Communication method, device and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium. The method includes: sending a first request message to an access management network element, the first request message carrying the application capabilities of a terminal device; receiving a first response message from the access management network element; and sending a session establishment request to a session management network element based on the first response message, the session establishment request being used to request establishment of a connection to a first application network element. The technical solution provided in this application can reduce interactive signaling between a terminal device and a server, thereby reducing communication latency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Before conducting communication services, terminal devices need to establish a user plane transmission channel (i.e., a session connection) with the gateway device in the core network. In the fifth-generation (5G) communication system, after the session management function (SMF) receives a request message including the data network name (DNN) from the terminal device, it sends a domain name system (DNS) request message including the DNN to the user plane function (UPF). The UPF can obtain the Internet Protocol (IP) address through domain name resolution, thereby locating a server on the Internet that is used to serve the terminal device's application.

[0003] In the above process, UPF cannot directly find the server to be accessed through the domain name. A process of looking up the IP address from the domain name must be added in the middle. This process is domain name resolution. As a result, when the terminal device interacts with the server, the signaling is circuitous, causing communication delays. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium, which can reduce interactive signaling between terminal devices and servers and reduce communication latency.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the terminal device. The method is described below using the application to the terminal device as an example. The communication method may include: sending a first request message to an access management network element, the first request message carrying the application capabilities of the terminal device; receiving a first response message sent by the access management network element; and sending a session establishment request to a session management network element based on the first response message, the session establishment request being used to request establishment of a connection to a first application network element.

[0006] In the solution provided in the present application, a terminal device may first send a first request message carrying its own application capabilities to an access management network element. The application capabilities may include positioning application capabilities, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) application capabilities, device-to-device (D2D) application capabilities, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) application capabilities, multimedia application capabilities, and augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) application capabilities. After receiving the first request message, the access management network element may determine one or more application network elements provided for the terminal device based on the application capabilities of the terminal device and send a first response message to the terminal device. The terminal device then sends a session establishment request to the session management network element based on the first response message to request establishment of a connection to the first application network element. The network can establish a user plane connection between the terminal device and the application network element before the terminal device sends a session establishment request, and connect the terminal device to the native function server it needs. In this way, the terminal device and the application network element can exchange specific function requests and responses. Therefore, when the terminal device initiates a service request, the interactive signaling between the terminal device and the server can be reduced, thereby reducing communication latency.

[0007] In a possible implementation manner, the session establishment request includes the service type of the terminal device.

[0008] In the solution provided in the present application, the session establishment request sent by the terminal device to the session management network element according to the first response information may include the service type of the terminal device, wherein the service type may include DNN, single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), application (identity, ID) and application type, and the application type may be positioning, V2X, D2D, UAV, multimedia application capabilities and AR / VR, etc. In this way, after the session management network element receives the service type from the terminal device, it can determine which application network elements the terminal device can connect to, and thus can determine the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the session establishment request further includes location information of the terminal device.

[0010] In the solution provided in the present application, the session establishment request sent by the terminal device to the session management network element based on the first response information may also include the location information of the terminal device. In this way, the session management network element can select an application network element close to the terminal device for the terminal device to communicate with based on the location information of the terminal device. The terminal device can access the application server nearby, thereby improving the communication rate.

[0011] In a possible implementation manner, the first response information includes the indication information.

[0012] In the solution provided in the present application, the access management network element determines one or more application network elements that provide services to the terminal device based on the application capabilities of the terminal device, and can send an indication message to the terminal device through a first response message to instruct the terminal device to connect to one or more application network elements that provide services to the terminal device.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner, the session establishment request includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0014] In the solution provided in this application, the session establishment request sent by the terminal device to the session management network element based on the first response information may include the identification information of the first application network element. The session management network element may determine that the terminal device intends to establish a user plane connection with the first application network element. Therefore, when the terminal device initiates a service request to the network, interactive signaling can be reduced, thereby lowering communication latency.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first response information includes the one or more application network element identification information; and the first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information.

[0016] In the solution provided in this application, the access management network element determines one or more application network elements that provide services to the terminal device based on the application capabilities of the terminal device, and may send one or more application network element identification information to the terminal device via a first response message. After receiving the first response information, the terminal device may determine the first application network element based on the service type and the one or more application network element identification information.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first response information also includes location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements; determining the first application network element based on the service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information includes: determining the first application network element based on the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

[0018] In the solution provided in this application, the access management network element sends one or more application network element identification information to the terminal device via a first response message, and may also send the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements to the terminal device. After receiving the first response message, the terminal device can determine the first application network element based on the service type, the one or more application network element identification information, and the one or more location information corresponding to the application network element. In this way, the first application network element can be an application network element close to the terminal device, allowing the terminal device to access the application server nearby, thereby improving communication speed.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the one or more application network element identification information includes the type of one or more application network elements; determining the first application network element based on the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements includes: determining the first application network element based on the service type of the terminal device, the type of the one or more application network elements and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

[0020] In the solution provided in this application, the one or more application network element identification information sent by the access management network element to the terminal device via the first response information may include the type of one or more application network elements. After receiving the first response information, the terminal device may determine the first application network element based on the service type, the type of one or more application network elements, and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements. Each application network element may have different service types. After the terminal device connects to an application network element of a certain type, it may select the first application network element based on the capabilities of the application network element, that is, the service types supported by the application network element.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: receiving second information from the access management network element, where the second information includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0022] In the solution provided in this application, a terminal device can receive a second message including identification information of a first application network element from an access management network element, and then, based on the first response message, send a session establishment request including the identification information of the first application network element to a session management network element. The session management network element can then determine that the terminal device intends to establish a user plane connection with the first application network element. Therefore, when the terminal device initiates a service request to the network, interactive signaling can be reduced, thereby lowering communication latency.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: receiving a session establishment response from the session management network element, the session establishment response including address information of the first application network element; and communicating with the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

[0024] In the solution provided in the present application, after the session management network element establishes a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element according to the session establishment request, it can send a session establishment response including the address information of the first application network element to the terminal device, and the terminal device can communicate with the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

[0025] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a session management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the session management network element. The method is described below using application to the session management network element as an example. The method may include: receiving a session establishment request sent by a terminal device, the session establishment request being used to request establishment of a connection to a first application network element; and establishing a connection between a user plane network element and the first application network element based on the session establishment request.

[0026] In the solution provided in this application, after a session management network element receives a session establishment request from a terminal device requesting to establish a connection to a first application network element, it can establish a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element based on the session establishment request. The network can establish a user plane connection between the terminal device and the application network element before the terminal device sends the session establishment request, connecting the terminal device to the native function server it requires. This allows the terminal device and the application network element to exchange specific function requests and responses. Therefore, when the terminal device initiates a service request, the interactive signaling between the terminal device and the server can be reduced, thereby reducing communication latency.

[0027] It should be understood that the executor of the second aspect is the session management network element, and the specific content of the second aspect corresponds to the content of the first aspect. The corresponding features of the second aspect and the beneficial effects achieved can refer to the description of the first aspect. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the session establishment request includes a service type of the terminal device; and the first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device.

[0029] In the solution provided in the present application, after the session management network element receives the session establishment request including the service type of the terminal device sent by the terminal device, it can determine the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the communication method also includes: obtaining the contract data of the terminal device from a unified data management network element; determining the first application network element based on the service type of the terminal device includes: determining the first application network element based on the service type of the terminal device and the contract data of the terminal device.

[0031] In the solution provided in the present application, after the session management network element receives the session establishment request sent by the terminal device including the service type of the terminal device, it can also obtain the contract data of the terminal device from the data management network element, and then determine the first application network element based on the service type of the terminal device and the contract data of the terminal device.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the session establishment request also includes location information of the terminal device; determining the first application network element based on the service type of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device includes: determining the first application network element based on the service type of the terminal device, the subscription data of the terminal device and the location information of the terminal device.

[0033] In the solution provided by this application, a session management network element receives a session establishment request from a terminal device, including the terminal device's service type. The session establishment request may also include the terminal device's location information. The session management network element can determine a first application network element based on the terminal device's service type, the terminal device's subscription data, and the terminal device's location information. In this way, the session management network element can select an application network element close to the terminal device for communication based on the terminal device's location information. This allows the terminal device to access the application server nearby, thereby improving communication speed.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner, the session establishment request includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: determining the address information of the first application network element based on the identification information of the first application network element; and sending a user plane connection establishment request to the first application network element based on the address information of the first application network element.

[0036] In the solution provided in the present application, the network establishes a user plane connection between the terminal device and the application network element before the terminal device sends a session establishment request. In the process of connecting the terminal device to the native function server it requires, the session management network element can determine the address information of the first application network element based on the identification information of the first application network element received from the terminal device, or the identification information of the first application network element determined by the session management network element itself, and then send a user plane connection establishment request to the first application network element based on the address information of the first application network element, thereby enabling the network to establish a user plane connection between the terminal device and the application network element.

[0037] In one possible implementation, establishing a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element according to the session establishment request includes: sending an N4 connection establishment request to the user plane network element according to the session establishment request, the N4 connection establishment request including the address information of the first application network element; sending user plane connection update information to the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element, the user plane connection update information including the address information of the user plane network element.

[0038] In the solution provided in the present application, the network establishes a user plane connection between the terminal device and the application network element before the terminal device sends a session establishment request. In the process of connecting the terminal device to the native function server it requires, the session management network element can establish a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element. Specifically, it can send an N4 connection establishment request including the address information of the first application network element to the user plane network element based on the session establishment request, and then send user plane connection update information including the address information of the user plane network element to the first application network element based on the address information of the first application network element, thereby enabling the network to establish a user plane connection between the terminal device and the application network element.

[0039] In a possible implementation manner, the communication method further includes: sending a session establishment response to the terminal device, where the session establishment response includes address information of the first application network element.

[0040] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to an access management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access management network element. The following description takes application to the access management network element as an example. The method may include: receiving first request information sent by a terminal device, the first request information carrying the application capabilities of the terminal device; and determining one or more application network elements that provide services to the terminal device based on the application capabilities of the terminal device.

[0041] In the solution provided in this application, before a terminal device sends a session establishment request to a session management network element, it can first send a first request message carrying its own application capabilities to the access management network element. After receiving the first request message, the access management network element can determine one or more application network elements provided for the terminal device based on the application capabilities of the terminal device and send a first response message to the terminal device. The terminal device then sends a session establishment request to the session management network element based on the first response message to request establishment of a connection to the first application network element. Before the terminal device sends the session establishment request, the network can establish a user plane connection between the terminal device and the application network element, connecting the terminal device to the native function server it requires. In this way, the terminal device and the application network element can exchange specific function requests and responses. Therefore, when the terminal device initiates a service request, the interactive signaling between the terminal device and the server can be reduced, reducing communication latency.

[0042] It should be understood that the executor of the third aspect is the access management network element. The specific content of the third aspect corresponds to the content of the first aspect. The corresponding features and beneficial effects achieved by the third aspect can refer to the description of the first aspect. In order to avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the subscription data of the terminal device sent by the data management network element is received; and the one or more application network elements that provide services to the terminal device based on the application capabilities of the terminal device include: determining the one or more application network elements based on the application capabilities of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner, the communication method further includes: sending first response information to the terminal device.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the first response information includes indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to connect to one or more application network elements that provide services for the terminal device.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the first response information includes one or more application network element identification information.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner, the first response information further includes location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

[0048] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method that can be applied to an access management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the access management network element. The following description uses the application to the access management network element as an example. The method may include: receiving an application request sent by a network open network element, the application request including an application type and identification information of a terminal device; and determining a first application network element based on the application type.

[0049] In the solution provided by the present application, an application client (APP client) sends an application request including an application type and a terminal device identifier to a network open network element. The network open network element can determine an access management network element serving the terminal device and send an application request including the application type and the terminal device identifier to the access management network element. After receiving the application request, the access management network element can determine the first application network element based on the application type, thereby enabling the network to establish a user plane connection between the terminal device and the application network element before the terminal device sends a session establishment request, and connect the terminal device to the native function server it requires. In this way, specific function requests and responses can be exchanged between the terminal device and the application network element. Therefore, when the terminal device initiates a service request, the interactive signaling between the terminal device and the server can be reduced, thereby reducing communication latency.

[0050] It should be understood that the executor of the fourth aspect is the access management network element. The specific content of the fourth aspect corresponds to the content of the first aspect. The corresponding features of the fourth aspect and the beneficial effects achieved can refer to the description of the first aspect. In order to avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the communication method further includes: sending second information to the terminal device, where the second information includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0052] In a possible implementation manner, the communication method further includes: sending an application response to the network open network element, where the application response includes an application result.

[0053] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the terminal device. The device may include: a transceiver unit configured to send a first request message to an access management network element, wherein the first request message carries the application capability of the terminal device;

[0054] The transceiver unit is further configured to receive first response information sent by the access management network element;

[0055] The transceiver unit is further configured to send a session establishment request to the session management network element according to the first response information, where the session establishment request is used to request establishment of a connection to the first application network element.

[0056] In a possible implementation manner, the session establishment request includes the service type of the terminal device.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the session establishment request further includes location information of the terminal device.

[0058] In a possible implementation manner, the first response information includes the indication information.

[0059] In a possible implementation manner, the session establishment request includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the first response information includes the one or more application network element identification information;

[0061] The communication device also includes: a processing unit, configured to determine the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information.

[0062] In a possible implementation manner, the first response information further includes location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements;

[0063] The processing unit determining the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information includes:

[0064] The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

[0065] In a possible implementation manner, the one or more application network element identification information includes the type of one or more application network elements;

[0066] The processing unit determining the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information, and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements includes:

[0067] The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the type of the one or more application network elements, and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive second information sent by the access management network element, where the second information includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a session establishment response from the session management network element, where the session establishment response includes address information of the first application network element;

[0070] The processing unit is further configured to communicate with the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

[0071] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a session management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the session management network element. The device may include: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a session establishment request sent by a terminal device, wherein the session establishment request is used to request establishment of a connection to a first application network element;

[0072] The processing unit is configured to establish a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element according to the session establishment request.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the session establishment request includes a service type of the terminal device;

[0074] The processing unit is further used to determine the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to obtain the subscription data of the terminal device from a data management network element;

[0076] The processing unit determining the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device includes:

[0077] The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device.

[0078] In a possible implementation, the session establishment request further includes location information of the terminal device;

[0079] The processing unit determining the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device includes:

[0080] The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the subscription data of the terminal device and the location information of the terminal device.

[0081] In a possible implementation manner, the session establishment request includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0082] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine the address information of the first application network element according to the identification information of the first application network element;

[0083] The transceiver unit is further configured to send a user plane connection establishment request to the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

[0084] In a possible implementation, the processing unit establishing a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element according to the session establishment request includes:

[0085] Sending an N4 connection establishment request to the user plane network element according to the session establishment request, where the N4 connection establishment request includes address information of the first application network element;

[0086] User plane connection update information is sent to the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element, where the user plane connection update information includes the address information of the user plane network element.

[0087] In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a session establishment response to the terminal device, where the session establishment response includes address information of the first application network element.

[0088] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access management network element. The device may include: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a first request message sent by a terminal device, the first request message carrying the application capability of the terminal device;

[0089] A processing unit is used to determine one or more application network elements that provide services to the terminal device based on the application capabilities of the terminal device.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive the subscription data of the terminal device sent by a data management network element;

[0091] The processing unit determines, according to the application capability of the terminal device, one or more application network elements that provide services for the terminal device, including:

[0092] The one or more application network elements are determined according to the application capability of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device.

[0093] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send first response information to the terminal device.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the first response information includes indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to connect to one or more application network elements that provide services for the terminal device.

[0095] In a possible implementation, the first response information includes one or more application network element identification information.

[0096] In a possible implementation manner, the first response information further includes location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

[0097] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access management network element. The device may include: a transceiver unit configured to receive an application request sent by a network open network element, the application request including an application type and identification information of a terminal device;

[0098] A processing unit is configured to determine a first application network element according to the application type.

[0099] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send second information to the terminal device, where the second information includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0100] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send an application response to the network open network element, where the application response includes an application result.

[0101] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) in a terminal device. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, wherein the input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, and the output interface is used to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor calls the computer program stored in the memory to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0102] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a session management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the session management network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, the input interface being configured to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, the output interface being configured to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor invoking a computer program stored in the memory to execute the communication method provided in the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0103] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be an access management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access management network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, the input interface being used to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, the output interface being used to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor calling a computer program stored in the memory to execute the communication method provided in the third aspect or any embodiment of the third aspect; or executing the communication method provided in the fourth aspect or any embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0104] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication device of the ninth aspect, the communication device of the tenth aspect, and at least one communication device of the eleventh aspect.

[0105] In the thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or computer instructions stored thereon. When the computer program or computer instructions are executed, part or all of the steps of the communication method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof are executed.

[0106] In the fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising executable instructions, which, when run on a user device, enables some or all of the steps of the communication method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0107] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may also include a memory, for implementing the communication method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0108] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure of a client access network provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] Figure 4 This is another network architecture diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0113] Figure 6 This is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0114] Figure 7 This is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0115] Figure 8 This is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0116] Figure 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0117] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0118] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0119] Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0120] Figure 13 This is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0121] Figure 14 This is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0122] In order to facilitate understanding of this application, the relevant technical knowledge involved in the embodiments of this application is first introduced here.

[0123] 1. Services supported by mobile networks

[0124] A public land mobile network (PLMN), also known as a mobile network, is a network established and operated by the government or an operator approved by it to provide land mobile communications services to the public. A mobile network is a wireless communication system that includes second-generation mobile networks (2G), third-generation mobile networks (3G), and fourth-generation mobile networks (4G). Current wireless communication technology has developed to the fifth-generation mobile networks (5G).

[0125] The international standards for 5G networks are developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). China launched commercial 5G services in 2019. 5G networks primarily support three types of services: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC).

[0126] (1) eMBB Scenario

[0127] 5G eMBB services can meet user demands for high data rates and high mobility, and are widely used in scenarios such as internet video and live broadcasts. In January 2017, 5G fixed wireless streaming tests were completed on a 39GHz system, achieving speeds of 14Gbit / s in the laboratory with latency of less than 3ms. In June 2017, a second 5G trial enabled users to watch live streaming on a 5G network, a trial that has been ongoing for several months. This trial utilized a 5G mobile trial platform and a 5G radio access network, transmitting live TV content via fixed wireless 5G signals, initially achieving an experienced rate of 1Gbit / s. The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, held in February 2018, became a major debut for 5G networks. 5G is also being used to introduce immersive technologies such as 360-degree virtual reality (360VR), sync view, and time slicing. 360VR allows users to view the entire stadium in 360 degrees and select an athlete to follow from the playback screen. Synchronous viewing uses the 5G communication module built into the ultra-high-speed camera, allowing users to watch the game from the perspective of the athletes. Time slicing uses dozens of cameras to provide stereoscopic images and capture exciting moments. Real-sense technology can be fully implemented in the stadium and experience center, and can also be experienced by users outside the stadium on devices such as smartphones.

[0128] (2) URLLC scenario

[0129] 5G technology supports ultra-reliable and low-latency machine-type communications and is widely applicable in scenarios such as autonomous driving, connected vehicles, and smart healthcare. In February 2017, a 28GHz 5G test network achieved a peak data rate of 3.6Gbit / s between connected cars traveling at 170 kilometers per hour. Connected cars can receive information about surrounding traffic and obstacles, while in-car media can play 4K ultra-high definition (UHD) videos, live virtual reality performances, and three-dimensional (3D) video clips.

[0130] In June 2017, the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai showcased the application of 5G technology in smart healthcare and connected vehicles. This demonstration utilized New Radio (NR) base stations supporting independent deployment, a service-based next-generation core network, and traffic-based Quality of Service (QoS) technology. This enabled high-speed, low-latency real-time communication between ambulances and hospital staff during patient transport. It also ensured the real-time transmission of high-bandwidth images, such as patient X-rays and videos, to the hospital. This enabled doctors to diagnose patients and make preliminary preparations during transport, saving valuable time for treatment.

[0131] (3) mMTC Scenario

[0132] mMTC leverages 5G's low power consumption and wide coverage, targeting scenarios where a large number of small sensors are used for data collection, analysis, and application. Within the 5G ecosystem, 5G technology will be adaptable to other technical standards, such as low-power wide area (LPWA) technology, Long Term Evolution Category M1 (LTE Cat-M1), and narrowband IoT (NB-IoT). International operators are actively deploying networks such as LTE Cat-M1 and NB-IoT, laying the foundation for 5G large-scale machine-type communications.

[0133] In March 2017, the LTE Cat-M1 network was commercially launched on a large scale, primarily providing wireless access solutions for IoT enterprises. This IoT platform (thing space), built on the world wide web (Web), offers open application programming interfaces (APIs), enabling developers to independently develop and promote new IoT services while also facilitating end-to-end management of their IoT environments. This platform is poised to reshape eight major industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, energy and utilities, agricultural technology, and financial services.

[0134] In 2017, large-scale NB-IoT deployments were expected to reach global network coverage by 2020. Approximately 85% of 4G base stations can now support NB-IoT through a simple software upgrade. The NB-IoT network undergoing commercial testing utilizes the 800MHz frequency band, which matches the locally available 4G network frequency band. This eliminates the need to re-establish dedicated base stations; 4G base station upgrades and NB-IoT deployment can be completed within hours, significantly reducing NB-IoT deployment costs. The efficient deployment of NB-IoT has laid a solid foundation for the development of IoT services. Currently, IoT applications include smart grids, public environmental and energy monitoring, smart cities, and asset tracking.

[0135] 2. Native features of mobile networks

[0136] The three aforementioned service categories essentially provide data connections for mobile network capabilities. When a user browses the web, watches videos, or plays games on their phone, an application (app) on their phone is associated with a 5G network service type. Most smartphone apps are associated with eMBB services, creating an N:1 relationship between mobile applications and 5G network services.

[0137] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a client access network provided by this application. Figure 1 As shown, this architecture includes client 101, network 102, and application server 103. Network 102 can be thought of as a network cable, connecting client 101 to application server 103. The network's primary function is to provide data connectivity between application server 103 and client 101. Network 102 can provide data connectivity based on the varying needs of user services. This communication model transforms network 102 into a "pipeline," with actual communication occurring between client 101 and application server 103.

[0138] Mobile networks have also launched a number of their own native services, such as positioning services, proximity discovery services, and latency-sensitive services. These services utilize not only the mobile network's data connectivity capabilities, but also numerous other capabilities, such as location calculation, broadcast code calculation and allocation, and transmission delay calculation. To provide these native functions, mobile networks deploy corresponding functional devices within network 102. Each native function has its own independent application network element.

[0139] 3. Business Model of Mobile Network Native Functions

[0140] A business model refers to the entire process by which a business occurs.

[0141] A native service of a mobile network, such as positioning, has an abstract business model: a user wants to know their current location and sends a positioning request to the network. The network's positioning function uses network elements to calculate the user's location and returns the positioning result to the user.

[0142] Another native service of mobile networks, such as short-range services, has a business model that can be abstracted as follows: the user, as a short-range service client, requests short-range services from the network. The network's positioning function uses network elements to determine the user's short-range service identifier and assigns the short-range service identifier to the user.

[0143] In order to better understand the communication method, device and computer-readable storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present application, the network architecture used in the embodiments of the present application is described below. Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is an example of a network architecture diagram communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the network architecture may include the following devices, network elements, and networks:

[0144] 1. Terminal device 210: This may include various handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, as well as various forms of terminals, including mobile stations (MS), terminals, user equipment (UE), and soft terminals. Examples include water meters, electricity meters, and sensors.

[0145] 2. Radio Access Network (RAN) Element 220: This element provides network access for authorized terminals in a specific area and uses transmission tunnels of varying quality based on the terminal's level and service requirements. RAN elements manage radio resources, provide access services to terminals, and forward control signals and terminal data between terminals and the core network. These elements can also be understood as base stations in traditional networks.

[0146] The RAN network elements in the NPN network can also control unauthorized terminal devices from attempting to access or select the NPN network.

[0147] 3. User plane network element 230: This element is used for packet routing and forwarding, as well as quality of service (QoS) processing for user plane data. In a 5G communication system, this user plane network element may be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane network element may still be a UPF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0148] 4. Data network element 240: A network for providing data transmission. In a 5G communication system, this data network element may be a data network (DN) element. In future communication systems, the data network element may still be a DN element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0149] 5. Access management network element 250: Mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc., and can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management entity (MME) in addition to session management, such as lawful interception and access authorization / authentication. In a 5G communication system, the access management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the access management network element can still be an AMF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0150] 6. Session Management NE 260: This element is primarily used for session management, allocation and management of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for terminal devices, selection and management of endpoints for user plane functions, policy control, and charging function interfaces, and downlink data notification. In a 5G communication system, this session management NE may be a session management function (SMF) NE. In future communication systems, the session management NE may still be an SMF NE, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0151] 7. Policy control network element 270: A unified policy framework for guiding network behavior, providing policy rule information for control plane function network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.). In a 4G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element. In a 5G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy control function (PCF) network element. In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0152] 8. Binding function network element 280: used to find the PCF associated with the session. In a 5G communication system, the binding support network element may be a binding support function (BSF) network element. In future communication systems, the binding support network element may still be a BSF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0153] 9. Authentication Server 290: Provides authentication services, generates keys, implements two-way authentication of terminal devices, and supports a unified authentication framework. In a 5G communication system, the authentication server may be an authentication server function (AUSF) network element. In future communication systems, the authentication server function network element may still be an AUSF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0154] 10. Data Management NE 2100: This element is used to handle terminal device identification, access authentication, registration, and mobility contract management. In a 5G communication system, this data management NE may be a unified data management (UDM) NE. In future communication systems, the UDM may still be called a UDM NE, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0155] 11. Application Network Element 2110: This element is used for routing application-influenced data, accessing network open function network elements, and interacting with the policy framework for policy control. In a 5G communication system, this application network element may be an application function (AF) network element. In future communication systems, the application network element may still be an AF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0156] 12. Network storage network element 2120: Used to maintain real-time information of all network function entities and services in the network. In a 5G communication system, this network storage network element can be a network registration function (NRF) network element or a network exposure function (NEF) network element. In future communication systems, the network storage network element can still be an NRF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0157] The above network elements in the core network can also be called functional entities, which can be network elements implemented on dedicated hardware, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or instances of virtualized functions on an appropriate platform. For example, the above virtualization platform can be a cloud platform.

[0158] It should be noted that Figure 2 The network architecture shown is not limited to including only the network elements shown in the figure, but may also include other devices not shown in the figure, which will not be listed one by one in this application.

[0159] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the distribution form of each network element in the core network. Figure 2 The distribution form shown is only exemplary and is not limited in this application.

[0160] It should be understood that the names of all network elements in this application are only examples. In future communications, such as 6G, they may also be called other names, or in future communications, such as 6G, the network elements involved in this application may also be replaced by other entities or devices with the same functions, etc., and this application does not limit this. A unified explanation is given here and no further details will be given later.

[0161] It should be noted that Figure 2 The network architecture shown does not constitute a limitation on 5G networks. Optionally, the method of the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to various future communication systems, such as 6G or other communication networks.

[0162] In addition, although Figure 2Although not shown, the above-mentioned communication system may also include other network elements, devices, network entities or network subsystems, such as a binding support function (BSF) network element, etc., which will not be described in detail in the embodiment of the present application.

[0163] Optionally, the various network elements in the embodiments of the present application may be communication devices, or chips or chip systems that can be used in the communication devices, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0164] It should be noted that the above-mentioned various network elements can be different communication devices, or different communication devices, modules or subsystems in the same communication device, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0165] Optionally, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device for implementing wireless communication functions, such as a terminal device or a chip that can be used in the terminal device. The terminal device may be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a terminal agent, or a terminal device in a 5G network or a future evolved PLMN. An access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal used in industrial control, a wireless terminal used in self-driving vehicles, a wireless terminal used in remote medical care, a wireless terminal used in smart grids, a wireless terminal used in transportation safety, a wireless terminal used in smart cities, a wireless terminal used in smart homes, etc. The terminal may be mobile or fixed.

[0166] Optionally, the access network equipment in the embodiments of the present application generally includes equipment for accessing the core network, such as a base station, a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, a non-third generation partnership project (3GPP) access device, etc. Among them, the base station may include various forms of base stations, such as: a macro base station, a micro base station (also known as a small station), a relay station, an access point, etc.

[0167] Optionally, various network elements or network devices or terminal devices in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as communication devices, which may be general devices or special devices, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0168] Optionally, the relevant functions of the policy control network element or network device in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a single device, or by multiple devices, or by one or more functional modules within a single device, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. It is understood that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0169] Furthermore, the AMF network element can be abbreviated as AMF, the SMF network element can be abbreviated as SMF, and the UDM network element can be abbreviated as UDM. That is, the AMF described later in this application can be replaced by the access management network element, the SMF can be replaced by the session management network element, the UDM can be replaced by the data management network element, and other network elements are similar.

[0170] For the convenience of explanation, in this application, the method for UPF selection or SMF selection is described by taking the device as an AMF entity, an SMF entity, or a UDM entity as an example. For the implementation method of the device being a chip within an AMF entity, a chip within an SMF entity, or a chip within a UDM entity, please refer to the specific description of the device being an SMF entity, an AMF entity, or an NRF entity, and no repetition will be given.

[0171] The UPF corresponds to a service range, and the UE has mobility. When the UE moves out of the service range of the UPF or the service capabilities required by the UE exceed the service range of the UPF, for the sake of convenience, the UPF is called the first UPF, that is, the UE moves out of the service range of the first UPF or the service capabilities required by the UE exceed the service range of the first UPF. In order to provide better service to the UE, the SMF can select a second UPF for the UE. The service range corresponding to the second UPF includes the location of the UE or the service capabilities required by the UE, and the user plane path of the PDU session is modified to the path between the UE and the second UPF.

[0172] Figure 2 There is only one UPF in the network architecture shown. Based on the above basic network architecture, 5G can also support the insertion of multiple session anchor UPFs on the user plane path (i.e., data path) of a PDU session to support connection to the local DN, so that the UE can access the application server in the local DN nearby.

[0173] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a network architecture diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 As shown, multiple UPFs are introduced into the network architecture of the communication system. These UPFs can be uplink classifiers (ULCL) / branching points (BP), PDU session anchors (PSA) 1, and UPF PSA2. The ULCL / BP can distribute uplink data packets from the UE to PSA1 or PSA2 according to distribution rules, and can also send downlink data packets from PSA1 or PSA2 to the UE. An N6 interface exists between PSA1 and the DN. For example, the DN can be a DN located in a central data center (DC). An N6 interface exists between PSA2 and a local DN. For example, the local DN can be located in a local DC or MEC node. The local DN can also be understood as a DN that deploys application servers in an edge hosting environment (EHE) closer to the UE, which can also be called an edge data network (EDN). When the UE has service needs, the SMF can insert the UPF corresponding to the local DN (i.e., the local (L)-PSA) so that the UE can access the application server in the local DN nearby. For example, Figure 3 The PAS2 in is an L-PSA. It should be noted that Figure 3The number of UPFs is only an example, and may include more or fewer UPFs, which is not limited in this application.

[0174] It should be noted that Figure 3 Only one L-PSA is shown in the figure, but it should be understood that multiple L-PSAs may be included, and this application does not limit this. Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is another network architecture diagram provided by the embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 As shown, the network architecture can have multiple L-PSAs, for example Figure 4 L-PSA1 and L-PSA2 in Figure 1. In this network architecture, the ULCL / BP can connect to multiple L-PSAs. In this example, the ULCL / BP can be co-located with L-PSA1 to connect to MEC1; L-PSA2 can connect to MEC2, and the PSA can connect to the central DC. It should be understood that the ULCL / BP and L-PSA1 can also be two independent network elements or devices.

[0175] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present application, the application scenarios of the embodiments of the present application are described below. Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flow chart of establishing communication between a terminal device and a first application server provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 As shown, after the SMF receives the session establishment request including the DNN sent by the terminal device, it sends the DNS request information including the DNN to the UPF. The UPF can determine the address information of the first application server corresponding to the service type based on the DNS request information and send the address information of the first application server to the SMF. After receiving the address information of the first application server, the SMF can send the address information of the first application server to the terminal device, and the terminal device can access the first application server.

[0176] In the above process, before the terminal device establishes communication with the first application server, the UPF needs to determine the address information of the first application server corresponding to the service type based on the DNS request information, and then send the address information of the first application server to the terminal device before the terminal device can access the first application server. This process increases the signaling interaction between the terminal device and the application server, resulting in communication delay.

[0177] In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium that can reduce communication latency. Detailed descriptions are provided below.

[0178] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6This is a flow chart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This communication method can be applied to 5G network architecture. Among them, the functions performed by the terminal device in this application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the terminal device, the functions performed by the SMF in this application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the SMF, and the functions performed by the AMF in this application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the AMF. Figure 6 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0179] 601. The terminal device sends a first request message including the application capabilities of the terminal device to the AMF.

[0180] Correspondingly, the AMF may receive the first request information sent by the terminal device including the application capabilities of the terminal device.

[0181] The first request information may be attachment request information, which is used to request that the identifier of the terminal device be attached to an AF that can provide services for the application capabilities of the terminal device. The application capabilities may be positioning application capabilities, V2X application capabilities, D2D application capabilities, UAV application capabilities, multimedia application capabilities, and AR / VR application capabilities, etc. of the terminal device.

[0182] The current network's native capability service model is not uniform, placing high demands on terminal devices. Each time a new native capability is defined, the terminal device must support it, resulting in high implementation complexity. The terminal device sends an attach request message to the AMF to establish a data connection with the network. This involves pre-requesting an AF that supports the terminal's native capabilities based on the terminal's application capabilities. Once the connection is established, the terminal device can initiate any service process. All service processes utilize a common interaction model, reducing the complexity of terminal implementation.

[0183] 602. UDM sends the contract data of the terminal device to AMF.

[0184] Correspondingly, AMF can receive the contract data of the terminal device sent by UDM.

[0185] The subscription data of the terminal device can be obtained by the AMF from the UDM based on demand and then sent to the AMF by the UDM. The acquisition message can be an on-demand system message, or it can be sent to the AMF periodically or triggered by an event. The subscription data includes but is not limited to user plane security policies, terminal device capability information, consumption packages of the terminal device's universal subscriber identity module (SIM) card, and consumption package-related services.

[0186] 603. The AMF determines one or more AFs that provide services to the terminal device according to the application capabilities of the terminal device.

[0187] After the AMF receives the application capabilities of the terminal device sent by the terminal device, it can determine one or more AFs to provide services for the terminal device according to the application capabilities of the terminal device.

[0188] In one embodiment, after the AMF receives the subscription data of the terminal device sent by the UDM, it can also determine one or more AFs that provide services to the terminal device based on the application capabilities of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device.

[0189] 604. AMF sends a first response message including indication information to the terminal device.

[0190] Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first response information including indication information sent by AMF.

[0191] The first response information may be an attachment response information, used to respond to the first request information. The first response message may be a specific message name or specific parameters. The indication information may be used to indicate that the terminal device can establish a connection with one or more AFs corresponding to its application capabilities.

[0192] 605. The terminal device sends a session establishment request including the service type to the SMF.

[0193] Correspondingly, the SMF can receive a session establishment request including a service type sent by the terminal device.

[0194] When there is a service demand, the terminal device can send a session establishment request to the SMF. The session establishment request may include the service type of the terminal device, indication information, and the location information of the terminal device. The service type may include the data network name DNN, the slice name S-NSSAI, the application name (application ID), and the application type. The application type may be positioning, V2X, D2D, UAV, multimedia application capabilities, AR / VR, etc. The indication information may be indication information from the AMF, used by the terminal device to request the establishment of a connection to one or more AFs corresponding to the service type. When a user uses a terminal device to browse the web, watch videos, or play games, an application (APP) on the terminal device will be associated with a service type of a mobile communication network. The service type of the terminal device may be the coding format of the service currently running on the terminal device. For example, if the service of the terminal device is a video service, the video coding format may be a coding format specified by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, or MPEG-4. The coding format of the video data may also be a coding format of the H.26X series.

[0195] In one embodiment, a terminal device may send a session establishment request to an SMF via the AMF. Specifically, the terminal device may send a session establishment request to the AMF. After the AMF completes authentication of the terminal device, the AMF selects an SMF that can provide services to the terminal device based on its own policy, and then forwards the session establishment request to the SMF. Optionally, the AMF may select an SMF by querying the NRF.

[0196] 606. UDM sends the contract data of the terminal device to SMF.

[0197] Correspondingly, SMF can receive the contract data of the terminal device sent by UDM.

[0198] The SMF may not trust the contract data reported by the terminal device, and thus may query the contract data of the terminal device from the UDM and compare the contract data of the terminal device in the UDM with the contract data reported by the terminal device to determine the authenticity of the contract data reported by the terminal device. It should be noted that when the contract data of the terminal device does not exist in the SMF, the SMF may execute step 606; when the contract data of the terminal device exists in the AMF, the SMF may not execute step 606.

[0199] 607. The SMF determines the first AF according to the service type of the terminal device.

[0200] The SMF can determine an AF that serves the service type of the terminal device according to the service type of the terminal device.

[0201] There can be one or more AF types. When there is only one AF type, this AF can be a general AF with multiple capabilities. For example, a general AF can support video, image, voice and other capabilities. For example, if the service of the terminal device is a video type service, the SMF can determine that the general AF is the first AF, and the first AF has the ability to support service video type services.

[0202] When there are multiple types of AFs, each AF can specifically correspond to a certain capability, for example, one AF supports video services, another AF supports image services, another AF supports voice services, etc. There can be multiple AFs with a certain capability, for example, there can be multiple AFs supporting video services, multiple AFs supporting image services, multiple AFs supporting voice services, etc. For example, if the service of the terminal device is a video-type service, the SMF can determine one AF from multiple AFs supporting video services to provide the video-type service for the terminal device.

[0203] In one embodiment, the SMF may determine the first AF based on the service type of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device. The subscription data of different terminal devices may be different. When determining the first AF based on the service type of the terminal device, the SMF may also determine the first AF based on the subscription data of the specific terminal device, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the first AF.

[0204] In one embodiment, the SMF may determine the first AF based on the service type of the terminal device, the subscription data of the terminal device, and the location information of the terminal device. The SMF may determine the AF closest to the terminal device as the first AF based on the location information of the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device can access the first AF nearby, thereby improving the communication rate.

[0205] 608. The SMF sends a user plane connection establishment request to the first AF.

[0206] Correspondingly, the first AF can receive the user plane connection establishment request sent by the SMF.

[0207] The SMF may determine the address information of the first AF, and then send a user plane connection establishment request to the first AF according to the address information of the first AF. The user plane connection establishment request may include a terminal device context, such as an IP address.

[0208] 609. SMF and UPF establish N4 connection.

[0209] The SMF may establish a session connection for the UPF and the first AF, and the UPF may establish a session for the terminal device and the first AF. Specifically, the SMF may send an N4 connection establishment request to the UPF according to the session establishment request, and the N4 connection establishment request includes the address information of the first AF.

[0210] 610. The SMF updates the user plane connection with the first AF.

[0211] The SMF may send user plane connection update information to the first AF according to the address information of the first AF, and the user plane connection update information may include the address information of the UPF.

[0212] 611. RAN and UPF establish N3 user plane.

[0213] When a terminal device needs to send data, the terminal device can send the data to the UPF through the user plane connection of the PDU session. The UPF receives the data and forwards it to the external network. When the UPF receives data that needs to be sent to the terminal device, the UPF can send the data to the terminal device through the user plane connection of the PDU session, and the terminal device receives the data through the user plane connection of the PDU session.

[0214] 612. The SMF sends a session establishment response including the address information of the first AF to the terminal device.

[0215] Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the session establishment response sent by the SMF including the address information of the first AF.

[0216] The SMF may send a session establishment response to the terminal device, indicating that the session establishment is complete.

[0217] In one embodiment, SMF may also send a session establishment response to AMF, indicating that the session establishment is complete, and AMF then forwards the session establishment response to the terminal device.

[0218] 613. The terminal device communicates with the first AF according to the address information of the first AF.

[0219] After the terminal device receives the session establishment response sent by the SMF including the address information of the first AF, it can initiate access to the first AF according to the address information of the first AF. After the establishment is completed, the terminal device can communicate with the first AF, and the terminal device can send uplink or downlink data to the first AF through the UPF.

[0220] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7This is a flow chart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This communication method can be applied to 5G network architecture. Among them, the functions performed by the terminal device in this application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the terminal device, the functions performed by the AMF in this application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the AMF, and the functions performed by the SMF in this application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the SMF. Figure 7 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0221] 701. The terminal device sends a first request message including the application capabilities of the terminal device to the AMF.

[0222] It should be understood that step 701 corresponds to step 601 , and the relevant description in step 701 can refer to the description of the above step 601 , which will not be repeated here to avoid repetition.

[0223] 702. UDM sends the contract data of the terminal device to AMF.

[0224] It should be understood that step 702 corresponds to step 602. For the relevant description of step 702, reference can be made to the description of step 602 above. To avoid repetition, details will not be given here.

[0225] 703. The AMF determines one or more AFs that provide services to the terminal device according to the application capabilities of the terminal device.

[0226] It should be understood that step 703 corresponds to step 603. For the relevant description in step 703, reference can be made to the description of the above step 603. In order to avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0227] 704. The AMF sends a first response message including one or more AF identification information to the terminal device.

[0228] Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first response information sent by AMF including one or more AF identification information.

[0229] The AMF may send a first response message to the terminal device, where the first response message may be an attachment response message in response to the first request message. The first response message may include one or more AF identification information, the identification information may also include one or more AF types, and the first response message may also include location information corresponding to one or more AFs.

[0230] 705. The terminal device determines a first AF according to a service type of the terminal device and one or more AF identification information.

[0231] The terminal device may determine the first AF according to the service type of the terminal device and one or more AF identification information. Specifically, the terminal device may determine an AF serving the type of service that the terminal device needs to initiate according to the type of service that the terminal device needs to initiate.

[0232] In one embodiment, the terminal device determines a first AF based on the terminal device's service type and one or more AF identification information. There may be one or more AF types. When there is only one AF type, this AF may be a general AF with multiple capabilities, such as a general AF that supports video, image, voice, and other capabilities. For example, if the terminal device's service is a video-type service, the SMF may determine that the general AF is the first AF, and the first AF has the capability to support video-type services.

[0233] In one embodiment, the terminal device may determine the first AF based on the service type of the terminal device, the types of one or more AFs, and the location information corresponding to the one or more AFs. When there are multiple types of AFs, each AF may specifically correspond to a certain capability, for example, a certain AF supports video services, a certain AF supports image services, a certain AF supports voice services, and the like. There may be multiple AFs with a certain capability, for example, there may be multiple AFs that support video services, multiple AFs that support image services, multiple AFs that support voice services, and the like. For example, if the service of the terminal device is a video-type service, the SMF may determine an AF from multiple AFs that support video services to serve as the video-type service for the terminal device.

[0234] In one embodiment, the terminal device may determine the first AF based on the terminal device's service type, one or more AF identification information, and location information corresponding to one or more AFs. The terminal device may determine, based on the AF location information, the AF closest to the terminal device as the first AF. This allows the terminal device to access the first AF nearby, thereby improving communication speed.

[0235] 706. The terminal device sends a session establishment request including identification information of the first AF to the SMF.

[0236] Correspondingly, the SMF may receive a session establishment request including identification information of the first AF sent by the terminal device.

[0237] When a service request is needed, the terminal device can send a session establishment request to the SMF. The session establishment request can carry the identification information of the first AF. Based on the identification information of the first AF, the SMF can determine which AF to initiate the user plane connection establishment request. In this way, the terminal device can obtain the identification information of the AF that supports a specific service function in advance. Initiating a session establishment request directly informs the network that it wishes to establish a data connection to this AF. Any service process can adopt a set of interaction models, thereby reducing communication latency.

[0238] 707. UDM sends the contract data of the terminal device to SMF.

[0239] It should be understood that step 707 corresponds to step 606. For the relevant description of step 707, reference can be made to the description of step 606 above. To avoid repetition, details will not be given here.

[0240] 708. The SMF sends a user plane connection establishment request to the first AF.

[0241] Correspondingly, the first AF can receive the user plane connection establishment request sent by the SMF.

[0242] The SMF may determine the address information of the first AF according to the identification information of the first AF, and then send a user plane connection establishment request to the first AF according to the address information of the first AF.

[0243] 709. SMF and UPF establish N4 connection.

[0244] It should be understood that step 709 corresponds to step 609. For the relevant description of step 709, reference can be made to the description of step 609 above. To avoid repetition, details will not be given here.

[0245] 710. The SMF updates the user plane connection with the first AF.

[0246] It should be understood that step 710 corresponds to step 610. For the relevant description of step 710, reference can be made to the description of step 610 above. In order to avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0247] 711. RAN and UPF establish N3 user plane.

[0248] It should be understood that step 711 corresponds to step 611. For the relevant description of step 711, reference can be made to the description of step 611 above. In order to avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0249] 712. The SMF sends a session establishment response including the address information of the first AF to the terminal device.

[0250] It should be understood that step 712 corresponds to step 612. For the relevant description of step 712, reference can be made to the description of step 612 above. To avoid repetition, details will not be given here.

[0251] 713. The terminal device communicates with the first AF according to the address information of the first AF.

[0252] It should be understood that step 713 corresponds to step 613. For the relevant description of step 713, reference can be made to the description of step 613 above. In order to avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0253] See also Figure 8 , Figure 8 It is a flow chart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication method can be applied to 5G network architecture. Among them, the functions performed by the terminal device in the present application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the terminal device, the functions performed by the SMF in the present application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the SMF, the functions performed by the AMF in the present application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the AMF, and the functions performed by the NEF in the present application can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the NEF. Figure 7 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0254] 801. The application client sends an application request including the application type and identification information of the terminal device to the NEF.

[0255] Accordingly, the NEF may receive an application request including the application type and identification information of the terminal device sent by the application client.

[0256] Different applications (APPs) can be installed in a terminal device, and different APPs have different business requirements for data. For example, instant messaging apps usually require real-time transmission of their data to ensure a good user experience. Video playback apps usually require low-latency, highly reliable data transmission. Of course, different native applications in a terminal device may also have different data transmission requirements. For example, applications related to making phone calls often require real-time data transmission. Applications related to short messages may require highly reliable data transmission.

[0257] In the solution provided in this application, based on a request from a third-party platform, the mobile network can establish a user plane connection between the terminal device and the first AF on demand. Specifically, the third party requests the network to obtain native network capabilities, and the network selects the first AF that supports the capabilities based on the request and establishes a user plane connection between the terminal device and the first AF.

[0258] 802. The NEF determines the AMF serving the terminal device based on the identification information of the terminal device.

[0259] NEF can query the AMF that can serve the terminal device from UDM based on the identification of the terminal device.

[0260] 803. NEF sends an application request including the application type and identification information of the terminal device to AMF.

[0261] Correspondingly, AMF can receive the application request sent by NEF including the application type and identification information of the terminal device.

[0262] 804. AMF determines the first AF according to the application type.

[0263] The AMF can determine an AF that serves applications of this type based on the application type.

[0264] There can be one or more AF types. When there is only one AF type, this AF can be a general AF with multiple capabilities, such as a general AF that can support video, image, voice, and other capabilities. For example, if the application is a video type application, the AMF can determine that the general AF is the first AF, and the first AF has the capability to support the service video type application.

[0265] When there are multiple types of AFs, each AF may specifically correspond to a certain capability, for example, one AF supports video applications, another AF supports image applications, another AF supports voice applications, etc. There may be multiple AFs with a certain capability, for example, there may be multiple AFs supporting video applications, multiple AFs supporting image applications, multiple AFs supporting voice applications, etc. For example, if the application of the terminal device is a video type application, the AMF may determine one AF from multiple AFs supporting video applications to serve the video type application of the terminal device.

[0266] 805. The AMF sends second information including identification information of the first AF to the terminal device.

[0267] Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the second information sent by the AMF including the first AF identifier.

[0268] The AMF may determine the terminal device according to the identification information of the terminal device from the NEF, and then send the second information to the terminal device.

[0269] 806. The terminal device sends a session establishment request including identification information of the first AF to the SMF.

[0270] It should be understood that step 806 corresponds to step 706. For the relevant description of step 806, reference can be made to the description of step 706 above. To avoid repetition, details will not be given here.

[0271] 807. UDM sends the contract data of the terminal device to SMF.

[0272] It should be understood that step 807 corresponds to step 707. For the relevant description in step 807, reference can be made to the description of the above step 707. In order to avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0273] 808. The SMF sends a user plane connection establishment request to the first AF.

[0274] It should be understood that step 808 corresponds to step 708. For the relevant description of step 808, reference can be made to the description of step 708 above. To avoid repetition, details will not be given here.

[0275] 809. SMF and UPF establish N4 connection.

[0276] It should be understood that step 809 corresponds to step 709. For the relevant description of step 809, reference can be made to the description of step 709 above. To avoid repetition, details will not be given here.

[0277] 810. The SMF updates the user plane connection with the first AF.

[0278] It should be understood that step 810 corresponds to step 710. For the relevant description of step 810, reference can be made to the description of step 710 above. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0279] 811. RAN and UPF establish the N3 user plane.

[0280] It should be understood that step 811 corresponds to step 711. For the relevant description of step 811, reference can be made to the description of step 711 above. In order to avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0281] 812. The SMF sends a session establishment response including the address information of the first AF to the terminal device.

[0282] It should be understood that step 812 corresponds to step 712. For the relevant description of step 812, reference can be made to the description of step 712 above. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0283] 813. The terminal device communicates with the first AF according to the address information of the first AF.

[0284] It should be understood that step 813 corresponds to step 713. For the relevant description of step 813, reference can be made to the description of step 713 above. In order to avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0285] 814. AMF sends an application response including the application result to NEF.

[0286] Correspondingly, NEF can receive the application response including the application result sent by AMF.

[0287] 815. The NEF sends an application response including the application result to the application client.

[0288] Correspondingly, the application client may receive an application response including the application result sent by the NEF.

[0289] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 9 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a terminal device or a module (eg, a chip) in the terminal device. Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes at least: a transceiver unit 901 and a processing unit 902; wherein:

[0290] The transceiver unit 901 is configured to send a first request message to the access management network element, where the first request message carries the application capability of the terminal device;

[0291] The transceiver unit 901 is further configured to receive a first response message sent by the access management network element;

[0292] The transceiver unit 901 is further configured to send a session establishment request to the session management network element according to the first response information, where the session establishment request is used to request establishment of a connection to the first application network element.

[0293] In one embodiment, the session establishment request includes the service type of the terminal device.

[0294] In one embodiment, the session establishment request further includes location information of the terminal device.

[0295] In one embodiment, the first response information includes the indication information.

[0296] In one embodiment, the session establishment request includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0297] In one embodiment, the first response information includes the one or more application network element identification information;

[0298] The communication device also includes: a processing unit 902, configured to determine the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information.

[0299] In one embodiment, the first response information further includes location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements;

[0300] The processing unit 902 determines the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information, including:

[0301] The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

[0302] In one embodiment, the one or more application network element identification information includes the type of one or more application network elements;

[0303] The processing unit 902 determines the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information, and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements, including:

[0304] The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the type of the one or more application network elements, and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

[0305] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 901 is further configured to receive second information sent by the access management network element, where the second information includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0306] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 901 is further configured to receive a session establishment response from the session management network element, where the session establishment response includes address information of the first application network element;

[0307] The processing unit 902 is further configured to communicate with the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

[0308] It can be understood that the transceiver unit 901 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component, and the processing unit 902 can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component.

[0309] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a session management network element, or a module (eg, a chip) in a session management network element. Figure 10 As shown, the communication device 1000 includes at least: a transceiver unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002; wherein:

[0310] The transceiver unit 1001 is configured to receive a session establishment request sent by a terminal device, where the session establishment request is used to request establishment of a connection to a first application network element;

[0311] The processing unit 1002 is configured to establish a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element according to the session establishment request.

[0312] In one embodiment, the session establishment request includes a service type of the terminal device;

[0313] The processing unit 1002 is further configured to determine a first application network element according to a service type of the terminal device.

[0314] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1001 is further configured to obtain the subscription data of the terminal device from a data management network element;

[0315] The processing unit 1002 determines the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device, including:

[0316] The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device.

[0317] In one embodiment, the session establishment request further includes location information of the terminal device;

[0318] The processing unit 1002 determines the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device, including:

[0319] The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the subscription data of the terminal device and the location information of the terminal device.

[0320] In one embodiment, the session establishment request includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0321] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1002 is further configured to determine address information of the first application network element according to the identification information of the first application network element;

[0322] The transceiver unit 1001 is further configured to send a user plane connection establishment request to the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

[0323] In one embodiment, the processing unit 1002 establishing a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element according to the session establishment request includes:

[0324] Sending an N4 connection establishment request to the user plane network element according to the session establishment request, where the N4 connection establishment request includes address information of the first application network element;

[0325] User plane connection update information is sent to the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element, where the user plane connection update information includes the address information of the user plane network element.

[0326] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1001 is further configured to send a session establishment response to the terminal device, where the session establishment response includes address information of the first application network element.

[0327] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 1 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be an access management network element, or a module (eg, a chip) in the access management network element. Figure 11 As shown, the communication device 1100 includes at least: a transceiver unit 1101 and a processing unit 1102; wherein:

[0328] The transceiver unit 1101 is configured to receive first request information sent by a terminal device, where the first request information carries the application capability of the terminal device;

[0329] The processing unit 1102 is configured to determine one or more application network elements that provide services to the terminal device according to the application capability of the terminal device.

[0330] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1101 is further configured to receive the subscription data of the terminal device sent by the data management network element;

[0331] The processing unit 1102 determines, according to the application capability of the terminal device, one or more application network elements that provide services for the terminal device, including:

[0332] The one or more application network elements are determined according to the application capability of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device.

[0333] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1101 is further configured to send first response information to the terminal device.

[0334] In one embodiment, the first response information includes indication information, where the indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to connect to one or more application network elements that provide services for the terminal device.

[0335] In one embodiment, the first response information includes one or more application network element identification information.

[0336] In one embodiment, the first response information further includes location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

[0337] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 1 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be an access management network element, or a module (eg, a chip) in the access management network element. Figure 12 As shown, the communication device 1200 includes at least: a transceiver unit 1201 and a processing unit 1202; wherein:

[0338] The transceiver unit 1201 is configured to receive an application request sent by a network open network element, wherein the application request includes an application type and identification information of a terminal device;

[0339] The processing unit 1202 is configured to determine a first application network element according to the application type.

[0340] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to send second information to the terminal device, where the second information includes identification information of the first application network element.

[0341] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to send an application response to the network open network element, where the application response includes an application result.

[0342] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 13 , Figure 13 This is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 13 As shown, the communication device may include a processor 1301, a memory 1302, an input interface 1303, an output interface 1304, and a bus 1305. The memory 1302 may be independent or connected to the processor 1301 via the bus 1305. The memory 1302 may also be integrated with the processor 1301. The bus 1305 is used to connect these components.

[0343] In one embodiment, the communication device may be a terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the terminal device. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1302 are executed, the processor 1301 is used to control the processing unit 902 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment, and the input interface 1303 and the output interface 1304 are used to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 901 in the above embodiment. The above terminal device or the module within the terminal device may also be used to perform the above Figure 9 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 The various methods executed by the terminal device in the method embodiment are not described in detail.

[0344] In one embodiment, the communication device may be a session management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the session management network element. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1302 are executed, the processor 1301 is used to control the processing unit 1002 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment, and the input interface 1303 and the output interface 1304 are used to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 1001 in the above embodiment. The above session management network element or the module within the session management network element may also be used to perform the above Figure 9 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 The various methods executed by the terminal device in the method embodiment are not described in detail.

[0345] In one embodiment, the communication device may be an access management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the access management network element. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1302 are executed, the processor 1301 is used to control the processing unit 1102 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment, and the input interface 1303 and the output interface 1304 are used to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 1101 in the above embodiment. The above access management network element or the module within the access management network element may also be used to perform the above Figure 9 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 The various methods executed by the terminal device in the method embodiment are not described in detail.

[0346] In one embodiment, the communication device may be an access management network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the access management network element. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1302 are executed, the processor 1301 is used to control the processing unit 1202 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment, and the input interface 1303 and the output interface 1304 are used to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 1201 in the above embodiment. The above access management network element or the module within the access management network element may also be used to perform the above Figure 9 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 The various methods executed by the terminal device in the method embodiment are not described in detail.

[0347] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 14As shown, the communication device may include an input interface 1401, a logic circuit 1402, and an output interface 1403. The input interface 1401 and the output interface 1403 are connected via the logic circuit 1402. The input interface 1401 is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface 1403 is used to output, schedule, or send information to other communication devices. The logic circuit 1402 is used to perform operations other than those of the input interface 1401 and the output interface 1403, such as implementing the functions implemented by the processor 1301 in the above-described embodiment. The communication device may be a network device or a module of a network device, a session management network element or a module of a session management network element, or an access management network element or a module of an access management network element. A more detailed description of the input interface 1401, the logic circuit 1402, and the output interface 1403 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant description of the terminal device, the session management network element, or the access management network element in the above-described method embodiment, and is not repeated here.

[0348] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored. When the program is executed by a processor, it can implement the process related to the terminal device in the communication method provided by the above method embodiment.

[0349] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. When the program is executed by a processor, the program can implement the process related to the session management network element in the communication method provided in the above method embodiment.

[0350] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. When the program is executed by a processor, the program can implement the process related to the access management network element in the communication method provided in the above method embodiment.

[0351] The present application also provides a computer program product that, when executed on a computer or processor, causes the computer or processor to perform one or more steps of any of the aforementioned communication methods. If the various components of the aforementioned devices are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they may be stored in the computer-readable storage medium.

[0352] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which may include a terminal device, a session management network element and an access management network element. For detailed description, please refer to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 The communication method shown.

[0353] It should be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DRRAM). Memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiment of the present application can also be a circuit or other arbitrarily capable of implementing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0354] It should also be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0355] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated into the processor.

[0356] It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0357] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0358] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0359] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0360] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0361] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0362] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0363] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0364] The steps in the method of the embodiment of the present application can be adjusted in order, combined and deleted according to actual needs.

[0365] The modules / units in the device of the embodiment of the present application can be merged, divided and deleted according to actual needs.

[0366] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending first request information to the access management network element, where the first request information includes application capabilities of the terminal device; receiving a first response message sent by the access management network element, where the first response message includes one or more application network element identification information; Determining a first application network element according to a service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information; A session establishment request is sent to a session management network element, where the session establishment request is used to request establishment of a connection to the first application network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The session establishment request includes identification information of the first application network element.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first response information further includes location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements; The determining the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information includes: The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The one or more application network element identification information includes the type of one or more application network elements; The determining the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information, and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements includes: The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the type of the one or more application network elements, and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a session establishment response from the session management network element, where the session establishment response includes address information of the first application network element; Communicate with the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

6. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving a session establishment request sent by a terminal device, where the session establishment request is used to request establishment of a connection to a first application network element, the session establishment request including identification information of the first application network element, where the first application network element is determined by the terminal device based on a service type of the terminal device and one or more application network element identification information; Establish a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: determining the address information of the first application network element according to the identification information of the first application network element; Send a user plane connection establishment request to the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The establishing of a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element includes: Sending an N4 connection establishment request to the user plane network element, where the N4 connection establishment request includes address information of the first application network element; User plane connection update information is sent to the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element, where the user plane connection update information includes the address information of the user plane network element.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Send a session establishment response to the terminal device, where the session establishment response includes address information of the first application network element.

10. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit, configured to send first request information to an access management network element, where the first request information carries application capabilities of the terminal device; The transceiver unit is further configured to receive first response information sent by the access management network element, where the first response information includes one or more application network element identification information; a processing unit, configured to determine a first application network element according to a service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information; The transceiver unit is further configured to send a session establishment request to the session management network element, where the session establishment request is used to request establishment of a connection to the first application network element.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that The session establishment request includes identification information of the first application network element.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that The first response information further includes location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements; The processing unit is configured to determine the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device and the one or more application network element identification information: The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that The one or more application network element identification information includes the type of one or more application network elements; The processing unit is configured to determine the first application network element according to the service type of the terminal device, the one or more application network element identification information, and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements: The first application network element is determined according to the service type of the terminal device, the type of the one or more application network elements, and the location information corresponding to the one or more application network elements.

14. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a session establishment response from the session management network element, wherein the session establishment response includes address information of the first application network element; The processing unit is further configured to communicate with the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a session establishment request sent by a terminal device, the session establishment request being used to request establishment of a connection to a first application network element, the session establishment request including identification information of the first application network element, the first application network element being determined by the terminal device based on a service type of the terminal device and one or more application network element identification information; A processing unit is configured to establish a connection between a user plane network element and the first application network element.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The processing unit is further configured to determine the address information of the first application network element according to the identification information of the first application network element; The transceiver unit is further configured to send a user plane connection establishment request to the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element.

17. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The processing unit establishes a connection between the user plane network element and the first application network element, specifically configured to: Sending an N4 connection establishment request to the user plane network element, where the N4 connection establishment request includes address information of the first application network element; User plane connection update information is sent to the first application network element according to the address information of the first application network element, where the user plane connection update information includes the address information of the user plane network element.

18. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that The transceiver unit is further configured to send a session establishment response to the terminal device, where the session establishment response includes address information of the first application network element.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: comprising a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, the input interface being used to receive information from other communication devices other than the communication device, the output interface being used to output information to other communication devices other than the communication device, the processor calling a computer program stored in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5; or The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer readable storage medium stores a computer program or computer instructions. When the computer program or computer instructions are executed, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is performed; or The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 is performed.

21. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system includes at least one processor, a memory and an interface circuit, wherein the memory, the interface circuit and the at least one processor are interconnected via a circuit, and the at least one memory stores instructions; when the instructions are executed by the processor, the chip system executes The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5; or The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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