Communication method and device

Abstract

The present application proposes a communication method and device. The method includes: the service providing network element obtains the characteristic information of the data analysis network element, the characteristic information includes the model operation platform type and / or model interoperability standard supported by the data analysis network element; the service providing network element receives a request message from the service requesting network element, the request message is used to request the discovery of the target data analysis network element, and the request message includes the model operation platform type and / or model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element; the service providing network element determines the target data analysis network element based on the above characteristic information and the request message; the service providing network element sends the address information and / or identification information of the target data analysis network element to the service requesting network element. The target data analysis network element may belong to a different manufacturer than the service requesting network element, so that the AI ​​model can be distributed across manufacturers, breaking the limitation that the AI ​​model can only be shared with the same manufacturer, and improving the flexibility of AI model distribution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly, to a communication method and apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Network data analytics function (NWDAF) network elements can be divided into NWDAFs that support model reasoning, NWDAFs that support model training, and NWDAFs that support both model training and reasoning. The NWDAF that supports reasoning can request an artificial intelligence (AI) model (also known as a machine learning (ML) model) from the NWDAF that supports model training, or from the NWDAF that supports both model training and reasoning, to perform data reasoning.

[0003] Currently, to obtain AI models, an NWDAF that supports inference is configured with the addresses of one or more NWDAFs that support model training. These NWDAFs that support inference and model training belong to the same vendor. When an AI model is required, the NWDAF that supports inference selects the appropriate NWDAF that supports model training.

[0004] However, due to cost and other considerations, one vendor only deployed some types of NWDAF. For example, they only deployed NWDAF that supports inference, but not NWDAF that supports model training. As a result, the vendor's NWDAF cannot obtain the corresponding model for data analysis. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and device, which breaks the limitation that models can only be shared within the same manufacturer.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising:

[0007] The service providing network element obtains characteristic information of the data analysis network element, the characteristic information includes at least one of the model operation platform type supported by the data analysis network element and the model interoperability standard supported by the data analysis network element; the service providing network element receives a request message from the service requesting network element, the request message is used to request the discovery of the target data analysis network element, the request message includes the model operation platform type required by the service requesting network element and / or the model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element; the service providing network element determines the target data analysis network element based on the characteristic information and the request message, the data analysis network element includes the target data analysis network element; the service providing network element sends the address information and / or identification information of the target data analysis network element to the service requesting network element.

[0008] It should be understood that the number of the data analysis network elements can be at least one, and the target data analysis network element is used to provide the AI ​​model or the address information of the AI ​​model.

[0009] According to the method of the present application, the service providing network element determines the target data analysis network element based on the characteristic information of the data analysis network element and the request message of the service requesting network element. The target data analysis network element may belong to a different manufacturer than the service requesting network element, thereby enabling cross-manufacturer distribution of AI models, breaking the limitation that AI models can only be shared with the same manufacturer and improving the flexibility of AI model distribution.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the service providing network element determines the target data analysis network element based on the feature information and the request message, including:

[0012] The service providing network element determines the target data analysis network element based on the model operation platform type and the priority of the model interoperability standard.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the priority of the model execution platform type is higher than the priority of the model interoperability standard.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes:

[0015] The service providing network element sends the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element to the service requesting network element.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the characteristic information also includes the type of the data analysis network element, the analysis type supported by the data analysis network element, the manufacturer identifier of the data analysis network element, and the service area identifier of the data analysis network element.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the service providing network element is a network storage function network element; the service requesting network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning; the target data analysis network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports model training, or, a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning and model training.

[0018] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising:

[0019] The service requesting network element sends a request message to the service providing network element, where the request message is used to request the discovery of the target data analysis network element, and the request message includes the model operating platform type required by the service requesting network element and / or the model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element; the service requesting network element receives the address information and / or identification information of the target data analysis network element from the service providing network element; the service requesting network element sends a model request message to the target data analysis network element based on the address information and / or identification information, where the model request message includes the target analysis type, and the model request message is used to request the model corresponding to the target analysis type; the service requesting network element receives the model corresponding to the target analysis type from the target data analysis network element, or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type.

[0020] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

[0021] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0022] The service requesting network element receives the model operating platform type supported by the target data analysis network element and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element from the service providing network element; the model operating platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operating platform type required by the service requesting network element, the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element, and the model request message includes the model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element.

[0023] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the service providing network element is a network storage function network element; the service requesting network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning; the target data analysis network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports model training, or, a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning and model training.

[0024] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising:

[0025] The service providing network element obtains characteristic information of the first data analysis network element, the characteristic information includes the analysis type supported by the first data analysis network element; the service providing network element receives a request message from the service requesting network element, the request message is used to request the discovery of the second data analysis network element, the request message includes the target analysis type, and the analysis types supported by the second data analysis network element include the target analysis type; the first data analysis network element includes the second data analysis network element; the service providing network element determines the second data analysis network element based on the characteristic information and the request message; the service providing network element sends the model operation platform type supported by the second data analysis network element and at least one of the model interoperability standards supported by the second data analysis network element, as well as the address information and / or identification information of the second data analysis network element to the service requesting network element.

[0026] It should be understood that the first data analysis network element includes at least one data analysis network element, and the second data analysis network element is a candidate data analysis network element hereinafter.

[0027] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the characteristic information also includes the model operation platform type supported by the first data analysis network element and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the first data analysis network element.

[0028] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the characteristic information further includes at least one of a type of the first data analysis network element, a manufacturer identifier of the first data analysis network element, and a service area identifier of the first data analysis network element.

[0029] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the service providing network element is a network storage function network element; the service requesting network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning; the second data analysis network element includes a network data analysis function network element that supports model training, and / or, a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning and model training.

[0030] A fourth aspect provides a communication method, comprising:

[0031] The service requesting network element sends a request message to the service providing network element, where the request message is used to request the discovery of candidate data analysis network elements, and the request message includes a target analysis type, and the analysis types supported by the candidate data analysis network elements include the target analysis type; the service requesting network element receives feature information of the candidate data analysis network elements from the service providing network element, where the feature information includes at least one of the model operation platform type supported by the candidate data analysis network element and the model interoperability standard supported by the candidate data analysis network element; the service requesting network element determines the target data analysis network element based on the feature information; the candidate data analysis network elements include the target data analysis network element; the service requesting network element sends a model request message to the target data analysis network element, where the model request message is used to request a model corresponding to the target analysis type; the service requesting network element receives the model corresponding to the target analysis type or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type from the target data analysis network element.

[0032] It should be understood that the target data analysis network element is used to provide the AI ​​model or the address information of the AI ​​model.

[0033] According to the method of the present application, the service requesting network element can determine the target data analysis network element based on the characteristic information of the candidate data analysis network element. The target data analysis network element may belong to a different manufacturer than the service requesting network element, thereby enabling cross-manufacturer distribution of AI models, breaking the limitation that AI models can only be shared with the same manufacturer and improving the flexibility of AI model distribution.

[0034] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

[0035] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the service requesting network element determines the target data analysis network element based on the feature information, including:

[0036] The service request network element determines the target data analysis network element based on the model operation platform type and the priority of the model interoperability standard.

[0037] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the priority of the model running platform type is higher than the priority of the model interoperability standard.

[0038] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, the model interoperability standards supported by the target data analysis network element include the model interoperability standards required by the service request network element, and the model request message includes the model interoperability standards required by the service request network element.

[0039] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the service providing network element is a network storage function network element; the service requesting network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning; the candidate data analysis network elements include network data analysis function network elements that support model training, and / or network data analysis function network elements that support reasoning and model training; the target data analysis network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports model training, or a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning and model training.

[0040] According to a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising:

[0041] The data analysis network element generates characteristic information of the data analysis network element, the characteristic information including at least one of the model operation platform type supported by the data analysis network element and the model interoperability standard supported by the data analysis network element; the data analysis network element sends the characteristic information to the service provision network element.

[0042] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the characteristic information further includes one or more of the following:

[0043] The type of data analysis network element, the analysis types supported by the data analysis network element, the manufacturer identifier of the data analysis network element, and the service area identifier of the data analysis network element.

[0044] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver unit and a processing unit connected to the transceiver unit.

[0045] A transceiver unit is used to obtain characteristic information of a data analysis network element, the characteristic information including at least one of the model operation platform type supported by the data analysis network element and the model interoperability standard supported by the data analysis network element; a transceiver unit is used to receive a request message from a service request network element, the request message is used to request the discovery of a target data analysis network element, the request message including the model operation platform type required by the service request network element and / or the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; a processing unit is used to determine the target data analysis network element based on the characteristic information and the request message; a transceiver unit is used to send the address information and / or identification information of the target data analysis network element to the service request network element.

[0046] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

[0047] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the processing unit is used to determine the target data analysis network element based on the model running platform type and the priority of the model interoperability standard.

[0048] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the priority of the model running platform type is higher than the priority of the model interoperability standard.

[0049] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is used to send the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element to the service request network element.

[0050] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the characteristic information also includes at least one of the type of data analysis network element, the analysis type supported by the data analysis network element, the manufacturer identifier of the data analysis network element, and the service area identifier of the data analysis network element.

[0051] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver unit and a processing unit connected to the transceiver unit.

[0052] A transceiver unit is used to send a request message to a service providing network element, where the request message is used to request discovery of a target data analysis network element, and the request message includes the model operating platform type required by the service requesting network element and / or the model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element; a transceiver unit is used to receive address information and / or identification information of a target data analysis network element from the service providing network element; a transceiver unit is used to send a model request message to the target data analysis network element based on the address information and / or identification information, where the model request message includes a target analysis type, and the model request message is used to request a model corresponding to the target analysis type; a transceiver unit is used to receive a model corresponding to the target analysis type from the target data analysis network element, or the address of a model corresponding to the target analysis type.

[0053] In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

[0054] In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is used to receive the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element from the service providing network element; the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service requesting network element, the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element, and the model request message includes the model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element.

[0055] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver unit and a processing unit connected to the transceiver unit.

[0056] A transceiver unit is used to obtain characteristic information of a first data analysis network element, the characteristic information including the analysis type supported by the first data analysis network element; a transceiver unit is used to receive a request message from a service request network element, the request message is used to request the discovery of a second data analysis network element, the request message includes a target analysis type, and the analysis types supported by the second data analysis network element include the target analysis type; the first data analysis network element includes the second data analysis network element; a processing unit is used to determine the second data analysis network element based on the characteristic information and the request message; a transceiver unit is used to send to the service request network element at least one of the model operation platform type supported by the second data analysis network element and the model interoperability standard supported by the second data analysis network element, as well as the address information and / or identification information of the second data analysis network element.

[0057] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the characteristic information further includes the model operation platform type supported by the first data analysis network element and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the first data analysis network element.

[0058] In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the characteristic information also includes at least one of the type of the first data analysis network element, the manufacturer identifier of the first data analysis network element, and the service area identifier of the first data analysis network element.

[0059] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver unit and a processing unit connected to the transceiver unit.

[0060] A transceiver unit is used to send a request message to a service providing network element, where the request message is used to request the discovery of candidate data analysis network elements, where the request message includes a target analysis type, and the analysis types supported by the candidate data analysis network elements include the target analysis type; a transceiver unit is used to receive feature information of the candidate data analysis network elements from the service providing network element, where the feature information includes at least one of the model operation platform type supported by the candidate data analysis network element and the model interoperability standard supported by the candidate data analysis network element; a processing unit is used to determine the target data analysis network element based on the feature information; the candidate data analysis network elements include the target data analysis network element; a transceiver unit is used to send a model request message to the target data analysis network element, where the model request message is used to request a model corresponding to the target analysis type; a transceiver unit is used to receive a model corresponding to the target analysis type or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type from the target data analysis network element.

[0061] In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

[0062] In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the processing unit is used to determine the target data analysis network element based on the model operation platform type and the priority of the model interoperability standard.

[0063] In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the priority of the model running platform type is higher than the priority of the model interoperability standard.

[0064] In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, the model interoperability standards supported by the target data analysis network element include the model interoperability standards required by the service request network element, and the model request message includes the model interoperability standards required by the service request network element.

[0065] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver unit and a processing unit connected to the transceiver unit.

[0066] A processing unit is used to generate characteristic information of a data analysis network element, the characteristic information including at least one of the model operation platform type supported by the data analysis network element and the model interoperability standard supported by the data analysis network element; a transceiver unit is used to send the characteristic information to a service providing network element.

[0067] In conjunction with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the feature information further includes one or more of the following:

[0068] The type of data analysis network element, the analysis types supported by the data analysis network element, the manufacturer identifier of the data analysis network element, and the service area identifier of the data analysis network element.

[0069] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a communication interface and a processor. When the communication device is in operation, the processor executes a computer program or instruction stored in a memory, causing the communication device to perform the method of any possible implementation of aspects 1 to 5. The memory may be located in the processor or implemented as a separate chip from the processor, and this application does not specifically limit this.

[0070] In the twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising a computer program, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in any possible implementation of the first to fifth aspects.

[0071] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip or a chip system is provided, the chip or the chip system includes a processing circuit, and the processing circuit is used to execute the method in any possible implementation of the first to fifth aspects.

[0072] In the fourteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute a method in any possible implementation of the first to fifth aspects.

[0073] In the fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a memory for storing computer instructions; and a processor for executing the computer instructions so that the communication device executes the method in any possible implementation of the first to fifth aspects.

[0074] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including a service providing network element and a service requesting network element.

[0075] The serving network element is used to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, and the service requesting network element is used to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect; or,

[0076] The service network element is used to execute the method in any possible implementation of the third aspect, and the service request network element is used to execute the method in any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] Figure 1 The system architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is shown.

[0078] Figure 2 This is a schematic interactive diagram of an example of the method proposed in this application.

[0079] Figure 3 This is a schematic interactive diagram of an example of the method proposed in this application.

[0080] Figure 4 A schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in this application.

[0081] Figure 5 A schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, for example, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, fifth generation (5G) communication system also known as new radio (NR) communication system, future evolved communication systems, such as: sixth generation (6G) communication system, etc.

[0083] Figure 1The following is a schematic diagram of a communication network architecture. The network architecture may include the following network elements:

[0084] 1. User equipment (UE): This includes various handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, as well as various forms of terminals, mobile stations (MS), terminals, or soft terminals. Examples include water meters, electricity meters, and sensors.

[0085] 2. (Radio) access network (R)AN): Provides network access for authorized user devices in a specific area and can use transmission tunnels of different qualities based on the level of the user device and service requirements.

[0086] The RAN manages radio resources, provides access services to user devices, and forwards control signals and user device data between the user device and the core network. The RAN can also be understood as a base station in a traditional network.

[0087] 3. User plane function (UPF) network element: This element is used for packet routing and forwarding, as well as quality of service (QoS) processing for user plane data. User data can be connected to the data network (DN) through this element. In the embodiments of the present application, this element can be used to implement the functions of the user plane network element.

[0088] 4. Data network (DN): A network used to transmit data, such as a carrier's service network, the Internet, or a third-party service network.

[0089] 5. Authentication server function (AUSF) network element: mainly used for user authentication, etc.

[0090] 6. Access and mobility management function (AMF) network element: It is mainly used for mobility management and access management. It can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management entity (MME) in addition to session management, such as access authorization / authentication.

[0091] 7. Session management function (SMF) network element: mainly used for session management, network Internet protocol (IP) address allocation and management of terminal devices, selection and management of user plane functions, policy control and charging function interface endpoints, and downlink data notification.

[0092] 8. Policy control function (PCF) network element: A unified policy framework used to guide network behavior, providing policy rule information to network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.) or terminal devices.

[0093] 9. Network repository function (NRF) network element: used to store descriptions of network function entities and the services they provide, and to support functions such as service discovery and network element entity discovery.

[0094] 10. Network exposure function (NEF) network element: used to securely expose services and capabilities provided by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network function to the outside world.

[0095] 11. Unified data management (UDM) network element: used for unified data management, 5G user data management, processing user identification, access authentication, registration, or mobility management, etc.

[0096] 12. Application function (AF) network element: used for data routing affected by applications, accessing network open function network elements, and interacting with the policy framework for policy control.

[0097] 13. Network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element: NWDAF can have at least one of the following functions:

[0098] Data collection, model training, model feedback, analysis result inference, analysis result feedback, etc. Among them, the data collection function refers to collecting data from network elements, third-party servers, terminal devices or network management systems; the model training function refers to analyzing and training the model based on relevant input data; the model feedback function refers to sending the trained machine learning model to the network element that supports the inference function; the analysis result inference function determines the data analysis results based on the trained machine learning model and the inference data; the analysis result feedback function can provide data analysis results to network elements, third-party servers, terminal devices or network management systems. The data analysis results can assist the network in selecting service quality parameters for services, assist the network in executing traffic routing, or assist the network in selecting background traffic transmission strategies, etc.

[0099] Currently, NWDAF can have the following functions: analytics logical function (AnLF), model training logical function (MTLF), and analysis logical function and model training logical function (AnLF+MTLF). The corresponding NWDAF types include the following: NWDAF supporting reasoning, NWDAF supporting model training, and NWDAF supporting model training and reasoning.

[0100] Typical NWDAF application scenarios include: terminal parameter customization or optimization. Specifically, NWDAF collects information on user connection management, mobility management, session management, and accessed services. Leveraging reliable analysis and prediction models, NWDAF evaluates and analyzes different types of users, builds user profiles, identifies user movement trajectories and service usage habits, and optimizes user mobility management parameters and radio resource management parameters. Furthermore, NWDAF collects information on network performance, regional service load, and user experience. Leveraging reliable network performance analysis and prediction models, NWDAF evaluates and analyzes different types of services, builds service profiles, and identifies inherent relationships between service quality of experience (QoE), service experience, service paths, and 5G quality of service (QoS) parameters. This allows for optimization of service paths, service routing, 5G edge computing, and service-specific 5G QoS. Furthermore, AF optimizes service parameters. For example, in the autonomous driving scenario of the connected vehicle (IoV), a key technology in 5G networks, predicting the network performance (e.g., QoS information and service load) of the base stations a vehicle will pass can improve IoV service quality. For example, the IoV server can determine whether to maintain autonomous driving mode based on network performance predictions. NWDAF collects information such as network performance and traffic load in specific areas, and uses reliable network performance analysis and prediction models to perform statistics and predictions on network performance, assisting AF in optimizing parameters.

[0101] In the embodiment of the present application, the NWDAF may be a separate network element or may be co-located with other network elements. For example, the NWDAF network element may be co-located with the AMF or with the SMF.

[0102] In addition, the above network architecture may further include a network slice selection function (NSSF) for managing information related to network slicing; and a service communication proxy (SCP) for supporting indirect communication, i.e., supporting message forwarding and routing between service calling network elements and service providing network elements, selection and discovery of service providing network elements, etc. It should be understood that the network elements included in the communication system listed above are merely exemplary and this application is not limited thereto.

[0103] In the above network architecture, the N2 interface is the interface between the RAN and AMF network elements, used for sending radio parameters and non-access stratum (NAS) signaling; the N3 interface is the interface between the RAN and UPF network elements, used for transmitting user plane data; the N4 interface is the interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element, used for transmitting information such as service policies, tunnel identification information of the N3 connection, data cache indication information, and downlink data notification messages. The N6 interface is the interface between the DN network element and the UPF network element, used for transmitting user plane data.

[0104] It should be understood that in the above network architecture, network elements can exchange information through service interfaces. For example, the NWDAF network element can collect data generated by terminals on network elements from other network elements (such as AMF, SMF, etc.) through service interfaces (such as Namf, Nsmf, etc.) provided by these network elements, and provide data analysis results (Analytics), models (also known as machine learning models), data (data), etc. to other network elements (such as AMF, PCF, etc.) through the Nnwdaf interface.

[0105] It should be understood that the above-mentioned network architecture applied to the embodiment of the present application is only an example of the network architecture described from the perspective of traditional point-to-point architecture and service-oriented architecture. The network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. Any network architecture that can realize the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is applicable to the embodiment of the present application.

[0106] It should be noted that the names of the various network elements and interfaces in this application are only examples, and this application does not exclude the possibility that the various network elements may be named differently in the future, or that the functions of the various network elements may be merged. With the evolution of technology, any device or network element that can realize the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is within the scope of protection of this application. Secondly, the above-mentioned network elements may also be referred to as entities, equipment, devices or modules, etc., which are not specifically limited in this application. Moreover, in this application, for the sake of ease of understanding and explanation, the description of "network element" is omitted in some descriptions. For example, the NWDAF network element is referred to as NWDAF. In this case, the "NWDAF" should be understood as the NWDAF network element. Hereinafter, the description of the same or similar situations will be omitted.

[0107] In addition, the service providing network element in this application is used for data storage. For example, the service providing network element can be an NRF network element, a model management network element, or a model management module. The model management module can be an independent network element, or a module in the NRF network element or other network elements.

[0108] For the convenience of description, in the embodiments of the present application, the service providing network element is an NRF network element, and the service request network element and the data analysis network element are NWDAF network elements as an example for description.

[0109] NWDAF (MTLF) and NWDAF (AnLF) may be deployed by different vendors and use different model runtime platforms. When the vendors are different but the model runtime platforms are the same, vendor B's NWDAF (AnLF) can normally receive and deploy AI models provided by vendor A's NWDAF (MTLF). However, when the vendors are different and the model runtime platforms are different, vendor B's NWDAF (AnLF) cannot deploy AI models provided by vendor A's NWDAF (MTLF).

[0110] Figure 2 The method 200 proposed in the present application is shown, and the method includes:

[0111] S201: NRF obtains feature information of NWDAF.

[0112] The characteristic information includes at least one of a model execution platform type supported by NWDAF and a model interoperability standard supported by NWDAF.

[0113] The model execution platform types supported by NWDAF are also referred to as artificial intelligence (AI) platforms supported by NWDAF. NWDAF-supported AI platforms include, but are not limited to, one or more of the MindSpore platform, TensorFlow platform, and PyTorch platform.

[0114] Exemplarily, the model interoperability standards supported by NWDAF include, but are not limited to, the Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX) standard and / or the Predictive Model Markup Language (PMML) standard.

[0115] For example, if both AI Platform #1 and AI Platform #2 support the ONNX standard, the model trained on AI Platform #1 can be converted into a corresponding computation graph. AI Platform #2 can then use this computation graph to deploy the ONNX model and perform model inference.

[0116] Exemplarily, the characteristic information of the NWDAF further includes the type of the NWDAF, the analysis type supported by the NWDAF, the manufacturer identifier of the NWDAF, and the service area identifier of the NWDAF.

[0117] The following describes how NRF obtains NWDAF feature information:

[0118] Exemplarily, the NRF receives multiple registration request (eg, Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Request) messages from multiple NWDAFs, the multiple NWDAFs correspond one-to-one to the multiple registration request messages, and each of the multiple registration request messages includes feature information of the corresponding NWDAF.

[0119] For example, NWDAF#1 sends a registration request message #1 to the NRF, which includes feature information #1. Accordingly, the NRF receives the registration request message #1 and stores feature information #1. Optionally, the NRF sends a registration response message #1 (e.g., Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Response) to NWDAF#1, indicating that feature information #1 of NWDAF#1 has been successfully stored. It should be understood that NWDAF#1 is any one of the multiple NWDAFs described above.

[0120] The registration request message #1 may include the following parameters:

[0121] NWDAF type parameter: identifies the type of NWDAF#1.

[0122] Analytics ID parameter: identifies the analysis type supported by NWDAF#1. For example, the analysis types supported by NWDAF may include, but are not limited to, one or more of service experience data analysis and network element load data analysis.

[0123] Area parameter: identifies the service area of ​​NWDAF#1. For example, the service area of ​​NWDAF#1 may be tracking area (TA)#1 or public land mobile network (PLMN)#1.

[0124] Vendor ID parameter: identifies the vendor of NWDAF#1.

[0125] Supported AI platforms parameter: identifies the AI ​​platforms supported by NWDAF#1.

[0126] Supported model interoperability standards parameter: identifies the model interoperability standards supported by NWDAF#1.

[0127] S202: NWDAF#A sends a request message #A (eg, Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request) to NRF. In response, NRF receives the request message #A.

[0128] The request message #A is used to discover the target NWDAF. The request message #A includes the model running platform type required by NWDAF#A and / or the model interoperability standard required by NWDAF#A.

[0129] For example, the model runtime platform types supported by NWDAF#A are Platform#1, Platform#2, and Platform#3, and the model interoperability standards supported by NWDAF#A are Standard#1 and Standard#2. In request message #A, the model runtime platform type required by NWDAF#A is Platform#1, and the model interoperability standard required by NWDAF#A is Standard#1.

[0130] Exemplarily, the request message #A also includes a target analysis type.

[0131] For example, NWDAF#A supports analysis types #1, #2, and #3, of which the target analysis type is #1.

[0132] Exemplarily, the request message #A further includes one or more of the following:

[0133] The manufacturer identifier of NWDAF#A, the type of NWDAF#A, and the identifier of the service area of ​​NWDAF#A.

[0134] This application does not limit the type of NWDAF#A. The NWDAF#A can be an NWDAF that supports reasoning, an NWDAF that supports model training, or an NWDAF that supports model training and reasoning.

[0135] If NWDAF#A is an NWDAF with model training capabilities, there is a case where NWDAF#A can obtain some models (for example, Model #A and Model #B) through training, but cannot obtain other models (for example, Model #C) through training. In this case, in order to obtain Model #C, NWDAF#A can send a request message #A to the NRF.

[0136] In addition, the NWDAF#A may be one of the aforementioned multiple NWDAFs, or may not belong to the aforementioned multiple NWDAFs, without limitation.

[0137] S203: The NRF determines a target NWDAF according to the request message #A and the characteristic information of the NWDAF acquired in S201.

[0138] Exemplarily, the model runtime platform types supported by the target NWDAF include the model runtime platform types required by NWDAF#A, and the model interoperability standards supported by the target NWDAF do not include the model interoperability standards required by NWDAF#A. Alternatively, the model runtime platform types supported by the target NWDAF do not include the model runtime platform types required by NWDAF#A, and the model interoperability standards supported by the target NWDAF include the model interoperability standards required by NWDAF#A. Alternatively, the model runtime platform types supported by the target NWDAF include the model runtime platform types required by NWDAF#A, and the model interoperability standards supported by the target NWDAF include the model interoperability standards required by NWDAF#A.

[0139] It should be understood that the target NWDAF may be an NWDAF that supports model training or an NWDAF that supports model training and reasoning, without limitation.

[0140] The following examples illustrate how NRF determines the target NWDAF:

[0141] Example 1:

[0142] NRF determines the target NWDAF based on the model runtime platform type and the priority of model interoperability standards.

[0143] For example, if the priority of the model runtime platform type is higher than the priority of the model interoperability standard, the NRF will prioritize discovering a target NWDAF that supports the same model runtime platform as NWDAF#A from multiple NWDAFs. If there is no target NWDAF that supports the same model runtime platform as NWDAF#A among the multiple NWDAFs, the NRF can discover a target NWDAF that supports the same model interoperability standard as NWDAF#A from multiple NWDAFs. If there is no target NWDAF that supports the same model interoperability standard as NWDAF#A among the multiple NWDAFs, the discovery process fails.

[0144] Example 2:

[0145] Assuming that the NWDAFs of the same manufacturer support the same or partially the same model runtime platforms, the NRF determines the target NWDAF based on the manufacturer, model runtime platform type, and the priority of the model interoperability standards.

[0146] For example, the priorities of the three from high to low are manufacturer, model running platform type and model interoperability standard. Then NRF can preferentially discover the target NWDAF from the same manufacturer as NWDAF#A from multiple NWDAFs; if there is no target NWDAF from the same manufacturer as NWDAF#A among multiple NWDAFs, NRF can discover the target NWDAF that supports the same model running platform as NWDAF#A from multiple NWDAFs; if there is no target NWDAF that supports the same model running platform as NWDAF#A among multiple NWDAFs, NRF can discover the target NWDAF that supports the same model interoperability standard as NWDAF#A from multiple NWDAFs; if there is no target NWDAF that supports the same model interoperability standard as NWDAF#A among multiple NWDAFs, the discovery process fails.

[0147] Exemplarily, the NRF may also discover the target NWDAF not according to the above priority order.

[0148] It should be understood that the NRF is a target NWDAF found among the multiple NWDAFs mentioned above.

[0149] S204: The NRF sends the address information and / or identification information of the target NWDAF to the NWDAF#A. Correspondingly, the NWDAF#A receives the address information and / or identification information of the target NWDAF from the NRF.

[0150] Exemplarily, the NRF may send a response message #A (eg, Nnrf_NFDiscovery_RequestResponse) to the NWDAF #A, where the response message #A includes the address information and / or identification information of the target NWDAF.

[0151] Exemplarily, the response message #A further includes the model running platform type supported by the target NWDAF and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the target NWDAF.

[0152] Exemplarily, the response message #A also includes the manufacturer identifier of the target NWDAF.

[0153] In addition, if the target NWDAF is not successfully discovered in S203, the NRF may send a response message #B to the NWDAF#A, where the response message #B indicates that the discovery has failed. Accordingly, the NWDAF#A receives the response message #B.

[0154] Alternatively, if the target NWDAF is not successfully discovered in S203, the NRF may not send response message #B to NWDAF#A. It should be understood that if NWDAF#A does not receive a response message to request message #A, it may assume that the request has failed. For example, if NWDAF#A does not receive a response message to request message #A within a preset period of time after sending request message #A, NWDAF#A may determine that the request has failed.

[0155] S205 , NWDAF #A sends a request message #B to the target NWDAF according to the address information and / or identification information of the target NWDAF (for example, the request message #B is a model request message, such as Nnwdaf_MLModelInfo Request). Correspondingly, the target NWDAF receives the request message #B.

[0156] The request message #B includes the target analysis type and is used to request the model corresponding to the target analysis type.

[0157] Exemplarily, if the model running platform type supported by the target NWDAF does not include the model running platform type required by NWDAF#A, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target NWDAF includes the model interoperability standard required by NWDAF#A, the request message #B includes the model interoperability standard required by NWDAF#A.

[0158] It should be understood that including the model interoperability standard required by NWDAF#A in the request message #B is for the target NWDAF to provide a model that complies with the model interoperability standard required by NWDAF#A.

[0159] S206: The target NWDAF sends the model corresponding to the target analysis type, or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type, to NWDAF#A. Correspondingly, NWDAF#A receives the model corresponding to the target analysis type, or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type, from the target NWDAF.

[0160] For example, the target NWDAF may send a response message #C (eg, Nnwdaf_MLModelInfoResponse) to NWDAF #A. The response message #C includes the model corresponding to the target analysis type, or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type.

[0161] According to the method of this application, the NRF determines the target NWDAF based on the NWDAF's feature information and the request message from NWDAF#A. This target NWDAF may belong to a different manufacturer than NWDAF#A, thereby enabling cross-manufacturer distribution of AI models, breaking the limitation that AI models can only be shared with a single manufacturer and improving the flexibility of AI model distribution.

[0162] In method 200 , the target NWDAF is determined by the NRF. Alternatively, the target NWDAF may be determined by NWDAF#A, as detailed in method 300 below.

[0163] Figure 3 The method 300 proposed in the present application is shown, and the method includes:

[0164] S301: NRF obtains feature information of NWDAF.

[0165] The feature information of NWDAF includes the analysis types supported by NWDAF.

[0166] Exemplarily, the characteristic information of NWDAF further includes the model running platform supported by NWDAF and / or the model interoperability standard supported by NWDAF, as well as the type of NWDAF, the manufacturer identifier of NWDAF and the service area identifier of NWDAF.

[0167] The NRF may obtain feature information of multiple NWDAFs. For this process, please refer to the description of S201.

[0168] S302: NWDAF#A sends a request message #a (eg, Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request) to NRF. In response, NRF receives the request message #a.

[0169] The request message #a includes a target analysis type, and is used to request discovery of a candidate NWDAF. The analysis types supported by the candidate NWDAF include the target analysis type.

[0170] S303: The NRF determines a candidate NWDAF according to the request message #a and the characteristic information of the NWDAF acquired in S301.

[0171] It should be understood that NRF is a candidate NWDAF found among the multiple NWDAFs mentioned above.

[0172] The following are the differences between S303 and S203:

[0173] In S303, the NRF determines a candidate NWDAF. The candidate NWDAF only needs to provide a model corresponding to the target analysis type. The NRF does not care whether the candidate NWDAF supports the same model operation platform or the same model interoperability standard as NWDAF#A.

[0174] It should be understood that the candidate NWDAF may include at least one NWDAF, and any one of the at least one NWDAF may be an NWDAF that supports model training or an NWDAF that supports reasoning and model training.

[0175] In addition, if the NRF does not find a candidate NWDAF that meets the requirements, the discovery process fails.

[0176] S304 , the NRF sends at least one of the model operating platform type supported by the candidate NWDAF and the model interoperability standard supported by the candidate NWDAF, as well as the address information and / or identification information of the candidate NWDAF to NWDAF#A.

[0177] Exemplarily, the NRF may send a response message #a (e.g., Nnrf_NFDiscovery_RequestResponse) to the NWDAF#A, where the response message #a includes at least one of the model operating platform type supported by the candidate NWDAF and the model interoperability standard supported by the candidate NWDAF, as well as the address information and / or identification information of the candidate NWDAF.

[0178] Exemplarily, the response message #a may further include the manufacturer identifier of the candidate NWDAF and the service area identifier of the candidate NWDAF.

[0179] In addition, if the candidate NWDAF is not successfully discovered in S303, the NRF sends a response message #b to the NWDAF #A, and the response message #b indicates that the discovery has failed.

[0180] Alternatively, if the candidate NWDAF is not successfully found in S303, the NRF may not send the response message #b to the NWDAF#A. It should be understood that if the NWDAF#A does not receive a response message to the request message #a, it may be assumed that the request has failed.

[0181] S305 , NWDAF#A determines a target NWDAF according to the model running platform type supported by the candidate NWDAF and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the candidate NWDAF.

[0182] It should be understood that NWDAF#A is a target NWDAF found among the candidate NWDAFs.

[0183] Exemplarily, the model running platform types supported by the target NWDAF include the model running platform types required by NWDAF#A, and the model interoperability standards supported by the target NWDAF do not include the model interoperability standards required by NWDAF#A.

[0184] Exemplarily, the model running platform types supported by the target NWDAF do not include the model running platform types required by NWDAF#A, and the model interoperability standards supported by the target NWDAF include the model interoperability standards required by NWDAF#A.

[0185] Exemplarily, the model running platform types supported by the target NWDAF include the model running platform types required by NWDAF#A, and the model interoperability standards supported by the target NWDAF include the model interoperability standards required by NWDAF#A.

[0186] The manner in which NWDAF#A determines the target NWDAF may refer to Example 1 and Example 2 in S203. That is, NWDAF#A executes the actions of the NRF in Example 1 and Example 2 in S203.

[0187] For example, NWDAF#A may determine the target NWDAF based on the model running platform type and the priority of the model interoperability standard. For another example, NWDAF#A may determine the target NWDAF based on the manufacturer, model running platform type, and the priority of the model interoperability standard. This will not be repeated here.

[0188] S306: NWDAF #A sends a request message #b to the target NWDAF (for example, the request message #b is a model request message, such as Nnwdaf_MLModelInfo Request). Correspondingly, the target NWDAF receives the request message #b.

[0189] The request message #b includes a target analysis type, and is used to request a model corresponding to the target analysis type.

[0190] The process can be referred to the description of S205 and will not be repeated here.

[0191] S307: The target NWDAF sends the model corresponding to the target analysis type, or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type, to NWDAF#A. Correspondingly, NWDAF#A receives the model corresponding to the target analysis type, or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type, from the target NWDAF.

[0192] For example, the target NWDAF may send a response message #c (eg, Nnwdaf_MLModelInfoResponse) to NWDAF#A. The response message #c includes the model corresponding to the target analysis type, or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type.

[0193] According to the method of this application, NWDAF#A can determine the target NWDAF based on the feature information of the candidate NWDAFs. This target NWDAF may belong to a different manufacturer than NWDAF#A, thereby enabling cross-manufacturer distribution of AI models, breaking the limitation that AI models can only be shared with a single manufacturer and improving the flexibility of AI model distribution.

[0194] According to the above method, Figure 4A communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a transceiver unit 401 and a processing unit 402.

[0195] The transceiver unit 401 can be used to implement corresponding information transceiver functions. The transceiver unit 401 can also be called a communication interface or a communication unit. The processing unit 402 can be used to perform processing operations.

[0196] Exemplarily, the device also includes a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 402 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the device can implement the actions of the device in the aforementioned various method embodiments.

[0197] As a first implementation, the device may be the NRF network element in the aforementioned embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the NRF network element. The transceiver unit and the processing unit may be used to implement the relevant operations of the NRF network element in each of the above method embodiments.

[0198] As a second implementation, the device may be the NWDAF#A network element in the aforementioned embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the NWDAF#A network element. The transceiver unit and the processing unit may be used to implement the relevant operations of the NWDAF#A network element in the various method embodiments described above.

[0199] As a third implementation, the device can be the target NWDAF network element in the aforementioned embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the target NWDAF network element. The transceiver unit and the processing unit can be used to implement the relevant operations of the target NWDAF network element in each of the above method embodiments.

[0200] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0201] It should also be understood that the device here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a merged logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device may be specifically the first network element in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the first network element in the above-mentioned method embodiments, or the device may be specifically the network management network element in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the network management network element in the above-mentioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, it will not be described here.

[0202] The above-mentioned communication device has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the device in the above-mentioned method. The function can be implemented by hardware, or the corresponding software implementation can be executed by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing unit, can be replaced by a processor to respectively perform the sending and receiving operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0203] In addition, the transceiver unit 401 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, may include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0204] It should be pointed out that Figure 4 The device in the embodiment can be the device in the aforementioned method, or it can be a chip or chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit can be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. This is not limited here.

[0205] The present application also provides a communication device, such as Figure 5 As shown, the system includes a processor 501 and a communication interface 502. The processor 501 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 503, or read data stored in the memory 503, to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Exemplarily, there are one or more processors 501. The communication interface 502 is configured to receive and / or transmit signals. For example, the processor 501 is configured to control the communication interface 502 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0206] For example, Figure 5 As shown, the communication device further includes a memory 503, which is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 503 can be integrated with the processor 501, or can be separately provided. Exemplarily, there are one or more memories 503.

[0207] For example, the processor 501, the communication interface 502, and the memory 503 are interconnected via a bus 504; the bus 504 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus 504 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. For ease of representation, Figure 5 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0208] For example, the processor 501 is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory 503 to implement the relevant operations of the NRF network element, the NWDAF#A network element, or the target NWDAF network element in the above various method embodiments.

[0209] It should be understood that the processor (such as processor 501) mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor may further include a hardware chip. The above-mentioned hardware chip can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The above-mentioned PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0210] It should also be understood that the memory (such as memory 503) mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache.

[0211] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0212] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0213] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0214] Units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Parts or units may be selected based on actual needs to achieve the purpose of this embodiment.

[0215] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0216] If the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the steps or part of the method of each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk, and other media that can store program code.

[0217] The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The service providing network element obtains characteristic information of the data analysis network element, where the characteristic information includes at least one of a model operation platform type supported by the data analysis network element and a model interoperability standard supported by the data analysis network element; The service providing network element receives a request message from the service requesting network element, where the request message is used to request discovery of a target data analysis network element, and the request message includes a model running platform type required by the service requesting network element and / or a model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element; The service providing network element determines the target data analysis network element according to the feature information and the request message, and the data analysis network element includes the target data analysis network element; The service providing network element sends the address information and / or identification information of the target data analysis network element to the service requesting network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The service providing network element determines the target data analysis network element according to the characteristic information and the request message, including: The service providing network element determines the target data analysis network element according to the model operation platform type and the priority of the model interoperability standard.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The model runtime type takes precedence over the model interoperability standard.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The service providing network element sends the model running platform type supported by the target data analysis network element and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element to the service requesting network element.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The characteristic information also includes at least one of the type of the data analysis network element, the analysis type supported by the data analysis network element, the manufacturer identifier of the data analysis network element, and the service area identifier of the data analysis network element.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The service providing network element is a network storage function network element; The target data analysis network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports model training, or a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning and model training; The service request network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The service requesting network element sends a request message to the service providing network element, wherein the request message is used to request discovery of a target data analysis network element, and the request message includes a model operation platform type required by the service requesting network element and / or a model interoperability standard required by the service requesting network element; The service requesting network element receives the address information and / or identification information of the target data analyzing network element from the service providing network element; The service request network element sends a model request message to the target data analysis network element according to the address information and / or the identification information, wherein the model request message includes a target analysis type and is used to request a model corresponding to the target analysis type; The service request network element receives the model corresponding to the target analysis type, or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type, from the target data analysis network element.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The service requesting network element receives, from the service providing network element, the model operating platform type supported by the target data analysis network element and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element; The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element, and the model request message includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The service providing network element is a network storage function network element; The service request network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning; The target data analysis network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports model training, or a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning and model training.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The service providing network element obtains characteristic information of the first data analysis network element, where the characteristic information includes analysis types supported by the first data analysis network element; The service providing network element receives a request message from the service requesting network element, where the request message is used to request discovery of a second data analysis network element, the request message includes a target analysis type, and analysis types supported by the second data analysis network element include the target analysis type; The first data analysis network element includes the second data analysis network element; The service providing network element determines the second data analysis network element according to the feature information and the request message; The service providing network element sends to the service requesting network element at least one of the model running platform type supported by the second data analysis network element and the model interoperability standard supported by the second data analysis network element, as well as the address information and / or identification information of the second data analysis network element.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The characteristic information also includes the model operation platform type supported by the first data analysis network element and / or the model interoperability standard supported by the first data analysis network element.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The characteristic information further includes at least one of a type of the first data analysis network element, a manufacturer identifier of the first data analysis network element, and a service area identifier of the first data analysis network element.

15. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The service providing network element is a network storage function network element; The service request network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning; The second data analysis network element includes a network data analysis function network element that supports model training, and / or a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning and model training.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The service requesting network element sends a request message to the service providing network element, wherein the request message is used to request discovery of candidate data analysis network elements, the request message includes a target analysis type, and the analysis types supported by the candidate data analysis network elements include the target analysis type; The service requesting network element receives feature information of the candidate data analysis network element from the service providing network element, wherein the feature information includes at least one of a model operation platform type supported by the candidate data analysis network element and a model interoperability standard supported by the candidate data analysis network element; The service requesting network element determines a target data analysis network element according to the characteristic information, and the candidate data analysis network elements include the target data analysis network element; The service request network element sends a model request message to the target data analysis network element, where the model request message is used to request a model corresponding to the target analysis type; The service request network element receives the model corresponding to the target analysis type or the address of the model corresponding to the target analysis type from the target data analysis network element.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element; or, The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, and the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The service requesting network element determines the target data analysis network element according to the characteristic information, including: The service request network element determines the target data analysis network element according to the model operation platform type and the priority of the model interoperability standard.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The model runtime type takes precedence over the model interoperability standard.

20. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The model operation platform type supported by the target data analysis network element does not include the model operation platform type required by the service request network element, the model interoperability standard supported by the target data analysis network element includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element, and the model request message includes the model interoperability standard required by the service request network element.

21. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The service providing network element is a network storage function network element; The service request network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning; The candidate data analysis network elements include network data analysis function network elements that support model training, and / or network data analysis function network elements that support reasoning and model training; The target data analysis network element is a network data analysis function network element that supports model training, or a network data analysis function network element that supports reasoning and model training.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Memory, for storing computer instructions; A processor, configured to execute the computer instructions so that the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The method comprises a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

25. A communication system, characterized in that: include: Service providing network element and service requesting network element; The service providing network element is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the service requesting network element is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11; or The service providing network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, and the service requesting network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 16 to 21.

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