Communication method, device and system

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, device and system. The method provides a scheme for effectively reducing the local data configuration complexity of a first network element. Specifically, in a registration process with a network warehouse function network element, a first network element reports indication information used for indicating that the first network element has the capability of providing services for roaming users to the network warehouse function network element, and the network warehouse function network element can determine that the first network element has the capability of providing services for roaming users according to the indication information. Therefore, the first network element only needs to configure the indication information used for indicating the network warehouse function network element to support to provide service for the roaming user, and does not need to configure information such as a roaming user number segment list supported by the first network element, so that the complexity of local data configuration of the first network element can be effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the roaming scenario, the network element that supports providing services to users out of the province or users on different networks needs to go through a registration process with the network warehouse function network element. Specifically, the network element locally configures the information such as the number segments of users out of the province or users on different networks that it supports, and reports it to the network warehouse function network element, which can determine that the network element supports providing services to users out of the province or users on different networks.

[0003] However, the above registration process will lead to greater complexity of the local data configuration of the network element. Therefore, how to implement the above registration process with a lower local data configuration complexity is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method, device and system, which can effectively reduce the complexity of local data configuration of a first network element.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: receiving registration information from a first network element, the registration information being used to request registration of the first network element, the registration information comprising indication information, the indication information being used to indicate that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users; and sending response information to the first network element, the response information being used to indicate that the registration of the first network element is successful.

[0006] Specifically, the executing entity of the solution described in the first aspect can be a network warehouse function network element, or it can be a device or module used to execute the function of the network warehouse function network element, etc., without limitation.

[0007] It should be noted that the above-mentioned roaming user can be an out-of-province user in a provincial roaming scenario, or a user of a different network in an inter-network roaming scenario. For ease of description, the embodiment of the present application refers to an out-of-province user and / or a user of a different network as a roaming user.

[0008] Compared with the existing solution that the first network element needs to configure information such as the roaming user number segment list, the first network element can locally configure indication information for indicating that it has the ability to provide services for roaming users. The data volume (for example, one or more bits) and complexity corresponding to the indication information will be smaller than the data volume and complexity corresponding to the roaming user number segment list, thereby effectively reducing the complexity of the local data configuration of the first network element. The network warehouse function network element can determine that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users based on this, and then complete the registration process between the first network element and the network warehouse function network element.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving query information from a second network element, the query information being used to query a network element that provides services for the roaming user, the type of the network element being the same as the type of the first network element; and sending service information of the first network element to the second network element according to the indication information, the registration information including the service information.

[0010] It can be understood that the network element may correspond to any network element that supports providing services for roaming users, and may be the first network element or may not be the first network element.

[0011] Through the above scheme, the network warehouse function network element can determine, based on the indication information, that the first network element is the network element that the second network element needs to query, and then send the service information of the first network element to the second network element. In this way, the second network element can obtain the service information of the network element that can provide services to the roaming users from the network warehouse function network element.

[0012] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: sending registration information to a network warehouse function network element, the registration information being used to request registration of a first network element, the registration information comprising indication information, the indication information being used to indicate that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users; receiving response information from the network warehouse function network element, the response information being used to indicate that the registration of the first network element is successful.

[0013] Specifically, the executing entity of the solution described in the second aspect may be the first network element, or may be a device or module used to execute the function of the first network element.

[0014] In the above scheme, by configuring the indication information, the data volume (such as one or more bits) and complexity corresponding to the indication information will be smaller than the data volume and complexity corresponding to the roaming user number segment list. The first network element interacts with the network warehouse function network element in a manner that can effectively reduce the complexity of local data configuration. The first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users.

[0015] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided, including: sending query information to a network warehouse function network element, the query information being used to query a network element that provides services for roaming users, the type of the network element being the same as the type of the first network element; and receiving service information of a first network element from the network warehouse function network element, the first network element having the ability to provide services for roaming users.

[0016] Specifically, the executor of the solution described in the third aspect may be the second network element, or may be a device or module used to execute the function of the second network element.

[0017] Through the above solution, the second network element can obtain service information of the network element that can provide services for the roaming user from the network warehouse function network element.

[0018] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, including: a first network element sends registration information to a network warehouse function network element, the registration information is used to request registration of the first network element, the registration information includes indication information, the indication information is used to indicate that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users; the network warehouse function network element receives the registration information and sends response information to the first network element, the response information is used to indicate that the registration of the first network element is successful.

[0019] A possible implementation method further includes: the second network element sends query information to the network warehouse function, the query information is used to query the network element that provides services for the roaming user, and the type of the network element is the same as that of the first network element; the network warehouse function network element receives the query information; the network warehouse function network element sends the service information of the first network element to the second network element according to the indication information, and the registration information includes the service information.

[0020] In combination with the solution described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the indication information includes at least one of the following: a user identifier wildcard; a roaming user home network identifier; and roaming capability information.

[0021] By using at least one of the user identifier wildcard, the roaming user's home network identifier, and the roaming capability information, the network warehouse function network element can determine whether the first network element has the capability to provide services for the roaming user.

[0022] In combination with the solution described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the query information also includes service scope information of the second network element, and the first network element supports providing services within the service scope of the second network element.

[0023] In this way, it is convenient to narrow the query scope of the network warehouse function network element to the network element.

[0024] In combination with the solution described in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the query information includes at least one of the following: a roaming user identifier; and roaming indication information, where the roaming indication information is used to indicate that the current user is a roaming user.

[0025] It can be understood that the roaming user identifier is an identifier of the roaming user.

[0026] By using at least one of the roaming user identification and the roaming indication information, the network warehouse function network element can determine that the network element needs to have the capability to provide services for the roaming user.

[0027] In combination with the solution described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the first network element is any one of the following network elements: a policy control network element, a unified data management network element, a unified data storage network element, an authentication server network element, and a binding support network element.

[0028] In combination with the solution described in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the second network element is any one of the following network elements: a mobility management network element, a session management network element, or a short message service network element.

[0029] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a network warehouse function network element, or may be a device or module for executing a network warehouse function.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes: a receiving unit, used to receive registration information from a first network element, the registration information is used to request registration of the first network element, the registration information includes indication information, the indication information is used to indicate that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users; a sending unit, used to send response information to the first network element, the response information is used to indicate that the registration of the first network element is successful.

[0032] Among them, the communication device described in the fifth aspect can also be used to execute any method described in the first aspect.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a first network element, or may be a device or module for executing the function of the first network element.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes: a sending unit, used to send registration information to a network warehouse function network element, the registration information is used to request registration of a first network element, the registration information includes indication information, the indication information is used to indicate that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users; a receiving unit, used to receive response information from the network warehouse function network element, the response information is used to indicate that the registration of the first network element is successful.

[0036] Among them, the communication device described in the sixth aspect can also be used to execute any method described in the aforementioned second aspect.

[0037] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a second network element, or may be a device or module for executing the function of the second network element.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes: a sending unit, used to send query information to a network warehouse function network element, the query information is used to query a network element that provides services for roaming users, and the type of the network element is the same as the type of the first network element; a receiving unit, used to receive service information of a first network element from the network warehouse function network element, and the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users.

[0040] Among them, the communication device described in the seventh aspect can also be used to execute any method described in the aforementioned third aspect.

[0041] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, wherein the processor is used to, by executing a computer program or instruction, or by a logic circuit, enable the communication device to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possibility of the first aspect; or enable the communication device to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possibility of the second aspect; or enable the communication device to execute the method described in the third aspect and any possibility of the third aspect.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory for storing the computer program or instruction.

[0043] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device further includes a communication interface, which is used to input and / or output signals.

[0044] In the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a logic circuit and an input / output interface, the input / output interface being used to input and / or output signals, the logic circuit being used to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possibility of the first aspect; or the logic circuit being used to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possibility of the second aspect; or the logic circuit being used to execute the method described in the third aspect and any possibility of the third aspect.

[0045] In the tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or the instruction is run on a computer, the method described in the first aspect and any possibility of the first aspect is executed; or, the method described in the second aspect and any possibility of the second aspect is executed; or, the method described in the third aspect and any possibility of the third aspect is executed; or, the method described in the fourth aspect and any possibility of the fourth aspect is executed.

[0046] In the eleventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method described in the first aspect and any possibility of the first aspect to be executed; or, cause the method described in the second aspect and any possibility of the second aspect to be executed; or, cause the method described in the third aspect and any possibility of the third aspect to be executed; cause the method described in the fourth aspect and any possibility of the fourth aspect to be executed.

[0047] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, including: a network warehouse function network element and a first network element; the network warehouse function network element is used to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect, and the first network element is used to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect. Alternatively, the network warehouse function network element and the first network element are used to execute the method described in the fourth aspect and any possible method of the fourth aspect.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the communication system further includes a second network element, and the second network element is used to indicate the third aspect and any possible method described in the third aspect.

[0049] The description of the beneficial effects of the fourth to twelfth aspects may correspond to the description of the beneficial effects of the first to third aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture 200 of an embodiment of the present application.

[0052] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow of the communication method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0053] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow of the communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] Figure 5 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 500 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] Figure 6 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 600 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] Figure 7 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following points are first explained.

[0058] 1. In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0059] 2. The various digital numbers involved in this application are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of this application. The size of the serial numbers involved in this application does not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic. For example, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and other various terminology labels (if any) in the specification and claims of this application and the drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate so that the embodiments described here can be implemented in an order other than what is illustrated or described here.

[0060] 3. The terms "comprise", "include", "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or apparatuses.

[0061] 4. In this application, "used to indicate" can be understood as "enable", and "enable" can include direct enablement and indirect enablement. When describing that a certain information is used to enable A, it can include that the information directly enables A or indirectly enables A, and it does not mean that the information must carry A.

[0062] The information enabled by the information is called information to be enabled. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to enable the information to be enabled, such as but not limited to, the information to be enabled can be directly enabled, such as the information to be enabled itself or the index of the information to be enabled. The information to be enabled can also be indirectly enabled by enabling other information, wherein there is an association relationship between the other information and the information to be enabled. It is also possible to enable only a part of the information to be enabled, while the other parts of the information to be enabled are known or agreed in advance. For example, the enabling of specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each piece of information agreed in advance (such as specified by the protocol), thereby reducing the enabling overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, the common parts of each piece of information can also be identified and enabled uniformly to reduce the enabling overhead caused by enabling the same information separately.

[0063] 5. The "storage" or "saving" involved in this application may refer to storage in one or more memories. The one or more memories may be set separately or integrated in an encoder or decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The one or more memories may also be partially set separately and partially integrated in a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The type of memory may be any form of storage medium, which is not limited by this application.

[0064] 6. The “protocol” referred to in this application may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, such as the fourth generation (4G) network, the fifth generation (5G) network protocol, the new radio (NR) protocol, the 5.5G network protocol, the sixth generation (6 th The present application does not limit the network protocols used in future communication systems.

[0065] 7. The arrows or boxes indicated by dotted lines in the schematic diagrams of the drawings in the specification of this application represent optional steps or optional modules.

[0066] 8. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way for easy understanding.

[0067] IX. In this application, unless otherwise specified, “ / ” indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an “or” relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. “And / or” in this application is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0068] In order to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the following description is made from the following aspects: a communication system, a communication method and a communication device.

[0069] 1. Communication System

[0070] In order to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background technology section, the present application provides an applicable communication system 100, such as Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 100 includes a network warehouse function network element and a first network element.

[0071] In the communication system 100, the first network element is used to send registration information 1 to the network warehouse function network element, and the registration information 1 is used to request registration of the first network element. The network warehouse function network element is used to receive the registration information 1 from the first network element and send response information 1 to the first network element, and the response information 1 is used to indicate that the registration of the first network element is successful. The first network element is also used to receive the response message 1.

[0072] Specifically, the registration information 1 may include indication information 1, which is used to indicate that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users. The network warehouse function network element can determine that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users based on the indication information 1, and complete the registration process of the first network element accordingly.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the registration information 1 may also include, but is not limited to, network element type, address information, service information, service scope (SSP) and other information. Specifically, the network element type refers to the type to which the first network element belongs, that is, the first network element may be: a unified data management network element (e.g., a unified data management network element (UDM)), a policy control network element (e.g., a policy control function network element (PCF)), a unified database network element (e.g., a unified database network element (UDR)), an authentication server network element (e.g., an authentication server function network element (AUSF)), a binding support network element (e.g., a binding support function network element (BSF)), etc. The service information of the first network element is used to indicate the function of the first network element, that is, what services the first network element is used to provide to the user. The SSP information of the first network element is used to indicate the service area of ​​the first network element, that is, the first network element is only used to provide services to users within the range. Accordingly, the network warehouse function network element completes the registration of the first network element based on the registration information 1.

[0074] Compared with the existing solution in which the first network element configures information such as a list of roaming user number segments, the first network element configures indication information used to indicate that it has the ability to provide services for roaming users, which can reduce the complexity of the local data configuration of the first network element. The network warehouse function network element can determine that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users based on this, and then complete the registration process between the first network element and the network warehouse function network element. In addition, this can also reduce the signaling overhead between the first network element and the network warehouse function network element.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the indication information 1 includes a user identification wildcard, such as a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) wildcard, or a regular expression, etc. The network warehouse function network element can determine, based on the user identification wildcard, whether the first network element has the capability to provide services for the roaming user.

[0076] In a possible implementation, the indication information 1 may also include information such as the roaming user's home network identifier, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a mobile network code (MNC), or a PLMN identifier. Specifically, the first network element may register the roaming user's home network identifier corresponding to the roaming user it supports (such as the aforementioned MCC and MNC, etc.) with the network warehouse function network element, and the network warehouse function network element may determine that the first network element has the ability to provide services for the roaming user based on this.

[0077] In one possible implementation, the indication information 1 includes roaming capability information, and the roaming capability information is used to indicate that the first network element supports providing services for roaming users. The present application supports the structure of the protocol pre-defined roaming capability information, for example, indicating to the network warehouse function network element through one or more bits that the first network element supports providing services for roaming users. The network warehouse function network element can determine whether the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users based on the roaming capability information.

[0078] It should be noted that the above-mentioned indication information 1 may include one or more of the following: a user identifier wildcard, a roaming user home network identifier, and roaming capability information, etc., which is not limited thereto.

[0079] In addition, the above description of indication information 1 is only an example and is not a final limitation.

[0080] Compared with the existing first network element that needs to configure information such as the roaming user number segment list, the first network element can locally configure indication information for indicating that it has the ability to provide services for roaming users. The data volume (for example, one or more bits) and complexity corresponding to the indication information will be smaller than the data volume and complexity corresponding to the roaming user number segment list, thereby effectively reducing the complexity of the local data configuration of the first network element. The network warehouse function network element can determine that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users based on this, and then complete the registration process between the first network element and the network warehouse function network element.

[0081] In a possible implementation, the communication system 100 may further include a second network element. The second network element may interact with the network warehouse function network element, and may also interact with the first network element.

[0082] Specifically, the second network element is used to send query information 1 to the network warehouse function network element, where the query information 1 is used to query the network element 1 that provides services for the roaming user, and the type of the network element 1 is the same as the type of the first network element; the network warehouse function network element is used to receive the query information 1 from the second network element; the network warehouse function network element is used to send the service information of the first network element to the second network element according to the indication information 1.

[0083] Through the above scheme, the network warehouse function network element can determine that the first network element is the network element that the second network element needs to query according to the indication information, and then send the service information of the first network element to the second network element, so that the second network element can obtain the service information of the network element that can provide services to the roaming user from the network warehouse function network element. In addition, the above-mentioned communication system 100 can be applied to the following systems or scenarios: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), 5G system or new radio (NR), 6G system and other systems evolved after 5G, inter-satellite communication and satellite communication and other non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems. Among them, the satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and a terminal device. The satellite base station provides communication services for the terminal device. The satellite base station can also communicate with the ground base station. The satellite can be used as a base station or as a terminal device. Among them, satellites can refer to drones, hot air balloons, low-orbit satellites, medium-orbit satellites, high-orbit satellites and other non-ground base stations or non-ground equipment.

[0084] The technical solution disclosed by the communication system 100 is applicable to both homogeneous and heterogeneous network scenarios, and there is no restriction on the transmission point. It can be multi-point coordinated transmission between macro base stations, micro base stations, and macro base stations. It is applicable to LTEFDD / LTE TDD systems. The technical solution disclosed by the communication system 100 is not only applicable to low-frequency scenarios (sub 6G), but also to high-frequency scenarios (above 6GHz), terahertz, optical communications, etc.

[0085] The technical solution disclosed by the communication system 100 can also be applied to the scenario where the terminal device is connected to a single base station, wherein the base station to which the terminal device 130 is connected and the core network (CN) to which the base station is connected are of the same standard. For example, if the CN is 5G Core, the base station corresponds to a 5G base station, and the 5G base station is directly connected to the 5G Core; or if the CN is 6G Core, the base station is a 6G base station, and the 6G base station is directly connected to the 6G Core.

[0086] The technical solution disclosed by the communication system 100 can also be applied to macro and micro scenarios composed of base stations of different forms in the communication network. For example, the base station can be a satellite, an aerial balloon station, a drone station, etc. The technical solution disclosed by the communication system 100 is also suitable for scenarios where wide-coverage base stations and small-coverage base stations exist at the same time. The technical solution disclosed by the communication system 100 can be applied to scenarios where there are high-reliability business needs, such as ports, industrial manufacturing, transportation, and coal mines. The technical solution disclosed by the communication system 100 can also be applied to 5.5G, 6G and later wireless communication systems, and applicable scenarios include but are not limited to ground cellular communications, NTN, satellite communications, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communications, V2X, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communications.

[0087] The following description takes the application of the communication system 100 to a 5G network architecture as an example. Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a communication system 100 for a 5G network architecture. Figure 2 As shown in (a), the 5G network architecture 200 may include:

[0088] 1. Access and mobility management function (AMF) network element.

[0089] AMF mainly performs functions such as mobility management or access authentication / authorization. In addition, AMF is also responsible for transmitting user policies between terminal devices and policy control function (PCF) network elements. In addition, AMF can receive non-access stratum (NAS) signaling (including mobility management (MM) signaling and session management (SM) signaling) of terminal devices and related signaling of access network devices (for example, next generation (NG) 2 interface signaling at the base station granularity that interacts with AMF), complete the user registration process and forwarding of SM signaling and mobility management.

[0090] 2. Session management function (SMF) network element.

[0091] SMF is mainly used for session management, allocation and management of Internet protocol (IP) addresses of terminal devices, selection of endpoints or downlink data notifications for manageable user plane functions, policy control and charging function interfaces, etc. SMF can also be used to complete the establishment, release, or update processes related to protocol data unit (PDU) sessions.

[0092] 3. PCF.

[0093] PCF can be responsible for user policy management, including both mobility-related policies and PDU session-related policies, such as QoS policies or charging policies.

[0094] 4.UDR.

[0095] UDR mainly includes the following functions: 1) UDM stores subscription data or reads subscription data; 2) PCF stores policy data or reads policy data; 3) Stores exposed data or reads exposed data from it.

[0096] The UDR and the network function (NF) accessing it have the same PLMN, that is, they are in the same network, that is, the Nudr interface is a PLMN internal interface.

[0097] 5. Unified data management (UDM) network element.

[0098] UDM mainly includes the following functions: unified data management, support for authentication credentials processing in 3GPP authentication and key negotiation mechanism, user identity processing, access authorization, registration and mobility management, contract management and short message management.

[0099] 6. Application function network element (application function, AF).

[0100] AF mainly includes the following functions: interacting with the 3GPP core network to provide business or services, including: interacting with NEF, policy architecture interaction, etc.

[0101] 7. User plane function (UPF) network element.

[0102] As the interface with the data network, UPF completes functions such as user plane data forwarding, session / flow-level billing statistics, and bandwidth limitation, namely packet routing and forwarding, and QoS processing of user plane data.

[0103] 8. (Radio) access network equipment (radio access network, (R)AN).

[0104] (R)AN can manage wireless resources, provide access services for terminal devices, and complete the forwarding of terminal device data between the terminal device and the core network. (R)AN can also be understood as a base station. For details, please refer to the previous description.

[0105] 9. Data network element (DN).

[0106] DN is used to provide, for example, operator services, Internet access, or third-party services, including servers that implement video source encoding and rendering.

[0107] 10. Network repository function (NRF)

[0108] NRF is responsible for maintaining network element service information, supporting the acceptance of network element registration services, and returning target network element service information based on network element discovery requests. Because it can have interfaces with all service-oriented network elements in the above architecture (such as AMF, SMF, PCF, etc.), it is not presented in the figure.

[0109] In the above description, the network element can be a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The functional network element can be divided into one or more services, and further, services that exist independently of the network function may also appear. An instance of the functional network element, or an instance of a service included in the functional network element, or an instance of a service that exists independently of the network function can be referred to as a service instance.

[0110] Depend on Figure 2 From (a), we can see that the terminal device accesses 5GS through the access network device, the terminal device communicates with AMF through the NG1 interface (N1 for short), the access network device communicates with AMF through the NG2 interface (N2 for short), the access network device communicates with UPF through the NG3 interface (N3 for short), AMF communicates with SMF through the NG11 interface (N11 for short), AMF communicates with UDM through the NG8 interface (N8 for short), AMF communicates with PCF through the NG15 interface (N15 for short), SMF communicates with PCF through the NG7 interface (N7 for short), SMF communicates with UPF through the NG4 interface (N4 for short), UPF accesses DN through the NG6 interface (N6 for short), UDM communicates with UDR through the NG35 interface (N35 for short), PCF communicates with UDR through the NG36 interface (N36 for short), etc.

[0111] Figure 2 The interface between each control plane network element in (a) is a point-to-point interface. In actual implementation, the interface between each control plane network element can also be as follows: Figure 2 The service-oriented interface shown in (b). Figure 2 In (b), Npcf, Nudr, Nudm, Naf, Namf, and Nsmf are service interfaces provided by the above-mentioned PCF, UDR, UDM, AF, AMF, and SMF, respectively, and are used to call corresponding service operations.

[0112] Figure 2 (a) or Figure 2 The naming of each network element shown in (b) is only a name, and the name does not limit the function of the network element itself. In 5G networks and other future networks, the above-mentioned network elements may also have other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology in 5G, or may be other names, etc., which are uniformly explained here and will not be repeated below.

[0113] Figure 2 The 5G network structure shown is only an example description. Figure 2The 5G network structure shown may also include other network elements not mentioned, such as AUSF, network open function network element (NEF), etc.

[0114] In addition, the "network element" in this article may also be referred to as a network function instance, NF, equipment, device or module, etc., which is not specifically limited in this application. In addition, the above naming is only defined for the convenience of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation. This application does not exclude the possibility of using other names in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above-mentioned networks may use the terminology in 5G, or other names may be used. The interface name between the above-mentioned network elements is only an example. The name of the interface in the specific implementation may be other names, and there is no specific limitation on this. In addition, the name of the message (or signaling) transmitted between the above-mentioned network elements is only an example and does not constitute any limitation on the function of the message itself.

[0115] It should be noted that the second network element can be Figure 2 Any of the following network elements: a mobility management network element (e.g., AMF), a session management network element (e.g., SMF), or a short message service network element (e.g., a short message service function network element (SMSF), Figure 2 not shown) etc.

[0116] Combined with the following Figure 3 The interaction between the network warehouse function network element (taking NRF as an example), the first network element (taking PCF as an example) and the second network element (taking AMF as an example) is further described.

[0117] 2. Communication method

[0118] Figure 3 3 is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow of the communication method 300 of the embodiment of the present application. The method 300 involves the interaction between NRF, PCF and AMF. Among them, NRF is an example of a network warehouse function network element, PCF is an example of a first network element, and AMF is an example of a second network element, but is not limited thereto. The method 300 includes:

[0119] S310 . The PCF sends registration information 1 to the NRF. The registration information 1 includes indication information 1 .

[0120] Correspondingly, the NRF receives the registration information 1 from the PCF.

[0121] For the description of registration information 1, please refer to the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0122] S320. NRF sends response information 1 to PCF, where response information 1 is used to indicate that PCF registration is successful.

[0123] In the above scheme, PCF does not need to configure the supported roaming user number segment list and other information locally, which can effectively reduce the complexity of PCF local data configuration. Through the above scheme, PCF does not need to report the supported roaming user number segment list and other information to NRF, which can effectively reduce the signaling overhead between PCF and NRF.

[0124] In method 300, the embodiment of the present application is described by taking the first network element as PCF as an example, but the first network element may also be: UDM, UDR, BSF or AUSF, etc. UDM, UDR, BSF and AUSF, etc. can all perform the registration process with NRF through the content shown in method 300, and can all reduce the complexity of local data configuration of UDM, UDR, BSF and AUSF, etc., and can also effectively reduce the signaling overhead between UDM, UDR, BSF and AUSF, etc. and NRF. In addition, the first network element may also be other user data management network elements, which is not limited in the present application.

[0125] In a possible implementation, method 300 may further include:

[0126] S330. AMF sends query information 1 to NRF. Query information 1 is used to query network element 1 that provides services for roaming users. The type of network element 1 is the same as that of PCF.

[0127] Correspondingly, the NRF receives query information 1 from the AMF, and based on the query information 1, queries the AMF for network element 1 that can provide services for the roaming user.

[0128] In one possible implementation, query information 1 includes the network element type of network element 1 and the SSP information of network element 1, wherein the network element type of network element 1 is used to indicate the type of network element 1, and the SSP information is used to indicate which areas the network element 1 to be queried needs to support providing services for. In the embodiment of the present application, the type of network element 1 is the same as the type of PCF. In this way, the query scope of NRF for network element 1 can be effectively narrowed. Among them, PCF supports the provision of services within the service scope of AMF, that is, the service scope of PCF can include the service scope of AMF.

[0129] In a possible implementation, the query information 1 includes at least one of a roaming user identifier and roaming indication information, where the roaming indication information is used to indicate that the current user is a roaming user. The roaming user identifier is an identifier of the roaming user.

[0130] In one example, the roaming indication information may use one or more bits to indicate that the current user is a roaming user.

[0131] In summary, the NRF can determine that the network element 1 needs to have the capability to provide services for the roaming user through at least one of the roaming user identifier and the roaming indication information.

[0132] It should be noted that the above-mentioned network element 1 is a general network element, which is used to refer to a network element that can provide services for roaming users. It can be the above-mentioned PCF, or it can be other network elements capable of providing services for roaming users, and the type of this network element is the same as that of network element 1.

[0133] Specifically, the NRF can perform a search for network element 1 based on the query parameters in the query information 1 (such as the roaming user identifier, roaming indication information, SSP information, etc.). The action may include: if the query parameter carries the SSP of network element 1, the NRF can perform a search within the range indicated by the SSP. If the query parameter carries the roaming user identifier, the NRF searches for network element 1 that supports providing services to the roaming user indicated by the roaming user identifier; if the query parameter carries the roaming indication information, the NRF can confirm the network element 1 that supports providing services to the roaming user based on the roaming indication information; if the query parameter carries both the roaming user identifier and the roaming indication information, the NRF can query network element 1 in combination with the two, that is, determine one or more network elements that provide services to the roaming user (matching is not required at this time).

[0134] S340. NRF sends PCF service information to AMF according to indication information 1.

[0135] Correspondingly, AMF receives service information from PCF of NRF.

[0136] When NRF determines that PCF supports providing services for roaming users and the network element type of PCF is the same as the network element type of network element 1, NRF can return the service information of PCF to AMF.

[0137] Through the above scheme (such as S330-S340), NRF can determine that PCF is the network element that AMF needs to query according to indication information 1, and then send PCF service information to AMF, so that AMF can obtain service information of network elements that can provide services for roaming users from NRF. After receiving the service information of PCF, AMF determines that PCF can provide services for the roaming user indicated by the roaming user identifier, and initiates a request process to PCF.

[0138] It should be noted that the above content is described using the interaction between NRF and AMF as an example, but NRF can also interact with other network elements through the above content (such as S330 and S340), such as AMF, SMF, SMSF, etc., and can reduce the signaling overhead between SMF, AMF, SMSF, etc. and NRF.

[0139] It should also be noted that the above scheme is described by taking NRF sending PCF service information to AMF as an example, but NRF can also send service information of multiple network elements to AMF, and the network element types of the multiple network elements are the same as the type of network element 1. Accordingly, AMF can determine the target network element it needs to query from the multiple network elements, and can establish an interaction process with the target network element.

[0140] Combined with the following Figure 4 right Figure 3 The content is further described.

[0141] Figure 4 4 is a schematic diagram of the interaction flow of the communication method 400 of the embodiment of the present application. The method 400 involves the interaction between the PCF~NRF~AMF. The method 400 includes:

[0142] S410. PCF sends Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister information to NRF.

[0143] Correspondingly, NRF receives Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister information from PCF.

[0144] Specifically, the above-mentioned Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister information is an example of registration information 1 in the 5G network architecture. PCF registers the network element configuration information or service information of PCF to NRF through the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister information. Accordingly, NRF marks PCF as an available network element.

[0145] It can be understood that the above-mentioned Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister information includes indication information 1, and the description of indication information 1 can be found in the above text.

[0146] In a possible implementation, the above Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister information may include: information such as network element type (NF type), identifier or Internet protocol address, etc. For a detailed description of the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister information, please refer to the existing protocol.

[0147] S420. NRF sends response information 1 to PCF.

[0148] Correspondingly, PCF receives response information 1 from NRF.

[0149] Specifically, after receiving the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister information of the PCF, the NRF locally configures the service information of the PCF and sends a response message 1 to the PCF indicating that the PCF registration is successful. The response message 1 may be an acknowledgment (ACK) message.

[0150] Through S410 and S420, the registration process is completed between PCF and NRF.

[0151] In a possible implementation, method 400 may further include:

[0152] S430. AMF sends Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request service operation information to NRF.

[0153] Correspondingly, NRF receives Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request service operation information from AMF.

[0154] Specifically, the above-mentioned Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request service operation information is an example of query information 1 in the 5G network architecture, and the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request service operation information includes the content included in the above-mentioned query information 1. The AMF provides information such as the network element type of network element 1 and the query parameters of network element 1 to the NRF through the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request service operation information. For a specific description of the Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request service operation information, please refer to the existing protocol.

[0155] S440. NRF sends PCF service information to AMF.

[0156] Correspondingly, AMF receives service information from PCF of NRF.

[0157] Furthermore, AMF can determine that PCF is the target network element that AMF needs to query.

[0158] Through S430 and S440, the query process is completed between AMF and NRF.

[0159] It should be noted that the information names in the embodiments of the present application are only understood as examples and do not limit the final definition. For example, the registration information 1 may be Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister information in the 5G network architecture, but may have other names in other network architectures, etc.; the query information 1 may be Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request service operation information in the 5G network architecture, but may have other names in other network architectures, etc.

[0160] 3. Communication Device

[0161] In order to implement the various functions in the above method, the network warehouse function network element, the first network element and the second network element may include hardware structure and / or software module, and implement the above functions in the form of hardware structure, software module, or hardware structure plus software module. Whether one of the above functions is executed in the form of hardware structure, software module, or hardware structure plus software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0162] Figure 5 5 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 500 includes a processor 510 and a communication interface 520, and the processor 510 and the communication interface 520 are interconnected via a bus 530. The communication device 500 may be a network warehouse function network element, a first network element, or a second network element.

[0163] Optionally, the communication device 500 further includes a memory 540 .

[0164] The memory 540 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), or portable read only memory (CD-ROM), and the memory 540 is used for related instructions and data.

[0165] The processor 510 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). When the processor 510 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0166] When the communication device 500 is a network warehouse function network element, illustratively, the processor 510 is used to perform the following operations: receiving registration information 1; sending response information 1, etc.

[0167] When the communication device 500 is the first network element, illustratively, the processor 510 is configured to perform the following operations: sending request information 1; and receiving response information 1.

[0168] When the communication device 500 is the second network element, illustratively, the processor 510 is configured to perform the following operations: sending query information 1; receiving service information of the PCF, etc.

[0169] The above contents are only exemplary descriptions. When the communication device 500 is a network warehouse function network element, a first network element, or a second network element, it will be responsible for executing the methods or steps related to the network warehouse function network element, the first network element, and the second network element in the above method embodiments.

[0170] The above description is only an exemplary description. For specific content, please refer to the content shown in the above method embodiment. In addition, Figure 5 The implementation of each operation in can also refer to Figure 1 to Figure 4 The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown.

[0171] Figure 6 6 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 600 may be a network warehouse function network element, a first network element, or a second network element, or may be a chip or module in a network warehouse function network element, a first network element, or a second network element. The communication device 600 includes a sending unit 610 and a receiving unit 620. The sending unit 610 and the receiving unit 620 are exemplarily introduced below.

[0172] For example, when the communication device 600 is a network warehouse function network element, the sending unit 610 is used to send the response information 1. The receiving unit 620 is used to receive the registration information 1.

[0173] Optionally, the communication device 620 may further include a processing unit 630, which is used to determine service information of the PCF according to the indication information 1.

[0174] For example, when the communication device 600 is the first network element, the sending unit 610 is used to send registration information 1, and the receiving unit 620 is used to receive response information 1.

[0175] Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a processing unit 630, which is used to execute the content of the first network element involving processing, coordination and other steps.

[0176] For example, when the communication device 600 is the second network element, the sending unit 610 is used to send the query information 1, and the receiving unit 620 is used to receive the service information of the PCF, etc.

[0177] Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a processing unit 630, which is used to execute the content of the second network element involving processing, coordination and other steps.

[0178] In addition, the communication device 600 may also include a storage unit 640 (regardless of whether it is a network warehouse function network element, a first network element or a second network element), which is used to store a program or code for executing the aforementioned method.

[0179] The above contents are only exemplary descriptions. When the communication device 600 is a network warehouse function network element, a first network element, or a second network element, it will be responsible for executing the methods or steps related to the network warehouse function network element, the first network element, or the second network element in the above method embodiments. Figure 6 The implementation of each operation can also refer to the corresponding description of the method shown in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0180] Figure 7 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 700 of an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 700 can be used to implement the functions of the network warehouse function network element, the first network element or the second network element in the above method. The communication device 700 can be a chip in the network warehouse function network element, the first network element or the second network element. The communication device 700 includes: an input-output interface 720 and a processor 710. The input-output interface 720 can be an input-output circuit. The processor 710 can be a signal processor, a chip, or other integrated circuit that can implement the method of the present application. The input-output interface 720 is used for input or output of signals or data.

[0181] For example, when the communication device 700 is a network warehouse function network element, the input and output interface 720 is used to send response information 1 and receive registration information 1. The processor 710 is used to determine the service information of the PCF according to the indication information 1.

[0182] For example, when the communication device 700 is a first network element, the input / output interface 720 is used to send registration information 1, and is also used to receive response information 1. The processor 710 is used to execute part or all of the steps of any method provided in the present application.

[0183] For example, when the communication device 700 is a second network element, the input / output interface 720 is used to send the query information 1 and receive the service information of the PCF.

[0184] In one possible implementation, the processor 710 implements the functions of the network warehouse function network element, the first network element or the second network element by executing instructions stored in the memory.

[0185] Optionally, the communication device 700 also includes a memory.

[0186] Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together.

[0187] Optionally, the memory is outside the communication device 700 .

[0188] In a possible implementation, the processor 710 may be a logic circuit, and the processor 710 inputs / outputs messages or signals through the input / output interface 720. The logic circuit may be a signal processor, a chip, or other integrated circuit that can implement the method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0189] The above Figure 7 The description of the device is only an exemplary description. The device can be used to execute the method described in the aforementioned embodiment. For specific contents, please refer to the description of the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0190] The present application also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling and executing instructions stored in a memory from the memory, so that a communication device equipped with the chip executes the methods in the above examples.

[0191] The present application also provides another chip, including: an input interface, an output interface, and a processor, wherein the input interface, the output interface, and the processor are connected via an internal connection path, and the processor is used to execute the code in the memory, and when the code is executed, the processor is used to execute the method in each of the above examples. Optionally, the chip also includes a memory, and the memory is used to store computer programs or codes.

[0192] The present application also provides a processor, which is coupled to a memory and is used to execute the methods and functions involving a network device or a terminal device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0193] In another embodiment of the present application, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the method of the above embodiment is implemented.

[0194] The present application also provides a computer program. When the computer program is executed in a computer, the method of the above embodiment is implemented.

[0195] In another embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the method described in the above embodiment is implemented.

[0196] Those of ordinary skill 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 to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0197] Those skilled in the art can 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.

[0198] In several embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, for example, the division of units is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed.

[0199] Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0200] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0201] 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.

[0202] 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 embodiment of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods of each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0203] The above are only specific implementations of the embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving registration information from a first network element, the registration information being used to request registration of the first network element, the registration information including indication information being used to indicate that the first network element has the capability of providing services for roaming users; Send response information to the first network element, where the response information is used to indicate that the first network element is successfully registered.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving query information from a second network element, where the query information is used to query a network element that provides services for the roaming user, where the type of the network element is the same as that of the first network element; According to the indication information, the service information of the first network element is sent to the second network element, and the registration information includes the service information of the first network element.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The indication information includes at least one of the following: User ID wildcard; Roaming user's home network ID; In-roam capability information.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The query information includes at least one of the following: roaming user ID; The roaming indication information is used to indicate that the current user is the roaming user.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The query information also includes service scope information of the second network element, and the first network element supports providing services within the service scope of the second network element.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first network element is any one of the following network elements: Policy control network element, unified data management network element, unified data storage network element, authentication server network element, binding support network element.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that The second network element is any one of the following network elements: Mobility management network element, session management network element, or short message service network element.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network element sends registration information to the network warehouse function network element, where the registration information is used to request registration of the first network element, and the registration information includes indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users; The network warehouse function network element receives the registration information and sends response information to the first network element, where the response information is used to indicate that the first network element has been successfully registered.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second network element sends the query information to the network warehouse function network element, where the query information is used to query the network element that provides services for the roaming user, and the type of the network element is the same as that of the first network element; The network warehouse function network element receives the query information; The network warehouse function network element sends the service information of the first network element to the second network element according to the indication information, and the registration information includes the service information of the first network element.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The indication information includes at least one of the following: User ID wildcard; Roaming user's home network ID; In-roam capability information.

11. A communication device, characterized in that: comprising a processor configured to, by executing a computer program or instructions, or, by means of a logic circuit, The communication device is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

12. A communication device, characterized in that: It includes a logic circuit and an input / output interface, wherein the input / output interface is used to input and / or output signals. The logic circuit is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

13. A communication system, characterized in that: include: Network warehouse functional network element and first network element; The first network element is used to send registration information to the network warehouse function network element, the registration information is used to request registration of the first network element, the registration information includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate that the first network element has the ability to provide services for roaming users; The network warehouse function network element is used to receive the registration information and also to send response information to the first network element, where the response information is used to indicate that the registration of the first network element is successful.

14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that The system further comprises: a second network element; The second network element is used to send the query information to the network warehouse function network element, where the query information is used to query the network element that provides services for the roaming user, and the type of the network element is the same as that of the first network element; The network warehouse function network element is used to receive the query information, and send the service information of the first network element to the second network element according to the indication information, and the registration information includes the service information of the first network element.

15. The system according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The indication information includes at least one of the following: User ID wildcard; Roaming user's home network ID; In-roam capability information.

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