Methods, related apparatuses, and systems for terminating an npn connection

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method, related device and system for terminating NPN connection, and relates to the field of communication. The method for terminating NPN connection comprises: receiving information that a user terminal establishes connection with an NPN; and sending indication information to the user terminal, so that the user terminal terminates the NPN connection according to the indication information. The present disclosure can effectively terminate the NPN connection after the user terminal accesses the NPN, and effectively improve the management capability of the NPN.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method for terminating a connection of a non-public network (NPN), related apparatuses and systems. BACKGROUND

[0002] A user can access an NPN (Non-Public Network) in various ways. For an SNPN (Stand-alone NPN) network, the user can directly access the SNPN network, or access the SNPN network through a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), or access the PLMN network through the SNPN network. For a PNI-NPN (Public Network Integrated NPN) network, a user terminal can access the PNI-NPN network by using CAG (Closed Access Groups) information. SUMMARY

[0003] The inventors have noticed that in the related art, a user terminal accesses an NPN in a valid time or a valid location. After the user terminal accesses the NPN, if the user terminal moves and the time or location becomes invalid, the related art does not address how to terminate the NPN connection.

[0004] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a solution for terminating an NPN connection, which can effectively improve the management capability of the NPN.

[0005] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for terminating a connection of a non-public network (NPN) is provided, performed by an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, comprising: receiving information that a user terminal establishes a connection with the NPN; and sending indication information to the user terminal, so that the user terminal terminates the NPN connection according to the indication information.

[0006] In some embodiments, the information that the user terminal establishes a connection with the NPN includes at least one of valid time and valid location information of the NPN, or at least one of data flow identification information of an NPN service and valid time of a data flow of the NPN service.

[0007] In some embodiments, the indication information includes first indication information, second indication information, or third indication information; the first indication information is used to instruct the user terminal to terminate the NPN connection; the second indication information is used to instruct the user terminal to initiate establishment of a connection with a public land mobile network (PLMN); and the third indication information is used to instruct the user terminal to initiate deactivation of a protocol data unit (PDU) session that establishes a connection with the NPN.

[0008] In some embodiments, the third indication information is indication information indicating that the user terminal establishes a network connection through a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) entity.

[0009] In some embodiments, sending the indication information to the user terminal comprises: starting a timer according to information that the user terminal establishes a connection with the NPN; and sending the indication information to the user terminal when the timer expires.

[0010] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for NPN connection is provided, performed by an AMF entity, comprising: receiving a valid time for a user terminal to establish a connection with an NPN; determining a length of an implicit deregistration timer according to the valid time; starting the implicit deregistration timer when a preset starting condition is met; and initiating a deregistration procedure and setting a state of the user terminal to a deregistered state when the implicit deregistration timer expires.

[0011] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, an AMF entity is provided, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the method according to any of the above embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for terminating NPN connection is provided, performed by a user terminal, comprising: receiving indication information sent by an AMF entity; and terminating the NPN connection according to the indication information.

[0013] In some embodiments, the indication information comprises first indication information, second indication information, or third indication information; and the terminating the NPN connection according to the indication information comprises: terminating the NPN connection according to the first indication information; initiating a connection establishment with a PLMN according to the second indication information; and initiating a deactivation of a PDU session for establishing a connection with the NPN according to the third indication information.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a user terminal is provided, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the method according to any of the above embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: an AMF entity according to any of the above embodiments; and a user terminal according to any of the above embodiments.

[0016] According to a seventh aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for terminating a non-public network (NPN) connection is provided, performed by an AMF entity, and includes determining that a user terminal establishes a connection with an NPN, and sending, to an SMF entity, indication information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN, so that the SMF entity initiates a process for terminating the NPN connection to a UPF entity.

[0017] In some embodiments, the indication information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN includes at least one of an NPN network identifier, a validity time of the NPN, a validity time of a PDU session, or at least one of data flow identification information of an NPN service and a validity time of a data flow of the NPN service.

[0018] According to an eighth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, an AMF entity is provided, including a memory configured to store instructions, and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the method according to any one of the above embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory.

[0019] According to a ninth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for terminating an NPN connection is provided, performed by a session management function (SMF) entity, and includes receiving indication information that a user terminal establishes a connection with an NPN, and initiating a process for terminating the NPN connection to a user plane function (UPF) entity.

[0020] In some embodiments, the indication information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN includes at least one of an NPN network identifier, a validity time of the NPN, a validity time of a PDU session, or at least one of data flow identification information of an NPN service and a validity time of a data flow of the NPN service.

[0021] In some embodiments, the process for initiating the termination of the NPN connection to the UPF entity includes sending, to the UPF entity, at least one of the NPN network identifier, the validity time of the NPN, the validity time of the PDU session, or at least one of the data flow identification information of the NPN service and the validity time of the data flow of the NPN service.

[0022] In some embodiments, the receiving the indication information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN includes receiving the indication information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN from an AMF entity, a UPF entity, or a subscription database.

[0023] In some embodiments, the process for initiating the termination of the NPN connection to the UPF entity includes initiating a process for deactivating a PDU session that establishes the connection with the NPN to the UPF entity, or initiating a process for modifying the PDU session that establishes the connection with the NPN to the UPF entity, or initiating a process for establishing the PDU session that establishes the connection with the NPN to the UPF entity.

[0024] In some embodiments, the process of initiating, to the UPF entity, the deactivation of the PDU session for establishing the connection with the NPN comprises: starting a timer according to the indication information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN; and after the timer expires, initiating, to the UPF entity, the process of deactivating the PDU session for establishing the connection with the NPN.

[0025] In some embodiments, the process of initiating, to the UPF entity, the modification of the PDU session for establishing the connection with the NPN comprises: starting a timer according to the indication information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN; and after the timer expires, initiating, to the UPF, the process of modifying the PDU session for establishing the connection with the NPN.

[0026] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an SMF entity is provided, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the method according to any of the above embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory.

[0027] According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for terminating an NPN connection is provided, executed by a UPF entity, comprising: receiving indication information of an NPN network connection; starting a timer according to the indication information; and after the timer expires, performing any of the following: releasing a PDU session, discarding data packets of the PDU session, buffering data packets of the PDU session, no longer providing data notification messages to an SMF, discarding data packets of a data flow identified by a data flow identifier in the indication information, and buffering data packets of the data flow identified by the data flow identifier in the indication information.

[0028] In some embodiments, the indication information comprises at least one of an NPN network identifier, a valid time of the NPN, a valid time of the PDU session, or at least one of data flow identifier information of an NPN service and a valid time of the data flow of the NPN service.

[0029] According to a twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for terminating an NPN connection is provided, executed by a UPF entity, comprising: determining that a user terminal establishes a connection with an NPN; and sending, to an SMF entity, indication information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN, so that the SMF entity initiates, to the UPF entity, a process of terminating the NPN connection.

[0030] In some embodiments, determining that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN comprises: determining that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN according to a characteristic of a data packet.

[0031] In some embodiments, the indication information sent to the SMF entity comprises an NPN service indication or an NPN network identifier, or an application data flow identifier of an NPN service.

[0032] According to a thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for terminating an NPN connection is provided, performed by a UPF entity, comprising: determining that a user terminal establishes a connection with an NPN; initiating a process for terminating the NPN connection according to information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN.

[0033] In some embodiments, initiating the process for terminating the NPN connection comprises: starting a timer according to the information that the user terminal establishes the connection with the NPN; and when the timer expires, performing any one of the following: releasing a PDU session, discarding data packets of the PDU session, buffering data packets of the PDU session, no longer providing a data notification message to an SMF, discarding data packets of a data flow identified by a data flow identifier in the information, and buffering data packets of the data flow identified by the data flow identifier in the information.

[0034] According to a fourteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a UPF entity is provided, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the method according to any one of the above embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory.

[0035] According to a fifteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: an SMF entity according to any one of the above embodiments; and a UPF entity according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0036] In some embodiments, the communication system further comprises: an AMF entity according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0037] According to a sixteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and the instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the method according to any one of the above embodiments.

[0038] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0039] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure or the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained from these drawings without creative labor.

[0040] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for terminating an NPN connection according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the registration process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0045] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0046] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0047] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AMF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0049] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0052] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AMF entity according to another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0053] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0054] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0055] Figure 16 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0056] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0057] Figure 18This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0058] Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0059] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an SMF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0060] Figure 21 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0061] Figure 22 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0062] Figure 23 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0063] Figure 24 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0064] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a UPF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0065] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0066] Figure 27 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0067] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this disclosure or its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0068] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0069] At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to actual scale.

[0070] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0071] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0072] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0073] The inventors noted that in related technologies, user terminals can access NPN at effective times and effective points.

[0074] For example, for SNPN networks, there are the following three access methods:

[0075] 1) User terminals directly access the SNPN network, where the SNPN network and PLMN network have basically the same architecture and equipment functions.

[0076] 2) User terminals access the SNPN network via a PLMN. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the PLMN CN (Core Network) serves as the underlay network, while the SNPN CN serves as the overlay network. The UE (User Equipment) establishes a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session in the PLMN CN and establishes a connection with the N3IWF (Non-3GPP Interworking Function) entity, thereby accessing the SNPN network.

[0077] exist Figure 1 It also includes entities such as AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), SMF (Session Management Function), UPF (User Plane Function), and DN (Data Network).

[0078] 3) User terminals access the PLMN via SNPN, such as... Figure 2As shown, SNPN acts as the underlay network, and PLMN acts as the overlay network. The UE establishes a connection with N3IWF through SNPN, thereby accessing the PLMN network.

[0079] Furthermore, for PNI-NPN networks, CAGs can be used to perform access control. That is, the UE obtains a list of available CAGs and determines whether it can access the network based on the CAG information broadcast by the access network. It should be noted that non-public network deployments within PNI-NPN networks are supported by the PLMN.

[0080] For some user terminals, based on network instructions, they can access the PLMN network through CAG and establish a PDU session to conduct PLMN services.

[0081] It should be noted that the above Figure 1 and Figure 2 This disclosure is only intended to illustrate the technical solution of this application more clearly and does not constitute a limitation on this application.

[0082] The inventors noted that related technologies only address user terminals accessing the NPN within a valid time or at a valid location. That is, the user terminal can access the NPN network within a valid time or at a valid location; conversely, outside of this valid time or location, the user terminal cannot access the NPN network. Alternatively, the NPN network can provide certain application services to the user terminal when it is within a valid time or location; when it is outside this valid time or location area, the NPN cannot provide that application service. Therefore, if a user terminal encounters an invalid time or location during movement after accessing the NPN, and if the valid time or location area is at the NPN granularity, the user terminal's access to the NPN network should be terminated. If the valid time or location area refers to the granularity at which the NPN provides services for a specific application service to the terminal, then the user terminal's access to the NPN network to execute that specific application service should be terminated. Related technologies do not address how to terminate a user terminal's access to the NPN network or how to terminate a user terminal's access to the NPN network to execute a specific application service. For ease of description, in the embodiments described below in this disclosure, these two cases will be uniformly described as terminating the NPN connection.

[0083] Accordingly, this disclosure provides a scheme for terminating NPN connections in order to effectively improve the management capabilities of NPN.

[0084] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for terminating an NPN connection according to an embodiment of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the following method for terminating an NPN connection is performed by an AMF entity.

[0085] In step 301, information is received regarding the establishment of a connection between the user terminal and the NPN.

[0086] It should be noted that since user terminals may perform various application services when accessing the NPN network, the information regarding the establishment of a connection between the user terminal and the NPN can be described using either NPN granularity or application data stream granularity. For NPN granularity, the information regarding the establishment of a connection between the user terminal and the NPN includes at least one of the following: NPN validity time and validity location information. Specifically, the NPN validity time here refers to the valid time of the connection between the user terminal and the NPN. That is, within the valid time of the connection, the UE can access the NPN network to perform services. This validity time can be a specific point in time or a time period; the specific format is not limited.

[0087] Valid location information of NPN refers to the location of a user terminal so that it can access NPN network services. The valid location can be a specific location or a location area, and there are no restrictions on the specific form.

[0088] For application data stream granularity, the information for establishing a connection between the user terminal and the NPN includes at least one of the data stream identification information of the NPN service and the validity period of the NPN service data stream.

[0089] The data flow information of NPN services refers to the information of the service data flow when the UE accesses the NPN network. It can be data flow identification information, and the specific form is not limited. It can be one of the following: application ID, five-tuple information, or three-tuple information.

[0090] It should be noted that the effective time and effective location information of NPN granularity and application data stream granularity mentioned below are the same as those described above, so they will not be described in detail here.

[0091] In step 302, an instruction message is sent to the user terminal so that the user terminal can terminate the NPN connection according to the instruction message.

[0092] In some embodiments, the indication information includes first indication information, second indication information, or third indication information. The first indication information is used to instruct the user terminal to terminate the NPN connection, the second indication information is used to instruct the user terminal to initiate a connection with the PLMN, and the third indication information is used to instruct the user terminal to initiate a PDU session to deactivate the connection established with the NPN.

[0093] In some embodiments, the third instruction information is an instruction information that instructs the user terminal to establish a network connection through the N3IWF entity.

[0094] The following describes a specific implementation scheme for terminating an NPN connection.

[0095] It should be noted that the execution order of steps 301 and 302 is not restricted; step 302 can be executed first, followed by step 301.

[0096] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the registration process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] In step 401, the UE sends a registration request to the AMF entity.

[0098] It should be noted that the registration process involved here can be either the initial registration process or the re-registration process.

[0099] In step 402, the AMF entity receives subscription data from the subscription database, which includes information about the user terminal establishing a connection with the NPN.

[0100] In some embodiments, the information used by the user terminal to establish a connection with the NPN includes at least one of the NPN's validity time and validity location information, or at least one of the NPN service's data stream identification information and the NPN service's data stream validity time.

[0101] For ease of explanation, Figure 4 In this context, the AMF entity obtains contracted data from the UDM (Unified Data Management) entity. Alternatively, the AMF entity can also obtain contracted data from the UDR (Unified Data Repository) entity or the PCF (Policy Control Function) entity.

[0102] In step 403, the AMF entity determines whether the user terminal can access the NPN based on the connection information established between the user terminal and the NPN. If the user terminal can access the NPN, a timer is started based on the connection information established between the user terminal and the NPN.

[0103] In some embodiments, the timer may be an implicit deregistration timer.

[0104] For example, if the current location information and current time of the user terminal meet the requirements of the NPN's valid time and valid location information, the AMF entity determines that the user terminal can access the NPN and starts a timer.

[0105] It should also be noted that when the timer expires, the AMF entity sends an indication message to the user terminal so that the user terminal can terminate the NPN connection according to the indication message, and / or the AMF performs the process of deactivating the user terminal and sets the state of the user terminal to the deregistered state.

[0106] In step 404, the AMF entity sends a registration acceptance request to the user terminal.

[0107] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0108] In step 501, after the timer expires, or if the current location information and current time of the user terminal do not meet the requirements of the NPN's valid time and valid location information, the AMF entity sends a deregistration request to the user terminal, wherein the deregistration request includes indication information for terminating the NPN connection.

[0109] In some embodiments, the implicit deactivation timer can be determined based on the timer.

[0110] In step 502, the user terminal terminates the NPN connection according to the received instruction information.

[0111] For example, the instruction information includes at least one of instruction information 1 and instruction information 2.

[0112] Instruction information 1 is used to instruct the user terminal whether to initiate re-registration. The user terminal determines whether to initiate re-registration based on instruction information 1. If instruction information 1 is used to instruct the user terminal to initiate re-registration, the user terminal performs a re-registration process based on the network selection information.

[0113] Instruction information 2 is used to indicate network information, such as NPN network information or PLMN network information. Based on instruction information 2, the user terminal initiates a PDU session to activate the connection with the NPN or PLMN network.

[0114] In step 503, the user terminal sends a registration acceptance message to the AMF entity.

[0115] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0116] In step 601, the valid time for the user terminal to establish a connection with the NPN is received.

[0117] In step 602, the duration of the implicit deregistration timer is determined based on the effective time, and the implicit deregistration timer is started if the preset start conditions are met.

[0118] In some embodiments, an implicit deactivation timer is started based on the effective time. Specifically, the duration of the implicit deactivation timer can be the same as the effective time, longer than the effective time, or shorter than the effective time.

[0119] In step 603, when the implicit deactivation timer expires, the deregistration process is initiated, and the user terminal's state is set to the deregistered state.

[0120] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 7 In this process, the AMF entity sends the network selection information sent by the UDM entity to the user terminal, or the AMF entity sends a registration acceptance request to the user terminal.

[0121] In step 70a, the AMF entity sends the network selection information sent by the UDM entity to the user terminal. The user terminal establishes a network connection based on the network selection information.

[0122] In some embodiments, the network selection information includes indication information for instructing the user terminal to initiate a connection with the PLMN.

[0123] As an example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the AMF entity receives network selection information sent by the UDM entity. Of course, the AMF entity can also receive network selection information from the UDR entity or the PCF entity.

[0124] In step 70b, the AMF entity sends a registration acceptance request to the user terminal. The registration acceptance request includes indication information to instruct the user terminal to initiate a deactivation of the PDU session established with the NPN.

[0125] As above Figure 4 As shown, if the AMF entity determines that the user terminal can access the NPN, the AMF entity sends a registration acceptance request to the user terminal.

[0126] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned instruction information may also include instruction information for instructing the user terminal to establish a network connection through the N3IWF entity.

[0127] It should be noted that when a user terminal accesses the NPN through an N3IWF entity or within a PNI-NPN, the user terminal accesses the NPN through a PDU session, therefore the process of deregistering with the network cannot be performed. In this case, the user terminal can initiate a process to deactivate the PDU session that established the connection with the NPN.

[0128] In step 701, when the preset conditions are met, the user terminal decides to initiate the process of terminating the NPN connection.

[0129] For example, the above-mentioned preset condition is that the user terminal's current location information and current time do not meet the NPN's requirements for valid time and valid location information.

[0130] In step 702, the user terminal deactivates the PDU session that was established with the NPN.

[0131] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AMF entity according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 8 As shown, the AMF entity includes a memory 81 and a processor 82.

[0132] Memory 81 is used to store instructions, and processor 82 is coupled to memory 81. Processor 82 is configured to execute instructions based on those stored in memory. Figures 3 to 7 The method performed by the AMF entity in any of the embodiments.

[0133] like Figure 8 As shown, the AMF entity also includes a communication interface 83 for exchanging information with other devices. Additionally, the AMF entity includes a bus 84, through which the processor 82, communication interface 83, and memory 81 communicate with each other.

[0134] The memory 81 may include high-speed RAM, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk drive. The memory 81 may also be a memory array. The memory 81 may also be divided into blocks, and these blocks may be combined into virtual volumes according to certain rules.

[0135] Furthermore, processor 82 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0136] This disclosure also relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement... Figures 3 to 7 The method performed by the AMF entity in any of the embodiments.

[0137] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for terminating an NPN connection according to an embodiment of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the following method for terminating an NPN connection is executed by a user terminal.

[0138] In step 901, the indication information sent by the AMF entity is received.

[0139] In some embodiments, the indication information includes first indication information, second indication information, or third indication information. The first indication information is used to instruct the user terminal to terminate the NPN connection, the second indication information is used to instruct the user terminal to initiate a connection with the PLMN, and the third indication information is used to instruct the user terminal to initiate a PDU session to deactivate the connection established with the NPN.

[0140] In step 902, the NPN connection is terminated according to the instruction information.

[0141] In some embodiments, the user terminal terminates the NPN connection according to the first instruction information, initiates a connection with the PLMN according to the second instruction information, or initiates a PDU session to deactivate the connection established with the NPN according to the third instruction information.

[0142] For example, the user terminal according to Figures 4 to 7 Any of the embodiments executes the process of terminating an NPN connection.

[0143] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a user terminal according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 10 As shown, the user terminal includes a memory 101, a processor 102, a communication interface 103, and a bus 104. Figure 10 and Figure 8 The difference is that, in Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, processor 102 is configured to execute instructions stored in memory 101 as follows: Figure 9 The method involved in any of the embodiments.

[0144] This disclosure also relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement... Figure 9 The method involved in any of the embodiments.

[0145] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 11 As shown, the communication system includes AMF entity 111 and user terminal 112. AMF entity 111 is as follows: Figure 8 The AMF entity, user terminal 112 is as follows Figure 10 The user terminal. AMF entity 111 and user terminal 112 are used to implement Figures 3 to 7 , Figure 9 The scheme for terminating NPN connections involved in any of the embodiments.

[0146] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the following method for terminating an NPN connection is performed by an AMF entity.

[0147] In step 1201, it is determined that the user terminal establishes a connection with the NPN.

[0148] For example, if the AMF entity determines that the UE accesses the NPN, or determines that the PDU session is established to perform NPN services, then it determines that the UE establishes a connection with the NPN.

[0149] In step 1202, an instruction message is sent to the SMF entity indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN, so that the SMF entity can initiate the process of terminating the NPN connection to the UPF entity.

[0150] In some embodiments, the indication information for establishing a connection between the user terminal and the NPN includes at least one of the NPN network identifier, the validity period of the NPN, and the validity period of the PDU session, or at least one of the data flow identifier information of the NPN service and the validity period of the NPN service data flow.

[0151] It should be noted here that the process of the SMF entity initiating the termination of NPN connection to the UPF entity refers to the SMF initiating the connection to terminate the NPN service accessed by the user terminal to the UPF based on the information obtained.

[0152] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AMF entity according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 13 As shown, the AMF entity includes a memory 131, a processor 132, a communication interface 133, and a bus 134. Figure 13 and Figure 8 The difference is that, in Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, processor 132 is configured to execute instructions stored in memory 131 as follows: Figure 12 The method involved in any of the embodiments.

[0153] This disclosure also relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement... Figure 12 The method involved in any of the embodiments.

[0154] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the following method for terminating an NPN connection is performed by an SMF entity.

[0155] In step 1401, an instruction message is received indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN.

[0156] In some embodiments, the indication information for establishing a connection between the user terminal and the NPN includes at least one of the NPN network identifier, the validity period of the NPN, and the validity period of the PDU session, or at least one of the data flow identifier information of the NPN service and the validity period of the NPN service data flow.

[0157] It should be noted that the specific form of the above time is not limited; it can be a time period or a point in time, etc.

[0158] In some embodiments, the user terminal may receive indication information for establishing a connection with the NPN from the AMF entity, UPF entity, or subscription database. For example, the subscription database may be located in the UDM entity, UDR entity, or PCF entity.

[0159] In step 1402, the process of terminating the NPN connection is initiated to the UPF entity.

[0160] In some embodiments, at least one of the following is sent to the UPF entity: an NPN network identifier, an NPN validity period, and a PDU session validity period; or, at least one of the following is sent to the UPF: an NPN service data flow identifier and the validity period of the NPN service data flow. This allows the UPF entity to terminate the NPN connection, or to determine, based on the data flow identifier, that the end user is terminating the application service identified by the data flow identifier. In some embodiments, the process of initiating the termination of the NPN connection with the UPF entity includes: initiating a process to deactivate the PDU session established with the NPN; initiating a process to modify the PDU session established with the NPN; or initiating a process to establish a PDU session established with the NPN. Specifically, initiating the termination of the NPN connection with the UPF entity refers to sending NPN connection information to the UPF during these processes, including at least one of the following: an NPN network identifier, an NPN validity period, and a PDU session validity period; or, at least one of the following: an NPN service data flow identifier and the validity period of the NPN service data flow.

[0161] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 15 As shown, the SMF entity receives information from the AMF entity or the subscription database regarding the establishment of a connection between the user terminal and the NPN.

[0162] In step 1501a, the AMF entity determines that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN.

[0163] For example, if the AMF entity confirms that the user terminal is accessing the NPN, or that the PDU session is established to perform NPN services, it determines that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN.

[0164] In step 1502, the AMF entity sends a PDU session establishment / modification context request to the SMF entity, which includes indication information for the user terminal to establish a connection with the NPN.

[0165] In step 1501b, the SMF entity obtains subscription information from the UDM entity, which includes indication information for the user terminal to establish a connection with the NPN.

[0166] In step 1501c, the SMF entity obtains subscription information from the PCF entity, which includes indication information for the user terminal to establish a connection with the NPN.

[0167] It should be noted that the AMF entity can also obtain the aforementioned contract information from the UDR entity.

[0168] In some embodiments, the indication information for establishing a connection between the user terminal and the NPN includes at least one of the NPN network identifier, the validity period of the NPN, and the validity period of the PDU session, or at least one of the data flow identifier information of the NPN service and the validity period of the NPN service data flow.

[0169] It should be noted that the specific form of the above time is not limited; it can be a time period or a point in time, etc.

[0170] In step 1503, based on the instruction information indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN, the process of terminating the NPN connection is initiated to the UPF entity.

[0171] In some embodiments, the process of initiating the termination of an NPN connection to the UPF entity includes: initiating a process to deactivate the PDU session established with the NPN, or initiating a process to establish a PDU session established with the NPN, or initiating a process to modify the PDU session established with the NPN. This will be described below through specific embodiments. For simplicity, only the interaction process between the SMF entity and the UPF entity is shown in the following specific embodiments.

[0172] Figure 16 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. This embodiment describes the process of initiating a deactivation of a PDU session established with the NPN by sending a request to the UPF entity.

[0173] In step 1601, a timer is started based on the instruction information indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN.

[0174] In step 1602, after the timer expires, a process is initiated to the UPF to deactivate the PDU session that established the connection between the user terminal and the NPN.

[0175] Figure 17 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. This embodiment describes the process of initiating a modification to the PDU session established with the NPN by the UPF entity.

[0176] In step 1701, a timer is started based on the information about the user terminal establishing a connection with the NPN.

[0177] In step 1702, after the timer expires, an N4 session modification request is sent to the UPF to initiate the process of modifying the PDU session that established the connection with the NPN.

[0178] For example, an N4 session modification request may include indication information about a PDU session that has established a connection with the NPN.

[0179] In some embodiments, the indication information includes at least one of the following: NPN network identifier, NPN validity period, and PDU session validity period; or at least one of the following: NPN service data stream identifier and NPN service data stream validity period.

[0180] It should be noted that the specific form of the above time is not limited; it can be a time period or a point in time, etc.

[0181] In step 1703, the UPF entity starts a timer based on the indication information of the PDU session that established the connection with the NPN. Specifically, the timer can be started based on the NPN validity time information, or based on the NPN service data stream identifier information and the validity time of the NPN service data stream for the application data stream identified by the NPN service data stream identifier.

[0182] In step 1704, the UPF entity terminates the NPN connection after the timer expires.

[0183] For example, the UPF entity releases the PDU session, discards the PDU session's data packets, caches the PDU session's data packets, stops providing data notification messages to the SMF, discards the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information, and caches the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information. Terminating an NPN connection can perform one or more of the above operations.

[0184] In step 1705, the UPF entity sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF entity.

[0185] Figure 18 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. This embodiment describes the process of initiating a PDU session with the UPF entity to establish a connection with the NPN.

[0186] In step 1801, an N4 session establishment request is sent to the UPF entity to initiate the process of establishing a PDU session with the NPN.

[0187] For example, the N4 session establishment request includes indication information for establishing a PDU session with the NPN.

[0188] In some embodiments, the indication information includes at least one of the following: NPN network identifier, NPN validity period, and PDU session validity period; or at least one of the following: NPN service data stream identifier and NPN service data stream validity period.

[0189] It should be noted that the specific form of the above time is not limited; it can be a time period or a point in time, etc.

[0190] In step 1802, the UPF entity starts a timer based on the indication information of the PDU session that established the connection with the NPN.

[0191] In step 1803, the UPF entity terminates the NPN connection after the timer expires.

[0192] For example, the UPF entity releases the PDU session, discards the PDU session's data packets, caches the PDU session's data packets, stops providing data notification messages to the SMF, discards the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information, and caches the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information. Terminating an NPN connection can perform one or more of the above operations.

[0193] In step 1804, the UPF entity sends an N4 session establishment response to the SMF entity.

[0194] Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 19 As shown, the SMF entity receives the instruction information from the UPF entity to establish a connection between the user terminal and the NPN.

[0195] In step 1901, the UPF entity determines that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN.

[0196] For example, a UPF entity determines that a data stream is an NPN data stream by monitoring the data stream, thus confirming that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN. This can be done by using the FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name) or the IP address of the data stream to determine whether it is an NPN data stream.

[0197] In step 1902, the UPF entity sends an N4 session report to the SMF entity, wherein the N4 session report includes indication information of the user terminal establishing a connection with the NPN.

[0198] For example, the indication information may include an NPN service indication or an NPN network identifier, or an application data stream identifier for an NPN service.

[0199] In step 1903, the SMF entity initiates the process of terminating the NPN connection to the UPF entity based on the received instruction information.

[0200] For example, SMF entities can adopt Figure 16 The illustrated embodiment initiates a process to the UPF entity to deactivate the PDU session established with the NPN. Alternatively, the SMF entity may employ... Figure 17 The illustrated embodiment initiates a modification of the PDU session established with the NPN connection to the UPF entity. Alternatively, the SMF entity may use... Figure 18 The embodiment shown initiates a PDU session with the UPF entity to establish a connection with the NPN.

[0201] In step 1904, the SMF entity sends an N4 session report acknowledgment to the UPF entity.

[0202] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an SMF entity according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 20 As shown, the SMF entity includes a memory 201, a processor 202, a communication interface 203, and a bus 204. Figure 20 and Figure 8 The difference is that, in Figure 20 In the illustrated embodiment, processor 202 is configured to execute instructions stored in memory 201. Figures 14-19 The method involved in the SMF entity of any embodiment.

[0203] This disclosure also relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, are implemented... Figures 14-19 The method involved in the SMF entity of any embodiment.

[0204] Figure 21 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the following method for terminating an NPN connection is performed by a UPF entity.

[0205] In step 2101, an indication message sent by the SMF entity is received, wherein the indication message includes an indication message for establishing a PDU session connected to the NPN, or an indication message for modifying a PDU session connected to the NPN, or an indication message for establishing a PDU session connected to the NPN.

[0206] In some embodiments, the indication information includes at least one of the following: NPN network identifier, NPN validity period, and PDU session validity period; or at least one of the following: NPN service data stream identifier and NPN service data stream validity period.

[0207] It should be noted that the specific form of the above time is not limited; it can be a time period or a point in time, etc.

[0208] In step 2102, the timer is started according to the instruction information.

[0209] In step 2103, when the timer expires, the PDU session is released, the PDU session data packets are discarded, the PDU session data packets are cached, data notification messages are no longer provided to the SMF, the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information are discarded, and the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information are cached.

[0210] For example, UPF entities are based on Figure 17 or Figure 18 The illustrated embodiment interacts with an SMF entity to terminate an NPN connection.

[0211] Figure 22 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the following method for terminating an NPN connection is performed by a UPF entity.

[0212] In step 2201, it is determined that the user terminal establishes a connection with the NPN.

[0213] In some embodiments, the connection between the user terminal and the NPN is determined based on the characteristics of the data packet.

[0214] For example, a UPF entity determines that a data stream is an NPN data stream by monitoring the data stream, thus confirming that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN. This can be done, for example, by using the FQDN or the IP address of the data stream to determine whether it is an NPN data stream.

[0215] In step 2202, an instruction message indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN is sent to the SMF entity, so that the SMF entity can initiate the process of terminating the NPN connection to the UPF entity.

[0216] For example, the indication information may include an NPN service indication or an NPN network identifier, or an application data stream identifier for an NPN service.

[0217] For example, UPF entities are based on Figure 19 The illustrated embodiment interacts with an SMF entity to terminate an NPN connection.

[0218] Figure 23 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the following method for terminating an NPN connection is performed by a UPF entity.

[0219] In step 2301, it is determined that the user terminal establishes a connection with the NPN.

[0220] In some embodiments, the connection between the user terminal and the NPN is determined based on the characteristics of the data packet.

[0221] For example, a UPF entity determines that a data stream is an NPN data stream by monitoring the data stream, thus confirming that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN. This can be done, for example, by using the FQDN or the IP address of the data stream to determine whether it is an NPN data stream.

[0222] In step 2302, the process of terminating the NPN connection is initiated based on the information of the connection established between the user terminal and the NPN.

[0223] The following describes a specific implementation scheme for terminating an NPN connection.

[0224] Figure 24 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of terminating an NPN connection according to yet another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0225] In step 2401, the UPF entity determines that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN.

[0226] In some embodiments, the connection between the user terminal and the NPN is determined based on the characteristics of the data packet.

[0227] For example, a UPF entity determines that a data stream is an NPN data stream by monitoring the data stream, thus confirming that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN. This can be done, for example, by using the FQDN or the IP address of the data stream to determine whether it is an NPN data stream.

[0228] In step 2402, the UPF entity sends an N4 session report to the SMF entity, wherein the N4 session report includes indication information indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN. For example, this indication information includes an NPN service indication or an NPN network identifier, or an application data stream identifier for the NPN service.

[0229] In step 2403, the SMF entity sends an N4 session report confirmation message to the UPF entity, which includes timer information.

[0230] For example, timer information can be the effective time period of a PDU session or time point information, and the format of representation is not limited.

[0231] In step 2404, the UPF entity starts the timer according to the timer information.

[0232] In step 2405, the UPF entity initiates the process of terminating the NPN connection after the timer expires.

[0233] For example, after a timer expires, the UPF entity releases the PDU session, discards the PDU session's data packets, caches the PDU session's data packets, stops providing data notification messages to the SMF, discards the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information, and caches the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information. Terminating an NPN connection can perform one or more of the above operations.

[0234] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a UPF entity according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 24 As shown, the UPF entity includes a memory 251, a processor 252, a communication interface 253, and a bus 254. Figure 25 and Figure 8 The difference is that, in Figure 25 In the illustrated embodiment, processor 252 is configured to execute instructions stored in memory 251, such as... Figures 16-19 The method involved in the UPF entity of any of the embodiments in 21-24.

[0235] This disclosure also relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement a UPF entity such as... Figures 16-19 The method involved in the UPF entity of any of the embodiments in 21-24.

[0236] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 26 As shown, the communication system includes SMF entity 261 and UPF entity 262. SMF entity 261 is... Figure 20 The SMF entity described in any of the embodiments, UPF entity 262 is Figure 25 The UPF entity described in any of the embodiments.

[0237] Figure 27 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 27 and Figure 26The difference is that, in Figure 27 In the illustrated embodiment, the communication system further includes an AMF entity 263. The AMF entity 263 is... Figure 13 The UPF entity described in any of the embodiments. SMF entity 261, UPF entity 262, and AMF entity 263 are used to implement Figures 15-19 Schemes for terminating NPN connections in any of the embodiments in 24.

[0238] By implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, user terminals can effectively terminate NPN connections after accessing the NPN, thereby effectively improving the management capabilities of the NPN.

[0239] In some embodiments, the functional units described above may be implemented as general-purpose processors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any suitable combination thereof for performing the functions described herein.

[0240] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above embodiments can be implemented by hardware or by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as a read-only memory, a disk, or an optical disk.

[0241] The description in this disclosure is provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to its forms. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to better illustrate the principles and practical application of this disclosure and to enable those skilled in the art to understand this disclosure and to design various embodiments with various modifications suitable for a particular purpose.

Claims

1. A method for terminating an NPN connection, executed by a UPF entity, comprising: Determine whether the user terminal establishes a connection with the NPN, wherein the determination of the connection between the user terminal and the NPN is based on the characteristics of the data packets; Send an instruction message to the SMF entity indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN, so that the SMF entity can initiate a process to terminate the NPN connection to the UPF entity; The timer is started according to the instruction information sent by the SMF entity; When the timer expires, perform any of the following: release the PDU session, discard the PDU session's data packets, cache the PDU session's data packets, stop providing data notification messages to the SMF, discard the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information, and cache the data packets of the data stream identified in the indication information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The indication information sent to the SMF entity includes NPN service indication or NPN network identifier, or NPN service application data stream identifier.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The indication information sent by the SMF entity includes at least one of the following: NPN network identifier, NPN validity period, and PDU session validity period; or at least one of the following: NPN service data stream identifier and NPN service data stream validity period.

4. A method for terminating an NPN connection, performed by a UPF entity, comprising: Determine whether the user terminal establishes a connection with the NPN, wherein the determination of the connection between the user terminal and the NPN is based on the characteristics of the data packets; The process of terminating the NPN connection is initiated based on the information about the connection established between the user terminal and the NPN. The process of initiating the termination of an NPN connection includes: A timer is started based on the information indicating the connection establishment between the user terminal and the NPN. When the timer expires, perform any of the following: release the PDU session, discard the PDU session's data packets, cache the PDU session's data packets, stop providing data notification messages to the SMF, discard the data packets of the data stream identified in the information, and cache the data packets of the data stream identified in the information.

5. A UPF entity, comprising: The memory is configured to store instructions; A processor, coupled to memory, configured to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-3 based on memory-stored instruction execution.

6. A UPF entity, comprising: The memory is configured to store instructions; A processor, coupled to memory, is configured to implement the method of claim 4 based on memory-stored instruction execution.

7. A communication system, comprising: The UPF entity as described in claim 5; SMF entity, wherein the SMF entity includes: The memory is configured to store instructions; A processor, coupled to memory, and a method for configuring the processor to execute instructions stored in memory includes: Receive instruction information indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN; The process of initiating the termination of the NPN connection to the UPF entity.

8. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein, The indication information for establishing a connection between the user terminal and the NPN includes at least one of the following: NPN network identifier, NPN validity period, and PDU session validity period; or at least one of the following: NPN service data stream identifier information and NPN service data stream validity period.

9. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein, The process of initiating the termination of an NPN connection to a UPF entity includes: Send at least one of the following to the UPF entity: NPN network identifier, NPN validity period, and PDU session validity period; or send at least one of the following to the UPF: NPN service data stream identifier information and the validity period of the NPN service data stream.

10. The communication system according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein, The process of initiating the termination of an NPN connection to a UPF entity includes: The process of initiating a deactivation procedure for the PDU session established with the NPN to the UPF entity; or The process of initiating a modification of the PDU session established with the NPN by the UPF entity; or The process of initiating a PDU session with the UPF entity to establish a connection with the NPN.

11. The communication system according to claim 10, wherein, The process of initiating a PDU session to the UPF entity to deactivate the connection established with the NPN includes: A timer is started based on the indication information indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN; When the timer expires, the process of deactivating the PDU session established between the user terminal and the NPN is initiated to the UPF entity.

12. The communication system according to claim 10, wherein, The process of initiating a modification of the PDU session established with the NPN by the UPF entity includes: A timer is started based on the indication information indicating that the user terminal has established a connection with the NPN; When the timer expires, a process is initiated to the UPF to modify the PDU session that established the connection with the NPN.

13. A non-transient computer-readable storage medium, wherein, A computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-4.

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