Information transmission method, device, communication equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to information transmission methods, apparatuses, communication devices and storage media. A network slice admission control function (NSACF) determines statistical information of user equipment (UE) registered within a specific area range based on a network slice according to specific area indication information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology but is not limited to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to information transmission methods, devices, communication equipment and storage media. Background Art

[0002] A network slice can provide complete network functions, such as radio access network functions, core network functions, and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) functions. A network can support one or more network slices. A network slice can provide different committed services and can be dedicated to a specific user. The same service or slice, but slices with different slice identifiers may have different single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI, Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information).

[0003] A mobile network operator (MNO) can deploy multiple network slices that provide the same functionality. Multiple network slices can serve different UE groups. Multiple network slices can provide different committed services and / or be dedicated to customers. Different network slices with the same slice functionality may have different S-NSSAIs, or the service type of the network slices may be the same but the slice identifiers may be different. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information transmission method, apparatus, communication device and storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information transmission method, which is performed by a network slice admission control function (NSACF), and includes:

[0006] According to the specific area indication information, the statistical information of the user equipment (UE, User Equipment) registered within the specific area range based on the network slice is determined.

[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information transmission method is provided, wherein the method is performed by an access and mobility management function (AMF), and the method includes:

[0008] Send a statistical information update request, wherein the statistical information update request is used to instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice according to the specific area indication information.

[0009] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information transmission device, comprising:

[0010] The processing module is configured to determine statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice according to the specific area indication information.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information transmission device, wherein the device comprises:

[0012] The third sending module is configured to send a statistical information update request, wherein the statistical information update request is used to instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice according to the specific area indication information.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, a memory, and an executable program stored in the memory and capable of being run by the processor, wherein the processor executes the steps of the information transmission method described in the first aspect or the second aspect when running the executable program.

[0014] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, on which an executable program is stored, wherein when the executable program is executed by a processor, the steps of the information transmission method described in the first aspect or the second aspect are implemented.

[0015] The information transmission method, apparatus, communication equipment and storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. NSACF determines the statistical information of the user equipment (UE) registered within the specific area range based on the network slice according to the specific area indication information. In this way, compared with only being able to determine the statistical information of the entire network slice, determining the statistical information of the UE registered within the specific area range based on the network slice, NSACF can obtain the statistical information of the specific area that is smaller than the granularity of the entire network slice, and then perform network resource management based on the statistical information within the specific area range, to meet the refined management needs of network operations and services.

[0016] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2 is a flowchart of an information transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] Figure 3 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] Figure 4 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] Figure 5 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0023] Figure 6 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] Figure 7 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] Figure 8 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Fig.10 is a block diagram of an information transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Fig.11 is a block diagram of another information transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Fig.12 It is a block diagram of a device for information transmission according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Here, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. Instead, they are only examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] The terms used in the disclosed embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the disclosed embodiments. The singular forms of "a", "said" and "the" used in the disclosed embodiments are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates other meanings. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0032] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various information in the disclosed embodiments, these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at the time of" or "when" or "in response to determining".

[0033] Please refer to Figure 1 , which shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 As shown, the wireless communication system is a communication system based on cellular mobile communication technology, and the wireless communication system may include: a plurality of terminals 11 and a plurality of base stations 12 .

[0034] Among them, the terminal 11 can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to the user. The terminal 11 can communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (RAN). The terminal 11 can be an Internet of Things terminal, such as a sensor device, a mobile phone (or a "cellular" phone), and a computer with an Internet of Things terminal. For example, it can be a fixed, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted device. For example, a station (STA), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, or a user equipment (UE). Alternatively, the terminal 11 can also be a device of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Alternatively, the terminal 11 can also be a vehicle-mounted device, for example, it can be a driving computer with wireless communication function, or a wireless communication device connected to an external driving computer. Alternatively, the terminal 11 may also be a roadside device, for example, a street lamp, a traffic light or other roadside device with a wireless communication function.

[0035] The base station 12 may be a network-side device in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a fourth generation mobile communication technology (4G) system, also known as a long term evolution (LTE) system; or, the wireless communication system may be a 5G system, also known as a new radio (NR) system or a 5G NR system. Alternatively, the wireless communication system may be the next generation system of the 5G system. The access network in the 5G system may be referred to as NG-RAN (New Generation-Radio Access Network). Alternatively, an MTC system.

[0036] Among them, the base station 12 can be an evolved base station (eNB) adopted in the 4G system. Alternatively, the base station 12 can also be a base station (gNB) adopting a centralized distributed architecture in the 5G system. When the base station 12 adopts a centralized distributed architecture, it usually includes a centralized unit (CU) and at least two distributed units (DU). The centralized unit is provided with a protocol stack of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link layer control protocol (RLC) layer, and a media access control (MAC) layer; the distributed unit is provided with a physical (Physical, PHY) layer protocol stack. The specific implementation method of the base station 12 is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] A wireless connection can be established between the base station 12 and the terminal 11 through a wireless air interface. In different implementations, the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on the fourth generation mobile communication network technology (4G) standard; or, the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on the fifth generation mobile communication network technology (5G) standard, for example, the wireless air interface is a new air interface; or, the wireless air interface can also be a wireless air interface based on the next generation mobile communication network technology standard of 5G.

[0038] In some embodiments, E2E (End to End) connections may also be established between the terminals 11, such as V2V (vehicle to vehicle) communication, V2I (vehicle to Infrastructure) communication, and V2P (vehicle to pedestrian) communication in vehicle to everything (V2X) communication.

[0039] In some embodiments, the wireless communication system may further include a network management device 13 .

[0040] Several base stations 12 are respectively connected to a network management device 13. The network management device 13 may be a core network device in a wireless communication system, for example, the network management device 13 may be a core network device in a wireless communication system, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a user plane function (UPF), a policy control function (PCF), a network repository function (NRF), etc. The implementation form of the network management device 13 is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] The execution entities involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to: mobile phone terminals in a cellular mobile communication system, and network-side devices, such as access network devices such as base stations, and a core network.

[0042] The application function (AF) and / or application service provider (ASP) need to obtain statistical information of the network slice in order to ensure or improve the user experience. The statistical information includes: the number of registered users of the network slice, the number of activated PDU sessions, the proportion of the number of registered users and / or the number of activated PCU sessions in the network slice to the overall threshold of the network slice, etc.

[0043] In related technologies, the statistical information for network slices is based on the granularity of the entire network slice, that is, the statistics are the coverage information of the entire network slice. The statistical information based on the entire network slice often cannot truly meet the needs of operators and services, especially the business characteristics requirements in specific scenarios, so it is impossible to configure resources accordingly according to the network status to achieve the purpose of improving user service experience.

[0044] For example, operators usually have the ability to flexibly configure resources and ensure service QoS for a specific area within a network slice, such as a province, city, specific venue, or school. Operators need to obtain statistical data such as the number of specific registered users in the specific area to obtain and monitor the real-time network status in the area, but related technologies cannot meet the operator's needs for statistical data.

[0045] Therefore, how to count, perceive and monitor the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​the network slice to meet the operational and business needs in the specific area is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides an information transmission method, which can be performed by the NSACF of the cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0047] Step 201: Determine statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area based on the network slice according to the specific area indication information.

[0048] NSACF can be used to manage the UEs and PDU sessions registered in the network slice, for example, to control the number of UEs registered in the network slice, etc. NSACF can be the only NSACF deployed in the network slice, or NSACF can be one or more of the multiple NSACFs deployed in the network slice.

[0049] In actual applications, multiple NSACFs may be deployed in the operator network. One NSACF may serve one or more network slices in a service area. In a service area, a network slice is handled by only one NSACF. Here, the S-NSSAI of different network slices is different. NSACF can be an NSACF instance or an NSACF set. A PLMN can have one or more service areas.

[0050] The specific area indication information may be used to indicate a specific area.

[0051] In one embodiment, the network resources of the specific area are smaller than the network resources of the entire network slice, that is, the specific area is smaller than the coverage of the resources of the entire network slice.

[0052] Exemplarily, a network slice may include N service areas, and a specific area may be one or M of the N service areas, where M is less than N, and M and N are positive integers.

[0053] The statistical information may be the statistical result of the NSACF on the UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice. For example, the statistical information may include but is not limited to at least one of the following information: the type of UEs registered within a specific area, the proportion of different types of UEs registered within a specific area, and the number of UEs registered within a specific area.

[0054] In one embodiment, the statistical information includes: the number of UEs registered within the specific area.

[0055] NSACF can count the number of UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice. NSACF can configure corresponding resources based on the determined number of UEs; it can also manage and control the UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice; for example, adjust the number of UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice, etc. This improves the ability to flexibly configure resources within a specific area, thereby improving the quality of service (QoS).

[0056] NSACF can trigger NSAC based on an external trigger mechanism. NSAC may include: determining statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area, etc.

[0057] In a network slice, different UEs may exist in the form of different users. Different users may have different identifiers, such as UE IDs, etc. The statistical information of registered UEs may also be referred to as statistical information of registered users. For example, the number of UEs registered within a specific area may be determined based on the UE IDs of the UEs registered within the specific area.

[0058] In this way, compared with only being able to determine the statistical information of the entire network slice, the above solution can determine the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area based on the network slice. NSACF can obtain statistical information of a specific area that is smaller than the granularity of the entire network slice, and then perform network resource management based on the statistical information within the specific area, thereby meeting the refined management needs of network operations and services.

[0059] In one embodiment, the specific area indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0060] Cell identifier (ID, IDentifier);

[0061] Tracking Area ID (TAI);

[0062] Identification of the Area Of Interest (AoI);

[0063] Tracking area identifier list;

[0064] Identification of the service area;

[0065] Identifier of the geographic area.

[0066] Here, the cell ID, TAI, AoI identifier, tracking area identifier list, service area identifier and / or geographic area identifier may have one or more. For example, the specific area indication information may include multiple cell IDs for indicating multiple cells.

[0067] The geographical area indicated by the identifier of the geographical area may be a geographical area that can be mapped to a service area, and thus, the NSACF may determine statistical information based on the mapped service area.

[0068] NSACF can determine the statistical information of registered UEs within a specific area based on the specific area indication information, and achieve UE information statistics with a smaller granularity than the entire network slice, meeting the refined management requirements of network operations and services.

[0069] In one embodiment,

[0070] The specific area indication information is pre-stored in the NSACF;

[0071] or,

[0072] The specific area indication information is determined based on a communication protocol;

[0073] or,

[0074] The specific area indication information is received from a consumer network function.

[0075] The specific area indication information may be pre-stored in the NSACF, and when the NSACF is triggered, the specific area is determined by the pre-stored specific area indication information.

[0076] The specific area indication information may also be determined according to the communication protocol. When the NSACF is triggered, the specific area is determined by the communication protocol or a calculation method given in the communication protocol.

[0077] Consumer network functions may include: Network Exposure Function (NEF), Policy Decision Function (PCF), Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) and / or the main NSACF in a multi-NSACF deployment scenario.

[0078] The consumer network function can determine a specific area based on its own needs, and instruct the NSACF to drive to the specific area through specific area indication information.

[0079] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0080] Send the statistical information to AMF.

[0081] After NSACF determines the statistical information, it can provide feedback to AMF for reference in AMF decision-making. For example, AMF can determine whether to add new UEs to a specific area based on whether the number of registered UEs in the specific area exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0082] In one embodiment, determining statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on a network slice includes:

[0083] In response to receiving a statistical information update request from an access and mobility management function AMF, the statistical information of UEs registered within the specific area range based on the network slice is determined.

[0084] NSACF determines the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area based on the network slice, which can be triggered by AMF or other network entities. If triggered by AMF, the statistical information update request is a statistical information update request sent by AMF to NSACF based on UE registration or UE deregistration or update of UE configuration events. The statistical information update request is used to trigger NSACF to perform NSAC and then determine the statistical information.

[0085] like Figure 3 As shown, the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area is used as an example of the number of UEs registered within a specific area of ​​a network slice; wherein NSACF determines the number of UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice according to the statistical information update request indication of AMF, and the specific steps include:

[0086] Step 302: NSACF receives a statistics update request from AMF, triggering NSACF to determine the number of UEs registered in a specific area of ​​the network slice; for example, the statistics update request may be: Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Request. The statistics update request is received from AMF and is used to instruct NSACF to perform a validity check and update process for registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the slice.

[0087] Step 303: Based on the statistical information update request, NSACF performs a validity check and update process for the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the slice, that is, determines the number of registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0088] Step 304: NSACF may send a response message of the statistical information update request to AMF, indicating to AMF the number of registered UEs in the determined specific area, etc.; for example, the response message of the statistical information update request may be: Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Response.

[0089] Of course, when the statistical information of the UEs registered within a specific area is other information, the inventive concept and steps are similar to the example of the number of UEs registered within the specific area of ​​the aforementioned network slice, and will not be repeated here.

[0090] In one embodiment, the AMF is triggered according to the following event: based on the UE registering to the network slice.

[0091] When a UE registration operation occurs for a network slice, the AMF can first determine the network slice corresponding to the registration operation, and send a statistical information update request to the network slice corresponding to the registration operation.

[0092] The statistics update request may explicitly or implicitly indicate an increase in the number of UEs. For example, when a UE registers to a network slice, the statistics update request may use a predetermined bit to indicate an increase in the number of registered UEs, or may use the UE registration request as a statistics update request to implicitly indicate an increase in the number of registered UEs.

[0093] When performing UE registration operation, SMF can first perform NSACF discovery. UE can trigger AMF to start the statistical process of registering UE in a specific area. UE can indicate the slice identifier of the network slice for registration operation to AMF, and AMF determines the network slice for registration operation based on the slice identifier, and then determines the NSACF corresponding to the network slice. AMF then sends a statistical information update request to the NSACF of the determined network slice. The slice identifier of the network slice may include S-NSSAI, and / or slice distinguisher, etc.

[0094] The statistical information update request may be carried in the operation information for the network slice operation. For example, when the UE registers to the network slice, the statistical information update request may be carried in the registration request.

[0095] The UE registers with the network slice, which may include the UE's initial registration with the network slice, or a mobile registration update type registration caused by UE switching across AMFs, etc.

[0096] The registration of the UE to the network slice will cause changes in the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area. Therefore, the AMF can instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area.

[0097] Exemplarily, for the scenario where the UE registers to the network slice, the NSACF can determine the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area before the UE registers to the network slice, and can also determine the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area after the UE registers to the network slice.

[0098] like Figure 4As shown, during the process of UE registering to the network slice, the specific steps of NSACF determining the statistical information of the UE registered in a specific area include:

[0099] Step 402: NSACF receives a statistical information update request from AMF, such as Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Request, which is used to trigger NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered in a specific area of ​​the network slice; the statistical information update request can indicate to NSACF in an explicit or implicit manner that the UE is registering for the network slice.

[0100] In the disclosed embodiment, the statistical information update request is generated by the AMF according to the network slice registration request sent by the UE, wherein the network slice registration request is a registration process initiated by the UE to one or more network slices. The AMF can perform NSACF discovery and selection based on parameters such as the slice identifier and NSACF characteristics, determine the network slice that the UE needs to register, and trigger the validity check and update process of the number of registered users in a specific area. When the UE initiates the registration process to register to the network slice, the S-NSSAI of the network slice requested to be registered can be carried in the registration request sent by the UE. The AMF can first determine whether the S-NSSAI exists in the Allowed NSSAI. If so, execute step 402 to request the NSACF to determine the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area. Otherwise, the UE registration can be rejected. The statistical information update request may include: UE identification information such as UE ID, access type, S-NSSAI of the network slice requesting to execute NSAC, AMF identifier and update flag. Among them, the S-NSSAI of the network slice requesting to execute NSAC can be one or more, and the UE can request to register multiple network slices at the same time. The update flag can be used to indicate the addition of a UE in a network slice, that is, the UE is registered in the network slice.

[0101] In one embodiment, in response to the initial exchange between the AMF and the NSACF of the network slice, a request is made to execute the NSAC process, such as sending a statistics update request to the network slice for the first time. The AMF may carry in the statistics update request the NF information of the relevant endpoints to which the early validity check (EAC, Early Admission Control) needs to be notified, thereby implicitly subscribing to EAC-related notifications of the network slice from the NSACF, such as whether the EAC is activated.

[0102] Step 403: Based on the statistical information update request, NSACF performs a validity check and update process for the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the slice, and determines the statistical information of the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the network slice, such as the number of registered UEs.

[0103] In response to the UE registering in the network slice, the NSACF updates the number of registered UEs in the network slice and confirms the number of registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0104] In one embodiment, NSACF can determine whether to allow UE registration based on the status of the network slice, such as the network slice load, the number of UEs already in the slice, etc.

[0105] Step 404: After the NSACF determines the statistical information of the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the network slice, it sends a response message of the statistical information update request to the AMF. The response message may include: the number of registered UEs in the determined specific area, and / or the UE registration results, etc.

[0106] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request triggered by the UE registering to the network slice carries the location information of the UE registered to the network slice;

[0107] The determining of statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice includes:

[0108] Based on the location information of the UE, determine whether to count the UE registered to the network slice in the statistical information.

[0109] The location information may be used to indicate the location of the UE requesting registration. If the location of the UE requesting registration corresponds to a specific area, the UE is counted, otherwise, the UE is not counted.

[0110] Here, the location of the UE requesting registration corresponds to a specific area, including: the location of the UE requesting registration is within the scope of the specific area, etc.

[0111] For example, Figure 4 In step 403 shown, the UE may request to register in the network slice. Since the specific area is only a part of the entire network slice, the location of the UE may be outside the specific area. Then, when the NSACF determines the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area, the UE may not be counted. If the UE is located within the specific area, the UE needs to be counted.

[0112] Determining whether to count the UE according to the location information of the UE can improve the accuracy of the statistical information determined by the NSAC.

[0113] In one embodiment, the location information includes at least one of the following:

[0114] Community information;

[0115] Tracking area information.

[0116] The statistical information update request carries the location information of the registered user UE, and the UE location information is at least one of the following information: cell information and tracking area information.

[0117] In one embodiment, the location information of the UE registered to the network slice may be sent by the base station (such as gNB) to the AMF. The AMF then sends it to the NSACF. Alternatively, the location information of the UE registered to the network slice may be obtained by the AMF from the Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC).

[0118] In one embodiment, determining statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on a network slice includes:

[0119] In response to early validity check (EAC) being activated, determining the statistical information before the UE registers with the network slice;

[0120] In response to the EAC not being activated, the statistical information is determined when the UE registers to the network slice.

[0121] Early Admission Control (EAC) can be a security check before NSACF performs full authentication. If EAC is activated, when NSACF receives a statistical information update request, it can be determined that EAC has been completed and the statistical information update request is credible, so the statistical information can be determined before the registration operation; otherwise, NSACF needs to perform authentication and other checks. NSACF can determine the statistical information before and after the registration operation, which can improve the work efficiency of NSACF.

[0122] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request is triggered by the AMF according to the following event: based on the UE registering to the network slice.

[0123] Based on the UE deregistering from the network slice.

[0124] The deregistration of the UE may be initiated by the UE or the network. After the UE deregisters from the network slice, the AMF may send a statistical information update request to the NSACF, instructing the NSACF to determine the statistical information.

[0125] The statistical information update request can explicitly or implicitly indicate a reduction in the number of UEs. When performing a UE deregistration operation, the UE or the network can trigger the AMF to start the statistical process of registering UEs in a specific area. The UE or the network can indicate to the AMF the slice identifier of the network slice for the deregistration operation, and the AMF determines the network slice for the deregistration operation based on the slice identifier, and then the AMF sends a statistical information update request to the determined network slice. The slice identifier of the network slice may include S-NSSAI, and / or a slice distinguisher, etc.

[0126] Deregistration of the UE from the network slice will cause changes in the statistical information of the UE registered in a specific area. Therefore, the AMF can instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of the UE registered in a specific area.

[0127] Exemplarily, the NSACF may determine statistical information of UEs registered in a specific area after the UE is de-registered from a network slice.

[0128] like Figure 5 As shown, during the process of UE deregistering from a network slice, the specific steps for NSACF to determine the statistical information of the registered UE in a specific area include:

[0129] Step 502: NSACF receives a statistics update request sent by AMF, such as Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Request, and the statistics update request is used to trigger NSACF to determine the statistics of UEs registered in a specific area of ​​the network slice; the statistics update request can indicate to NSACF in an explicit or implicit manner that the number of UEs in the network slice has changed due to UE deregistration. In one possible implementation, the statistics update request is determined by AMF based on the deregistration of UE from the network slice. In one possible implementation, AMF can send an indication of successful deregistration to the UE; during the deregistration process, AMF can determine the network slice where the UE is deregistering, and trigger AMF to initiate a validity check and update process of the number of registered users in a specific area to the network NSACF.

[0130] The statistical information update request may include: UE identification information such as UE ID, access type, S-NSSAI of the network slice requesting NSAC, AMF identifier and update flag. The update flag may be used to indicate that the number of UEs is reduced, i.e., the UE is deregistered from the network slice.

[0131] Step 503: Based on the statistical information update request, NSACF performs a validity check and update process for the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the slice, and determines the statistical information of the registered UEs in the specific area, such as the number of registered UEs.

[0132] In response to a UE deregistering from a network slice, the NSACF updates the number of registered UEs in the network slice and confirms the number of registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0133] Step 504: After the NSACF determines the statistical information of the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the network slice, it sends a response message of the statistical information update request to the AMF. The response message may include: the number of registered UEs in the determined specific area, etc.

[0134] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request is triggered by the AMF according to the following event: updating the UE configuration based on the network slice.

[0135] UE configuration may include: network slice configuration associated with the UE on the network side. Exemplary: changes in the Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Authorization process or the contracted S-NSSAI process may trigger a UE configuration update.

[0136] When the UE configuration is updated, the number of UEs in the network slice will change. Therefore, NSACF can determine the statistics of the UEs registered within a specific area.

[0137] When the UE configuration is updated, NSACF can receive the statistics update request sent by AMF, and NSACF determines the statistics of UEs registered within a specific area. NSACF can send statistics to AMF.

[0138] In one embodiment, determining statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on a network slice includes:

[0139] In response to the EAC being activated, determining the statistical information before updating the UE configuration;

[0140] In response to the EAC being not activated, the statistical information is determined after updating the UE configuration.

[0141] Early Admission Control (EAC) can be a security check before NSACF performs full authentication. If EAC is activated, when NSACF receives a statistical information update request, it can be determined that EAC has been completed and the statistical information update request is credible, so the statistical information can be determined before updating the UE configuration; otherwise, NSACF needs to perform authentication and other checks, and NSACF can determine the statistical information after updating the UE configuration.

[0142] For example, if the EAC mode is activated and the update flag is to increase the number, NSAC is executed before the UE configuration update message; if the EAC mode is activated, but the update flag is to decrease the number and the EAC mode is not activated, NSAC is executed after the UE configuration update message. Here, the executed NSAC includes: determining the statistical information of the UE registered within the specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0143] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request carries a slice identifier;

[0144] The determining of statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice includes:

[0145] Determine the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range of the network slice indicated by the slice identifier.

[0146] The statistical information update request sent by AMF received by NSACF may carry the slice identifier of the network slice for which statistical information needs to be determined. Here, the slice identifier may include: S-NSSAI, slice distinguisher, etc.

[0147] NSACF can determine the network slice for which statistical information needs to be determined based on the slice identifier. Since NSACF can correspond to multiple network slices, the accuracy of AMF indication can be improved by indicating the network slice through the slice identifier.

[0148] In one embodiment, the specific area range of the network slice has a maximum number of registered users that are allowed to register UEs.

[0149] NSACF can configure the maximum number of registered users with registered UEs for a specific area, that is, the maximum number threshold allowed for registration within a specific area.

[0150] During the UE registration process, if the number of registered UEs in the current specific area of ​​the network slice reaches the maximum number of registered users, the NSACF can reject the UE registration.

[0151] In one embodiment, if the number of UEs registered in the current specific area of ​​the network slice reaches the maximum number of registered users, and the location information registered by the UE belongs to the specific area, then the NSACF may reject the UE's registration request.

[0152] In one embodiment, in response to the number of registered UEs for all network slices requested to be registered by the UE, the number of registered users corresponding to each network slice has reached the maximum number of registered users corresponding to each network slice, and the subscription information of the network slice has a default network slice, then the AMF can put one or more default network slices into the Allow NSSAI as authorized allowed network slices. The UE can request to register with the authorized allowed default network slice. If the subscription information of the network slice does not have a default network slice, the AMF can reject the registration request of the UE.

[0153] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0154] In response to the number of UEs registered within the specific area of ​​the network slice reaching the maximum number of registered users, a maximum number indication information indicating that the number of UEs registered within the specific area has reached the maximum number of registered users is sent to the AMF.

[0155] Here, the number of UEs registered within the specific area reaches the maximum number of registered users, that is, the number of UEs registered within the specific area is equal to the maximum number of registered users.

[0156] During the UE registration process, if the number of registered UEs in the current specific area of ​​the network slice reaches the maximum number of registered users, and the location information of the UE registration belongs to the specific area, then the NSACF can reject the UE's registration request and indicate the slice identifier of the network slice to the AMF through the maximum number indication information. The AMF can determine the reason for the registration failure. At the same time, the maximum number indication information can include statistical information of the network slice, that is, the number of registered UEs in the current network slice.

[0157] The UE can request to register multiple network slices through one registration request or multiple registration requests. When one or more network slices refuse registration, the AMF can send an indication message to the UE, indicating the list of slice identifiers of the network slices that refuse registration, and can indicate the reason for the refusal of registration for each network slice that refuses registration, such as the number of UEs registered in a specific area of ​​the network slice has reached the maximum number of registered users.

[0158] In one embodiment, the AMF may also set a timer for the UE to initiate a re-request to register the network slice. When the timer expires, the UE may initiate a network slice registration request again.

[0159] like Figure 6 As shown, this exemplary embodiment provides an information transmission method, which can be executed by the AMF of the cellular mobile communication system, including:

[0160] Step 601: Send a statistical information update request, wherein the statistical information update request is used to instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice according to specific area indication information.

[0161] The core network of the cellular mobile communication network, AMF is used to receive all connection and session related information from the UE and is responsible for handling connection and mobility management tasks.

[0162] NSACF can be used to manage the UEs and PDU sessions registered in the network slice, for example, to control the number of UEs registered in the network slice, etc. NSACF can be the only NSACF deployed in the network slice, or NSACF can be one or more of the multiple NSACFs deployed in the network slice.

[0163] In actual applications, multiple NSACFs may be deployed in the operator network. One NSACF may serve one or more network slices in a service area. In a service area, a network slice is handled by only one NSACF. Here, the S-NSSAI of different network slices is different. NSACF can be an NSACF instance or an NSACF set. A PLMN can have one or more service areas.

[0164] The specific area indication information may be used to indicate a specific area.

[0165] In one embodiment, the network resources of the specific area are smaller than the network resources of the entire network slice, that is, the specific area is smaller than the coverage of the resources of the entire network slice.

[0166] Exemplarily, a network slice may include N service areas, and a specific area may be one or M of the N service areas, where M is less than N, and M and N are positive integers.

[0167] The statistical information may be the statistical result of the NSACF on the UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice. For example, the statistical information may include at least one of the following information: the type of UEs registered within a specific area, the proportion of different types of UEs registered within a specific area, etc., and the number of UEs registered within a specific area.

[0168] In one embodiment, the statistical information includes: the number of UEs registered within the specific area.

[0169] NSACF can count the number of UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice. NSACF can configure corresponding resources based on the determined number of UEs; it can also manage and control the UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice; for example, adjust the number of UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice, etc. This improves the ability to flexibly configure resources within a specific area, thereby improving the quality of service (QoS).

[0170] NSACF can trigger NSAC based on an external trigger mechanism. NSAC may include: determining statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area, etc.

[0171] In a network slice, different UEs may exist in the form of different users. Different users may have different identifiers, such as UE IDs, etc. The statistical information of registered UEs may also be referred to as statistical information of registered users. For example, the number of UEs registered within a specific area may be determined based on the UE IDs of the UEs registered within the specific area.

[0172] NSACF determines the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area based on the network slice, which can be triggered by AMF. AMF can be triggered by events such as UE registration, send a statistical information update request to NSACF, trigger NSACF to perform NSAC, and then determine the statistical information.

[0173] like Figure 3 As shown, AMF instructs NSACF to determine the number of UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice through a statistics update request. The specific steps include:

[0174] Step 301: AMF is triggered to instruct NSACF to determine the number of UEs registered within a specific area, that is, AMF is triggered to instruct NSACF to perform the validity check and update process of the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the slice.

[0175] Step 302: AMF sends a statistics update request to NSACF, triggering NSACF to determine the number of UEs registered in a specific area of ​​the network slice; for example, the statistics update request may be: Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Request. The statistics update request is used to instruct NSACF to perform a validity check and update process for the registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the slice based on the statistics update request, i.e., to determine the number of registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0176] Step 304: AMF receives a response message to the statistical information update request sent by NSACF, and indicates to AMF the number of registered UEs in a determined specific area, etc.; for example, the response message to the statistical information update request may be: Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Response.

[0177] In this way, compared with only being able to determine the statistical information of the entire network slice, the above solution can determine the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area based on the network slice. NSACF can obtain statistical information of a specific area that is smaller than the granularity of the entire network slice, and then perform network resource management based on the statistical information within the specific area, thereby meeting the refined management needs of network operations and services.

[0178] In some embodiments, the statistical information update request is triggered by the AMF according to at least one of the following events: based on UE registration to the network slice; based on UE deregistration from the network slice; based on updating UE configuration based on the network slice.

[0179] In one embodiment, the specific area indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0180] Cell ID;

[0181] Tracking area identifier TAI;

[0182] Identification of the area of ​​interest AoI;

[0183] Tracking area identifier list;

[0184] Identification of the service area;

[0185] Identifier of the geographic area.

[0186] Here, the cell ID, TAI, AoI identifier, tracking area identifier list, service area identifier and / or geographic area identifier may have one or more. For example, the specific area indication information may include multiple cell IDs for indicating multiple cells.

[0187] The geographical area indicated by the identifier of the geographical area may be a geographical area that can be mapped to a service area, and thus, the NSACF may determine statistical information based on the mapped service area.

[0188] NSACF can determine the statistical information of registered UEs within a specific area based on the specific area indication information, and achieve UE information statistics with a smaller granularity than the entire network slice, meeting the refined management requirements of network operations and services.

[0189] In one embodiment,

[0190] The specific area indication information is pre-stored in the NSACF;

[0191] or,

[0192] The specific area indication information is determined based on a communication protocol;

[0193] or,

[0194] The specific area indication information is received from a consumer network function.

[0195] The specific area indication information may be pre-stored in the NSACF, and when the NSACF is triggered, the specific area is determined by the pre-stored specific area indication information.

[0196] The specific area indication information can also be determined according to the communication protocol, and when the NSACF is triggered, the specific area is determined by the communication protocol or the calculation method given in the communication protocol. The consumer network function may include: Network Exposure Function (NEF), Policy Decision Function (PCF), Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) and / or the main NSACF in the multi-NSACF deployment scenario.

[0197] The consumer network function can determine a specific area based on its own needs, and instruct the NSACF to drive to the specific area through specific area indication information.

[0198] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0199] Receive the statistical information sent by NSACF.

[0200] After NSACF determines the statistical information, it can provide feedback to AMF for reference in AMF decision-making. For example, AMF can determine whether to add new UEs to a specific area based on whether the number of registered UEs in the specific area exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0201] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request is triggered by the AMF according to the following event: based on the UE registering to the network slice.

[0202] When a UE registration operation occurs for a network slice, the AMF can first determine the network slice corresponding to the registration operation, and send a statistical information update request to the network slice corresponding to the registration operation.

[0203] The statistics update request may explicitly or implicitly indicate an increase in the number of UEs. For example, when a UE registers to a network slice, the statistics update request may use a predetermined bit to indicate an increase in the number of registered UEs, or may use the UE registration request as a statistics update request to implicitly indicate an increase in the number of registered UEs.

[0204] When performing UE registration operation, SMF can first perform NSACF discovery. UE can trigger AMF to start the statistical process of registering UE in a specific area. UE can indicate the slice identifier of the network slice for registration operation to AMF, and AMF determines the network slice for registration operation based on the slice identifier, and then determines the NSACF corresponding to the network slice. AMF then sends a statistical information update request to the NSACF of the determined network slice. The slice identifier of the network slice may include S-NSSAI, and / or slice distinguisher, etc.

[0205] The statistical information update request may be carried in the operation information for the network slice operation. For example, when the UE registers to the network slice, the statistical information update request may be carried in the registration request.

[0206] The UE registers with the network slice, which may include the UE's initial registration with the network slice, or a mobile registration update type registration caused by UE switching across AMFs, etc.

[0207] The registration of the UE to the network slice will cause changes in the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area. Therefore, the AMF can instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area.

[0208] Exemplarily, for the scenario where the UE registers to the network slice, the NSACF can determine the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area before the UE registers to the network slice, and can also determine the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area after the UE registers to the network slice.

[0209] like Figure 4 As shown, during the process of UE registering to the network slice, the specific steps of AMF triggering NSACF to determine the statistical information of the registered UE in a specific area include:

[0210] Step 402: AMF sends a statistical information update request to NSACF, such as Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Request, which is used to trigger NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered in a specific area of ​​the network slice; the statistical information update request can indicate to NSACF in an explicit or implicit manner that the UE registers for the network slice.

[0211] In the disclosed embodiment, the statistical information update request is generated by the AMF according to the network slice registration request sent by the UE, wherein the network slice registration request is a registration process initiated by the UE to one or more network slices. The AMF can perform discovery and selection of the NSACF based on parameters such as the slice identifier and NSACF characteristics, determine the network slice that the UE needs to register, and trigger the validity check and update process of the number of registered users in a specific area. When the UE initiates the registration process to register to the network slice, the S-NSSAI of the network slice requested to be registered can be carried in the registration request sent by the UE. The AMF can first determine whether the S-NSSAI exists in the Allowed NSSAI. If so, execute step 402 to request the NSACF to determine the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area. Otherwise, the UE registration can be rejected.

[0212] The statistical information update request may include: UE identification information such as UE ID, access type, S-NSSAI of the network slice requesting to execute NSAC, AMF identifier and update flag. Among them, the S-NSSAI of the network slice requesting to execute NSAC can be one or more, and the UE can request to register multiple network slices at the same time. The update flag can be used to indicate the addition of UE in the network slice, that is, the UE is registered in the network slice.

[0213] In one embodiment, in response to the initial exchange between the AMF and the NSACF of the network slice, a request is made to execute the NSAC process, such as sending a statistics update request to the network slice for the first time. The AMF may carry the NF information of the relevant endpoints that the EAC needs to notify in the statistics update request, thereby implicitly subscribing to the EAC-related notifications of the network slice from the NSACF, such as whether the EAC is activated, etc. Among them, the statistics update request is used to instruct the NSACF to perform a validity check and update process of the registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the slice based on the statistics update request, and determine the statistical information of the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the network slice, such as the number of registered UEs, etc.

[0214] In response to the UE registering in the network slice, the NSACF updates the number of registered UEs in the network slice and confirms the number of registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0215] In one embodiment, NSACF can determine whether to allow UE registration based on the status of the network slice, such as the network slice load, the number of UEs already in the slice, etc.

[0216] Step 404: After receiving the statistical information of the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the network slice determined by NSACF, AMF sends a response message of the statistical information update request to AMF. The response message may include: the number of registered UEs in the determined specific area, and / or the UE registration result, etc.

[0217] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request triggered based on the UE registering to the network slice carries the location information of the UE registered to the network slice;

[0218] The location information of the UE is used for the NSACF to determine whether to count the UE registered to the network slice in the statistical information.

[0219] The location information may be used to indicate the location of the UE requesting registration. If the location of the UE requesting registration corresponds to a specific area, the UE is counted, otherwise, the UE is not counted.

[0220] Here, the location of the UE requesting registration corresponds to a specific area, including: the location of the UE requesting registration is within the scope of the specific area, etc.

[0221] For example, Figure 4 In step 403 shown, the UE may request to register in the network slice. Since the specific area is only a part of the entire network slice, the location of the UE may be outside the specific area. Then, when the NSACF determines the statistical information of the UE registered in the specific area, the UE may not be counted. If the UE is located within the specific area, the UE needs to be counted.

[0222] Determining whether to count the UE according to the location information of the UE can improve the accuracy of the statistical information determined by the NSAC.

[0223] In one embodiment, the location information includes at least one of the following:

[0224] Community information;

[0225] Tracking area information.

[0226] The statistical information update request carries the location information of the registered user UE, and the UE location information is at least one of the following information: cell information and tracking area information.

[0227] In one embodiment,

[0228] The location information is received from a base station,

[0229] and / or,

[0230] The location information is obtained from the Gateway Mobile Location Center GMLC.

[0231] Exemplarily, the base station can determine the location information of the UE by positioning or other means. The location information of the UE registered to the network slice can be sent by the base station (such as gNB) to the AMF. Then the AMF sends it to the NSACF. Alternatively, the location information of the UE registered to the network slice can be obtained by the AMF from the GMLC.

[0232] In one embodiment, in response to early validity check EAC being activated, the NSACF determines the statistical information before the UE registers with the network slice;

[0233] In response to the EAC not being activated, the NSACF determines the statistical information when the UE registers to the network slice.

[0234] Early Admission Control (EAC) can be a security check before NSACF performs full authentication. If EAC is activated, when NSACF receives a statistical information update request, it can be determined that EAC has been completed and the statistical information update request is credible, so the statistical information can be determined before the registration operation; otherwise, NSACF needs to perform authentication and other checks. NSACF can determine the statistical information before and after the registration operation, which can improve the work efficiency of NSACF.

[0235] In one embodiment, the AMF is triggered according to the following event: based on the UE deregistering from the network slice.

[0236] The deregistration of the UE may be initiated by the UE or the network. After the UE deregisters from the network slice, the AMF may send a statistical information update request to the NSACF, instructing the NSACF to determine the statistical information.

[0237] The statistical information update request can explicitly or implicitly indicate a reduction in the number of UEs. When performing a UE deregistration operation, the UE or the network can trigger the AMF to start the statistical process of registering UEs in a specific area. The UE or the network can indicate to the AMF the slice identifier of the network slice for the deregistration operation, and the AMF determines the network slice for the deregistration operation based on the slice identifier, and then the AMF sends a statistical information update request to the determined network slice. The slice identifier of the network slice may include S-NSSAI, and / or a slice distinguisher, etc.

[0238] Deregistration of the UE from the network slice will cause changes in the statistical information of the UE registered in a specific area. Therefore, the AMF can instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of the UE registered in a specific area.

[0239] Exemplarily, the NSACF may determine statistical information of UEs registered in a specific area after the UE is de-registered from a network slice.

[0240] like Figure 5 As shown, during the process of UE deregistering from the network slice, the specific steps of AMF triggering NSACF to determine the statistical information of the registered UE in a specific area include:

[0241] Step 502: AMF sends a statistical information update request, such as Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Request, to NSACF, triggering NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered in a specific area of ​​the network slice; the statistical information update request can indicate to NSACF in an explicit or implicit manner that the number of UEs in the network slice has changed due to UE deregistration.

[0242] The statistical information update request may include: UE identification information such as UE ID, access type, S-NSSAI of the network slice requesting NSAC execution, AMF identification and update flag. The update flag can be used to indicate that the number of UEs is reduced, that is, the UE is deregistered from the network slice. Among them, the statistical information update request is used to instruct the NSACF to perform a validity check and update process for the registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the slice based on the statistical information update request, and determine the statistical information of the registered UEs in the specific area, such as the number of registered UEs.

[0243] In response to a UE deregistering from a network slice, the NSACF updates the number of registered UEs in the network slice and confirms the number of registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0244] Step 504: After receiving the statistical information of the registered UEs in the specific area of ​​the network slice determined by NSACF, AMF sends a response message of the statistical information update request to AMF. The response message may include: the number of registered UEs in the determined specific area, etc.

[0245] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request is triggered by the AMF according to the following event: updating the UE configuration based on the network slice.

[0246] UE configuration may include: network slice configuration associated with the UE on the network side. Exemplary: changes in the Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Authorization process or the contracted S-NSSAI process may trigger a UE configuration update.

[0247] When the UE configuration is updated, the number of UEs in the network slice will change. Therefore, NSACF can determine the statistics of the UEs registered within a specific area.

[0248] When the UE configuration is updated, the AMF can send a statistics update request to the NSACF, and the NSACF determines the statistics of the UEs registered within a specific area. The NSACF can send statistics to the AMF.

[0249] In one embodiment, in response to the EAC being activated, the NSACF determines the statistical information before updating the UE configuration;

[0250] In response to the EAC being not activated, the NSACF determines the statistical information after updating the UE configuration.

[0251] Early Admission Control (EAC) can be a security check before NSACF performs full authentication. If EAC is activated, when NSACF receives a statistical information update request, it can be determined that EAC has been completed and the statistical information update request is credible, so the statistical information can be determined before updating the UE configuration; otherwise, NSACF needs to perform authentication and other checks, and NSACF can determine the statistical information after updating the UE configuration.

[0252] For example, if the EAC mode is activated and the update flag is to increase the number, NSAC is executed before the UE configuration update message; if the EAC mode is activated, but the update flag is to decrease the number and the EAC mode is not activated, NSAC is executed after the UE configuration update message. Here, the executed NSAC includes: determining the statistical information of the UE registered within the specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0253] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request carries a slice identifier;

[0254] The statistical information update request is used to instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered within the specific area of ​​the network slice indicated by the slice identifier.

[0255] The statistical information update request sent by AMF to NSACF may carry the slice identifier of the network slice for which the statistical information needs to be determined. Here, the slice identifier may include: S-NSSAI, slice distinguisher, etc.

[0256] NSACF can determine the network slice for which statistical information needs to be determined based on the slice identifier. Since NSACF can correspond to multiple network slices, the accuracy of AMF indication can be improved by indicating the network slice through the slice identifier.

[0257] In one embodiment, the specific area range has a maximum number of registered users that are allowed to register UEs;

[0258] The method further comprises:

[0259] Receiving maximum number indication information, where the maximum number indication information is used to indicate that the number of UEs registered within the specific area has reached the maximum number of registered users.

[0260] Here, the number of UEs registered within the specific area reaches the maximum number of registered users, that is, the number of UEs registered within the specific area is equal to the maximum number of registered users.

[0261] NSACF can configure the maximum number of registered users with registered UEs for a specific area, that is, the maximum number threshold allowed for registration within a specific area.

[0262] During the UE registration process, if the number of registered UEs in the current specific area of ​​the network slice reaches the maximum number of registered users, the NSACF can reject the UE registration.

[0263] In one embodiment, if the number of UEs registered in the current specific area of ​​the network slice reaches the maximum number of registered users, and the location information registered by the UE belongs to the specific area, then the NSACF may reject the UE's registration request.

[0264] In one embodiment, in response to the number of registered UEs for all network slices requested to be registered by the UE, the number of registered users corresponding to each network slice has reached the maximum number of registered users corresponding to each network slice, and the subscription information of the network slice has a default network slice, then the AMF can put one or more default network slices into the Allow NSSAI as authorized allowed network slices. The UE can request to register with the authorized allowed default network slice. If the subscription information of the network slice does not have a default network slice, the AMF can reject the registration request of the UE.

[0265] During the UE registration process, if the number of registered UEs in the current specific area of ​​the network slice reaches the maximum number of registered users, and the location information of the UE registration belongs to the specific area, then the NSACF can reject the UE's registration request and indicate the slice identifier of the network slice to the AMF through the maximum number indication information. The AMF can determine the reason for the registration failure. At the same time, the maximum number indication information can include statistical information of the network slice, that is, the number of registered UEs in the current network slice.

[0266] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0267] An indication message is sent to the UE indicating that the number of UEs registered within the specific area has reached the network slice with the maximum number of registered users.

[0268] Here, the number of UEs registered within the specific area reaches the maximum number of registered users, that is, the number of UEs registered within the specific area is equal to the maximum number of registered users.

[0269] The UE can request to register multiple network slices through one registration request or multiple registration requests. When one or more network slices refuse registration, the AMF can send an indication message to the UE, indicating the list of slice identifiers of the network slices that refuse registration, and can indicate the reason for the refusal of registration for each network slice that refuses registration, such as the number of UEs registered in a specific area of ​​the network slice has reached the maximum number of registered users.

[0270] In one embodiment, the AMF may also set a timer for the UE to initiate a re-request to register the network slice. When the timer expires, the UE may initiate a network slice registration request again.

[0271] The following provides three specific examples in combination with any of the above embodiments:

[0272] The statistical methods for the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​a network slice include:

[0273] 1. In the registration process, configuration update process, or deregistration process of the terminal UE, the NSACF performs statistics on the number of registered users based on the specific area information of the network slice, and increases or decreases the number of registered users in the specific area of ​​the network slice; the specific area information can be configured on the NSACF, or provided to the NSACF by the consumer network function in the 5G network.

[0274] 2. The specific area information includes at least one of the following: cell ID, tracking area identifier TAI, area of ​​interest AoI, tracking area identifier list TAI list, service area (Service Area), and a geographical area (Geography Area) that can be mapped to the service area (Service Area).

[0275] 3. The consumer network function may be a network exposure function NEF, or a policy decision function PCF, or a main NSACF in a multiple NSACF deployment scenario.

[0276] 4. The NSACF performs statistics on the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​the slice based on the location information of the registered users.

[0277] 5. The location information of the registered user is at least one of the following information: cell information, tracking area information, etc.

[0278] 6. The location information of the registered user is obtained from AMF and carried to NSACF in the request message sent by AMF to NSACF.

[0279] 7. The location information of the registered user is obtained by the AMF from the gNB and carried to the AMF in the request message sent by the gNB to the AMF; or obtained by the AMF from the GMLC.

[0280] 8. After receiving the slice user number update request message from AMF, NSACF updates the number of registered users for the specific area of ​​the requested slice.

[0281] 9. NSACF updates the number of registered users for the specific area of ​​the requested slice based on the user location information carried in the AMF request message.

[0282] 10. The NSACF is the only NSACF deployed in the network slice, or one of the multiple NSACFs deployed in the network slice.

[0283] 11. The NSACF is configured with the maximum number of registered users allowed in a specific area of ​​the network slice, or the allowed threshold for registered users in a specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0284] 12. When the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​the network slice reaches the maximum number of registered users or the allowed threshold, the NSACF carries the slice identifier S-NSSAI(s) indicating that the number of registered user UEs in the specific area of ​​the slice has reached the set threshold / maximum value, and the result parameter indicating that the maximum value has been reached in the response message sent to the AMF.

[0285] Example 1:

[0286] This example provides a specific example of the validity check and update process of the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​a network slice.

[0287] The validity check and update process of the number of users in a specific area of ​​a network slice is an update process (increase or decrease) of the number of registered terminal users in a certain specific area of ​​a network slice. AMF configures which network slices need to perform this validity check and update.

[0288] Among them, the specific area information can be configured on the NSACF, or provided to the NSACF by the consumer network function in the 5G network (such as the network open function NEF, or the policy decision function PCF, or the main NSACF in multiple NSACF deployment scenarios, etc.), or configured to the NSACF through the operation and maintenance management system OAM (Operation Administration and Maintenance, OAM).

[0289] The NSACF in this process is applicable to the scenario where the only NSACF is deployed in the slice, or the scenario where there is an NSACF in multiple NSACF deployments in the slice.

[0290] like Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the validity check and update process of the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​a slice specifically includes:

[0291] Step 701: AMF is triggered to perform the validity check and update process of registered UEs in a specific area of ​​the network slice. If the AMF does not know the peer NSACF, the AMF first performs NSACF discovery and selection. When a network slice S-NSSAI needs to perform NSAC, and the slice identifier is in the Allowed NSSAI (for example, the AMF requests the UE to register to the slice), or is deleted from the Allowed NSSAI (the AMF requests the UE to deregister from the slice), the AMF triggers the validity check and update process of the network slice and updates the number of registered terminal users. The triggering event of the process also includes the change of AllowedNSAAI caused by switching across AMFs. There may be multiple NSACFs deployed in the slice. When the AMF executes the NSAC process for counting the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​the slice, it may interact with multiple NSACFs to execute the process.

[0292] Here, the slice-specific area information executed by NSACF can be at least one of the following information: cell ID, tracking area identifier TAI, area of ​​interest AoI, tracking area identifier list TAI list, service area Service Area, and a geographic area Geography Area that can be mapped to the service area Service Area.

[0293] The AMF triggers the validity check and update process of the registered UE in a specific area of ​​the network slice in the following situations:

[0294] a) In the registration process of the terminal, including the initial registration or the registration of the mobile registration update type caused by the cross-AMF handover, NSAC is executed before or after the registration acceptance message, depending on whether the early validity check EAC mode is enabled (for example, when the EAC is activated, the NSAC process is executed before the registration message; when the EAC is not activated, the NSAC process is executed after the registration acceptance message).

[0295] b) In the deregistration process, after the deregistration process is completed, the NSAC process is executed to subtract the UE from the statistics.

[0296] c) In the configuration update process of the terminal, for example, if the NSSAA slice-specific authentication process or the contract S-NSSAI change process triggers a configuration update, NSAC is executed before the configuration update message according to the EAC mode (for example, if the EAC mode is activated and the update flag is to increase the number, NSAC is executed before the UE configuration update message; if the EAC mode is activated but the update flag is to decrease the number and the EAC mode is not activated, NSAC is executed after the UE configuration update message)

[0297] Step 702: AMF sends Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Request message to NSACF. AMF includes the terminal identifier UE ID, access type, S-NSSAIs of the relevant slices for requesting NSAC, AMF identifier and update flag in the message. The update flag indicates whether the number of registered user UEs is increased or decreased. For example, when the user registers to the slice, it is increased, and when the UE deregisters from the slice or the registration cannot continue, it is decreased.

[0298] Optionally, the AMF also carries the location information of the registered user UE in the request message, and the UE location information is at least one of the following information: cell information, tracking area information. The UE location information can be obtained by the AMF from the gNB and carried to the AMF in the request message sent by the gNB to the AMF; or obtained by the AMF from the GMLC.

[0299] If this is the first interaction between AMF and NSACF for this slice and the NSAC process is executed, AMF will carry the relevant endpoint NF information that EAC needs to notify in the message, thereby implicitly subscribing to the EAC-related notifications of the slice from NSACF.

[0300] Step 703: NSACF updates the number of UEs currently registered to the network slice. For example, based on the information provided by the AMF in the update flag parameter, the number of registered UEs in the corresponding network slice is increased or decreased. When the NSACF locally configures the specific area information of the slice, or receives the specific area information of the slice provided by the consumer NF (the consumer NF includes the network open function NEF, or the policy decision function PCF, or the main NSACF in the scenario of multiple NSACF deployment), or configures the specific area information of the slice through the operation and maintenance management system OAM (Operation Administration and Maintenance, OAM), the NSACF updates the number of registered users for the specific area of ​​the requested slice. For example, based on the information provided by the AMF in the update flag parameter, based on the UE location information and the specific area information of the slice, the number of registered UEs in the corresponding network slice is increased or decreased.

[0301] Optionally, the NSACF is also configured with the maximum number of registered users allowed in the slice specific area or the allowed threshold of registered users in the slice specific area. When NSAC is performed for a slice specific area, if the slice reaches the maximum number of registered users in the area, the NSACF carries the threshold arrival information in the response message returned to the AMF.

[0302] If an EAC notification endpoint is received from the AMF, the NSACF stores the EAC notification endpoint associated with the S-NSSAI to facilitate the subsequent use of the stored notification endpoint to update the EAC mode.

[0303] Step 704: NSACF returns a Nnsacf_NSAC_NumOfUEsUpdate_Response response message to AMF, which carries the slice identifier S-NSSAI(s) indicating that the number of registered user UEs in a specific area of ​​the slice has reached the set threshold / maximum value, and related result parameters indicating that the maximum value has been reached.

[0304] In the UE registration process, if only some slices have reached the maximum number of registered users, AMF will send a registration acceptance message to the registered UE. In the message, the rejected slice list carries the slice identifier that was rejected due to NSAC, and the corresponding rejection reason is set to the maximum number of users in the area of ​​the slice has been reached. Optionally, a timer for initiating a re-request is set.

[0305] When the request message sent by AMF to NSACF contains all requested slices S-NSSAI(s) that have reached the maximum allowed value, and if one or more contracted slices are marked as default slices in the contract information, and NSAC does not need to be executed at the same time, AMF may decide to put these default slices into Allow NSSAI as authorized slices. Otherwise, AMF will reject the registration request of the user UE. In the registration rejection message, AMF carries a list of rejected slice identifiers, and each slice carries a corresponding rejection reason value, such as the maximum number of registered users allowed in the area of ​​the slice has been reached. Optionally, a timer is set to initiate a re-request.

[0306] Optionally, the NSAC is an execution process for a specific area of ​​the slice, and the return response message in step 4 carries the threshold arrival information in the specific area for reference by the AMF decision.

[0307] Example 2:

[0308] like Figure 8 As shown, when a UE registers with a network slice, the specific steps of the validity check and update process of the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​the slice include:

[0309] Step 801: AMF receives a registration request sent by UE. In the UE registration process, the user initiates a registration process to one or more network slices to the network. AMF performs NSACF discovery and selection based on parameters such as slice identifier and NSACF characteristics. As described in step 1 of embodiment 2.2.1, the validity check and update process of the number of registered users in a specific area is triggered.

[0310] The specific contents of step 802 to step 804 correspond to those in Example 1. Figure 7 Steps 702 to 704 are shown and will not be described in detail here.

[0311] Step 805a: If all slices requesting NSAC have reached the maximum value (reached the maximum value in the specific area, and there is no new threshold to be updated or supplemented in the slice or the slice registration area), and according to the AMF configuration and other policy information, such as no other authorized default slices, and no slices in the NSSAA slice specific authentication process, the AMF will reject the UE to register with the relevant network slice and send a rejection registration message, carrying the relevant rejection reason value, such as threshold reached, etc. Otherwise, execute step 805b

[0312] Step 805b: Register the UE in the network slice and execute step 805c.

[0313] Step 805c: If the normal registration process is executed as in step 805b, AMF can send a Registration Accept message. If the UE applies to register multiple network slices at the same time, some of which are successfully registered and some are not successfully registered, the AMF sends this message to the UE, and carries the network slice identifier and corresponding reason value of the rejected registration in the message, and optionally carries a backoff timer for the UE to reselect and initiate registration.

[0314] Example 3:

[0315] like Fig. 9 As shown, when a UE registers with a network slice, the specific steps of the validity check and update process of the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​the slice include:

[0316] Step 900: The UE is in a registered state, and the UE or the network triggers a UE deregistration process.

[0317] Steps 901a to 901c: perform the deregistration process according to the conventional deregistration process. The deregistration process triggers the AMF to request the NSACF to perform a validity check and update process on the number of registered users in a specific area of ​​the network slice.

[0318] The specific contents of step 902 to step 904 respectively correspond to those in Example 1. Figure 7 As shown in steps 702 to 704, after the de-registration process is completed, the AMF triggers the validity check and update process of the number of registered users in the specific area of ​​the slice, and the NSACF subtracts the number of de-registered UEs from the number of registered UEs in the specific area of ​​each corresponding network slice, and deletes the UE-ID of the UE from the list of registered users of the corresponding network slice.

[0319] The embodiment of the present invention also provides an information transmission device, such as Fig.10 As shown, the device 100 is applied to NSACF of cellular mobile wireless communication, wherein the device 100 includes:

[0320] The processing module 110 is configured to determine statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice according to the specific area indication information.

[0321] In one embodiment, the statistical information includes: the number of UEs registered within the specific area.

[0322] In one embodiment, the specific area indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0323] Cell ID;

[0324] Tracking area identifier TAI;

[0325] Identification of the area of ​​interest AoI;

[0326] Tracking area identifier list;

[0327] Identification of the service area;

[0328] Identifier of the geographic area.

[0329] In one embodiment, the specific area indication information is pre-stored in the NSACF;

[0330] or,

[0331] The specific area indication information is sent by the consumer network function to the NSACF.

[0332] In one embodiment, the processing module 110 is specifically configured as follows:

[0333] In response to receiving a statistical information update request from an access and mobility management function AMF, the statistical information of UEs registered within the specific area range based on the network slice is determined.

[0334] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request is triggered by the AMF according to at least one of the following events:

[0335] Based on UE registration to the network slice;

[0336] Based on the UE deregistering from the network slice;

[0337] Update UE configuration based on the network slice.

[0338] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request triggered by the UE registering to the network slice carries the location information of the UE registered to the network slice;

[0339] The determining of statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice includes:

[0340] Based on the location information, determine whether to count the UE registered to the network slice in the statistical information.

[0341] In one embodiment, the location information includes at least one of the following:

[0342] Community information;

[0343] Tracking area information.

[0344] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request carries a slice identifier;

[0345] The processing module 110 is specifically configured as follows:

[0346] Determine the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range of the network slice indicated by the slice identifier.

[0347] In one embodiment, the processing module 110 is specifically configured as follows:

[0348] In response to early validity check (EAC) being activated, determining the statistical information before the UE registers with the network slice;

[0349] In response to the EAC being activated, determining the statistical information before updating the UE configuration;

[0350] In response to the EAC being not activated, determining the statistical information when the UE registers with the network slice;

[0351] In response to the EAC being not activated, the statistical information is determined after updating the UE configuration.

[0352] In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 further includes:

[0353] The first sending module 120 is configured to send the statistical information to the AMF.

[0354] In one embodiment, the specific area range of the network slice has a maximum number of registered users that are allowed to register UEs.

[0355] In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 further includes:

[0356] The second sending module 130 is configured to send maximum number reaching indication information to the AMF indicating that the number of UEs registered within the specific area of ​​the network slice has reached the maximum number of registered users in response to the number of UEs registered within the specific area of ​​the network slice reaching the maximum number of registered users.

[0357] The embodiment of the present invention also provides an information transmission device, such as Fig.11 As shown, it is applied to the AMF of cellular mobile wireless communication, wherein the device 200 includes:

[0358] The third sending module 210 is configured to send a statistical information update request, wherein the statistical information update request is used to instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice according to the specific area indication information.

[0359] In one embodiment, the statistical information includes: the number of UEs registered within the specific area.

[0360] In one embodiment, the specific area indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0361] Cell ID;

[0362] Tracking area identifier TAI;

[0363] Identification of the area of ​​interest AoI;

[0364] Tracking area identifier list;

[0365] Identification of the service area;

[0366] Identifier of the geographic area.

[0367] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request is triggered by the AMF according to at least one of the following events:

[0368] Based on UE registration to the network slice;

[0369] Based on the UE deregistering from the network slice;

[0370] Update UE configuration based on the network slice.

[0371] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request triggered by the UE registering to the network slice carries location information of the UE registered to the network slice;

[0372] The location information is used for NSACF to determine whether to count the UE registered to the network slice in the statistical information.

[0373] In one embodiment, the location information includes at least one of the following:

[0374] Community information;

[0375] Tracking area information.

[0376] In one embodiment, the location information is received from a base station,

[0377] and / or,

[0378] The location information is obtained from the Gateway Mobile Location Center GMLC.

[0379] In one embodiment, the statistical information update request carries a slice identifier;

[0380] The statistical information update request is used to instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered within the specific area of ​​the network slice indicated by the slice identifier.

[0381] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 further includes:

[0382] The first receiving module 220 is configured to receive the statistical information sent by the NSACF.

[0383] In one embodiment, the specific area range has a maximum number of registered users that are allowed to register UEs;

[0384] The device 200 further includes:

[0385] The second receiving module 230 is configured to receive maximum number reaching indication information, where the maximum number reaching indication information is used to indicate that the number of UEs registered within the specific area has reached the maximum number of registered users.

[0386] In one embodiment, the apparatus 200 further includes:

[0387] The fourth sending module 240 is configured to send indication information to the UE indicating that the number of UEs registered within the specific area has reached the network slice with the maximum number of registered users.

[0388] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing module 110, the first sending module 120, the second sending module 130, the third sending module 210, the first receiving module 220, the second receiving module 230 and the fourth sending module 240 can be implemented by one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), baseband processors (BPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), DSPs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers (MCUs), microprocessors, or other electronic components to execute the aforementioned method.

[0389] Fig.12 3000 is a block diagram of an apparatus 3000 for information transmission according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the apparatus 3000 may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, a fitness device, a personal digital assistant, etc.

[0390] Reference Fig.12 , the device 3000 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 3002 , a memory 3004 , a power component 3006 , a multimedia component 3008 , an audio component 3010 , an input / output (I / O) interface 3012 , a sensor component 3014 , and a communication component 3016 .

[0391] The processing component 3002 generally controls the overall operation of the device 3000, such as operations associated with display, phone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component 3002 may include one or more processors 3020 to execute instructions to complete all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned method. In addition, the processing component 3002 may include one or more modules to facilitate the interaction between the processing component 3002 and other components. For example, the processing component 3002 may include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component 3008 and the processing component 3002.

[0392] The memory 3004 is configured to store various types of data to support operations on the device 3000. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on the device 3000, contact data, phone book data, messages, pictures, videos, etc. The memory 3004 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0393] The power supply component 3006 provides power to the various components of the device 3000. The power supply component 3006 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for the device 3000.

[0394] The multimedia component 3008 includes a screen that provides an output interface between the device 3000 and the user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touch, slide, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may not only sense the boundaries of the touch or slide action, but also detect the duration and pressure associated with the touch or slide operation. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 3008 includes a front camera and / or a rear camera. When the device 3000 is in an operating mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front camera and / or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data. Each front camera and rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and optical zoom capability.

[0395] The audio component 3010 is configured to output and / or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 3010 includes a microphone (MIC), and when the device 3000 is in an operating mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a speech recognition mode, the microphone is configured to receive an external audio signal. The received audio signal can be further stored in the memory 3004 or sent via the communication component 3016. In some embodiments, the audio component 3010 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[0396] I / O interface 3012 provides an interface between processing component 3002 and peripheral interface modules, which may be keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc. These buttons may include, but are not limited to, home buttons, volume buttons, start buttons, and lock buttons.

[0397] The sensor assembly 3014 includes one or more sensors for providing various aspects of status assessment for the device 3000. For example, the sensor assembly 3014 can detect the open / closed state of the device 3000, the relative positioning of components, such as the display and keypad of the device 3000, and the sensor assembly 3014 can also detect the position change of the device 3000 or a component of the device 3000, the presence or absence of user contact with the device 3000, the orientation or acceleration / deceleration of the device 3000, and the temperature change of the device 3000. The sensor assembly 3014 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor assembly 3014 may also include an optical sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 3014 may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

[0398] The communication component 3016 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the device 3000 and other devices. The device 3000 can access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, 2G or 3G, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 3016 receives a broadcast signal or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 3016 also includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module can be implemented based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology and other technologies.

[0399] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 3000 may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors or other electronic components to perform the above method.

[0400] In an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions is also provided, such as a memory 3004 including instructions, and the instructions can be executed by the processor 3020 of the device 3000 to perform the above method. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, etc.

[0401] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other implementations of the embodiments of the present invention after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the embodiments of the present invention that follow the general principles of the embodiments of the present invention and include common knowledge or customary technical means in the art that are not disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The specification and examples are to be regarded as exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the embodiments of the present invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0402] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the embodiments of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting information, wherein: Executed by the network slice admission control function NSACF, including: After receiving the statistical information update request sent by the access management function AMF and the specific area indication information sent by the consumer network function NF, the statistical information of the user equipment UE registered within the specific area range based on the network slice is determined; the statistical information update request includes the slice identifier of the network slice.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The statistical information includes: the number of UEs registered within the specific area.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The specific area indication information includes at least one of the following: Cell ID; Tracking area identifier TAI; Identification of the area of ​​interest AoI; Tracking area identifier list; Identification of the service area; Identifier of the geographic area.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The specific area indication information is pre-stored in the NSACF; or, The specific area indication information is determined based on a communication protocol; or, The specific area indication information is received from a consumer network function.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The statistical information update request is triggered by the AMF according to at least one of the following events: Based on UE registration to the network slice; Based on the UE deregistering from the network slice; Update UE configuration based on the network slice.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The statistical information update request triggered by the UE registering to the network slice carries the location information of the UE registered to the network slice; The determining of statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice includes: Based on the location information, determine whether to count the UE registered to the network slice in the statistical information.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The location information includes at least one of the following: Community information; Tracking area information.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein: The determining of statistical information of user equipment UE registered within a specific area range based on the network slice includes: Determine the statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area of ​​the network slice indicated by the slice identifier.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein: The determining of statistical information of UEs registered within a specific area range based on the network slice includes: In response to early validity check (EAC) being activated, determining the statistical information before the UE registers with the network slice; In response to the EAC being activated, determining the statistical information before updating the UE configuration; In response to the EAC being not activated, determining the statistical information when the UE registers with the network slice; In response to the EAC being not activated, the statistical information is determined after updating the UE configuration.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The method further comprises: Send the statistical information to AMF.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The specific area range of the network slice has a maximum number of registered users allowed to register UEs.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The method further comprises: In response to the number of UEs registered within the specific area of ​​the network slice reaching the maximum number of registered users, a maximum number indication information indicating that the number of UEs registered within the specific area has reached the maximum number of registered users is sent to the AMF.

13. A method for transmitting information, wherein: The method is performed by an access and mobility management function AMF, and the method comprises: Send a statistical information update request, wherein the statistical information update request is used to instruct the network slice admission control function NSACF to determine the statistical information of the user equipment UE registered within the specific area range of the network slice according to the specific area indication information; the specific area indication information is provided by the consumer network function NF; the statistical information update request includes the slice identifier of the network slice.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The statistical information includes: the number of UEs registered within the specific area.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The specific area indication information includes at least one of the following: Cell ID; Tracking area identifier TAI; Identification of the area of ​​interest AoI; Tracking area identifier list; Identification of the service area; Identifier of the geographic area.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The statistical information update request is triggered by the AMF according to at least one of the following events: Based on UE registration to the network slice; Based on the UE deregistering from the network slice; Update UE configuration based on the network slice.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The statistical information update request triggered by the UE registering to the network slice carries the location information of the UE registered to the network slice; The location information is used for NSACF to determine whether to count the UE registered to the network slice in the statistical information.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The location information includes at least one of the following: Community information; Tracking area information.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The location information is received from a base station, and / or, The location information is obtained from the Gateway Mobile Location Center GMLC.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The statistical information update request is used to instruct the NSACF to determine the statistical information of UEs registered within the specific area of ​​the network slice indicated by the slice identifier.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein: The method further comprises: Receive the statistical information sent by NSACF.

22. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein: The specific area range has a maximum number of registered users that are allowed to register UEs; The method further comprises: Receiving maximum number reaching indication information, wherein the maximum number reaching indication information is used to indicate that the number of UEs registered within the specific area has reached the maximum number of registered users.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein: The method further comprises: An indication message is sent to the UE indicating that the number of UEs registered within the specific area has reached the network slice with the maximum number of registered users.

24. An information transmission device, wherein: include: A processing module configured to determine statistical information of a user equipment UE registered within a specific area range based on a network slice after receiving a statistical information update request sent by an access management function AMF and specific area indication information sent by a consumer network function NF; The statistical information update request includes a slice identifier of the network slice.

25. An information transmission device, wherein: The device comprises: The third sending module is configured to send a statistical information update request, wherein the statistical information update request is used to instruct the network slice admission control function NSACF to determine the statistical information of the user equipment UE registered within the specific area range of the network slice according to the specific area indication information; the specific area indication information is provided by the consumer network function NF; the statistical information update request includes the slice identifier of the network slice.

26. A communication device, comprising a processor, a memory, and an executable program stored in the memory and capable of being run by the processor, wherein: When the processor runs the executable program, the steps of the information transmission method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or 13 to 23 are performed.

27. A computer-readable medium having an executable program stored thereon, wherein: When the executable program is executed by a processor, the steps of the information transmission method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or 13 to 23 are implemented.

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