Method and device for determining number of user equipment, communication system and communication equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a data transmission method and device, a communication system, communication equipment, a storage medium and a computer program product. The method comprises the following steps: receiving the number of user equipment returned by a network slice access control function NSACF based on a user equipment number acquisition request; and if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, determining the number of the received user equipment returned by the NSACF as the number of the user equipment switched to the second communication network. By adopting the method, the user equipment sends the request for obtaining the number of the user equipment through the convergence network element SMF + PGW-C in different communication networks, so that if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched, the convergence network element SMF + PGW-C can be prevented from repeatedly generating and sending the request for obtaining the number of the user equipment, and the user equipment can be prevented from being damaged. The flow of obtaining the number of the user equipment is simplified, and the communication efficiency of the communication network where the user equipment is located is further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, communication system, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product for determining the number of user equipment. Background Art

[0002] The 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) standard stipulates that NSACF (Network Slice Admission Control Function) monitors the number of UEs (User Equipment) and the number of PDU sessions for each slice belonging to the network slice admission control. If the UE is in 5G, the NSAC's "maximum number of registered UEs" feature-related services (i.e., "registered UE number" services) are triggered by the AMF network element (access and mobility management function); if the UE is in 4G, the "maximum number of registered UEs" feature-related services (i.e., "registered UE number" services) are triggered by SMF+PGW-C.

[0003] In the related technology, when the network where the UE is located switches, the network element corresponding to the current network after the switch needs to re-trigger the "number of registered UEs" service to confirm the number of UEs, which complicates the interaction process and causes redundant communication signaling, resulting in low communication efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a method, apparatus, communication system, communication device, storage medium and computer program product for determining the number of user devices, which can simplify the process of determining the number of user devices and improve network communication efficiency.

[0005] A method for determining the number of user equipments, the method comprising:

[0006] Receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is the number of user equipments obtained by the NSACF based on the number of user equipments.

[0007] If the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, the number of user equipments received and returned by the NSACF is determined as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network.

[0008] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0009] If the communication network where the user equipment is located is the first communication network, a request for obtaining the number of user equipment is sent to the NSACF through a fusion network element, and the first communication network includes a 4G communication network or a 5G communication network.

[0010] In one of the embodiments, the request for obtaining the number of user equipment includes a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and the method further includes:

[0011] A request for the maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection is sent to the NSACF through the fusion network element.

[0012] A method for determining the number of user equipments, the method comprising:

[0013] Receiving a request for obtaining the number of user devices;

[0014] Get the number of the user equipment and return the number of the user equipment.

[0015] In one of the embodiments, the request for obtaining the number of user equipments is a request for a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and obtaining the number of user equipments includes:

[0016] Based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located, the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network is collected.

[0017] In one of the embodiments, acquiring the number of user equipments corresponding to the target communication network based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located includes:

[0018] If the target communication network is a 4G communication network, the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is collected, and the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is determined as the number of user equipments.

[0019] In one of the embodiments, acquiring the number of user equipments corresponding to the target communication network based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located includes:

[0020] If the target communication network is a 5G communication network, the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is collected, and the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is determined as the number of user devices.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0022] If it is determined that the number of the user equipments is less than the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, adding the newly detected user equipment to the UE list;

[0023] A first reply message is generated and sent to the converged network element, wherein the first reply message includes that the number of UEs having at least one PDU session / PDN connection does not reach the maximum number of UEs.

[0024] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0025] Based on the newly detected user equipment, updating the number of user equipment to obtain an updated number of user equipment;

[0026] The updated number of user equipment is sent to the fusion network element.

[0027] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0028] If it is determined that the number of user equipment is greater than or equal to the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, a second reply message is generated and sent to the fusion network element. The second reply message includes that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection has reached the maximum number of UEs.

[0029] A device for determining the number of user equipments, the device comprising:

[0030] A first receiving module is configured to receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is obtained by the NSACF based on the number of user equipments. Feedback request feedback;

[0031] The first determining module is used to determine the number of user equipments returned by the received NSACF as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network.

[0032] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0033] The first sending module is used to send a request for obtaining the number of user devices to the NSACF through a fusion network element if the communication network where the user equipment is located is the first communication network, and the first communication network includes a 4G communication network or a 5G communication network.

[0034] In one of the embodiments, the request for obtaining the number of user equipment includes a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and the apparatus further includes:

[0035] The second sending module is used to send a request for the maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection to the NSACF through a converged network element.

[0036] A device for determining the number of user equipments, the device comprising:

[0037] A second receiving module, configured to receive a request for obtaining the number of user equipments;

[0038] The first acquisition module is used to acquire the number of the user equipment and return the number of the user equipment.

[0039] In one embodiment, the request for obtaining the number of user equipment is a request for a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and the first obtaining module is specifically configured to:

[0040] Based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located, the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network is collected.

[0041] In one embodiment, the first acquisition module is further specifically used for:

[0042] If the target communication network is a 4G communication network, the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is collected, and the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is determined as the number of user equipments.

[0043] In one embodiment, the first acquisition module is further specifically used for:

[0044] If the target communication network is a 5G communication network, the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is collected, and the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is determined as the number of user devices.

[0045] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0046] an adding module, configured to add the newly detected user equipment to the UE list if it is determined that the number of the user equipment is less than the maximum number of UEs and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list;

[0047] The first generation module is used to generate a first reply message and send the first reply message to the fusion network element. The first reply message includes that the number of UEs having at least one PDU session / PDN connection does not reach the maximum number of UEs.

[0048] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0049] An updating module, configured to update the number of user equipment based on the newly detected user equipment to obtain an updated number of user equipment;

[0050] The third sending module is used to send the updated number of user equipment to the converged network element.

[0051] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0052] The second generation module is used to generate a second reply message and send the second reply message to the fusion network element if it is determined that the number of user equipment is greater than or equal to the maximum number of UEs and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list. The second reply message includes that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection has reached the maximum number of UEs.

[0053] A communication system, the system comprising a fusion network element, a target communication network slice, and at least one user equipment, wherein:

[0054] The target communication network slice is used to receive a request for obtaining the number of user equipments, obtain the number of the user equipments, and return the number of the user equipments;

[0055] The fusion network element is used to receive the number of user equipment returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF;

[0056] The fusion network element is further used to determine the number of user equipment returned by the received NSACF as the number of user equipment after switching to the second communication network if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network.

[0057] A communication device comprising a processor and a receiver;

[0058] The receiver is used to receive the number of user devices returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user devices is obtained by the NSACF based on the request feedback of the number of user devices.

[0059] The processor is configured to determine the number of user equipments returned by the received NSACF as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network.

[0060] A computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the following steps:

[0061] Receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is the number of user equipments obtained by the NSACF based on the number of user equipments.

[0062] If the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, the number of user equipments received and returned by the NSACF is determined as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network.

[0063] A computer program product includes a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method for determining the number of user equipments provided in an embodiment of the present application is implemented, and the method may be:

[0064] Receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is the number of user equipments obtained by the NSACF based on the number of user equipments.

[0065] If the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, the number of user equipments received and returned by the NSACF is determined as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network.

[0066] The above-mentioned data transmission method, apparatus, communication system, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product: user equipment in different communication networks sends a request for obtaining the number of user equipment via the converged network element SMF+PGW-C. Based on this, if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched, the converged network element SMF+PGW-C can be avoided from repeatedly generating and sending a request for obtaining the number of user equipment, thereby simplifying the process of obtaining the number of user equipment and further improving the communication efficiency of the communication network where the user equipment is located. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] Figure 1 A diagram of an application environment of a method for determining the number of user equipments in one embodiment;

[0068] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method for determining the number of user equipments in one embodiment;

[0069] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a method for determining the number of user equipments in another embodiment;

[0070] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a step of sending a first reply message in an embodiment;

[0071] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of the steps of updating the number of user equipment in one embodiment;

[0072] Figure 6 A signaling diagram of a method for determining the number of user equipments in one embodiment;

[0073] Figure 7 is a structural block diagram of a device for determining the number of user equipments in one embodiment;

[0074] Figure 8 is a structural block diagram of a device for determining the number of user equipments in one embodiment;

[0075] Fig. 9 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a communication device in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0077] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example:

[0078] Long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) communication system, new radio (NR) communication system or satellite communication system. Among them, the communication system may include non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA), etc.

[0079] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an application scenario of a method for determining the number of user equipments provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, in this scenario, there is the network slice admission control function NSACF200 and the session management function + the core network's data gateway SMF + PGW-C100.

[0080] Among them, SMF+PGW-C100 receives the number of user devices returned by NSACF200. If the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, SMF+PGW-C100 will determine the number of user devices received from NSACF as the number of user devices after switching to the second communication network.

[0081] The user equipment may be a wireless terminal, which may be a device that provides voice and / or other service data connectivity to the user, or a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing equipment connected to a wireless modem. The wireless terminal may communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (RAN). The wireless terminal may be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges language and / or data with the radio access network. The wireless terminal may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit (Subscriber Unit), a subscriber station (Subscriber Station), a mobile station (Mobile Station), a mobile station (Mobile), a remote station (Remote Station), a remote terminal (Remote Terminal), an access terminal (Access Terminal), a user terminal (User Terminal), a user agent (User Agent), a user device (User Device or User Equipment), which is not limited here.

[0082] In the related technology, the 3GPP standard stipulates that the Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF) monitors the characteristics such as the number of user equipment (UE) and the number of PDU sessions of each slice belonging to NSAC. When the UE is in 5G, the NSAC's "maximum number of registered UEs" feature-related services are triggered by the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); when the UE is in 4G, the "maximum number of registered UEs" feature-related services are triggered by the Session Management Function + Core Packet Gateway (SMF+PGW-C) of the core network. In the 4G / 5G co-located network, the information related to the maximum number of UEs in the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) device is triggered and stored by SMF+PGW-C. After the UE switches from 5G to 4G, SMF+PGW-C needs to re-trigger the "number of registered UEs" service to confirm the number of UEs. When the UE switches from 4G to 5G, AMF needs to re-trigger the "Number of Registered UEs" service to confirm the number of UEs.

[0083] Based on this, after the UE switches the communication network, the AMF or SMF+PGW-C needs to re-trigger the relevant services of the maximum number of UEs to confirm the number of UEs, which makes the communication signaling interaction more cumbersome and the communication efficiency lower.

[0084] It should be noted that the beneficial effects brought about by the embodiments of the present application or the technical problems solved are not limited to this one, but may also include other implicit or related problems. For details, please refer to the description of the following embodiments.

[0085] Before introducing the specific embodiments of the present invention, the professional terms involved in the present invention are explained first:

[0086] AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function, performs registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management. It provides a session management message transmission channel for UE and SMF (Session Management function), provides authentication and authorization functions for user access, and is the access point of the terminal and the wireless core network control plane.

[0087] SMF+PGW-C: Session Management Function+Core Packet Gateway, SMF+PGW-C, session management function + data gateway of the core network, SMF+PGW-C can simultaneously realize the functions that SMF and PGW-C can realize. In the process of network evolution, the above core network equipment may also be called other names, or new network entities may be formed by dividing the functions of the core network.

[0088] PDU session: Protocol Data Units session, protocol data unit session.

[0089] PDN connection: Packet Data Network connection, public data network connection.

[0090] NSACF: Network Slice Admission Control Function, network slice admission control function.

[0091] EPC: The EPC (Evolved Packet Core) network is the core network of the 4G mobile communication network, and has traditional mobile network capabilities such as user contract data storage, mobility management, and data exchange.

[0092] The technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0093] In one embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, a method for determining the number of user equipment is provided, and the method is applied to Figure 1 The session management function in the core network + the data gateway SMF + PGW-C device is used as an example to illustrate the process, including the following steps:

[0094] Step 202: Receive the number of user devices returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF.

[0095] The number of user devices is obtained by the network slice admission control function NSACF based on the number of user devices. The number of user devices can be the number of UEs in the network slice belonging to the NSAC. The network slice admission control function NSACF is used to monitor the number of UEs and the number of PDU sessions in each network slice belonging to the NSAC.

[0096] Specifically, in the case of obtaining the number of user devices, the SMF+PGW-C device can generate a request for obtaining the number of user devices and send the request for obtaining the number of user devices to the NSACF; based on the received request for obtaining the number of user devices, the NSACF can execute the relevant determination process of the number of user devices, determine the number of user devices, and send a reply message containing the number of user devices to the SMF+PGW-C device; based on this, the SMF+PGW-C can obtain the number of user devices carried in the reply message based on the reply message.

[0097] Step 204: If the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, the number of user equipments returned by the received NSACF is determined as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network.

[0098] Among them, the communication network where the user equipment UE is located can be the communication network used by the UE, for example, it can include the 4th generation mobile communication network (the 4th Generation mobile communication technology, 4G), and can also include the 5th generation mobile communication network (5th-Generation Mobile Communication Technology, 5G), etc.; the first communication network can be 4G, and the corresponding second communication network can be 5G; the first communication network can be 5G, and the corresponding second communication network can be 4G.

[0099] Specifically, if the communication network where the UE is located is switched, the SMF+PGW-C may determine the number of received user devices as the number of user devices after the communication network is switched. That is to say, the SMF+PGW-C may use the number of user devices received before the communication network where the UE is located is switched as the number of user devices after the communication network where the UE is located is switched.

[0100] Optionally, the communication network where the UE is located may be 4G, and SMF+PGW-C may generate a request to obtain the number of user devices, and send the request to obtain the number of user devices to NSACF to obtain the number of user devices returned by NSACF; based on this, if the communication network where the UE is located switches from 4G to 5G, and SMF+PGW-C determines that the number of user devices has been obtained before the communication network where the UE is located switches, then SMF+PGW-C no longer generates a request to obtain the number of user devices, and the number of user devices received before the communication network where the UE is located switches may be used as the number of user devices after the communication network where the UE is located switches. Similarly, if the communication network where the UE is located switches from 5G to 4G, the SMF+PGW-C executes a type of process, which will not be repeated here.

[0101] In the above-mentioned method for determining the number of user devices, the method includes: receiving the number of user devices returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF based on the user device number acquisition request; if the communication network where the user device is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, the number of user devices returned by the received NSACF is determined as the number of user devices after switching to the second communication network. By adopting this method, the user device sends a request to obtain the number of user devices via the converged network element SMF+PGW-C in different communication networks. Based on this, if the communication network where the user device is located is switched, the converged network element SMF+PGW-C can be avoided from repeatedly generating and sending the request to obtain the number of user devices, simplifying the process of obtaining the number of user devices, and further improving the communication efficiency of the communication network where the user device is located.

[0102] In one embodiment, the method for determining the number of user equipments may further include:

[0103] If the communication network where the user equipment is located is the first communication network, a request for obtaining the number of user equipment is sent to the NSACF through the fusion network element, and the first communication network includes a 4G communication network or a 5G communication network.

[0104] Among them, the converged network element can be SMF+PGW-C, and the converged network element is a functional network element that can communicate in multiple communication networks.

[0105] Specifically, if it is necessary to determine the number of user devices corresponding to the network slice, a request for obtaining the number of user devices is sent to NSACF through a converged network element. When the user device is in 4G, a request for obtaining the number of user devices can be sent to NSACF through a converged network element. When the user device is in 5G, a request for obtaining the number of user devices can also be sent to NSACF through a converged network element, where the converged network element can be SMF+PGW-C.

[0106] In this embodiment, by sending a request for obtaining the number of user equipments to the NSACF through a converged network element in different communication networks, the signaling interaction process can be simplified and the communication efficiency and communication quality can be improved.

[0107] In one embodiment, the request for obtaining the number of user equipments includes the maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection.

[0108] Accordingly, in one embodiment, the method for determining the number of user equipments may further include:

[0109] A request for the maximum number of user devices with at least one PDU session / PDN connection is sent to the NSACF through the converged network element.

[0110] The request for obtaining the number of user devices may be a request for obtaining the maximum number of user devices that have at least one PDU session / PDN connection, the user device may be a user device that has at least one PDU session, or a user device that has at least one PDN connection, and the number of user devices is calculated based on the number of user devices that have at least one PDU session and the number of user devices that have at least one PDN connection.

[0111] Specifically, if it is necessary to determine the number of user devices corresponding to the network slice, a request for obtaining the maximum number of user devices with at least one PDU session / PDN connection is sent to NSACF through the fused network element; in the scenario where it is necessary to determine the number of user devices corresponding to the network slice, SMF+PGW-C can generate a request for obtaining the maximum number of user devices with at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and send a request for obtaining the maximum number of user devices with at least one PDU session / PDN connection to NSACF through the network.

[0112] In this embodiment, by sending a request for obtaining the maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection to the NSACF, the accuracy of the number of received user equipments can be ensured.

[0113] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, a method for determining the number of user equipment is provided, and the method is applied to Figure 1 The network slice admission control function NSACF in the example is used to illustrate, including the following steps:

[0114] Step 302: Receive a request for obtaining the number of user equipments.

[0115] Specifically, SMF+PGW-C can send a request to obtain the number of user devices to the network slice admission control function NSACF; if NSACF receives a request to obtain the number of user devices sent by SMF+PGW-C, it can execute relevant processes to determine the number of user devices, which will be described in detail in the following steps and will not be repeated here.

[0116] Step 304: Obtain the number of user devices and return the number of user devices.

[0117] The number of user devices may be the number of user devices on the network slice belonging to NSAC, or the number of user devices on each network slice belonging to NSAC.

[0118] Specifically, NSACF can execute relevant processes to determine the number of user devices, determine the number of user devices on the network slice belonging to NSAC, and after determining the number of user devices, generate a reply message including the number of user devices, and return a reply message to SMF+PGW-C, where the reply message carries the number of user devices.

[0119] In this embodiment, the number of user devices is determined timely based on the received request for obtaining the number of user devices, and the number of user devices is returned to the device that sent the request for obtaining the number of user devices in a timely manner, thereby ensuring the real-time nature of the data.

[0120] In one embodiment, the request for obtaining the number of user equipments is a request for the maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection.

[0121] The request for obtaining the number of user devices may be a request for obtaining the maximum number of user devices that have at least one PDU session / PDN connection, the user device may be a user device that has at least one PDU session, or a user device that has at least one PDN connection, and the number of user devices is calculated based on the number of user devices that have at least one PDU session and the number of user devices that have at least one PDN connection.

[0122] Accordingly, the step of obtaining the number of user devices may include:

[0123] Based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located, the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network is collected.

[0124] The target communication network where the user equipment is located may be the communication network where the user equipment is currently located, and the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network refers to the number of user equipment when the user equipment is in the target communication network.

[0125] Specifically, the relevant process that NSACF can perform to determine the number of user devices may be: after receiving a request for the maximum number of user devices with at least one PDU session / PDN connection, NSACF can determine the target communication network where the user device is located, and based on the target communication network, determine the number of user devices with at least one PDU session, or the number of user devices with at least one PDN connection, and determine the number of user devices corresponding to the target communication network based on the number of user devices with at least one PDU session and / or the number of user devices with at least one PDN connection. Based on this, NSACF can generate a reply message carrying the number of the user devices and send the reply message to SMF+PGW-C.

[0126] In this embodiment, by determining the number of user devices corresponding to the target communication network based on the target communication network where the user device is located, the accuracy of obtaining the number of user devices can be ensured, taking into account both 4G scenarios and 5G scenarios.

[0127] In one embodiment, the step of obtaining the number of user equipments corresponding to the target communication network based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located may include:

[0128] If the target communication network is a 4G communication network, the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is collected, and the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is determined as the number of user equipments.

[0129] The user equipment having at least one PDN connection may be a user equipment having at least one PDN connection with an external communication device.

[0130] Specifically, if NSACF determines that the target communication network where the user equipment is located is 4G, then NSACF can determine the number of user equipment with at least one PDN connection on the network slice belonging to NSAC, and use the determined number of user equipment with at least one PDN connection as the number of user equipment. Based on this, NSACF can generate a reply message carrying the number of user equipment and send the reply message to SMF+PGW-C.

[0131] In this embodiment, by taking the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection as the number of user equipments, the efficiency of user equipment acquisition can be ensured.

[0132] In one embodiment, the step of obtaining the number of user equipments corresponding to the target communication network based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located may include:

[0133] If the target communication network is a 5G communication network, the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is collected, and the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is determined as the number of user devices.

[0134] The user equipment having at least one PDU session may be a user equipment having at least one PDU session with an external communication device.

[0135] Specifically, if NSACF determines that the target communication network where the user equipment is located is 5G, NSACF can determine the number of user equipment with at least one PDU session on the network slice belonging to NSAC, and use the determined number of user equipment with at least one PDU session as the number of user equipment. Based on this, NSACF can generate a reply message carrying the number of user equipment and send the reply message to SMF+PGW-C.

[0136] In this embodiment, by taking the number of user equipments having at least one PDU session as the number of user equipments, the efficiency of user equipment acquisition can be ensured.

[0137] In one embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the method for determining the number of user equipments may also include:

[0138] Step 402: If it is determined that the number of user equipments is less than the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, the newly detected user equipment is added to the UE list.

[0139] Among them, the maximum number of UEs can be a number threshold pre-configured by NSACF, which represents the maximum number of user equipment in the slice.

[0140] Specifically, after NSACF obtains the number of user devices based on the received request for the number of user devices, and returns a reply message containing the number of user devices to SMF+PGW-C, NSACF can generate a UE list based on the determined number of user devices, and the UE list can contain the identification information of the user devices on the slice belonging to NSAC. Optionally, after NSACF returns the reply message containing the number of user devices to SMF+PGW-C, it can detect the user devices on each slice belonging to NSAC, and if a new user device is detected, obtain the identification information of the newly detected user device; NSACF can query the identification information of the newly detected user device in the UE list.

[0141] If NSACF does not query the identification information of the newly detected user equipment in the UE list, and the number of user equipment is less than the maximum number of UEs, NSACF can add the newly detected user equipment to the UE list.

[0142] In one example, after determining the number of user devices based on a received request for obtaining the number of user devices, the NSACF can compare the number of user devices with a pre-configured maximum number of UEs to obtain a comparison result; similarly, the NSACF determines the number of user devices based on a received request for obtaining the number of user devices, generates a UE list, and re-detects the user devices on the slice belonging to the NSAC. After detecting the user device (for example, which can be referred to as the first user device), the identification information of the first user device is queried in the UE list to obtain a query result; if the comparison result indicates that the number of user devices is less than the pre-configured maximum number of UEs, and the query result indicates that the number of the first user device is not found in the UE list, the NSACF can add the identification information of the first user device (i.e., the newly detected user device) to the UE list.

[0143] Optionally, in 4G, the first user equipment is a user equipment having at least one PDN connection; in 5G, the first user equipment is a user equipment having at least one PDU session.

[0144] Step 404: Generate a first reply message, and send the first reply message to the converged network element.

[0145] Specifically, after adding the identification information of the newly detected user equipment to the UE list, the NSACF can generate a first reply message and send the first reply message to the fusion network element. The first reply message can indicate that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection on the network slice belonging to the NSAC does not reach the maximum number of UEs.

[0146] In this embodiment, by detecting the user equipment multiple times, the accuracy of obtaining the number of user equipment can be ensured, and the integrity of the communication between the NSACF and the converged network element can be ensured.

[0147] In one embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, the method for determining the number of user equipments may also include:

[0148] Step 502: based on the newly detected user equipment, update the number of user equipment to obtain the updated number of user equipment.

[0149] The number of user equipments before updating may be the number of user equipments (first number) determined by the NSACF after receiving a request for obtaining the number of user equipments.

[0150] Specifically, after NSACF adds the identification information of the first user equipment (i.e., the newly detected user equipment) to the UE list, NSACF can determine the number of newly detected user equipment, and based on the number of newly detected user equipment and the original number of user equipment (i.e., the first number), obtain the updated number of user equipment.

[0151] Step 504: Send the updated number of user equipments to the converged network element.

[0152] Among them, the integrated network element can be SMF+PGW-C.

[0153] Specifically, the NSACF generates a third reply message including the updated number of user equipment. Based on this, the NSACF may send the third reply message to the converged network element, and optionally, the NSACF may send a third reply message carrying the updated number of user equipment to the SMF+PGW-C.

[0154] In this embodiment, by detecting the user equipment multiple times, the accuracy of obtaining the number of user equipment can be ensured, and the integrity of the communication between the NSACF and the converged network element can be ensured.

[0155] In one embodiment, the method for determining the number of user equipments may further include:

[0156] If it is determined that the number of user equipments is greater than or equal to the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, a second reply message is generated and sent to the fusion network element.

[0157] The second reply message includes that the number of UEs having at least one PDU session / PDN connection has reached the maximum number of UEs.

[0158] Specifically, after NSACF determines the number of user devices based on the received request for obtaining the number of user devices, and returns a reply message including the number of user devices to SMF+PGW-C, NSACF can generate a UE list based on the determined number of user devices, which can include identification information of user devices on the slice belonging to NSAC, and compare the number of user devices with the pre-configured maximum number of UEs to obtain a comparison result; similarly, after NSACF determines the number of user devices based on the received request for obtaining the number of user devices, it can detect each user device on the slice belonging to NSAC, and if a new user device is detected, obtain the identification information of the newly detected user device; NSACF can query the UE list based on the identification information of the newly detected user device to obtain a query result.

[0159] Optionally, if the NSACF determines, based on the query result, that the identification information of the newly detected user equipment is not found in the UE list, and determines, based on the comparison result, that the number of user equipment is greater than or equal to the maximum number of UEs, the NSACF may generate a second reply message, wherein the second reply message indicates that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection on the slice belonging to the NSAC has reached the maximum number of UEs.

[0160] Optionally, in 4G, the first user equipment is a user equipment having at least one PDN connection; in 5G, the first user equipment is a user equipment having at least one PDU session.

[0161] In this embodiment, through multiple detections of user equipment, the accuracy of the number of user equipment can be ensured, the UE list can be generated in time, and when the maximum number of UEs has been reached, the fusion network element can be reminded in time to ensure the real-time information transmission and the integrity of the communication between the NSACF and the fusion network element.

[0162] In one embodiment, Figure 6 A signaling interaction flow chart of a method for determining the number of user equipment is provided. Figure 6 As shown, the method includes the following steps.

[0163] In the 3GPP standard, NSACF monitors the number of UEs and PDU sessions for each slice belonging to NSAC. When the UE is in 5G, the NSAC's "maximum number of registered UEs" feature-related services (i.e., "number of registered UEs" services) are triggered by AMF; when the UE is in 4G, the "maximum number of registered UEs" feature-related services (i.e., "number of registered UEs" services) are triggered by SMF+PGW-C.

[0164] In a 4G / 5G combined network, the maximum number of UEs in the slice of the EPC is triggered by the SMF+PGW-C request and configured and stored. When the UE switches from 5G to 4G, the SMF+PGW-C needs to re-trigger the "number of registered UEs" service to confirm the number of UEs. In another embodiment, when the UE switches from 4G to 5G, the AMF needs to re-trigger the "number of registered UEs" service to confirm the number of UEs. Based on the above description, the problem of UE repeatedly initiating services related to the maximum number of UEs after switching occurs, and the communication interaction process is more cumbersome and the communication interaction signaling is more redundant.

[0165] The present disclosure provides a method for determining the number of user equipments, which can add a feature "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" in a 4G / 5G combined network. The trigger request of this feature can be triggered by a converged network element (for example, SMF+PGW-C), so that the UE does not need to repeatedly initiate a maximum UE number request after switching, that is, the problem of obtaining the number of user equipments, thereby reducing the required interaction process.

[0166] Specifically, the NEST feature "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" is added in the 4G / 5G co-located network, and operators are allowed to configure this new feature for NSAC in the 4G / 5G co-located network. In the 4G / 5G co-located network, this feature can be triggered by the converged network element SMF+PGW-C. This feature can monitor the number of UEs in each slice belonging to NSAC, optimize the NSAC-related processes in the 4G / 5G co-located network, reduce the required interaction processes, and reduce the signaling burden.

[0167] Step 1, SMF+PGW-C triggers the "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" feature related service. Specifically, SMF+PGW-C generates a request for obtaining the number of user devices, that is, a request for the maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection.

[0168] Step 2, SMF+PGW-C sends a service request related to the "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" feature to NSACF; specifically, SMF+PGW-C sends a request for "the maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" to NSACF.

[0169] Step 3, NSACF executes the process related to the feature of "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection"; specifically, after receiving the request for "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection", NSACF collects the number of UEs on the slice belonging to NSAC. If the UE is in the 4G network, NSACF can determine the number of user devices with at least one PDN connection on the network slice belonging to NSAC, and use the determined number of user devices with at least one PDN connection as the number of user devices. If the UE is in the 5G communication network, the number of user devices with at least one PDU session is collected, and the number of user devices with at least one PDU session is determined as the number of user devices.

[0170] Step 4: NSACF sends a service response to SMF+PGW-C regarding the feature "Maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection".

[0171] Step 5: The UE switches from 5G to 4G or the UE switches from 4G to 5G.

[0172] Step 6: SMF+PGW-C has obtained the "number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" before switching, so there is no need to trigger the process again.

[0173] In one example, after generating a request to obtain the number of user devices, the converged network element can determine the corresponding NSACF based on the network slice and send a request to obtain the number of user devices to the NSACF; specifically, SMF+PGW-C finds the corresponding NSACF through service discovery, and adds a new service related to "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" in the jointly established network. The provider network element of the service is NSACF, and the consumer network element is SMF+PGW-C; NSACF is required to execute the "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" related process; SMF+PGW-C is required to trigger the "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" related process. If NSACF is executing "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection", If, after executing the "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" related processes, it is found that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection in the network slice has not reached the maximum value and the UE is not on the UE list, NSACF will add the UE to the UE list, increase the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and reply to indicate that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection has not reached the maximum value; if, after executing the "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" related processes, NSACF finds that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection in the network slice has reached the maximum value and the UE is not on the UE list, NSACF will reply to indicate that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection has reached the maximum value.

[0174] A method for determining the number of user devices provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure optimizes the communication process in a 4G / 5G co-located network in the existing 3GPP standard, can streamline the process of NSAC-related features and reduce the signaling burden of the related process; minor changes are made to the mobile communication system architecture, and no new network elements or equipment need to be added. Instead, only a new feature "maximum number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection" and related services need to be added to the 4G / 5G co-located network to implement inspection of the communication process and improvement of communication quality.

[0175] It should be understood that although Figure 1-6The steps in the flowchart are shown in sequence as indicated by the arrows, but these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified in this document, there is no strict order restriction for the execution of these steps, and these steps can be executed in other orders. Moreover, Figure 1-6 At least part of the steps may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily performed at the same time, but can be performed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least part of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0176] In one embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, a device 700 for determining the number of user equipment is provided, comprising: a first receiving module 702, a first determining module 704, wherein:

[0177] The first receiving module 702 is used to receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is the target communication network slice based on the number of user equipments to obtain the request feedback;

[0178] The first determining module 704 is configured to determine the number of user equipments returned by the received NSACF as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network.

[0179] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0180] The first sending module is used to send a request for obtaining the number of user devices to the NSACF through a fusion network element if the communication network where the user device is located is a first communication network, and the first communication network includes a 4G communication network or a 5G communication network.

[0181] In one embodiment, the request for obtaining the number of user equipment includes a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and the apparatus further includes:

[0182] The second sending module is used to send a request for the maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection to the NSACF through the converged network element.

[0183] In one embodiment, Figure 8 As shown, a device 800 for determining the number of user equipment is provided, comprising: a second receiving module 802 and a first obtaining module 804, wherein:

[0184] The second receiving module 802 is used to receive a request for obtaining the number of user equipments;

[0185] The first acquisition module 804 is used to acquire the number of user equipments and return the number of user equipments.

[0186] In one embodiment, the request for obtaining the number of user equipment is a request for a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and the first obtaining module is specifically configured to:

[0187] Based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located, the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network is collected.

[0188] In one embodiment, the first acquisition module is further specifically used for:

[0189] If the target communication network is a 4G communication network, the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is collected, and the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is determined as the number of user equipments.

[0190] In one embodiment, the first acquisition module is further specifically used for:

[0191] If the target communication network is a 5G communication network, the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is collected, and the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is determined as the number of user devices.

[0192] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0193] an adding module, configured to add the newly detected user equipment to the UE list if it is determined that the number of user equipment is less than the maximum number of UEs and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list;

[0194] The first generating module is used to generate a first reply message and send the first reply message to the converged network element. The first reply message includes that the number of UEs having at least one PDU session / PDN connection does not reach the maximum number of UEs.

[0195] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0196] An updating module, configured to update the number of user devices based on the newly detected user devices, and obtain the updated number of user devices;

[0197] The third sending module is used to send the updated number of user equipment to the converged network element.

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

[0199] The second generation module is used to generate a second reply message and send the second reply message to the fusion network element if it is determined that the number of user equipment is greater than or equal to the maximum number of UEs and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list. The second reply message includes that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection has reached the maximum number of UEs.

[0200] For the specific definition of the device for determining the number of user devices, please refer to the definition of the method for determining the number of user devices above, which will not be repeated here. Each module in the above-mentioned device for determining the number of user devices can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware and a combination thereof. The above-mentioned modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the computer device in the form of hardware, or can be stored in the memory in the computer device in the form of software, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to the above modules.

[0201] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 The communication device 900 shown includes: at least one processor 901, a memory 902, and at least one network interface 904. The various components in the communication device 900 are coupled together via a bus system 905. It is understood that the bus system 905 is used to achieve connection and communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 905 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the bus system 905 is not described in detail. Fig. 9 Various buses are labeled as bus system 905. In addition, the embodiment of the present invention also includes a transceiver 906, which can be multiple components, that is, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium.

[0202] It can be understood that the memory 902 in the embodiment of the present invention 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. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM) and direct RAM bus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 902 of the system and method described in the embodiments of the present invention is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0203] In some implementations, the memory 902 stores the following elements, executable modules or data structures, or their subsets, or their extended sets: operating system 9021. The operating system 9021 includes various system programs, such as a framework layer, a core library layer, a driver layer, etc., which are used to implement various basic services and process hardware-based tasks.

[0204] In an embodiment of the present invention, by calling the program or instruction stored in the memory 902, the receiver is used to receive the number of user devices returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user devices is the number of user devices obtained by the NSACF based on the number of user devices. The processor is used to determine the number of user devices returned by the NSACF as the number of user devices after switching to the second communication network if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from a first communication network to a second communication network.

[0205] Part or all of the methods disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention may also be applied to the processor 901, or implemented by the processor 901, or implemented by the processor 901 in cooperation with other components (such as a transceiver). The processor 901 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method may be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor 901 or by instructions in the form of software. The above processor 901 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. The methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in a decoding processor. The software module may be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory 902, and the processor 901 reads the information in the memory 902 and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0206] It is to be understood that the embodiments described in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode or a combination thereof. For hardware implementation, the processing unit may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processors (DSP), digital signal processing devices (DSPD), programmable logic devices (PLD), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), general purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units for performing the functions described in the present application or a combination thereof.

[0207] For software implementation, the technology described in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a module (such as a process, function, etc.) that performs the functions described in the embodiments of the present invention. The software code can be stored in a memory and executed by the processor 901. The memory can be implemented in the processor 901 or outside the processor 901.

[0208] In one embodiment, the transmitter is specifically used to send a request to obtain the number of user devices to the NSACF through a fusion network element if the communication network where the user equipment is located is the first communication network, and the first communication network includes a 4G communication network or a 5G communication network.

[0209] In one of the embodiments, the request for obtaining the number of user devices includes the maximum number of user devices having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and the transmitter is further specifically used to: send a request for the maximum number of user devices having at least one PDU session / PDN connection to the NSACF through a fusion network element.

[0210] In the embodiment of the present invention, by calling the program or instruction stored in the memory 902, the receiver is used to receive a request for obtaining the number of user devices; the processor is used to obtain the number of user devices and return the number of user devices through the transmitter.

[0211] In one embodiment, the request for obtaining the number of user equipment is a request for a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and the processor is specifically configured to:

[0212] Based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located, the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network is collected.

[0213] In one embodiment, the processor is specifically configured to:

[0214] If the target communication network is a 4G communication network, the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is collected, and the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is determined as the number of user equipments.

[0215] In one embodiment, the processor is specifically configured to:

[0216] If the target communication network is a 5G communication network, the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is collected, and the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is determined as the number of user devices.

[0217] In one of the embodiments, the processor is specifically configured to: if it is determined that the number of the user equipment is less than the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, add the newly detected user equipment to the UE list;

[0218] A first reply message is generated, and the first reply message is sent to the converged network element through the transmitter, wherein the first reply message includes that the number of UEs having at least one PDU session / PDN connection does not reach the maximum number of UEs.

[0219] In one of the embodiments, the processor is specifically used to: update the number of user equipment based on the newly detected user equipment to obtain an updated number of user equipment; and send the updated number of user equipment to the fusion network element by sending.

[0220] In one of the embodiments, the processor is specifically used to: if it is determined that the number of user equipment is greater than or equal to the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, generate a second reply message, and send the second reply message to the fusion network element through a transmitter, wherein the second reply message includes that the number of UEs having at least one PDU session / PDN connection has reached the maximum number of UEs.

[0221] In one embodiment, a communication system is provided, the communication system comprising a fusion network element, a target communication network slice, and at least one user equipment, wherein:

[0222] The target communication network slice is used to receive a request for obtaining the number of user devices, obtain the number of user devices, and return the number of user devices;

[0223] The converged network element is used to receive the number of user equipment returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF;

[0224] The fusion network element is also used to determine the number of user equipment returned by the received NSACF as the number of user equipment after switching to the second communication network if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network.

[0225] In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0226] Receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is the number of user equipments obtained by the NSACF based on the number of user equipments.

[0227] If the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, the number of user equipments received and returned by the NSACF is determined as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network.

[0228] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0229] If the communication network where the user equipment is located is the first communication network, a request for obtaining the number of user equipment is sent to the NSACF through a fusion network element, and the first communication network includes a 4G communication network or a 5G communication network.

[0230] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0231] The request for obtaining the number of user equipment includes a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and the method further includes:

[0232] A request for the maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection is sent to the NSACF through the fusion network element.

[0233] In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0234] Receiving a request for obtaining the number of user devices;

[0235] Get the number of the user equipment and return the number of the user equipment.

[0236] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0237] The request for obtaining the number of user equipments is a request for a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and obtaining the number of user equipments includes:

[0238] Based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located, the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network is collected.

[0239] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0240] If the target communication network is a 4G communication network, the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is collected, and the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is determined as the number of user equipments.

[0241] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0242] If the target communication network is a 5G communication network, the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is collected, and the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is determined as the number of user devices.

[0243] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0244] If it is determined that the number of the user equipments is less than the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, adding the newly detected user equipment to the UE list;

[0245] A first reply message is generated and sent to the converged network element, wherein the first reply message includes that the number of UEs having at least one PDU session / PDN connection does not reach the maximum number of UEs.

[0246] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0247] Based on the newly detected user equipment, updating the number of user equipment to obtain an updated number of user equipment;

[0248] The updated number of user equipment is sent to the fusion network element.

[0249] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0250] If it is determined that the number of user equipment is greater than or equal to the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, a second reply message is generated and sent to the fusion network element. The second reply message includes that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection has reached the maximum number of UEs.

[0251] The present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps:

[0252] Receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is the number of user equipments obtained by the NSACF based on the number of user equipments.

[0253] If the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, the number of user equipments received and returned by the NSACF is determined as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network.

[0254] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, any reference to memory, storage, database or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory or optical memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. As an illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0255] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0256] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining the number of user equipments, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is the number of user equipments obtained by the NSACF based on the request feedback; If the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network, the number of user equipments received and returned by the NSACF is determined as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the communication network where the user equipment is located is the first communication network, a request for obtaining the number of user equipment is sent to the NSACF through a fusion network element, and the first communication network includes a 4G communication network or a 5G communication network.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The request for obtaining the number of user equipment includes a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and the method further includes: A request for the maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection is sent to the NSACF through the fusion network element.

4. A method for determining the number of user equipment, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receiving a request for obtaining the number of user devices; Get the number of the user equipment and return the number of the user equipment.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The request for obtaining the number of user equipments is a request for a maximum number of user equipments having at least one PDU session / PDN connection, and obtaining the number of user equipments includes: Based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located, the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network is collected.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The acquiring, based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located, the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network includes: If the target communication network is a 4G communication network, the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is collected, and the number of user equipments having at least one PDN connection is determined as the number of user equipments.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The acquiring, based on the target communication network where the user equipment is located, the number of user equipment corresponding to the target communication network includes: If the target communication network is a 5G communication network, the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is collected, and the number of user devices having at least one PDU session is determined as the number of user devices.

8. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: If it is determined that the number of the user equipments is less than the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, adding the newly detected user equipment to the UE list; A first reply message is generated and sent to the converged network element, wherein the first reply message includes that the number of UEs having at least one PDU session / PDN connection does not reach the maximum number of UEs.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Based on the newly detected user equipment, updating the number of user equipment to obtain an updated number of user equipment; The updated number of user equipment is sent to the fusion network element.

10. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: If it is determined that the number of user equipment is greater than or equal to the maximum number of UEs, and the newly detected user equipment is not in the UE list, a second reply message is generated and sent to the fusion network element. The second reply message includes that the number of UEs with at least one PDU session / PDN connection has reached the maximum number of UEs.

11. A device for determining the number of user equipments, characterized in that: The device comprises: A first receiving module is configured to receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is obtained by the NSACF based on the number of user equipments. Feedback request feedback; The first determining module is used to determine the number of user equipments returned by the received NSACF as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network.

12. A device for determining the number of user equipments, characterized in that: The device comprises: A second receiving module, configured to receive a request for obtaining the number of user equipments; The first acquisition module is used to acquire the number of the user equipment and return the number of the user equipment.

13. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes a fusion network element, a target communication network slice, and at least one user equipment, wherein: The target communication network slice is used to receive a request for obtaining the number of user equipments, obtain the number of the user equipments, and return the number of the user equipments; The fusion network element is used to receive the number of user equipment returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF; The fusion network element is further used to determine the number of user equipment returned by the received NSACF as the number of user equipment after switching to the second communication network if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network.

14. A communication device, characterized in that: including a processor and a receiver; The receiver is used to receive the number of user equipments returned by the network slice admission control function NSACF, where the number of user equipments is fed back by the NSACF based on the request for obtaining the number of user equipments; The processor is configured to determine the number of user equipments returned by the received NSACF as the number of user equipments after switching to the second communication network if the communication network where the user equipment is located is switched from the first communication network to the second communication network.

15. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 are implemented.

16. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 are implemented.

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