Multipath communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a kind of multi-path communication method and equipment, belong to communication technical field.The multi-path communication method of the embodiment of the application includes: AMF performs first operation, the first operation includes: determining the access mode of the first MAPDU session of remote terminal includes non-direct network communication access mode;And send first message to SMF, the first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes non-direct network communication access mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of communication, and particularly relates to a multi-path communication method and device. BACKGROUND

[0002] For a relay communication system, a remote UE can access a network through multiple access modes to improve the reliability or throughput of communication transmission, which can include a direct network communication access mode and a non-direct network communication access mode. However, in the case of a remote UE accessing through a non-direct network communication access mode, how to realize multi-path communication of the remote UE is a technical problem to be solved in the related art. SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments of the present application provide a multi-path communication method and device, which can solve the problem of being unable to realize multi-path communication of a remote UE.

[0004] In a first aspect, a multi-path communication method is provided, comprising: an AMF performing a first operation, the first operation comprising: determining that an access mode of a first MAPDU session of a remote UE includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a first message to an SMF, the first message comprising first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MAPDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0005] In a second aspect, a multi-path communication method is provided, comprising: a remote UE sending a second message to an AMF, the second message comprising second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that an access mode of a first MAPDU session includes a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0006] In a third aspect, a multi-path communication method is provided, comprising: an SMF performing a second operation, the second operation comprising: determining that an access mode of a first MAPDU session of a remote UE includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a fifth message to a PCF, the fifth message comprising fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MAPDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0007] In a fourth aspect, a multi-path communication method is provided, comprising: a PCF receiving a fifth message sent by an SMF, the fifth message comprising fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate that an access mode of a first MAPDU session of a remote UE includes a non-direct network communication access mode; generating first MAPDU session control information according to the fifth message; and sending the first MAPDU session control information to the SMF.

[0008] In a fifth aspect, a multi-path communication method is provided, including: a radio access network (RAN) sending a sixth message to an access and mobility function (AMF), the sixth message including sixth indication information, the sixth indication information being used to indicate that an access mode of a first multi-access packet data unit (MA PDU) session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a multi-path communication method is provided, including: a user plane function (UPF) receiving first N4 rule information sent by a session management function (SMF); when the first N4 rule information includes a number N of non-direct network communication access modes, generating N+2 uplink N3 tunnels; and / or when the first N4 rule information does not include the number N of non-direct network communication access modes, generating 4 uplink N3 tunnels.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a multi-path communication apparatus is provided, including: a first execution module configured to perform a first operation, the first operation including: determining that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a first message to an SMF, the first message including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0011] In an eighth aspect, a multi-path communication apparatus is provided, including: a sending module configured to send a second message to an AMF, the second message including second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that an access mode of a first MA PDU session includes a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0012] In a ninth aspect, a multi-path communication apparatus is provided, including: a second execution module configured to perform a second operation, the second operation including: determining that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a fifth message to a policy control function (PCF), the fifth message including fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, a multi-path communication apparatus is provided, including: a receiving module configured to receive a fifth message sent by an SMF, the fifth message including fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode; a generating module configured to generate first MA PDU session control information according to the fifth message; and a sending module configured to send the first MA PDU session control information to the SMF.

[0014] In a eleventh aspect, a multi-path communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a sending module configured to send a sixth message to an AMF, wherein the sixth message comprises sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate that an access mode of a first MAPDU session of a remote terminal comprises a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0015] In a twelfth aspect, a multi-path communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a receiving module configured to receive first N4 rule information sent by an SMF; a generating module configured to generate N+2 uplink N3 tunnels when the first N4 rule information comprises a number N of non-direct network communication access modes, and / or generate 4 uplink N3 tunnels when the first N4 rule information does not comprise the number N of non-direct network communication access modes.

[0016] In a thirteenth aspect, a terminal is provided, comprising a processor, a memory, and a program or instruction stored in the memory and executable on the processor, and the program or instruction is executed by the processor to implement the method of the second aspect.

[0017] In a fourteenth aspect, a terminal is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to send a second message to an AMF, wherein the second message comprises second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that an access mode of a first MAPDU session comprises a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0018] In a fifteenth aspect, a network side device is provided, comprising a processor, a memory, and a program or instruction stored in the memory and executable on the processor, and the program or instruction is executed by the processor to implement the method of the first, third to sixth aspects.

[0019] In a sixteenth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to determine that an access mode of a first MAPDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode, and the communication interface is configured to send a first message to an SMF, the first message including first indication information indicating that the access mode of the first MAPDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode. Alternatively, the processor is configured to determine that an access mode of a first MAPDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode, and the communication interface is configured to send a fifth message to a PCF, the fifth message including fifth indication information indicating that the access mode of the first MAPDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode. Alternatively, the communication interface is configured to receive a fifth message sent by the SMF, the fifth message including fifth indication information indicating that the access mode of the first MAPDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode, and the processor is configured to generate first MAPDU session control information according to the fifth message, and the communication interface is configured to send the first MAPDU session control information to the SMF. Alternatively, the communication interface is configured to send a sixth message to an AMF, the sixth message including sixth indication information indicating that the access mode of the first MAPDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode. Alternatively, the communication interface is configured to receive first N4 rule information sent by the SMF, and the processor is configured to generate N+2 uplink N3 tunnels when the first N4 rule information includes a number N of non-direct network communication access modes, and / or generate 4 uplink N3 tunnels when the first N4 rule information does not include the number N of non-direct network communication access modes.

[0020] In a seventeenth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, the readable storage medium storing a program or instructions, the program or instructions being executed by a processor to implement the method of any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0021] In an eighteenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being coupled to the processor, and the processor being configured to execute a program or instructions to implement the method of any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0022] In a nineteenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program / program product being stored in a non-transitory storage medium, and the program / program product being executed by at least one processor to implement the method of any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0023] In the embodiments of the present application, the AMF determines that the access mode of the first MAPDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode, and the AMF can further indicate to the SMF that the access mode of the first MAPDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode. The embodiments of the present application are beneficial to the core network functions such as AMF, SMF and the like to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of communication transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-path communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-path communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-path communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multipath communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multipath communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a multipath communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network-side device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0045] It is worth noting that the technology described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application are often used interchangeably, and the described technology can be used in the above-mentioned systems and radio technologies, as well as in other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for example purposes, and NR terminology is used in most of the following description, and these technologies can also be applied outside the NR system application, such as 6th Generation (6G) communication systems. th

[0046] Figure 1 ​A schematic diagram of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of the present application can be applied is shown. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network side device 12. The terminal 11 can also be referred to as a terminal device or a user terminal (UE). The terminal 11 can be a terminal side device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a palm computer, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile Internet device (MID), a wearable device, or a vehicle user equipment (VUE), a pedestrian user equipment (PUE), etc. The wearable device includes a smart watch, a bracelet, a headset, glasses, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The network side device 12 can be a base station or a core network. The base station can be referred to as a node B, an evolved node B, an access point, a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a node B, an evolved node B (eNB), a next generation node B (gNB), a home node B, a home evolved node B, a WLAN access point, a WiFi node, a transmitting receiving point (TRP), or some other appropriate terminology in the art, as long as the same technical effects are achieved. The base station is not limited to a specific technical term, and it should be noted that only a base station in an NR system is taken as an example in the embodiments of the present application, but the specific type of the base station is not limited.

[0047] The multi-path communication method and device provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in combination with the accompanying drawings and some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0048] The various embodiments of the present application can use the control mechanism of the multi-access PDU session (MA PDU session), extend the access mode of the MA PDU session to include a non-direct network communication access mode; in addition, the network-generated various communication rules and the access data routing, switching and splitting (ATSSS) rules configured for the remote terminal can all include the non-direct communication access mode.

[0049] The non-direct network communication access mode can include a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) non-direct network communication access mode, and can also include a non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0050] As shown in the following Figure 2 The embodiments of the present application provide a multi-path communication method 200, which can be executed by an access and mobility management function (AMF), in other words, the method can be executed by software or hardware installed in the AMF, and the method comprises the following steps.

[0051] S202: The AMF performs a first operation, and the first operation comprises: determining that the access mode of a first multi-access PDU session (MA PDU session) of a remote terminal (remote UE) includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a first message to a session management function (SMF), wherein the first message comprises first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0052] The non-direct network communication access mode mentioned in the various embodiments of the present application can mean that there is a relay involved between the communication between the remote terminal and the network (such as an access network), and the message of the remote terminal can be forwarded through the relay. In addition, the direct network communication access mode means that there is no relay involved between the communication between the terminal and the network. In order to improve the reliability or throughput of communication transmission, in the embodiments, the remote terminal can access the network through both the non-direct network communication access mode and the direct network communication access mode.

[0053] In one example, the AMF in this embodiment can determine that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode based on the context information of the remote terminal, wherein the context information of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode. For example, the AMF learns that the remote terminal accesses the network through the non-direct network communication access mode before based on the context information of the remote terminal, and then the AMF can determine that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0054] In another example, the AMF can determine that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode based on the sixth indication information sent by the RAN, wherein the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0055] Optionally, before S202, the AMF can further receive a sixth message sent by the RAN, wherein the sixth message includes the sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0056] In another example, before S202, the AMF can further receive a second message sent by the remote terminal, wherein the second message includes the second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode. In this example, the remote terminal can send the second message to the access network through the relay terminal, and then the access network sends the second message to the AMF; or the remote terminal can also send the second message directly to the access network through the direct network communication access mode, and then the access network sends the second message to the AMF.

[0057] Optionally, the above-mentioned second message is further used to request one of the following:

[0058] 1) Establish the first MA PDU session. In this example, the second message can be a MA PDU session establishment request message. In this example, the remote terminal indicates the network when establishing the first MA PDU session to request that the established first MA PDU session also includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0059] 2) modify the second MA PDU session which does not include the indirect network communication access mode to the first MA PDU session which includes the indirect network communication access mode. In this example, the second message can be a MA PDU session modification request message. In this example, for an already established second MA PDU session which is a normal session, the remote terminal can indicate to the network in a MA PDU session modification procedure that the second MA PDU session can also include the indirect network communication access, so that the network side (e.g. SMF) can modify the second MA PDU session which does not include the indirect network communication access mode to the first MA PDU session which includes the indirect network communication access mode.

[0060] In this embodiment, after the AMF sends the first message to the SMF, the SMF can also take certain operations. For example, the SMF determines that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the indirect network communication access mode, and then indicates to a policy control function (PCF) that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the indirect network communication access mode. For another example, the SMF generates routing, switching and splitting (ATSSS) rule information of the first access data, and sends the first ATSSS rule information to the remote terminal, wherein the first ATSSS rule information includes rule information of the indirect network communication access mode. For another example, the SMF can also establish / activate user plane resources corresponding to the indirect network communication access mode. And the like.

[0061] It should be noted that the first MA PDU session, the first ATSSS rule information, the first N4 rule information and the like mentioned in various embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of distinguishing, and do not represent other specific meanings. For example, the first MA PDU session is used to distinguish from a second MA PDU session which does not include the indirect network communication access mode.

[0062] The multi-path communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be used to determine that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the indirect network communication access mode, and the AMF can also indicate to the SMF that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the indirect network communication access mode. The embodiments of the present application are beneficial to the core network functions such as the AMF and the SMF to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of the communication transmission.

[0063] Optionally, the first operation performed by the AMF in S202 can also include at least one of the following:

[0064] 1) determine the number of accesses of the remote terminal through the non-direct network communication access mode at present.

[0065] 2) select the SMF based on the type of the first MA PDU session. For example, the AMF selects the appropriate SMF based on the received second message and the type of the first MA PDU session, and then sends the first message to the SMF. In this example, the type of the first MA PDU session can be used to indicate that the first MA PDU session is a multi-access PDU session, which is different from a normal single-access PDU session.

[0066] Optionally, the first message sent by the AMF to the SMF can further include at least one of the following:

[0067] 1) the required access number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, which is used to indicate the required access number (e.g. 4) corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode included in the first MA PDU session. The required access number can include the required access number (e.g. 2) of the 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode, and can also include the required access number (e.g. 2) of the non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0068] 2) the actual access number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, which is used to indicate the actual access number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode through which the remote terminal is actually accessed at present.

[0069] The actual access number can include the actual access number (e.g. 1) of the 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode, and can also include the actual access number (e.g. 1) of the non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0070] In actual application, the required access number in 1) is usually greater than or equal to the actual access number in 2). For example, the required access number is 4, and the actual access number is 2.

[0071] 3) the number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, which is used to indicate the number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode actually used by the remote terminal at present, i.e. to indicate which non-direct communication access mode or modes the remote terminal accesses through. The number can include the number of the 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode, and can also include the number of the non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0072] 4) the access mode information, which is used to indicate the access mode currently used by the remote terminal.

[0073] The access mode currently used by the remote terminal can include at least one of the following:

[0074] a) 3GPP direct network communication access mode. It means the direct communication access mode under 3GPP access.

[0075] b) 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode. It means the non-direct communication access mode under 3GPP access.

[0076] c) non-3GPP (non-3GPP) direct network communication access mode. It means the direct communication access mode under non-3GPP access.

[0077] d) non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode. It means the non-direct communication access mode under non-3GPP access

[0078] On the basis of each of the foregoing embodiments, after the AMF performs the first operation, the method can further include the following steps: the AMF sends a third message to the SMF, and the third message is used to instruct the SMF to establish a user plane resource of a non-direct network communication access mode of the first MAPDU session. This embodiment is beneficial to the communication between the remote terminal and the core network through the established user plane resource, and improves the communication efficiency. The content of the third message can refer to the introduction of the second message in the foregoing embodiments, and can include the numbering information and / or access mode information of the non-direct network communication access mode, etc., and can be used to request the SMF to establish the user plane resource of the current non-direct network communication access mode.

[0079] On the basis of each of the foregoing embodiments, after the AMF performs the first operation, the method can further include the following steps: the AMF obtains numbering information corresponding to a first access mode, the first access mode being a non-direct network communication access mode currently actually used by the remote terminal; and the AMF sends the numbering information to the SMF, and the numbering information is used for the SMF to activate a user plane resource of the first access mode. This embodiment is beneficial to the communication between the remote terminal and the core network through the activated user plane resource, and improves the communication efficiency.

[0080] The AMF obtaining the numbering information corresponding to the first access mode includes that the AMF obtains the numbering information corresponding to the first access mode based on at least one of the following:

[0081] 1) The numbering information sent by the remote terminal. For example, the remote terminal indicates the numbering information of the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually accessed by the remote terminal to the AMF through the second message.

[0082] 2) the numbering information of the non-direct network communication access mode that the remote terminal currently actually accesses, which is sent by the wireless access network (such as a base station). For example, the access network indicates the numbering information of the non-direct network communication access mode that the remote terminal currently actually accesses to the AMF.

[0083] 3) the context information of the remote terminal. For example, the AMF determines the numbering information of the non-direct network communication access mode that the remote terminal currently actually accesses based on the context information of the remote terminal.

[0084] Optionally, after the AMF performs the first operation in S202, the method can further include the following steps: the AMF receives a fourth message sent by the SMF; and the AMF sends the fourth message to the remote terminal; wherein the fourth message includes at least one of the following:

[0085] 1) first ATSSS rule information, wherein the first ATSSS rule information includes rule information of the non-direct network communication access mode. The rule information can be used to indicate which application data or IP data goes through the non-direct network communication access mode (or non-direct network communication access path).

[0086] 2) mapping relationship information, wherein the mapping relationship information is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the application or data and the numbering of the non-direct network communication access mode. The mapping relationship information can be used to indicate which application or IP data goes through which non-direct network communication access mode.

[0087] The first ATSSS rule information in 1) above can include the mapping relationship information in 2), or the first ATSSS rule information in 1) and the mapping relationship information in 2) are two independent pieces of information.

[0088] The above describes the multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application in detail. The following will be described in combination with Figure 2 The multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the remote terminal side is the same as or corresponds to the description of the AMF side in the method shown in the figure, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition. Figure 3 The multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the remote terminal side is the same as or corresponds to the description of the AMF side in the method shown in the figure, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition. Figure 2 The description of the AMF side in the method shown in the figure is the same as or corresponds to the description of the AMF side in the method shown in the figure, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition.

[0089] Figure 3 The multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the remote terminal side is the same as or corresponds to the description of the AMF side in the method shown in the figure, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition. Figure 3 The method 300 includes the following steps.

[0090] S302: The remote terminal sends a second message to the AMF, and the second message includes second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MAPDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0091] The multi-path communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be used for the remote terminal to indicate the AMF, and the indication of the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode, which is beneficial to the core network functions such as the AMF and the SMF to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of the communication transmission.

[0092] Optionally, the second message is further used to request one of the following:

[0093] 1) to establish the first MA PDU session. In this example, the second message can be a MA PDU session establishment request message. In this example, the remote terminal indicates the network when establishing the first MA PDU session, and requests that the established first MA PDU session also includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0094] 2) to modify the second MA PDU session that does not include the non-direct network communication access mode into the first MA PDU session that includes the non-direct network communication access mode. In this example, the second message can be a MA PDU session modification request message. In this example, for an already established second MA PDU session that is a normal one, the remote terminal indicates the network in the MA PDU session modification process, and the second MA PDU session can also include the non-direct network communication access.

[0095] Optionally, the second message can also include at least one of the following:

[0096] 1) the required access quantity information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the required access quantity information being used to indicate the required access quantity corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode included in the first MA PDU session.

[0097] 2) the number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the number information being used to indicate the number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal.

[0098] 3) the access mode information, the access mode information being used to indicate the access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal.

[0099] Among them, the access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal can include at least one of the following:

[0100] a) the 3GPP direct network communication access mode.

[0101] b) the 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0102] c) the non-3GPP direct network communication access mode.

[0103] d) non-3GPP indirect network communication access mode.

[0104] On the basis of each of the foregoing embodiments, the second message is further used to request establishment and / or activation of user plane resources of the non-direct network communication access mode of the first MA PDU session.

[0105] For example, for the first MA PDU session that has been established and contains a non-direct communication access mode, when the remote terminal accesses through the non-direct network communication access mode, the remote terminal requests the network to establish the user plane resources of the corresponding non-direct network communication access mode. Specifically, the remote terminal can send a message to the AMF, the content of the message can refer to the introduction of the second message in the foregoing embodiments, and can include the numbering information and / or access mode information of the non-direct network communication access mode, etc., and can be used to request the network (such as the SMF) to establish the user plane resources of the current non-direct network communication access mode.

[0106] For another example, for the first MA PDU session that has been established and contains a non-direct communication access mode, the remote terminal can activate the user plane resources of the current non-direct network communication access mode.

[0107] Optionally, after the remote terminal sends the second message to the AMF, the method further includes: the remote terminal receives a fourth message, and the fourth message includes at least one of the following:

[0108] 1) first ATSSS rule information, the first ATSSS rule information including rule information of the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0109] 2) mapping relationship information, the mapping relationship information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number of the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0110] The first ATSSS rule information in 1) above can contain the mapping relationship information in 2), or the first ATSSS rule information in 1) and the mapping relationship information in 2) are two independent pieces of information.

[0111] The following will be described in combination with Figure 4 The multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application will be described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the SMF side is the same as or corresponds to the description from the remote terminal side, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The method is partially described as shown in the same or corresponding manner, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition.

[0112] Figure 4 is a multi-path communication method implementation flowchart of the embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the SMF side. As shown in Figure 4As shown, the method 400 includes the following steps.

[0113] S402: The SMF performs a second operation, the second operation including: determining that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a fifth message to a policy control function (PCF), the fifth message including fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0114] The multi-path communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the SMF determines that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode, and the SMF can also indicate to the PCF that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode. The embodiments of the present application are beneficial to the core network functions such as the AMF, the SMF, the PCF and the like to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of the communication transmission.

[0115] Optionally, the fifth message can also include at least one of the following:

[0116] 1) Demand access quantity information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the demand access quantity information being used to indicate a demand access quantity corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode contained in the first MA PDU session.

[0117] 2) Number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the number information being used to indicate a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal.

[0118] 3) Access mode information, the access mode information being used to indicate an access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal.

[0119] Among them, the access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal can include at least one of the following:

[0120] a) 3GPP direct network communication access mode.

[0121] b) 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0122] c) Non-3GPP (non-3GPP) direct network communication access mode.

[0123] d) Non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0124] Optionally, after the SMF performs the second operation, the method further includes that the SMF performs a third operation, and the third operation includes at least one of the following:

[0125] 1) generating first ATSSS rule information. The first ATSSS rule information includes rule information of the non-direct network communication access mode; and can further include mapping relationship information, which is used to indicate a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0126] 2) sending the first ATSSS rule information, and specifically, the first ATSSS rule information can be sent to a terminal, so that the terminal can determine which data is received through which non-direct network communication access mode.

[0127] 3) generating first N4 rule information. The first N4 rule information includes rule information of the non-direct network communication access mode and / or a number N of the non-direct network communication access mode, and the N is a positive integer; and can further include mapping relationship information, which is used to indicate a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number of the non-direct network communication access mode; and can further include demand quantity information of the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0128] 4) sending the first N4 rule information, and specifically, the first N4 rule information can be sent to a UPF.

[0129] 5) sending mapping relationship information, which is used to indicate a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0130] 6) sending demand access quantity information of the non-direct network communication access mode, and the demand access quantity information is used to indicate a demand access quantity of the non-direct network communication access mode included in the first MA PDU session, and specifically, the demand access quantity information can be sent to the UPF.

[0131] 7) establishing user plane resources corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0132] After the SMF sends the first N4 rule information to the UPF, the SMF can further receive response information corresponding to the first N4 rule information, and the response information can include uplink N3 channel tunnels (UL N3 CN tunnels, or simply uplink N3 tunnels). Thus, the user plane resources mentioned in the above 7) can be established by the SMF based on at least one of the following: actual access quantity information of the non-direct network communication access mode; and the response information corresponding to the first N4 rule information.

[0133] Optionally, before the SMF performs the third operation, the method further includes: receiving, by the SMF, first MA PDU session control information; wherein the first MA PDU session control information is generated by the PCF based on at least one of: a non-direct network communication access mode, and a quantity of requirements corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0134] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving, by the SMF, numbering information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode (sent by the AMF), the numbering information being used to indicate a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode actually adopted by the remote terminal; and activating user plane resources corresponding to the number.

[0135] The following will be described in detail Figure 5 The multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application will be described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the perspective of the policy control function (PCF) is the same as or corresponds to the description of the method shown in Figure 2 to Figure 4 The part of the method is the same as or corresponds to the description of the method shown in FIG. 5, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition.

[0136] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the multi-path communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the PCF side. As shown in Figure 5 The method 500 includes the following steps.

[0137] S502: receiving, by the PCF, a fifth message sent by the SMF, the fifth message including fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0138] S504: generating first MA PDU session control information according to the fifth message. In this step, the PCF can generate the first MA PDU session control information based on the subscription data of the remote terminal and the fifth message.

[0139] S506: sending the first MA PDU session control information to the SMF.

[0140] The multi-path communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application can determine that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode, and subsequently generate and send the first MA PDU session control information to the SMF. The embodiment of the present application is beneficial to the core network functions such as the AMF, the SMF, the PCF, etc. to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of the communication transmission.

[0141] The following will be described in combination with Figure 6 The multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the side of the Radio Access Network (RAN) is the same as or corresponds to the part of the method shown in the figure, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition. Figure 2 to Figure 5 The multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the side of the Radio Access Network (RAN) is the same as or corresponds to the part of the method shown in the figure, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition.

[0142] Figure 6 The multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the side of the Radio Access Network (RAN) is the same as or corresponds to the part of the method shown in the figure, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition. Figure 6 The multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the side of the Radio Access Network (RAN) is the same as or corresponds to the part of the method shown in the figure, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition.

[0143] S602: The RAN sends a sixth message to the AMF, and the sixth message includes sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0144] The multi-path communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can indicate to the AMF that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes a non-direct network communication access mode, which is beneficial for the core network functions such as the AMF and the SMF to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal and improve the reliability or throughput of the communication transmission.

[0145] Optionally, as one embodiment, the sixth message further includes at least one of the following.

[0146] 1) Actual access quantity information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, and the actual access quantity information is used to indicate the actual access quantity corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually used by the remote terminal.

[0147] 2) Numbering information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, and the numbering information is used to indicate the number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually used by the remote terminal.

[0148] 3) Access mode information, and the access mode information is used to indicate the access mode currently used by the remote terminal.

[0149] Optionally, as one embodiment, the access mode currently used by the remote terminal includes at least one of the following: 3GPP direct network communication access mode; 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode; non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; and non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0150] The following will be described in combination with Figure 7A multi-path communication method according to another embodiment of the present application is described in detail. It can be understood that the description from the user plane function (UPF) side is the same as or corresponds to part of the method shown in FIG. 7, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition. Figure 2 to Figure 6 The part of the method shown in FIG. 7 is the same as or corresponds to the part of the method shown in FIG. 7, and the relevant description is appropriately omitted to avoid repetition.

[0151] Figure 7 FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a multi-path communication method implementation process according to an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the UPF (such as a base station) side. As shown in FIG. 8, the method 700 includes the following steps. Figure 7

[0152] S702: The UPF receives the first N4 rule information sent by the SMF.

[0153] S704: When the first N4 rule information includes the number N of non-direct network communication access methods, N+2 uplink N3 tunnels are generated, and / or when the first N4 rule information does not include the number N of non-direct network communication access methods, 4 uplink N3 tunnels are generated.

[0154] The multi-path communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application considers the non-direct network communication access method when the UPF generates the uplink N3 tunnel, which is beneficial to the core network function, such as AMF, SMF, UPF, etc. to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of the communication transmission.

[0155] This embodiment considers that the MAPDU session of the direct network communication access method usually needs 2 uplink N3 tunnels:

[0156] If the first N4 rule information provides the number N of non-direct network communication access methods, N uplink N3 tunnels are added to the original 2 uplink N3 tunnels, that is, a total of (N+2) uplink N3 tunnels.

[0157] If the first N4 rule information does not provide the number of non-direct network communication access methods, 2 uplink N3 tunnels (a total of 4) are added by default, and of the added 2 uplink N3 tunnels, one is used for 3GPP non-direct network communication access, and the other is used for non-3GPP non-direct network communication access.

[0158] To explain the multi-path communication method of the embodiment of the present application in detail, the following will be described in conjunction with several specific embodiments.

[0159] Embodiment one

[0160] ​In this embodiment, a remote UE establishes an enhanced MA PDU session (i.e., a first MA PDU session) for a scenario of non-direct network communication access mode according to the principle of MA PDU session. The remote UE establishes the first MA PDU session through a path, and the path can include one of the following: a) 3GPP direct network communication access mode; b) 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode; c) non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; and d) non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0161] In this embodiment, a remote UE establishes a first MA PDU session for a relay scenario through a PDU session establishment procedure. As shown in FIG. 1, the embodiment includes the following steps. Figure 8

[0162] Step 0: The remote UE performs registration, authorization of relay communication, and configuration of policy parameters.

[0163] Step 1 can be performed according to 1a below, or step 1 can be performed according to 1b and 1c below.

[0164] 1a: The remote UE sends an uplink non-access layer transmission message (UL NAS transport message) to the AMF, and the UL NAS transport message includes a PDU session establishment request, a MA PDU session type, and first information, and the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0165] a) a relay case indicating that the established first MA PDU session is used for a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0166] b) a number of relay links to be established, including at least one of the following: a number of relay links to be established over 3GPP, indicating that the first MA PDU session needs to consider the number of non-direct network communication access modes through 3GPP access; and a number of relay links to be established over non-3GPP, indicating that the first MA PDU session needs to consider the number of non-direct network communication access modes through non-3GPP access.

[0167] ​c) relay link ID, indicating the number of the current non-direct network communication access mode, including: relay link ID over 3GPP, indicating the number of the current non-direct network communication access mode under 3GPP access; relay link ID over non-3GPP, indicating the number of the current non-direct network communication access mode under non-3GPP access.

[0168] d) access type, used to indicate the access mode of the current remote terminal of the network, including one of the following communication access modes: 3GPP direct network communication access mode; 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode; non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0169] 1b: The remote terminal sends a radio resource control (RRC) message to the RAN, wherein the RRC message contains an UL NAS transport message, and the UL NAS transport message contains a PDU session establishment request, a MA PDU session type and first information, and the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0170] a) relay case, indicating that the established first MA PDU session is used for non-direct network communication path access mode.

[0171] b) number of relay link to be established, including at least one of the following: number of relay link to be established over 3GPP, used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication access modes through 3GPP access that need to be considered for the first MA PDU session; number of relay link to be established over non-3GPP, used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication access modes through non-3GPP access that need to be considered for the first MA PDU session.

[0172] 1c: The RAN sends an N2 message to the AMF, wherein the N2 message contains the above-mentioned UL NAS transport message and at least one of the following:

[0173] a) relay case, indicating that the established MA PDU session is used for non-direct network communication path access mode.

[0174] b) relay link ID, indicating the number of current non-direct network communication access: relay link ID over 3GPP, indicating the number of current non-direct network communication access under 3GPP access; relay link ID over non-3GPP, indicating the number of current non-direct network communication access under non-3GPP access.

[0175] c) access type, used to indicate the access mode of the current remote terminal of the network, including one of the following communication access modes: 3GPP direct network communication access mode, indicating direct communication access mode under 3GPP access: 3GPP direct network communication access mode; 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode; non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0176] Step 2: After the AMF receives the PDU session establishment request message sent by the remote terminal, the first operation is performed, which includes at least one of the following:

[0177] a) Based on the relay case indication carried by the remote terminal or RAN and the MA PDU type, determine that the PDU session is a first MA PDU session for including non-direct network communication access mode.

[0178] b) Based on the relay case indication and the MA PDU type, perform the discovery process of the SMF.

[0179] c) Send N 14 message to the above discovered SMF, the N 14 message includes MA PDU session establishment request; MA PDU session indication; relay case (the relay case indicates that the established first MA PDU session is used to include non-direct network communication path access mode); access type (used to indicate the access mode of the current remote terminal of the network, including one of the following, 3GPP direct network communication access mode, 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode, Non-3GPP direct network communication access mode, Non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode); relay link ID (indicating the number of current non-direct network communication access mode, including relay link ID over 3GPP and relay link ID over non-3GPP) and at least one of the following:

[0180] 1) number of relay link to be established, including at least one of: number of relay link to be established over 3GPP, used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication path access ways that the first MA PDU session needs to consider through 3GPP access; number of relay link to be established over non-3GPP, used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication path access ways that the MA PDU session needs to consider through non-3GPP access.

[0181] 2) actual number of relay link been established, including at least one of: actual number of relay link been established over 3GPP: used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication path access ways that the current remote terminal actually accesses through 3GPP access; actual number of relay link been established over non-3GPP, used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication path access ways that the current remote terminal actually accesses through non-3GPP access.

[0182] Step 3: After the SMF receives the N14 message described above, the second operation is performed, and the second operation includes at least one of:

[0183] a) Based on the relay case indication and the MA PDU indication, it is determined that the first MA PDU session is used to include non-direct network communication path access ways.

[0184] b) sending an SM policy association create message to the PCF, the SM policy association create message including the MA PDU session type; the relay case (the relay case indicates that the established first MA PDU session is used for the non-direct network communication path access mode including); the access type (used to indicate the access mode of the current remote terminal of the network, including one of the following: 3GPP direct network communication access mode, 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode, Non-3GPP direct network communication access mode, Non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode), relay link ID (representing the number of the current non-direct network communication access mode, including relay link ID over 3GPP and relay link ID over non-3GPP) and at least one of the following:

[0185] 1) the number of relay links to be established, including at least one of the following: the number of relay links to be established over 3GPP, used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication path access modes through 3GPP access that the first MA PDU session needs to consider; the number of relay links to be established over non-3GPP, used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication path access modes through non-3GPP access that the MA PDU session needs to consider.

[0186] 2) the actual number of relay links established, including at least one of the following: the actual number of relay links established over 3GPP: used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication path access modes through 3GPP access that the current remote terminal actually uses; the actual number of relay links established over non-3GPP, used to indicate the number of non-direct network communication path access modes through non-3GPP access that the current remote terminal actually uses.

[0187] Step 4: After the PCF receives the N14 message described above, the third operation is performed, the third operation including at least one of the following:

[0188] a) Based on the relay case indication and the MA PDU indication, determine that the first MA PDU session is for the non-direct network communication path access mode.

[0189] b) Based on the number of relay link to be established, the remote terminal subscription information and the operator policy, generate the first MA PDU session control information, which contains the control information of the non-direct network communication path access mode.

[0190] c) Send the SM policy association response message to the SMF, which contains the control information of the first MA PDU session.

[0191] Step 5: The SMF receives the above-mentioned first MA PDU session or generates the first ATSSS rules and the first N4 rules based on local policies, the first ATSSS rules including rules for the non-direct network communication access mode, and the first N4 rules including rules for the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0192] Step 6: Send the above-mentioned first N4 rules to the UPF.

[0193] Step 7: The UPF allocates N3 uplink channel tunnels (N3 UL CN tunnels) based on the above-mentioned first N4 rules.

[0194] Step 8: The UPF sends the above-mentioned N3 UL CN tunnels to the SMF.

[0195] Step 9: The SMF establishes corresponding user plane resources based on the actual number of relay links established.

[0196] Step 10: The SMF sends the PDU session establishment acceptance message to the AMF.

[0197] Step 11: The AMF marks the MA PDU session as the first MA PDU session for the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0198] Step 12: The AMF forwards the above-mentioned PDU session establishment acceptance message to the remote terminal, which contains the first ATSSS rules.

[0199] Embodiment Two

[0200] In this embodiment, after the remote terminal has established a normal second MA PDU session (i.e. not including the non-direct network communication access mode), the remote terminal modifies the access mode of the normal second MA PDU session to include the non-direct network communication access mode through a PDU session modification procedure.

[0201] The basic flow of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiment one, and the difference is as follows:

[0202] 1: The remote terminal establishes a normal second MA PDU session.

[0203] 2: The remote terminal modifies the second MA PDU session to include the non-direct network communication access mode through a PDU session modification procedure.

[0204] Embodiment three

[0205] In this embodiment, for the first MA PDU session that has been established for the non-direct network access mode, the remote terminal requests to establish user plane resources for the current non-direct network communication access mode. As shown in the following, this embodiment includes the following steps. Figure 9

[0206] Step 0: The remote terminal has established a first MA PDU session including a non-direct network communication access mode, and the remote terminal requests to establish user plane resources for the current non-direct network communication access mode.

[0207] Step 1 can be performed according to the following 1a, or step 1 can be performed according to the following 1b and 1c.

[0208] Step 1a: The remote terminal sends an uplink non-access layer transmission message (UL NAS transport message) to the AMF, and the UL NAS transport message contains a PDU session establishment request, a MA PDU session type and second information, and the PDU session ID in the UL NAS transport message and the PDU session establishment request is the same as the ID of the first MA PDU session in embodiment one.

[0209] The second information includes at least one of the following:

[0210] 1) relay case, used to instruct the AMF that the established MA PDU session is for the non-direct network communication path access mode.

[0211] 2) access type, used to indicate whether the non-direct network communication access mode is through 3GPP or non-3GPP access. ​

[0212] 3) Relay link ID, indicating the link number of the current non-direct network communication access, which can be marked with a relay identifier or a separate link number.

[0213] Step 1b: The remote terminal sends an RRC message to the RAN, which contains an UL NAS transport message, and the message contains a PDU session establishment request and MA PDU session type.

[0214] Step 1c: The RAN sends an N2 message to the AMF, which contains the above-mentioned UL NAS transport message and the second information.

[0215] Step 2: The AMF receives the above-mentioned UL NAS transport message and sends an N14 message to the SMF, which contains the second information.

[0216] Step 3: After the SMF receives the above-mentioned N14 message, it performs at least one of the following operations:

[0217] a) Determine that the established first MA PDU session contains a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0218] b) Establish user plane resources on the current access non-direct network communication access mode, i.e. directly perform step 6, skip steps 4 and 5, and there can be subsequent steps as follows: the SMF sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message to the AMF, which contains a PDU session establishment reception message; the AMF sends a PDU session establishment reception message to the remote terminal, which does not contain updated ATSSS rules, and the process ends subsequently.

[0219] c) Send an SM policy association create / update message to the PCF, which contains MA PDU session indication and the Xth information

[0220] Step 4: After receiving the SM policy association create message, the PCF determines whether to send the updated MA PDU session control information to the SMF according to the subscription information of the remote terminal and the current access mode, and sends the updated MA PDU session control information to the SMF through the SM policy association create / update response message.

[0221] Step 5: The SMF generates updated N4 rules and updated ATSSS rules based on the updated MA PDU session control information.

[0222] Step 6: The SMF establishes user plane resources of the current access path.

[0223] Step 7: The SMF sends a PDU session establishment acceptance message to the AMF.

[0224] Step 8: The AMF sends the PDU session establishment acceptance message to the remote terminal, and the message includes the updated ATSSS rules.

[0225] Embodiment Four

[0226] In this embodiment, when the remote terminal has established a first MA PDU session for non-direct network access based on Embodiment One, the remote terminal activates user plane resources of the current non-direct communication access. As shown in the following figure, this embodiment includes the following steps: Figure 10

[0227] Step 0: The remote terminal decides to activate user plane resources of the current non-direct network communication access mode.

[0228] Step 1 can be performed according to the following 1a, or step 1 can be performed according to the following 1b and 1c.

[0229] 1a: The remote terminal sends a service request message to the AMF, and the service request message includes a PDU session ID that needs to be activated, the PDU session ID is the PDU session ID of the MA PDU session that has been established including the non-direct network communication access mode, and optionally includes a Relay link ID indicating the link number of the current non-direct network communication access, which can be marked by a relay UE 5G UTI or a separate link number.​

[0230] 1b: The remote terminal sends an RRC message to the RAN, the RRC message including the service request.

[0231] 1c: The RAN sends an N2 message to the AMF, the N2 message including the service request and optionally including a Relay link ID, indicating the link number of the current non-direct network communication access, which can be marked by a relay UE 5G GUTI or a separate link number.

[0232] Step 2: The AMF sends a request message (such as Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request) to the SMF, the request message including a PDU session ID that needs to be activated, the PDU session ID being a PDU session ID of a MA PDU session that has been established to include non-direct network communication access, and optionally including a Relay link ID, indicating the link number of the current non-direct network communication access, which can be marked by a relay UE 5G GUTI or a separate link number.

[0233] Step 3: The SMF activates the current access user plane resource based on the PDU Session ID and the Relay link ID.

[0234] Step 4: The SMF sends a response message (such as Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response) to the AMF.

[0235] Step 5: The AMF sends a service accept message to the remote terminal.

[0236] It should be noted that the multi-path communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be executed by a multi-path communication device, or a control module in the multi-path communication device for executing the multi-path communication method. In the embodiments of the present application, the multi-path communication device executes the multi-path communication method as an example, and the multi-path communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application is described.

[0237] Figure 11 is a structural schematic diagram of the multi-path communication device according to the embodiments of the present application, which can correspond to the AMF in other embodiments. As shown in Figure 11 the device 1100 includes the following modules.

[0238] The first execution module 1102 can be configured to perform a first operation, and the first operation includes: determining that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a first message to an SMF, the first message including first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0239] The multi-path communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application determines that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode, and can also indicate the SMF that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode. The embodiments of the present application are beneficial to the core network functions such as AMF, SMF, etc. to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of the communication transmission.

[0240] Optionally, as one embodiment, the first operation further includes at least one of the following: 1) determining the number of accesses through which the remote terminal is currently actually accessed by the non-direct network communication access mode; and 2) selecting the SMF based on the type of the first MA PDU session.

[0241] Optionally, as one embodiment, the first message further includes at least one of the following:

[0242] 1) demand access number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the demand access number information indicating a demand access number of the non-direct network communication access mode included in the first MA PDU session.

[0243] 2) actual access number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the actual access number information indicating an actual access number of the non-direct network communication access mode through which the remote terminal is currently actually accessed.

[0244] 3) numbering information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the numbering information indicating a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually used by the remote terminal.

[0245] 4) access mode information, the access mode information indicating an access mode currently used by the remote terminal.

[0246] Optionally, as one embodiment, the access mode currently used by the remote terminal includes at least one of the following: a 3GPP direct network communication access mode; a 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode; a non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; and a non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0247] Optionally, as an embodiment, the apparatus further includes a receiving module configured to receive a second message sent by the remote terminal, the second message including second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0248] Optionally, as an embodiment, the second message is further used to request one of the following: establishing the first MA PDU session; modifying a second MA PDU session that does not include the non-direct network communication access mode into the first MA PDU session that includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0249] Optionally, as an embodiment, the apparatus further includes a receiving module configured to receive sixth indication information sent by a radio access network (RAN), the sixth indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0250] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first execution module 1102 can be further configured to determine, based on at least one of the following, that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode:

[0251] 1) second indication information sent by the remote terminal, the second indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0252] 2) sixth indication information sent by a RAN, the sixth indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0253] 3) context information of the remote terminal, the context information of the remote terminal including the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0254] Optionally, as an embodiment, the apparatus further includes a sending module configured to send a third message to the SMF, the third message being used to instruct the SMF to establish user plane resources of the non-direct network communication access mode of the first MA PDU session.

[0255] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first execution module 1102 can be further configured to obtain numbering information corresponding to a first access mode, the first access mode being the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal; and send the numbering information to the SMF, the numbering information being used by the SMF to activate user plane resources corresponding to the first access mode.

[0256] Optionally, as an embodiment, the first executing module 1102 can also be configured to acquire the numbering information corresponding to the first access mode based on at least one of the following: the numbering information sent by the remote terminal; the numbering information sent by the RAN; and context information of the remote terminal.

[0257] Optionally, as an embodiment, the apparatus further includes a receiving module configured to receive a fourth message sent by the SMF; and a sending module configured to send the fourth message to the remote terminal; wherein the fourth message includes at least one of the following: first ATSSS rule information including rule information of a non-direct network communication access mode; and mapping relationship information indicating a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number of the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0258] The apparatus 1100 according to the embodiments of the present application can refer to the flow of the method 200 according to the embodiments of the present application, and each unit / module in the apparatus 1100 and the above-mentioned other operations and / or functions are respectively configured to implement the corresponding flow in the method 200 and achieve the same or equivalent technical effects, and for brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0259] The multi-path communication apparatus in the embodiments of the present application can be a device, a device with an operating system, or an electronic device, and can also be a component in a terminal, an integrated circuit, or a chip. The device or electronic device can be a mobile terminal or a non-mobile terminal. Illustratively, the mobile terminal can include, but is not limited to, the types of terminal 11 listed above, and the non-mobile terminal can be a server, a network attached storage (NAS), a personal computer (PC), a television (TV), a teller machine, or a self-service machine, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited specifically.

[0260] The multi-path communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application can implement the various processes of the method embodiments Figure 2 to Figure 10 and achieve the same technical effects, and for brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0261] Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a multi-path communication apparatus according to the embodiments of the present application, which can correspond to the remote terminal in other embodiments. As shown in Figure 12 , the apparatus 1200 includes the following modules.

[0262] The sending module 1202 can be configured to send a second message to the AMF, where the second message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MAPDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0263] The multi-path communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application can indicate to the AMF that the access mode of the first MAPDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode, which is beneficial for core network functions such as the AMF and the SMF to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal and improve the reliability or throughput of the communication transmission.

[0264] Optionally, as an embodiment, the second message is further used to request one of the following: establishing the first MAPDU session; and modifying a second MAPDU session that does not include the non-direct network communication access mode into the first MAPDU session that includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0265] Optionally, as an embodiment, the second message further includes at least one of the following:

[0266] 1) demand access quantity information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, where the demand access quantity information is used to indicate a demand access quantity corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode included in the first MAPDU session.

[0267] 2) numbering information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, where the numbering information is used to indicate a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal.

[0268] 3) access mode information, where the access mode information is used to indicate an access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal.

[0269] Optionally, as an embodiment, the access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal includes at least one of the following: a 3GPP direct network communication access mode; a 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode; a non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; and a non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0270] Optionally, as an embodiment, the second message is further used to request to establish and / or activate a user plane resource of the non-direct network communication access mode of the first MAPDU session.

[0271] Optionally, as an embodiment, the apparatus further includes a receiving module configured to receive a fourth message, the fourth message including at least one of: first ATSSS rule information, the first ATSSS rule information including rule information of the non-direct network communication access mode; and mapping relationship information, the mapping relationship information indicating a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number of the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0272] The apparatus 1200 according to the embodiments of the present application can refer to the flow of the method 300 corresponding to the embodiments of the present application, and each unit / module in the apparatus 1200 and the above-mentioned other operations and / or functions are respectively used to implement the corresponding flow in the method 300, and can achieve the same or equivalent technical effects. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0273] Figure 13 is a structural schematic diagram of a multi-path communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application, which can correspond to the SMF in other embodiments. As shown in Figure 13 the apparatus 1300 includes the following modules.

[0274] The second execution module 1302 can be configured to perform a second operation, the second operation including: determining that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a fifth message to a PCF, the fifth message including fifth indication information, the fifth indication information indicating that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0275] The multi-path communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application determines that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode, and can also indicate the PCF that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode. The embodiments of the present application are beneficial to the core network functions such as AMF, SMF, PCF, etc. to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of communication transmission.

[0276] Optionally, as an embodiment, the fifth message further includes at least one of:

[0277] 1) demand access quantity information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the demand access quantity information indicating a demand access quantity corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode contained in the first MA PDU session.

[0278] 2) number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the number information indicating a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal.

[0279] 3) access mode information, the access mode information being used to indicate an access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal.

[0280] Optionally, as an embodiment, the access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal comprises at least one of the following: a 3GPP direct network communication access mode; a 3GPP indirect network communication access mode; a non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; a non-3GPP indirect network communication access mode.

[0281] Optionally, as an embodiment, the second execution module 1302 can further be used for performing a third operation, the third operation comprising at least one of the following: generating first ATSSS rule information; sending the first ATSSS rule information; generating first N4 rule information; sending the first N4 rule information; sending mapping relationship information, the mapping relationship information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number corresponding to the indirect network communication access mode; sending demand access quantity information of the indirect network communication access mode, the demand access quantity information being used to indicate a demand access quantity of the indirect network communication access mode contained in the first MA PDU session; establishing a user plane resource corresponding to the indirect network communication access mode; wherein the first ATSSS rule information comprises rule information of the indirect network communication access mode; the first N4 rule information comprises rule information of the indirect network communication access mode and / or a quantity N of the indirect network communication access mode, the N being a positive integer.

[0282] Optionally, as an embodiment, the user plane resource is established by the apparatus based on at least one of the following: actual access quantity information corresponding to the indirect network communication access mode; response information corresponding to the first N4 rule information.

[0283] Optionally, as an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a receiving module, used for receiving first MA PDU session control information; wherein the first MA PDU session control information is generated by a PCF based on at least one of the following: an indirect network communication access mode, a demand quantity corresponding to the indirect network communication access mode.

[0284] Optionally, as an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a receiving module, used for receiving number information corresponding to the indirect network communication access mode, the number information being used to indicate a number corresponding to an indirect network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal; and an activation module, used for activating a user plane resource corresponding to the number.

[0285] The apparatus 1300 according to the embodiments of the present application can refer to the flow of the method 400 corresponding to the embodiments of the present application, and each unit / module in the apparatus 1300 and the above-mentioned other operations and / or functions are respectively used to implement the corresponding flow in the method 400 and can achieve the same or equivalent technical effects, for brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0286] Figure 14 is a structural schematic diagram of a multi-path communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application, which can correspond to the PCF in other embodiments. As shown in Figure 14 , the apparatus 1400 includes the following modules.

[0287] The receiving module 1402 can be used to receive the fifth message sent by the SMF, wherein the fifth message includes fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0288] The generating module 1404 can be used to generate the first MA PDU session control information according to the fifth message.

[0289] The sending module 1406 can be used to send the first MA PDU session control information to the SMF.

[0290] The multi-path communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application determines that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode, and then generates the first MA PDU session control information and sends it to the SMF. The embodiments of the present application are beneficial to the core network functions such as AMF, SMF, PCF, etc. to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of communication transmission.

[0291] The apparatus 1400 according to the embodiments of the present application can refer to the flow of the method 500 corresponding to the embodiments of the present application, and each unit / module in the apparatus 1400 and the above-mentioned other operations and / or functions are respectively used to implement the corresponding flow in the method 500 and can achieve the same or equivalent technical effects, for brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0292] Figure 15 is a structural schematic diagram of a multi-path communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application, which can correspond to the RAN in other embodiments. As shown in Figure 15 , the apparatus 1500 includes the following modules.

[0293] The sending module 1502 can be used to send a sixth message to the AMF, where the sixth message includes sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MAPDU session of the remote terminal includes the non-direct network communication access mode.

[0294] The multi-path communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application can indicate to the AMF that the access mode of the first MAPDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode, which is beneficial for core network functions such as AMF and SMF to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal, and improve the reliability or throughput of communication transmission.

[0295] Optionally, as one embodiment, the sixth message further includes at least one of the following.

[0296] 1) Actual access quantity information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, where the actual access quantity information is used to indicate an actual access quantity corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode actually used by the remote terminal at present.

[0297] 2) Number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, where the number information is used to indicate a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode actually used by the remote terminal at present.

[0298] 3) Access mode information, where the access mode information is used to indicate an access mode actually used by the remote terminal at present.

[0299] Optionally, as one embodiment, the access mode actually used by the remote terminal at present includes at least one of the following: 3GPP direct network communication access mode; 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode; non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; and non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

[0300] The device 1500 according to the embodiments of the present application can refer to the flow of the method 600 according to the embodiments of the present application, and each unit / module in the device 1500 and the above-mentioned other operations and / or functions are respectively used to implement the corresponding flow in the method 600, and can achieve the same or equivalent technical effects, and for the sake of brevity, will not be described here.

[0301] Figure 16 is a structural schematic diagram of a multi-path communication device according to the embodiments of the present application, and the device can correspond to the UPF in other embodiments. As shown in Figure 16 the device 1600 includes the following modules.

[0302] The receiving module 1602 can be used to receive the first N4 rule information sent by the SMF;

[0303] The generating module 1604 can be configured to generate N+2 uplink N3 tunnels when the first N4 rule information comprises the number N of non-direct network communication access modes; and / or

[0304] When the first N4 rule information does not comprise the number N of non-direct network communication access modes, 4 uplink N3 tunnels are generated.

[0305] The multi-path communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application generates uplink N3 tunnels considering non-direct network communication access modes, which is beneficial to core network functions such as AMF, SMF, UPF, etc. to take certain operations to realize multi-path communication of remote terminals and improve the reliability or throughput of communication transmission.

[0306] The device 1600 according to the embodiments of the present application can refer to the flow of the method 700 corresponding to the embodiments of the present application, and each unit / module in the device 1600 and the above-mentioned other operations and / or functions are respectively used to realize the corresponding flow in the method 700, and can achieve the same or equivalent technical effects. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0307] Optionally, as shown in Figure 17 The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device 1700, which comprises a processor 1701, a memory 1702, a program or instruction stored in the memory 1702 and executable on the processor 1701. For example, when the communication device 1700 is a terminal, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1701 to realize each process of the above-mentioned multi-path communication method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effects. When the communication device 1700 is a network side device, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1701 to realize each process of the above-mentioned multi-path communication method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0308] The embodiments of the present application also provide a terminal comprising a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being configured to send a second message to an AMF, the second message comprising second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MAPDU session comprises a non-direct network communication access mode. The terminal embodiment corresponds to the above-mentioned terminal side method embodiment, and each implementation process and implementation manner of the above-mentioned method embodiment can be applied to the terminal embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effects. Specifically, Figure 18 A hardware structure diagram of a terminal for implementing the embodiments of the present application.

[0309] The terminal 1800 includes, but is not limited to, at least part of components such as a radio frequency unit 1801, a network module 1802, an audio output unit 1803, an input unit 1804, a sensor 1805, a display unit 1806, a user input unit 1807, an interface unit 1808, a memory 1809, and a processor 1810.

[0310] Those skilled in the art can understand that the terminal 1800 can further include a power supply (such as a battery) for supplying power to each component, and the power supply can be logically connected to the processor 1810 through a power management system, so as to realize functions such as management of charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. Figure 18 The terminal structure shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the terminal, and the terminal can include more or fewer components than those shown, or combine certain components, or different component arrangements, which are not described here.

[0311] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the input unit 1804 can include a graphics processor (GPU) 18041 and a microphone 18042. The graphics processor 18041 processes image data of a still picture or a video obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in a video capture mode or an image capture mode. The display unit 1806 can include a display panel 18061, which can be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 1807 includes a touch panel 18071 and other input devices 18072. The touch panel 18071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 18071 can include two parts of a touch detection device and a touch controller. The other input devices 18072 can include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, on-off keys, etc.), trackballs, mice, joysticks, which are not described here.

[0312] In the embodiments of the present application, the radio frequency unit 1801 receives downlink data from a network side device and processes the data by the processor 1810. In addition, the radio frequency unit 1801 sends uplink data to the network side device. Generally, the radio frequency unit 1801 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low noise amplifier, a duplexer, etc.

[0313] The memory 1809 can be used to store software programs or instructions and various data. The memory 1809 can mainly include a storage program or instruction area and a storage data area, wherein the storage program or instruction area can store an operating system, at least one application program or instruction required by a function (such as a sound playing function, an image playing function, etc.), etc. In addition, the memory 1809 can include a high-speed random access memory, and can also include a non-transitory memory, which can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. For example, at least one magnetic disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-transitory solid-state memory device.

[0314] The processor 1810 can include one or more processing units; optionally, the processor 1810 can integrate an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly processes an operating system, a user interface, and an application program or instruction, etc., and the modem processor mainly processes wireless communication, such as a baseband processor. It can be understood that the above-mentioned modem processor can also not be integrated into the processor 1810.

[0315] The radio frequency unit 1801 can be used to send a second message to the AMF, wherein the second message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes a non-direct network communication access mode.

[0316] In the embodiments of the present application, the remote terminal can indicate to the AMF that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes a non-direct network communication access mode, which is beneficial for core network functions such as AMF, SMF, etc. to take certain operations to realize the multi-path communication of the remote terminal and improve the reliability of communication transmission.

[0317] The terminal 1800 provided by the embodiments of the present application can also realize each process of the above-mentioned multi-path communication method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0318] The embodiment of the application further provides a network side device, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to determine that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal comprises a non-direct network communication access mode, and the communication interface is configured to send a first message to an SMF, wherein the first message comprises first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session comprises the non-direct network communication access mode. Alternatively, the processor is configured to determine that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal comprises a non-direct network communication access mode, and the communication interface is configured to send a fifth message to a PCF, wherein the fifth message comprises fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session comprises the non-direct network communication access mode. Alternatively, the communication interface is configured to receive a fifth message sent by an SMF, wherein the fifth message comprises fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal comprises a non-direct network communication access mode, and the processor is configured to generate first MA PDU session control information according to the fifth message, and the communication interface is configured to send the first MA PDU session control information to the SMF. Alternatively, the communication interface is configured to send a sixth message to an AMF, wherein the sixth message comprises sixth indication information, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal comprises a non-direct network communication access mode. Alternatively, the communication interface is configured to receive first N4 rule information sent by an SMF, and the processor is configured to generate N+2 uplink N3 tunnels when the first N4 rule information comprises a number N of non-direct network communication access modes, and / or generate 4 uplink N3 tunnels when the first N4 rule information does not comprise the number N of non-direct network communication access modes.

[0319] The network side device embodiment corresponds to the network side device method embodiment described above, and each implementation process and implementation manner of the method embodiment can be applied to the network side device embodiment and achieve the same technical effects.

[0320] Specifically, the embodiment of the application further provides a network side device. As shown in Figure 19 The network side device 1900 comprises an antenna 191, a radio frequency device 192, and a baseband device 193. The antenna 191 is connected to the radio frequency device 192. In the uplink direction, the radio frequency device 192 receives information through the antenna 191 and sends the received information to the baseband device 193 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband device 193 processes the information to be sent and sends it to the radio frequency device 192, and the radio frequency device 192 processes the received information and sends it out through the antenna 191.

[0321] The above frequency band processing device can be located in the baseband device 193, and the method performed by the network side device in the above embodiments can be implemented in the baseband device 193, which includes a processor 194 and a memory 195.

[0322] The baseband device 193 can include at least one baseband board, for example, on which a plurality of chips are arranged, such as Figure 19 as shown in the figure, one of the chips is, for example, the processor 194, which is connected with the memory 195 to invoke the program in the memory 195 and perform the operations of the network side device shown in the above method embodiments.

[0323] The baseband device 193 can also include a network interface 196 for interacting with the radio frequency device 192, which is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0324] Specifically, the network side device of the embodiments of the present application further includes instructions or programs stored in the memory 195 and executable on the processor 194, and the processor 194 invokes the instructions or programs in the memory 195 to perform the methods shown in the above method embodiments and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, the details are not described here. Figure 11 , Figure 13 to Figure 16 The modules shown in the figure perform the methods shown in the figure and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, the details are not described here.

[0325] The embodiments of the present application also provide a readable storage medium having programs or instructions stored thereon, which are executed by a processor to implement the various processes of the above multi-path communication method embodiments and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, the details are not described here.

[0326] The processor can be the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes a computer readable storage medium, such as a computer readable memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0327] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip including a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and the processor are coupled, and the processor is configured to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above multi-path communication method embodiments and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, the details are not described here.

[0328] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as a system chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system on chip, etc.

[0329] It should be noted that, in the present document, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the method and apparatus of the present application can be carried out by more than one process, method, article, or apparatus either simultaneously, concurrently, or with intermediate steps missing or added. Also, the features described in relation to one example can be combined with features described in relation to other examples.

[0330] From the above description of the embodiments, it is apparent that the above-described method of the embodiments can be realized by means of software and necessary universal hardware platform, of course, also by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better embodiment. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be embodied in the form of computer software product, which is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disc, optical disc), and includes a plurality of instructions for making a terminal (which can be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network side device, etc.) execute the method described in various embodiments of the present application.

[0331] The embodiments of the present application are described above in conjunction with the drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments, which are merely illustrative rather than restrictive, and a person of ordinary skill in the art can make many forms under the inspiration of the present application without departing from the scope of the present application and the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-path communication method, characterized by, The method comprises: An access and mobility management function (AMF) performs a first operation, the first operation comprising: Determining that an access mode of a first multi-access protocol data unit (MA PDU) session of a remote terminal comprises a non-direct network communication access mode; and Sending a first message to a session management function (SMF), the first message comprising first indication information indicating that the access mode of the first MA PDU session comprises the non-direct network communication access mode. The method further comprises: The AMF obtaining numbering information corresponding to a first access mode, the first access mode being a non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal. The AMF sending the numbering information to the SMF, the numbering information being used by the SMF to activate user plane resources corresponding to the first access mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first operation further comprises at least one of: Determining a number of accesses through which the remote terminal is currently actually accessing the non-direct network communication access mode; Selecting the SMF based on a type of the first MA PDU session.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first message further comprises at least one of: Demand access quantity information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the demand access quantity information indicating a demand access quantity corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode included in the first MA PDU session; Actual access quantity information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the actual access quantity information indicating an actual access quantity corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode through which the remote terminal is currently actually accessing; Numbering information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the numbering information indicating a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal; Access mode information indicating an access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal comprises at least one of: A third generation partnership project (3GPP) direct network communication access mode; A 3GPP non-direct network communication access mode; A non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; A non-3GPP non-direct network communication access mode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the AMF performs the first operation, the method further comprises: The AMF receiving a second message sent by the remote terminal, the second message comprising second indication information indicating that the access mode of the first MA PDU session comprises the non-direct network communication access mode.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The second message is further used to request at least one of: Establishing the first MA PDU session; Modifying a second MA PDU session that does not comprise the non-direct network communication access mode into the first MA PDU session comprising the non-direct network communication access mode.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the AMF performs the first operation, the method further comprises: The AMF receiving sixth indication information sent by a radio access network (RAN), the sixth indication information indicating that the access mode of the first MA PDU session comprises the non-direct network communication access mode.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, The AMF determines that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode, comprising: the AMF determines that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode based on at least one of the following: Second indication information sent by the remote terminal, the second indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes a non-direct network communication access mode; Sixth indication information sent by the RAN, the sixth indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session of the remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode; Context information of the remote terminal, the context information of the remote terminal including a non-direct network communication access mode.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, After the AMF performs the first operation, the method further comprises: The AMF sends a third message to the SMF, the third message being used to instruct the SMF to establish user plane resources of the non-direct network communication access mode of the first MA PDU session.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The AMF acquires numbering information corresponding to the first access mode, comprising: the AMF acquires numbering information corresponding to the first access mode based on at least one of the following: The numbering information sent by the remote terminal; The numbering information sent by the RAN; The context information of the remote terminal.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, After the AMF performs the first operation, the method further comprises: The AMF receives a fourth message sent by the SMF; The AMF sends the fourth message to the remote terminal; The fourth message comprises at least one of the following: Routing, switching and splitting ATSSS rule information of the first access data, the first ATSSS rule information including rule information of the non-direct network communication access mode; Mapping relationship information, the mapping relationship information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number of the non-direct network communication access mode.

12. A multipath communication method, characterized by, Comprise: The remote terminal sends a second message to the AMF, the second message including second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes a non-direct network communication access mode; The second message is further used to request to establish and / or activate user plane resources of the non-direct network communication access mode of the first MA PDU session.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The second message is further used to request one of the following: Establish the first MA PDU session; Modify a second MA PDU session not including a non-direct network communication access mode into the first MA PDU session including a non-direct network communication access mode.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The second message further comprises at least one of the following: Demand access quantity information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the demand access quantity information being used to indicate a demand access quantity corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode contained in the first MA PDU session; Numbering information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode, the numbering information being used to indicate a number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal; Access mode information, the access mode information being used for indicating an access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal comprises at least one of: a 3GPP direct network communication access mode; a 3GPP indirect network communication access mode; a non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; a non-3GPP indirect network communication access mode.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein, After the remote terminal sends the second message to the AMF, the method further comprises that the remote terminal receives a fourth message, the fourth message comprising at least one of: first ATSSS rule information, the first ATSSS rule information comprising rule information of a non-direct network communication access mode; mapping relationship information, the mapping relationship information being used for indicating a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number of a non-direct network communication access mode.

17. A multipath communication method, characterized by, comprises: The SMF performs a second operation, the second operation comprising: determining that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of the remote terminal comprises a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a fifth message to a policy control function PCF, the fifth message comprising fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used for indicating that the access mode of the first MA PDU session comprises a non-direct network communication access mode; The method further comprises: The SMF receives number information corresponding to a non-direct network communication access mode, the number information being used for indicating a number corresponding to a non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal; activating a user plane resource corresponding to the number.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The fifth message further comprises at least one of: demand access quantity information corresponding to a non-direct network communication access mode, the demand access quantity information being used for indicating a demand access quantity corresponding to a non-direct network communication access mode contained in the first MA PDU session; number information corresponding to a non-direct network communication access mode, the number information being used for indicating a number corresponding to a non-direct network communication access mode currently actually adopted by the remote terminal; access mode information, the access mode information being used for indicating an access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The access mode currently adopted by the remote terminal comprises at least one of: a 3GPP direct network communication access mode; a 3GPP indirect network communication access mode; a non-3GPP direct network communication access mode; a non-3GPP indirect network communication access mode.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein, After the SMF performs the second operation, the method further comprises that the SMF performs a third operation, the third operation comprising at least one of: generating first ATSSS rule information; sending the first ATSSS rule information; generating first N4 rule information; sending the first N4 rule information; sending mapping relationship information, the mapping relationship information being used for indicating a mapping relationship between an application or data and a number corresponding to a non-direct network communication access mode; sending demand access quantity information of a non-direct network communication access mode, the demand access quantity information being used for indicating a demand access quantity of a non-direct network communication access mode contained in the first MA PDU session; establishing user plane resources corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode; The first ATSSS rule information includes rule information of the non-direct network communication access mode; and the first N4 rule information includes rule information of the non-direct network communication access mode and / or a number N of the non-direct network communication access modes, where the N is a positive integer.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The user plane resources are established by the SMF based on at least one of actual access number information corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode or response information corresponding to the first N4 rule information.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, Before the SMF performs the third operation, the method further includes: receiving first MA PDU session control information; The first MA PDU session control information is generated by the PCF based on at least one of the non-direct network communication access mode or a required number corresponding to the non-direct network communication access mode.

23. A multipath communication device, comprising: comprising: The first execution module is configured to perform a first operation, and the first operation includes: determining that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and and sending a first message to the SMF, where the first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode. The first execution module is further configured to: obtain numbering information corresponding to a first access mode, where the first access mode is a non-direct network communication access mode currently actually used by the remote terminal; and send the numbering information to the SMF, where the numbering information is used by the SMF to activate user plane resources corresponding to the first access mode.

24. A multipath communication device, comprising: comprising: The sending module is configured to send a second message to the AMF, where the second message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that an access mode of a first MA PDU session includes a non-direct network communication access mode. The second message is further used to request establishment and / or activation of user plane resources of the non-direct network communication access mode of the first MA PDU session.

25. A multipath communication device, comprising: comprising: The second execution module is configured to perform a second operation, and the second operation includes: determining that an access mode of a first MA PDU session of a remote terminal includes a non-direct network communication access mode; and sending a fifth message to the PCF, where the fifth message includes fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the access mode of the first MA PDU session includes the non-direct network communication access mode. The apparatus further includes: The receiving module is configured to receive numbering information corresponding to a non-direct network communication access mode, where the numbering information is used to indicate a number corresponding to a non-direct network communication access mode currently actually used by the remote terminal. The activation module is configured to activate user plane resources corresponding to the number.

26. A terminal, characterized by comprising a processor, a memory, and a program or instructions stored in the memory and executable on the processor, and the program or instructions are executed by the processor to implement the multi-path communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 16.

27. A network-side device, comprising: A computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method of multi-path communication as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, or as claimed in any of claims 17 to 22.

28. A readable storage medium, characterized by, A computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform a method of multi-path communication as claimed in any of claims 1 to 22.

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