request message to the network, where the first request message is used to request to establish a first session corresponding to the first service description information, and the second request message is used to request to establish a second session corresponding to the second service description information; The first request message and the second request message include the same association information, and the association information contained in the first request message and the second request message is used to indicate that the first session and the second session are redundant sessions, and the association information is also used by the network to establish independent transmission paths for the first session and the second session.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The terminal device determines, based on the association information, that the first service description information is associated with the second service description information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the routing selection strategy comprises a first rule corresponding to the first service description information and a second rule corresponding to the second service description information, wherein: The first rule includes first information indicating that the first service description information is associated with the second service description information, and the second rule includes second information indicating that the second service description information is associated with the first service description information.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the first information and the second information correspond to the same first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first service description information and the second service description information are associated. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the first indication information is the association information.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The terminal device obtains the locally configured routing selection policy.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The terminal device receives the routing policy from a policy control function device.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the redundant session is used to provide communication services for the same business and corresponds to two communication links, and the two communication links include: A first communication link passes through the terminal device, the first access network device and the first user plane functional network element, and a second communication link passes through the terminal device, the second access network device and the second user plane functional network element.

9. A communication device, characterized in that: Including processors; The processor is used to read and run a program from a memory to implement: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a processing unit and a transceiver unit, wherein: The processing unit is used to obtain association information between the first service description information and the second service description information from the routing selection strategy; determine the first service description information and the second service description information for the initiated application; The transceiver unit is used to send a first request message and a second request message to the network, the first request message is used to request to establish a first session corresponding to the first service description information, and the second request message is used to request to establish a second session corresponding to the second service description information; The first request message and the second request message include the same association information, and the association information contained in the first request message and the second request message is used to indicate that the first session and the second session are redundant sessions, and the association information is also used by the network to establish independent transmission paths for the first session and the second session.

11. The communication device according to claim 10, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: Determine, according to the association information, that the first service description information is associated with the second service description information.

12. The communication device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the routing selection strategy comprises a first rule corresponding to the first service description information and a second rule corresponding to the second service description information, wherein: The first rule includes first information indicating that the first service description information is associated with the second service description information, and the second rule includes second information indicating that the second service description information is associated with the first service description information.

13. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the first information and the second information correspond to the same first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first service description information and the second service description information are associated. The communication device according to claim 13 , wherein the first indication information is the associated information.

15. The communication device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: The locally configured routing policy is obtained.

16. The communication device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to: The routing policy is received from a policy control function device.

17. The communication device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the redundant session is used to provide communication services for the same business and corresponds to two communication links, and the two communication links include: A first communication link passes through a terminal device, a first access network device and a first user plane functional network element, and a second communication link passes through the terminal device, a second access network device and a second user plane functional network element.

18. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that When the method is executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

19. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable a processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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