Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device, and relates to the field of wireless communication. The method comprises the following steps: an access network element at a non-3GPP side receives first data from a terminal, wherein a source address of the first data is an address of a first session, and the first data is sent according to information corresponding to the address of the first session. Wherein the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session at the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side, or the IP address of the first session at the non-3GPP side; the information corresponding to the address of the first session is determined according to the address of the first session, and the information corresponding to the address of the first session comprises the context of the first session or the information of a first channel corresponding to the first session; the first channel is a channel between the access network element and the user plane function network element. In the method, an access network element associates a first session for first data through a source address of the first data, and realizes transmission of the first data on a non-3GPP side through the first session. Therefore, the terminal can realize the multi-access session under the condition of not supporting the access to the core network from the non-3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communications, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the challenges of wireless broadband technology and maintain the leading edge of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network, the 3GPP standards group formulated the next generation mobile communication network architecture (next generation system), namely the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication network architecture at the end of 2016.

[0003] The network architecture supports the wireless technology defined by the 3GPP standard group to access the core network (CN), and supports non-3GPP (N3G) access technology to access the core network through the access network element on the N3G side. Therefore, the network architecture supports the establishment of multiple access sessions. However, the implementation of multiple access sessions requires the terminal to support access to the core network from the non-3GPP side. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can implement a multi-access session when a terminal does not support accessing a core network from a non-3GPP side.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] In the first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access network element on a non-3GPP side (hereinafter referred to as the access network element); or, it can also be executed by a module applied to the access network element, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit; or, it can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the access network element functions, without limitation. For the convenience of description, the following is an example of execution by an access network element. The method includes: receiving first data from a first terminal, the source address of the first data is the address of a first session, the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side, or the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the non-3GPP side; sending the first data according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session, the information corresponding to the address of the first session is determined according to the address of the first session, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session or the information of the first channel corresponding to the first session, and the first channel is the channel between the access network element on the non-3GPP side and the user plane function network element.

[0007] Based on the method provided in the first aspect, the access network element may receive the first data from the first terminal, and associate the first data with the first session according to the source address of the first data (i.e., the address of the first session). In this way, the first data may be transmitted on the non-3GPP side through the first session to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side, for example, to avoid the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0008] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving first indication information from the first terminal, where the first indication information is used to indicate to omit a non-access stratum message on the non-3GPP side.

[0009] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the access network element can determine to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side according to the instruction of the first terminal to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side. In the present application, omitting the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side can be understood as not using the non-access layer message when accessing the core network from the non-3GPP side; or, accessing the core network based on a simplified manner through non-3GPP access technology; or, sending the non-access layer message through the 3GPP side when accessing the core network through non-3GPP; or, non-3GPP access uses the non-access layer message of the 3GPP side access; or, registering to the core network in a simplified access manner from the non-3GPP side; or, not using the non-access layer message when accessing the core network, and the access network element does not act as an agent to generate the non-access layer message; or, simplifying the access on the non-3GPP side; or, simplifying the access on the non-3GPP side; or, simplifying the access process on the non-3GPP side; or, simplifying the process of the non-3GPP side accessing the core network; or, the non-3GPP side and the 3GPP side share the non-access layer message on the 3GPP side.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending second indication information to an access and mobility management function network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate to omit a non-access stratum message on the non-3GPP side.

[0011] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the access and mobility management function network element can be instructed to omit the non-access stratum messages on the non-3GPP side, so that the access and mobility management function network element determines not to transmit the non-access stratum messages on the non-3GPP side, thereby simplifying the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first indication information or the second indication information includes a 5G globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal.

[0013] Based on the above possible implementation methods, if the first indication information includes the 5G globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal, the access network element may determine to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side based on the 5G globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal; if the second indication information includes the 5G globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal, the access network element may indicate to the access and mobility management function network element to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side through the 5G globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal.

[0014] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending the address of the first session to the first terminal.

[0015] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the access network element may send the address of the first session to the first terminal, so that after the first terminal obtains the address of the first session from the 3GPP side, the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link are bound to the first session based on the address of the first session, so that the first session has the function of a multi-access session, or so that the first terminal uses the address of the first session as the source address of data that needs to be transmitted through the first session.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a first request from the first terminal via a layer 2 link or a layer 3 link associated with the first session, the first request being used to request an address of the first session; and determining the address of the first session based on the layer 2 link or the layer 3 link.

[0017] Based on the above possible implementation manner, the address of the first terminal requesting the first session may be determined according to the layer 2 link or the layer 3 link.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a first request from the first terminal, the first request being used to request the address of the first session, the first request including at least one of the following: a first identifier of the first terminal, an identifier of the first session, or an address of the first session, the first identifier being an identifier obtained by the first terminal on a non-3GPP side; and determining the address of the first session based on the first request.

[0019] Based on the possible implementation manners described above, the address of the first session requested by the first terminal may be determined according to at least one of the first identifier of the first terminal, the identifier of the first session, or the address of the first session.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session, and sending the first data according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes: sending a first data packet, the first data packet including the first data, and the destination address of the first data packet is determined according to the context of the first session.

[0021] Based on the possible implementation manner described above, the address determined by the context of the first session may be used as the destination address of the first data packet, so that the first data packet is transmitted through the first session.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes information of the first channel, and sending the first data according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes: sending a first data packet, the first data packet including the first data, and the destination address of the first data packet is determined according to the information of the first channel.

[0023] Based on the possible implementation manner described above, the address determined by the information of the first channel may be used as the destination address of the first data packet, so that the first data packet is transmitted through the first session corresponding to the first channel.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: acquiring an address of the first session and information corresponding to the address of the first session.

[0025] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the address of the first session and the information corresponding to the address of the first session can be obtained, so that when the first data is received, the information corresponding to the address of the first session is found according to the address of the first session, and the first data is sent according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session, and the method also includes: receiving at least one of a first identifier or a third indication information of the first terminal from a session management function network element, the first identifier being an identifier obtained by the first terminal on a non-3GPP side, and the third indication information being used to determine not to allocate the first channel.

[0027] Based on the possible implementation manner described above, it may be determined not to allocate the first channel according to the first identifier or the third indication information of the first terminal.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the method is applied to a user plane functional network element.

[0029] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the access network element and the user plane function network element can be deployed on the same network element, or the user plane function network element has the function of the access network element, so as to simplify the network deployment method and reduce the network deployment cost.

[0030] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first terminal; or, it can also be executed by a module applied to the first terminal, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit; or, it can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first terminal, without limitation. For ease of description, the following is an example of execution by the first terminal. The method includes: receiving first information on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP side and first information on the non-3GPP side, and determining the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link corresponding to the first session according to the first information. Among them, the first information includes the address of the first session or the identifier of the first session, the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side, or the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the non-3GPP side.

[0031] Based on the method provided in the second aspect above, the first terminal can bind the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link for the first session based on the first information obtained from the 3GPP side and the first information obtained from the non-3GPP side, so that the first session has the function of a multi-access session to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side, for example, avoiding the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending first data to an access network element on the non-3GPP side, where a source address of the first data is an address of the first session.

[0033] Based on the above possible implementation, the access network element can associate the first data with the first session according to the source address of the first data. In this way, the first data can be transmitted on the non-3GPP side through the first session to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side, for example, to avoid the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate to omit a non-access stratum message on the non-3GPP side.

[0035] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the first terminal can indicate to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side. In the present application, omitting the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side can be understood as not using the non-access layer message when accessing the core network from the non-3GPP side; or, accessing the core network based on a simplified method through non-3GPP access technology; or, sending the non-access layer message through the 3GPP side when accessing the core network through non-3GPP; or, non-3GPP access uses the non-access layer message of the 3GPP side access; or, registering to the core network in a simplified access manner from the non-3GPP side; or, not using the non-access layer message when accessing the core network, and the access network element does not generate the non-access layer message on behalf of the non-3GPP side; or, simplifying the access on the non-3GPP side; or, simplifying the access on the non-3GPP side; or, simplifying the access process on the non-3GPP side; or, simplifying the process of the non-3GPP side accessing the core network; or, the non-3GPP side and the 3GPP side share the non-access layer message on the 3GPP side.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes the 5G globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal.

[0037] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side can be omitted by indicating the 5G globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the first information includes an address of the first session, and the method further includes: sending a first request through a layer 2 link or a layer 3 link associated with the first session, where the first request is used to request the address of the first session.

[0039] Based on the possible implementation manner described above, the network element that receives the first request may determine the address of the first terminal requesting the first session according to the layer 2 link or the layer 3 link.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the first information includes the address of the first session, and the method also includes: sending a first request, the first request is used to request the address of the first session, the first request includes at least one of the following: a first identifier of the first terminal, an identifier of the first session, or the address of the first session, the first identifier being an identifier obtained by the first terminal on the non-3GPP side.

[0041] Based on the possible implementation manner, the network element receiving the first request can determine the address of the first session requested by the first terminal according to at least one of the first identifier of the first terminal, the identifier of the first session, or the address of the first session.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: sending fourth indication information to the access and mobility management function network element, the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element function on the non-3GPP side are integrated, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0043] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the access and mobility management function network element can be instructed to unify the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side.

[0044] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access and mobility management function network element; or, it can also be executed by a module applied to the access and mobility management function network element, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit; or, it can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access and mobility management function network element, without limitation. For ease of description, the following is an example of execution by an access and mobility management function network element. The method includes: receiving second information from an access network element on a non-third generation partnership project 3GPP side, and determining, based on the second information, that a first terminal omits a non-access layer message when accessing a core network through a non-3GPP technology. The second information includes at least one of a second identifier of the first terminal or second indication information, the second identifier being an identifier obtained by the first terminal on the 3GPP side, and the second indication information being used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0045] Based on the method provided in the third aspect above, it can be determined according to the instruction of the access network element that the first terminal omits the non-access layer message when accessing the core network through the non-3GPP technology, so as to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: obtaining the context of the first terminal; storing identification information in the context of the first terminal according to the second information, the identification information being used to identify that the first terminal omits non-access layer messages when accessing the core network via non-3GPP technology.

[0047] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the omission of non-access stratum messages by the first terminal when accessing the core network through non-3GPP technology can be recorded in the context of the first terminal, so that the non-access stratum messages can be omitted when the first terminal accesses the core network through non-3GPP technology subsequently.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving fourth indication information from the first terminal, the fourth indication information being used to indicate that the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or the fourth indication information being used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0049] Based on the above possible implementation methods, it can be determined according to the indication of the first terminal that the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or it can be determined to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: sending fifth indication information to the session management function network element, the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or the fifth indication information is used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0051] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the session management function network element can be instructed to integrate the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side.

[0052] In a possible implementation manner, the access network element is a user plane function network element.

[0053] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the access network element and the user plane function network element can be deployed on the same network element, or the user plane function network element has the function of the access network element, so as to simplify the network deployment method and reduce the network deployment cost.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the second indication information includes a 5G globally unique temporary identifier.

[0055] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the 5G globally unique temporary identifier can be used to indicate the omission of non-access stratum messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0056] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a session management function network element; or, it can also be executed by a module applied to the session management function network element, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit; or, it can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the session management function, without limitation. For ease of description, the following is an example of execution by a session management function network element. The method includes: receiving a third request and a fifth indication information from an access and mobility management function network element, the third request being used to request the establishment of a first session, the fifth indication information being used to indicate that the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session is unified with the access network element function on the 3GPP side, or the fifth indication information being used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side; sending a fourth request to the user plane function network element, the fourth request being used to request the establishment of a second session.

[0057] Based on the method provided in the fourth aspect above, the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session can be determined to be integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side according to the indication of the access and mobility management function network element. The deployment method of integrating the user plane function network element with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side can simplify the network deployment method and reduce the network deployment cost. Alternatively, it can be determined to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side according to the indication of the access and mobility management function network element to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending third indication information to the user plane function network element, where the third indication information is used to determine not to allocate a first channel, where the first channel is a channel between the user plane function network element and the access network element.

[0059] Based on the possible implementation manner described above, the user plane functional network element may be instructed not to allocate the first channel to save transmission resources.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a first identifier of the first terminal from the access and mobility management function network element, where the first identifier is an identifier obtained by the first terminal on a non-3GPP side.

[0061] Based on the above possible implementation manner, the identifier obtained by the first terminal on the non-3GPP side may be obtained from the access and mobility management function network element, so as to send the identifier to the user plane function network element.

[0062] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending the first identifier to the user plane function network element.

[0063] Based on the above possible implementation, the identifier obtained by the first terminal on the non-3GPP side may be sent to the user plane function network element, so that the user plane function network element determines the correspondence between the non-3GPP link corresponding to the identifier and the context of the second session. Since the context of the second session corresponds to the context of the first session, the user plane function network element can establish the correspondence between the non-3GPP link corresponding to the identifier and the context of the first session.

[0064] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a user plane function network element; or, it can also be executed by a module applied to the user plane function network element, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit; or, it can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the user plane function, without limitation. For ease of description, the following is an example of execution by a user plane function network element. The method includes: receiving a fourth request from a session management function network element for requesting to establish a second session and a third indication information for determining not to allocate the first channel, and establishing a second session. Among them, the second session is a session between the session management function network element and the user plane function network element, and the first channel is a channel between the user plane function network element and the access network element on the 3GPP side.

[0065] Based on the method provided in the fifth aspect above, the user plane function network element may establish a second session according to the request of the session management function network element, and determine not to allocate the first channel according to the instruction of the session management function network element to save transmission resources.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving an identifier of a first session from the session management function network element, where the first session is a session between the user plane function network element and the first terminal; and determining that the first session corresponds to the second session.

[0067] Based on the possible implementation manners described above, the first session may be associated with the second session.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a first identifier of a first terminal from the session management function network element, the first identifier being an identifier obtained by the first terminal on the non-3GPP side; and determining, based on the first identifier, a correspondence between a non-3GPP link corresponding to the first identifier and the context of the second session.

[0069] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the user plane function network element can establish a corresponding relationship between the non-3GPP link corresponding to the first identifier and the context of the second session. Since the context of the second session corresponds to the context of the first session. Therefore, the user plane function network element can establish a corresponding relationship between the non-3GPP link corresponding to the first identifier and the context of the first session.

[0070] In the sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second terminal; or, it can also be executed by a module applied to the second terminal, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit; or, it can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second terminal, without limitation. For the convenience of description, the following is an example of execution by the second terminal. The method includes: receiving a 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal from an application function network element, and sending a sixth indication message to an access network element on the non-3GPP side according to the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal. Among them, the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal is an identifier assigned by the core network to the second terminal, and the sixth indication message is used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0071] Based on the method provided in the sixth aspect above, the second terminal can obtain the identifier allocated by the core network to the second terminal from the application function network element, and instruct the access network element to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side according to the identifier, so as to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side.

[0072] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending a fifth request to the application function network element, where the fifth request is used to request the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal, and the fifth request includes the device identifier of the second terminal.

[0073] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the second terminal can request the core network to allocate an identifier for the second terminal from the application function network element, and carry the device identifier of the second terminal in the request message, so that the application function network element can query the identifier allocated by the core network to the second terminal according to the device identifier of the second terminal.

[0074] In a possible implementation manner, the access network element is a user plane function network element.

[0075] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the access network element and the user plane function network element can be deployed on the same network element, or the user plane function network element has the function of the access network element, so as to simplify the network deployment method and reduce the network deployment cost.

[0076] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving an identifier of the user plane function network element from the application function network element.

[0077] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the second terminal can obtain the identifier of the user plane function network element from the application function network element, so that the second terminal can initiate an Internet Protocol security connection establishment process to the user plane function network element.

[0078] In the seventh aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an application function network element; or, it can also be executed by a module applied in the application function network element, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit; or, it can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the application function network element function, without limitation. For the convenience of description, the following is an example of execution by an application function network element. The method includes: receiving a device identifier of a second terminal from a second terminal and a third identifier of a first terminal; sending a sixth request, the sixth request is used to request allocation of a 3GPP side identifier for the second terminal, the sixth request including the device identifier and the third identifier; receiving the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal.

[0079] Based on the method provided in the seventh aspect above, the application function network element may request an identifier on the 3GPP side for the second terminal so that the second terminal can access the core network.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a fifth request from the second terminal, the fifth request being used to request a 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal, the fifth request including a device identifier of the second terminal; and sending the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the second terminal.

[0081] Based on the above possible implementations, the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal may be sent to the second terminal based on the request of the second terminal. It can be understood that the device identifier of the second terminal may be used by the application function network element to query the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal.

[0082] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: obtaining an identifier of a user plane functional network element.

[0083] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the application function network element can also obtain the identifier of the user plane function network element to send it to the second terminal, so that the second terminal can initiate the Internet Protocol security connection establishment process to the user plane function network element.

[0084] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending an identifier of the user plane function network element to the second terminal.

[0085] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the application function network element can send the identifier of the user plane function network element to the second terminal, so that the second terminal can initiate an Internet Protocol security connection establishment process to the user plane function network element.

[0086] In a possible implementation manner, the user plane function network element is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side.

[0087] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the network deployment method can be simplified and the network deployment cost can be reduced.

[0088] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending, to the second terminal, an identifier of an access network element on the non-3GPP side corresponding to the second terminal.

[0089] Based on the above possible implementation manner, the access network element on the non-3GPP side may be indicated to the second terminal, so that the second terminal accesses the access network element.

[0090] In an eighth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access and mobility management function network element; or, it can also be executed by a module applied to the access and mobility management function network element, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit; or, it can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access and mobility management function network element, without limitation. For ease of description, the following is an example of execution by an access and mobility management function network element. The method includes: obtaining a permanent identity identifier of a first terminal and a device identifier of a second terminal; sending a 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal, the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal being an identifier assigned by the core network to the second terminal.

[0091] Based on the method provided in the eighth aspect above, a 3GPP side identifier can be allocated to the second terminal according to the permanent identity identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal, so that the second terminal can access the core network according to the allocated 3GPP side identifier.

[0092] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: acquiring the context of the first terminal according to the permanent identity of the first terminal; and storing the non-3GPP side identifier of the second terminal and / or the device identifier of the second terminal in the context of the first terminal.

[0093] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the context of the first terminal can be queried based on the permanent identity of the first terminal, and the non-3GPP side identifier of the second terminal and / or the device identifier of the second terminal can be stored in the context of the first terminal, so that the context of the first terminal can be subsequently found through the non-3GPP side identifier of the second terminal and / or the device identifier of the second terminal.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving fifth information from an access network element on the non-3GPP side, the fifth information including at least one of a 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal or seventh indication information, the seventh indication information being used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side; and determining, based on the fifth information, that the second terminal omits non-access layer messages when accessing the core network via non-3GPP technology.

[0095] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the 3GPP side identifier or the seventh indication information of the second terminal can be used to determine that the second terminal omits the non-access layer message when accessing the core network through non-3GPP technology to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side.

[0096] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: obtaining the context of the first terminal; storing identification information in the context of the first terminal according to the fifth information, the identification information being used to identify that the second terminal omits non-access layer messages when accessing the core network via non-3GPP technology.

[0097] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the omission of non-access stratum messages by the second terminal when accessing the core network through non-3GPP technology can be recorded in the context of the first terminal, so that the non-access stratum messages can be omitted when the second terminal subsequently accesses the core network through non-3GPP technology.

[0098] In a possible implementation manner, the access network element is a user plane function network element.

[0099] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the access network element and the user plane function network element can be deployed on the same network element, or the user plane function network element has the function of the access network element, so as to simplify the network deployment method and reduce the network deployment cost.

[0100] In one possible implementation, the seventh indication information includes a 5G globally unique temporary identifier.

[0101] Based on the above possible implementation methods, the 5G globally unique temporary identifier can be used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0102] In the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the above method. The communication device may be the access network element in the above first aspect, or a device including the above access network element, or a module in the access network element in the above first aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the access network element; or, the communication device may be the second terminal in the above second aspect, or a device including the above second terminal, or a module in the second terminal in the above second aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the second terminal; or, the communication device may be the access and mobility management in the above third aspect. Functional network element, or a device including the above-mentioned access and mobility management functional network element, or a module in the access and mobility management functional network element in the third aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the access and mobility management functional network element; or, the communication device can be the session management functional network element in the fourth aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned session management functional network element, or a module in the session management functional network element in the fourth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the session management functional network element; or, The communication device may be the user plane function network element in the fifth aspect, or a device including the user plane function network element, or a module in the user plane function network element in the fifth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the user plane function network element; or, the communication device may be the second terminal in the sixth aspect, or a device including the second terminal, or a module in the second terminal in the sixth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the second terminal; or, the communication device may be the seventh aspect. The application function network element in the aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned application function network element, or a module in the application function network element in the seventh aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the application function network element; or, the communication device can be the access and mobility management function network element in the eighth aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned access and mobility management function network element, or a module in the access and mobility management function network element in the eighth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the access and mobility management function network element.The communication device includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0103] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication device may include an interface module. The interface module, which may also be referred to as an interface unit, is used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The interface module may be composed of an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface.

[0104] In combination with the ninth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the interface module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0105] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a processing module. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The processing module can be, for example, a processor.

[0106] In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor; the processor is used to couple with a memory, and after reading the instruction in the memory, execute the method as described in any of the above aspects according to the instruction. The communication device can be the access network element in the above first aspect, or a device including the above access network element, or a module in the access network element in the above first aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the access network element; or, the communication device can be the second terminal in the above second aspect, or a device including the above second terminal, or a module in the second terminal in the above second aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the second terminal; or, the communication device can be the access and mobility management in the above third aspect. Functional network element, or a device including the above-mentioned access and mobility management functional network element, or a module in the access and mobility management functional network element in the third aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the access and mobility management functional network element; or, the communication device can be the session management functional network element in the fourth aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned session management functional network element, or a module in the session management functional network element in the fourth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the session management functional network element; or, The communication device may be the user plane function network element in the fifth aspect, or a device including the user plane function network element, or a module in the user plane function network element in the fifth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the user plane function network element; or, the communication device may be the second terminal in the sixth aspect, or a device including the second terminal, or a module in the second terminal in the sixth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the second terminal; or, the communication device may be the seventh aspect. The application function network element in the aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned application function network element, or a module in the application function network element in the seventh aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the application function network element; or, the communication device can be the access and mobility management function network element in the eighth aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned access and mobility management function network element, or a module in the access and mobility management function network element in the eighth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the access and mobility management function network element.

[0107] In combination with the tenth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the communication device also includes a memory, which is used to store necessary program instructions and data.

[0108] In conjunction with the tenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0109] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is used to receive a computer program or instruction and transmit it to the processor; the processor is used to execute the computer program or instruction so that the communication device executes the method described in any of the above aspects.The communication device may be the access network element in the first aspect, or a device including the access network element, or a module in the access network element in the first aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the access network element; or, the communication device may be the second terminal in the second aspect, or a device including the second terminal, or a module in the second terminal in the second aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the second terminal; or, the communication device may be the access and mobility management in the third aspect. Functional network element, or a device including the above-mentioned access and mobility management functional network element, or a module in the access and mobility management functional network element in the third aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the access and mobility management functional network element; or, the communication device can be the session management functional network element in the fourth aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned session management functional network element, or a module in the session management functional network element in the fourth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the session management functional network element; or, The communication device may be the user plane function network element in the fifth aspect, or a device including the user plane function network element, or a module in the user plane function network element in the fifth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the user plane function network element; or, the communication device may be the second terminal in the sixth aspect, or a device including the second terminal, or a module in the second terminal in the sixth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or a software implementation that can implement some or all of the functions of the second terminal; or, the communication device may be the seventh aspect. The application function network element in the aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned application function network element, or a module in the application function network element in the seventh aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the application function network element; or, the communication device can be the access and mobility management function network element in the eighth aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned access and mobility management function network element, or a module in the access and mobility management function network element in the eighth aspect, such as a chip, a chip system or a circuit, or a logical node, a logical module or software implementation that can realize part or all of the functions of the access and mobility management function network element.

[0110] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. Optionally, when the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0111] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer can execute the method described in any one of the above aspects.

[0112] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in any one of the above aspects.

[0113] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes an access network element for executing the method described in the first aspect and a first terminal for executing the method described in the second aspect.

[0114] In combination with the above-mentioned fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication system also includes an access and mobility management function network element for executing the method described in the above-mentioned third aspect.

[0115] In combination with the above-mentioned fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation method, the communication system also includes a session management function network element for executing the method described in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and a user plane function network element for executing the method described in the above-mentioned fifth aspect.

[0116] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes an application function network element for executing the method described in the seventh aspect and an access and mobility management function network element for executing the method described in the eighth aspect.

[0117] In combination with the above-mentioned fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the communication system also includes a second terminal for executing the method described in the above-mentioned sixth aspect.

[0118] In the sixteenth aspect, a communication method is provided, which takes an access network element and an access and mobility management function network element as an example of the execution subject of the interaction illustration to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction illustration. For example, the access network element in the method may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the access network element to implement the method, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the access network element functions; the access and mobility management function network element in the method may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the access and mobility management function network element to implement the method, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the access and mobility management function network element functions. The method includes: an access and mobility management function network element sends an address of a first session and information of a first channel corresponding to the first session to an access network element on a non-3GPP side, wherein the address of the first session is an IP address of the first session on the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side, or the address of the first session is an IP address of the first session on the non-3GPP side; the access network element receives the address of the first session and the information of the first channel from the access and mobility management function network element; the access network element receives first data from a first terminal, wherein a source address of the first data is the address of the first session; and the access network element sends the first data according to the information of the first channel, wherein the information of the first channel is determined according to the address of the first session.

[0119] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the access network element receiving first indication information from the first terminal, where the first indication information is used to indicate to omit non-access stratum messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0120] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: the access network element sends second information to the access and mobility management function network element, the second information includes at least one of a second identifier or second indication information of the first terminal, the second identifier is an identifier obtained by the first terminal on the 3GPP side, and the second indication information is used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side; the access and mobility management function network element receives the second information from the access network element.

[0121] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: the access and mobility management function network element obtains the context of the first terminal; the access and mobility management function network element stores identification information in the context of the first terminal according to the second information, and the identification information is used to identify that the first terminal omits non-access layer messages when accessing the core network through non-3GPP technology.

[0122] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes the 5G globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal.

[0123] In a possible implementation, the access network element sends the first data according to the information of the first channel, including: the access network element sends a first data packet to the user plane function network element, the first data packet includes the first data, and the destination address of the first data packet is determined according to the information of the first channel.

[0124] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any possible implementation method in the ninth to sixteenth aspects can be referred to the technical effects brought about by any aspect in the first to eighth aspects or different possible implementation methods in any aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0125] It can be understood that, under the premise that the solutions are not contradictory, the solutions in each aspect can be combined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0126] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of the communication system architecture provided for this application;

[0127] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the terminal 102, the RAN node 104 and the core network 103 provided in this application;

[0128] Figure 1C A schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the terminal 102, the access network element 101 and the core network 103 provided in this application;

[0129] Figure 1D The network architecture provided for this application;

[0130] Figure 1E A schematic diagram of a multi-access session provided for this application;

[0131] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the communication device provided in this application;

[0132] Figure 3 Flow chart 1 of the communication method provided in this application;

[0133] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application Figure 2 ;

[0134] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application Figure 3 ;

[0135] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application Figure 4 ;

[0136] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application Figure 5 ;

[0137] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application Figure 6 ;

[0138] Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application Figure 7 ;

[0139] Fig.10 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this application Figure 8 ;

[0140] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0141] The implementation methods of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0142] The method provided in the present application can be used in various communication systems. For example, the communication system can be a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a fifth generation (5G) communication system, a 3GPP-related communication system, a future evolution communication system (such as a sixth generation (6G) communication system, etc.), or a system integrating multiple systems, etc., without limitation. Among them, 5G can also be called new radio (NR). The following is a description of the method provided in the present application. Figure 1A The method provided in the present application is described by taking the communication system 10 as an example. Figure 1A It is only a schematic diagram and does not constitute a limitation on the applicable scenarios of the technical solution provided in this application.

[0143] like Figure 1A , which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 10 provided in the present application. Figure 1A In the communication system 10, the communication system 10 may include one or more access network elements 101 ( Figure 1A Only one is shown in the figure. For simplicity, the “access network element on the non-3GPP side” is abbreviated as “access network element” below) and a terminal 102 that can communicate with the access network element 101. Optionally, the communication system 10 also includes at least one of the following: a core network 103 that can communicate with the access network element 101, and one or more radio access network (RAN) nodes 104 that can communicate with the core network 103 and the terminal 102. Figure 1AOnly one is shown) or a terminal 105 that can communicate with the access network element 101.

[0144] exist Figure 1A In the embodiment, the terminal 102 / terminal 105 can be connected to the access network element 101 by wireless or wired means. The access network element 101 can be connected to the core network 103 by wireless or wired means. The terminal 102 can also be connected to the RAN node 104 by wireless means. The RAN node 104 can be connected to the core network 103 by wireless or wired means. The difference is that the communication technology supported between the terminal 102, the access network element 101 and the core network 103 is different from the communication technology supported between the terminal 102, the RAN node 104 and the core network 103. For example, the terminal 102, the access network element 101 and the core network 103 communicate through non-3GPP access technology. The terminal 102, the RAN node 104 and the core network 103 communicate through 3GPP access technology. That is, the communication system 10 not only supports 3GPP access technology, but also supports non-3GPP access technology.

[0145] In this application, 3GPP access technology can be understood as wireless technology defined by the 3GPP standard group, including but not limited to: 2G access technology, 3G access technology, 4G access technology, 5G access technology or future evolution 3GPP access technology (such as 6G access technology). Non-3GPP access technology can be understood as communication technology other than 3GPP access technology, including but not limited to: wireless local area network (WLAN) access technology, trusted WAN access technology, untrusted WAN access technology, wired access technology, fixed network access technology or home network access technology. It can be understood that WLAN access technology corresponds to WLAN access points (AP) deployed in the park, or WLAN AP hotspots deployed in public places, and wired access technology corresponds to wired communication deployed in the home network. The above-mentioned trusted WAN access technology can also be called trusted non-3GPP access technology, and the above-mentioned untrusted WAN access technology can also be called untrusted non-3GPP access technology.

[0146] For example, taking 5G access technology as an example, the connection relationship between the terminal 102, the RAN node 104 and the core network 103 can be as follows: Figure 1B shown. Figure 1B The user equipment (UE) in the embodiment corresponds to the terminal 102. Figure 1B The (R)AN in FIG. 1 corresponds to the above-mentioned RAN node 104. Figure 1BIn the embodiment, the core network (corresponding to the core network 103) includes a user plane function (UPF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, a network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, a network exposure function (NEF) network element, a network function storage function (NRF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, a unified data management (UDM) network element, an application function (AF) network element, etc. It can be understood that in this example, the core network is a 5G core network (5G core, 5GC).

[0147] Understandably, in Figure 1B In the 5G network, UE can access the 5G network through (R)AN, UE communicates with AMF network element through N1 interface (referred to as N1); (R)AN communicates with AMF network element through N2 interface (referred to as N2); (R)AN communicates with UPF network element through N3 interface (referred to as N3); SMF network element communicates with UPF network element through N4 interface (referred to as N4); UPF network element accesses data network (DN) through N6 interface (referred to as N6). In addition, Figure 1BThe control plane network elements shown, such as the AUSF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, NSSF network element, NEF network element, NRF network element, PCF network element, UDM network element or AF network element, can interact with each other using service-oriented interfaces. For example, the service-oriented interface provided by the AUSF network element to the outside may be Nausf; the service-oriented interface provided by the AMF network element to the outside may be Namf; the service-oriented interface provided by the SMF network element to the outside may be Nsmf; the service-oriented interface provided by the NSSF network element to the outside may be Nnssf; the service-oriented interface provided by the NEF network element to the outside may be Nnef; the service-oriented interface provided by the NRF network element to the outside may be Nnrf; the service-oriented interface provided by the PCF network element to the outside may be Npcf; the service-oriented interface provided by the UDM network element to the outside may be Nudm; and the service-oriented interface provided by the AF network element to the outside may be Naf.

[0148] For example, taking the untrusted non-3GPP access technology as an example, the connection relationship between the terminal 102, the access network element 101 and the core network 103 can be as follows: Figure 1C shown. Figure 1C The UE in corresponds to the above terminal 102, Figure 1C The non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) network element in the access network element 101 corresponds to the access network element 101. Figure 1C In the embodiment, the core network (corresponding to the above core network 103) includes AMF network elements, SMF and UPF network elements. The network elements in the core network and the N3IWF network elements are located in the home public land mobile network (HPLMN). The UE can communicate with the core network through untrusted non-3GPP access technology. For example: the UE can communicate with an untrusted non-3GPP access point through the Y1 interface (referred to as Y1); the untrusted non-3GPP access point can communicate with the N3IWF network element through the Y2 interface (referred to as Y2); the N3IWF network element can communicate with the AMF network element through the N2 interface (referred to as N2), and communicate with the UPF network element through the N3 interface (referred to as N3). In addition, the SMF network element communicates with the UPF network element through the N4 interface (referred to as N4); the UPF network element accesses the DN through the N6 interface (referred to as N6).

[0149] It is understandable that in addition to the untrusted non-3GPP access technology, the terminal can also communicate with the core network through the trusted non-3GPP access technology or wired access technology. The network architecture of the terminal communicating with the core network through the trusted non-3GPP access technology is similar to Figure 1C The network architecture shown is similar to that shown in Figure 1C Replace the untrusted non-3GPP access in the network with a trusted non-3GPP access or with a wired access. Figure 1C The N3IWF network element in the network is replaced by a trusted non-3GPP access network element, such as a trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF) network element, or replaced by a wired network access network element, such as a wireline access gateway function (W-AGF) network element.

[0150] It is understandable that whether communicating with the core network through a trusted non-3GPP access technology, an untrusted non-3GPP access technology, or a wired access technology, the situation on the core network side can be as follows: Figure 1C The interface protocol is shown as point-to-point, or it can be Figure 1B The figure shows that the 3GPP access core network architecture consistently adopts service-oriented interfaces.

[0151] In a possible implementation, the communication system 10 may be applied to Figure 1D In the network architecture shown. Figure 1D The network architecture shown includes: an access network element 101, a terminal 102 that can communicate with the access network element 101, a RAN node 104 that can communicate with the terminal 102, and a core network that can communicate with the access network element 101 and the RAN node 104. The core network includes a UPF network element 107, an AMF network element 108, and an SMF network element 109. Optionally, the core network also includes an NEF network element 110, an NRF network element 111, a PCF network element 112, a UDM network element 113, and an AF network element 114. Optionally, Figure 1D The network architecture shown also includes a terminal 105 that can communicate with the access network element 101. Optionally, the terminal 102 and the access network element 101, and the terminal 105 and the access network element 101 can communicate through an access device 106 (for example, a WLAN access point, a trusted WLAN access point (TWAP), a fixed access network (FAN), a switch or a router, etc.). Optionally, the access network element 101 and the UPF network element 107 can be deployed in one device, such as deployed on the first network element 115, to simplify the implementation on the network side and reduce the network deployment cost. The device has both the functions of the access network element 101 and the functions of the UPF network element 107. In addition, the present application does not limit the name of the device. For example, the device can be named with the name of the access network element, or can be named with the name of the UPF network element, or can be named with a new name (for example, named as the first network element), etc.

[0152] Understandably, the above Figures 1B to 1DThe core network shown is only exemplary. In a specific application, the core network may include Figure 1B , Figure 1C or Figure 1D More or fewer network elements are shown without limitation.

[0153] The above exemplary introductions are given to the communication systems and network architectures to which the method provided by the present application can be applied. It should be understood that, in specific applications, the communication systems or network architectures to which the method provided by the present application can be applied are not limited to the above examples. In order to better understand the method provided by the present application, the nodes, devices or network elements involved in the above communication systems and network architectures are introduced below.

[0154] The access network element in this application, such as the access network element 101, can communicate with the terminal through non-3GPP access technology. For example, the access network element is an N3IWF network element, a TNGF network element, a trusted WLAN interworking function (TWIF) or a W-AGF network element. It can be understood that when a trusted WLAN access technology is adopted, the access network element can be replaced by a TWIF network element or a TNGF network element; when a non-trusted WLAN access technology is adopted, the access network element can be replaced by an N3IWF network element; when a wired access technology is adopted, the access network element can be replaced by a W-AGF.

[0155] The RAN node in the present application, such as the RAN node 104, can communicate with the terminal through the 3GPP access technology, and is mainly responsible for the functions of wireless resource management, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption on the air interface side. For example, the RAN node may include 5G, such as the gNB in ​​the NR system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of the base station in 5G, or it may also be a network node constituting a gNB, a transmission point (transmission and reception point, TRP or transmission point, TP) or a transmission measurement function (transmission measurement function, TMF), such as a baseband unit (building base band unit, BBU), or a centralized unit (centralized unit, CU) or a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU) or a road side unit (road side unit, RSU) with base station function. Alternatively, the RAN node may include an evolved NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB in LTE, an evolved Node B in the next generation LTE (next generation eNB, ng-eNB), a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations or access points, etc. Alternatively, the RAN node may include an access network device of a next generation mobile communication system (such as a 6G communication system), such as a 6G base station. In the present application, the RAN node may be replaced by a RAN device, an access network device, a wireless access network device or a wireless access device, etc.

[0156] The terminal in the present application, such as terminal 102 or terminal 105, is a device with wireless / wired communication function. For example, the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors, outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.). The terminal can also be called a terminal device, and the terminal device can be a UE, wherein the UE includes a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device or a computing device with a wireless communication function. Exemplarily, the UE can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a customer premises equipment (CPE) or a computer with a wireless transceiver function. The terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc.

[0157] As an example but not limitation, in the present application, the terminal may be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be referred to as wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. For example, a wearable device is not just a hardware device, but also a device that realizes powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include devices that are fully functional, large in size, and can realize complete or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as devices that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various types of smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0158] In the present application, the terminal may be a terminal in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. The terminal in the present application may be a terminal in machine type communication (MTC). The terminal of the present application may be an on-board module, on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip or on-board unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle may implement the method of the present application through the built-in on-board module, on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip or on-board unit.

[0159] As an example, terminal 102 has the ability to access the core network through 3GPP access technology, and terminal 105 does not have the ability to access the core network through 3GPP access technology. For example, terminal 102 is a mobile phone or a phone watch, and terminal 105 is a tablet computer or a terminal in an IoT system that does not have the ability to access the core network through 3GPP access technology.

[0160] In this application, the core network is mainly responsible for maintaining the subscription data of the mobile network and providing functions such as session management, mobility management, policy management and security authentication for the terminal. The core network includes UPF network elements and control plane function (CPF) network elements. Optionally, the UPF network element is mainly responsible for user data processing (such as forwarding, receiving, quality of service (QoS) control or billing information statistics, etc.). For example, the UPF network element can receive user data from the DN and forward the user data to the terminal through the RAN node or access network element. The UPF network element can also receive user data from the terminal through the RAN node or access network element, and forward the user data to the DN. DN can provide data transmission services for users. For example, mobile operator services, Internet services or third-party services can be provided. The CPF network element is mainly responsible for user registration and authentication, mobility management, and issuing data packet forwarding policies, QoS control policies, etc. to the user plane (such as UPF). The CPF network element may include at least one of the following: AUSF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, NSSF network element, NEF network element, NRF network element, PCF network element, UDM network element or AF network element. The functions of these network elements are introduced below.

[0161] Optionally, the AUSF network element is mainly used to perform terminal security authentication, such as authenticating the terminal and determining the legitimacy of the terminal.

[0162] Optionally, the AMF network element is mainly used for mobility management in mobile networks, such as user location update, user network registration, user switching, etc.

[0163] Optionally, the SMF network element is mainly used for session management in mobile networks. For example, session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to users, selecting UPFs that provide message forwarding functions, and sending data packet forwarding policies and QoS policies to UPF network elements based on the interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element.

[0164] Optionally, the PCF network element mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, providing policy rules to the control layer network function, and is responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions. The PCF network element can provide policies to the AMF network element and SMF network element, such as QoS policy, slice selection policy, etc.

[0165] Optionally, the NSSF network element is mainly used to select network slices for terminals.

[0166] Optionally, the NEF network element is mainly used to support the opening of capabilities and events.

[0167] Optionally, the UDM network element is mainly used to store user data, such as contract data, authentication / authorization data, etc.

[0168] Optionally, the AF network element mainly supports interaction with the core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, providing some third-party services to the network side, or sending application-related requirements to the PCF network element, so that the PCF network element generates corresponding policies.

[0169] Understandably, Figure 1A The communication system shown or Figure 1D The network architecture shown supports wireless technology access defined by the 3GPP standard group, and supports non-3GPP access technologies to access the core network through access network elements on the non-3GPP side. Figure 1A The communication system shown or Figure 1D The network architecture shown supports the establishment of multi-access sessions, for example, supports the establishment of multi-access protocol data unit (PDU) sessions (mti-access PDU sessions, MA-PDU). It should be understood that a multi-access PDU session is relative to a single-access PDU session. A single-access PDU session can be understood as a PDU session that accesses a UPF network element through one access technology, and a multi-access PDU session can be understood as a PDU session that accesses a UPF network element through two or more access technologies.

[0170] For example, Figure 1E As shown in FIG. 1 , a schematic diagram of a multi-access PDU session is shown. Figure 1E In the present invention, PDU session 1 can support two access technologies, that is, PDU session 1 can be accessed through access technology 1 and / or access technology 2. Therefore, PDU session 1 can also be called a multi-access PDU session. Among them, access technology 1 is the access on the 3GPP side, including 3GPP access, LTE access or 5GRAN access, etc. Access technology 2 is the access on the non-3GPP side, including non-3GPP access, trusted non3GPP access, untrusted non-3GPP access, WLAN access or fixed network access, etc.

[0171] It can be understood that the multi-access PDU session can realize the movement of service flows between different access technologies based on the multipath transport control protocol (MPTCP). For example, in the process of establishing a multi-access PDU session, the network side can send diversion strategies, diversion functions and other strategies to the terminal. Subsequently, the terminal can transmit the service flow in multiple links based on the above strategies to improve link reliability or increase bandwidth.

[0172] However, the premise of implementing multi-access sessions is that the terminal supports access from the non-3GPP side, that is, the terminal supports access to the core network through the non-3GPP side. If the terminal wants to support access to the core network through the non-3GPP side, it needs to support the transmission of non-access stratum (NAS) messages on the non-3GPP side.

[0173] In order to enable a terminal, such as a terminal that does not support access to a core network from a non-3GPP side, to use multiple access sessions, the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a first terminal receives first information from a 3GPP side and a non-3GPP side, and determines the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link corresponding to the first session according to the first information. The first information includes the address of the first session or the identifier of the first session; the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side, or the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the non-3GPP side. Afterwards, the first terminal sends first data whose source address is the address of the first session to the access network element on the non-3GPP side. Accordingly, the access network element receives the first data and sends the first data according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session. The information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session or the information of the first channel corresponding to the first session; the first channel is the channel between the access network element and the UPF network element.

[0174] It can be understood that in the above method, the first terminal can bind the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link for the first session based on the first information obtained from the 3GPP side and the first information obtained from the non-3GPP side, so that the first session has the function of a multi-access session to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side. For example, the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side can be avoided. For the access network element, after receiving the first data from the first terminal, it can associate the first session with the first data according to the address of the first session. In this way, the first data can be transmitted on the non-3GPP side through the first session to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side of the first terminal. For example, the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side can be avoided. Therefore, the method can realize multi-access sessions when the first terminal does not support access to the core network from the non-3GPP side. The method will be described in the following Figures 3 to 6 The method shown is described in detail.

[0175] It can be understood that the above method introduces the process of implementing a multi-access session by a first terminal through a simplified access method. In the above method, the terminal corresponding to the multi-access session on the 3GPP side and the terminal corresponding to the non-3GPP side are the same terminal. However, in a specific application, the terminal corresponding to the multi-access session on the 3GPP side and the terminal corresponding to the non-3GPP side may be different. That is: the multi-access session corresponds to one terminal on the 3GPP side, and the multi-access session corresponds to another terminal on the non-3GPP side. In this way, one of the terminals can trigger the establishment process of the multi-access session to assist another terminal in accessing the core network. For example, a terminal with core network access capability triggers the establishment process of the multi-access session to assist a terminal without core network access capability to access the core network through a non-3GPP access technology. In addition, this method can also implement multi-access sessions. Specifically, the method includes: the first terminal receives the address information of the third session on the 3GPP side, and the second terminal receives the identifier of the third session on the non-3GPP side. Among them, the address information of the third session includes the IP address of the third session on the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side.

[0176] It can be understood that in this method, the first terminal receives the address information of the third session on the 3GPP side, so that the third session can be bound to the first terminal, and the second terminal receives the identifier of the third session on the non-3GPP side, so that the third session can be bound to the second terminal. Therefore, the third session can be bound to the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link, that is, the third session has the function of multi-access session. In addition, since the terminal corresponding to the third session on the 3GPP side is different from the terminal corresponding to the non-3GPP side, one of the terminals can assist the other terminal in accessing the core network. For example, the first terminal can assist the second terminal in accessing the core network through the non-3GPP access technology. The method will be described in the following Figures 7 to 10The method shown is described in detail.

[0177] Understandably, Figures 1A to 1D The communication system or network architecture shown is only used as an example and is not used to limit the technical solution of the present application. Those skilled in the art should understand that in the specific implementation process, the above communication system or the above network architecture may also include other devices, and the number of access network elements, terminals, AMF network elements, UPF network elements, AF network elements, SMF network elements or RAN nodes, etc. may also be determined according to specific needs without limitation.

[0178] Optional, this application Figures 1A to 1D Each network element or device (such as access network element, terminal, AMF network element, UPF network element, AF network element, SMF network element or RAN node, etc.) can also be referred to as a communication device, which can be a general device or a special device, and this application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0179] Optional, this application Figures 1A to 1D The relevant functions of each network element or device (such as access network element, terminal, AMF network element, UPF network element, AF network element, SMF network element or RAN node, etc.) in the network can be implemented by one device, or by multiple devices together, or by one or more functional modules in one device, and this application does not make specific restrictions on this. It can be understood that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform).

[0180] In specific implementation, this application Figures 1A to 1D Each network element or device in the network (such as access network element, terminal, AMF network element, UPF network element, AF network element, SMF network element or RAN node, etc.) can use Figure 2 The structure shown, or including Figure 2 Parts shown. Figure 2 The hardware structure diagram of the communication device applicable to the present application is shown. The communication device 20 includes at least one processor 201 and at least one communication interface 204, which are used to implement the method provided by the present application. The communication device 20 may also include a communication line 202 and a memory 203.

[0181] The processor 201 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0182] The communication link 202 may include a path to transmit information between the above-mentioned components, such as a bus.

[0183] The communication interface 204 is used to communicate with other devices or communication networks. The communication interface 204 can be any transceiver-like device, such as an Ethernet interface, a radio access network (RAN) interface, a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface, a transceiver, a pin, a bus, an interface circuit, or a transceiver circuit.

[0184] The memory 203 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be coupled to the processor 201 via the communication line 202. The memory 203 may also be integrated with the processor 201. The memory provided in the present application may generally be non-volatile.

[0185] Among them, the memory 203 is used to store the computer execution instructions involved in executing the solution provided by this application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 201. The processor 201 is used to execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 203, so as to implement the method provided by this application. Alternatively, optionally, in this application, the processor 201 may also perform the processing-related functions in the method provided below in this application, and the communication interface 204 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in this application.

[0186] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the present application.

[0187] The coupling in this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules.

[0188] As an embodiment, the processor 201 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 2 CPU0 and CPU1 in.

[0189] As an embodiment, the communication device 20 may include multiple processors, such as Figure 2 201 and processor 207 in the embodiment of the present invention. Each of these processors may be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0190] As an embodiment, the communication device 20 may further include an output device 205 and / or an input device 206. The output device 205 is coupled to the processor 201 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 205 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 206 is coupled to the processor 201 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 206 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0191] Understandably, Figure 2 The structure shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, except Figure 2 In addition to the components shown, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0192] The method provided by the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Each network element in the following embodiments may have Figure 2 The parts shown are not described in detail.

[0193] It is understood that in this application, "transmission" can be understood as sending and / or receiving according to the specific context. "Transmission" can be a noun or a verb. When the execution subject of the action is not emphasized, "transmission" is often used instead of sending and / or receiving. For example, the phrase "transmitting data" can be understood as "sending data" from the perspective of the data sending end, and can be understood as "receiving data" from the perspective of the data receiving end.

[0194] It can be understood that the message names between the network elements or the names of the parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are merely examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations, and the present application does not impose any specific limitation on this.

[0195] It is understandable that in the present application, " / " can indicate that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can indicate A or B; "and / or" can be used to describe that there are three relationships between the associated objects, for example, A and / or B can indicate: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, expressions similar to "at least one of A, B and C" or "at least one of A, B or C" are usually used to indicate any of the following: A exists alone; B exists alone; C exists alone; A and B exist at the same time; A and C exist at the same time; B and C exist at the same time; A, B and C exist at the same time. The above uses A, B and C as an example to illustrate the optional items of the item. When there are more elements in the expression, the meaning of the expression can be obtained according to the above rules.

[0196] In order to facilitate the description of the technical solution of the present application, in the present application, words such as "first" and "second" may be used to distinguish between technical features with the same or similar functions. The words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit them to be different. In the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations, and any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0197] It is understood that the "embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments in the entire specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It is understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the present application.

[0198] It can be understood that in the present application, "when", "if" and "if" all mean that corresponding processing will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, but do not limit the time, nor do they require any judgment action when implementing them, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0199] The term “simultaneously” in the present application may be understood as at the same time point, within a period of time, or within the same cycle.

[0200] In this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" can be understood as two or more than two. For example, "multiple sessions" can be understood as "two or more sessions".

[0201] It is understandable that some optional features in this application may be implemented independently in some scenarios without relying on other features, such as the solution on which it is currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects. They may also be combined with other features according to needs in some scenarios. Accordingly, the device provided in this application may also realize these features or functions accordingly, which will not be elaborated here.

[0202] It can be understood that the same step or steps or technical features with the same functions in different embodiments of the present application can be referenced to each other.

[0203] It is understandable that in the present application, the access network element, terminal, AMF network element, UPF network element, AF network element or SMF network element can perform some or all of the steps in the present application, and these steps are only examples. The present application can also perform other steps or variations of various steps. In addition, the various steps can be performed in different orders presented in the present application, and it is possible that not all the steps in the present application need to be performed.

[0204] It can be understood that the method provided below in the present application takes multiple network elements such as access network element, terminal, AMF network element, UPF network element, AF network element or SMF network element as the execution subject of the interaction diagram as an example to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction diagram. For example, the access network element in the method provided in the following embodiment of the present application may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the access network element to implement the method, or a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the access network element functions; the terminal in the method provided below in the present application may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal to implement the method, or a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions; the AMF network element in the method provided below in the present application may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the AMF network element to implement the method, or a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the AMF network element functions; this The UPF network element in the method provided below in the present application may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the UPF network element to implement the method, or may be a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the UPF network element functions; the SMF network element in the method provided below in the present application may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the SMF network element to implement the method, or may be a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the SMF network element functions; the AF network element in the method provided below in the present application may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the AF network element to implement the method, or may be a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the AF network element functions.

[0205] like Figure 3 As shown, a communication method provided by the present application may include the following steps:

[0206] S301a: The RAN node obtains first information.

[0207] S301b: Access the network element to obtain first information.

[0208] In this application, the RAN node can be Figure 1A The RAN node 104 in the access network element may be Figure 1A The access network element 101 in the example; or the RAN node may be Figure 1D The RAN node 104 in the access network element may be Figure 1D It can be understood that the access network element can be deployed as a network element alone in the network, or the access network element can be deployed as a network function with other network functions (such as UPF) in the same network element (such as Figure 1DTherefore, the operations performed by the access network element and / or the UPF network element in this application can all be performed by the first network element, and a unified description is made here, and no further description is given later.

[0209] In the present application, the first information includes the address of the first session or the identifier of the first session. The first session is a session corresponding to the first terminal. The first session already exists, or has been established, or the first session has been established on an access technology side, or the first session is in the process of being established. For example, the first session is a session established by the first terminal through a session establishment process initiated from the 3GPP side. The first terminal can be Figure 1A The terminal 102 or Figure 1D The terminal 102 shown. Optionally, the first session is a PDU session, a single access PDU session or a multi-access PDU session. The identifier of the first session can indicate the first session. The address of the first session can be understood as the address of the terminal corresponding to the first session (ie, the first terminal).

[0210] Exemplarily, the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side (such as the IP address of the first terminal), or the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the non-3GPP side (such as the first terminal link specific IP (UE link specific IP) address).

[0211] In a possible implementation manner, the RAN node and the access network element obtain the first information from other network elements, such as the AMF network element. The AMF network element may be Figure 1A The AMF network element in the core network 103 shown in FIG. Figure 1D The AMF network element 108 shown in .

[0212] Exemplarily, the AMF network element obtains the first information from the SMF network element and sends the first information to the RAN node. The RAN node receives the first information from the AMF network element and obtains the first information. The AMF network element may also send the first information to the access network element. The access network element receives the first information from the AMF network element and obtains the first information. The SMF network element is Figure 1A The SMF network element in the core network 103 shown in FIG. Figure 1D The SMF network element 109 shown in .

[0213] Optionally, if the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side, the AMF network element may also send the IP address of the first session on the non-3GPP side to the RAN node and / or the access network element. Subsequently, the RAN node and / or the access network element may send the IP address of the first session on the non-3GPP side to the first terminal.

[0214] It is understandable that the RAN node and the access network element may obtain the first information at the same time or at different times. For example, after the AMF network element obtains the first information from the SMF network element, it may send the first information to the RAN node and the access network element at the same time; or, after the AMF network element obtains the first information from the SMF network element, it first sends the first information to the RAN node and then sends the first information to the access network element; or, after the AMF network element obtains the first information from the SMF network element, it first sends the first information to the access network element and then sends the first information to the RAN node.

[0215] S302: The RAN node sends first information to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information from the RAN node.

[0216] It can be understood that, through S302, the first terminal can obtain the first information from the 3GPP side. Optionally, the first information is carried in a session establishment success message.

[0217] S303: The access network element sends first information to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information from the access network element.

[0218] It can be understood that, through S303, the first terminal can obtain the first information from the non-3GPP side.

[0219] In a possible implementation, the access network element sends the first information to the first terminal based on the request of the first terminal. For example, before S303, the first terminal may send the first request to the access network element. Accordingly, the access network element receives the first request from the first terminal. The first request is used to request the first information. The following is an example in which the first information includes the address of the first session.

[0220] As an example, the first terminal sends a first request to the access network element through a layer 2 (layer 2, L2) link or a layer 3 (layer 3, L3) link. The first request is used to request the address of the first session. Optionally, the first request is carried in a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) discovery (DHCP discovery) or DHCP request (DHCP request) message. After receiving the first request through the L2 link or L3 link, the access network element determines the address of the first session according to the L2 link or L3 link. For example, the access network element determines the information of the first channel through the correspondence between the L2 link or L3 link and the first channel. Among them, the first channel is a channel between the access network element and the UPF network element (such as the N3 channel), the first channel corresponds to the first session, and the information of the first channel includes the identifier of the first channel. Therefore, the access network element can determine the address of the first session according to the information of the first channel, and send the address of the first session to the first terminal. It can be understood that in this example, the L2 link or L3 link corresponds to the information of the first channel, and the first channel corresponds to the first session, so the L2 link or L3 link is associated with the first session. Among them, the UPF network element is Figure 1A The UPF network element in the core network 103, or Figure 1D UPF network element 107 in.

[0221] In this application, "channel" and "link" can be used interchangeably. In addition, "channel" can also be replaced by "tunnel", "pathway", etc., and "link" can also be replaced by "connection", etc.

[0222] As another example, the first terminal sends a first request to the access network element. The first request is used to request the address of the first session, and the first request includes at least one of the following: the first identifier of the first terminal, the identifier of the first session, or the address of the first session. Among them, the first identifier of the first terminal is the identifier obtained by the first terminal on the non-3GPP side, for example, the first identifier is the medium access control (MAC) address of the first terminal. It can be understood that after receiving the first request, the access network element can determine the address of the first session according to the first request and send the address of the first session to the first terminal. For example, if the first request includes the first identifier of the first terminal, the access network element determines the address of the first session according to the first identifier of the first terminal; if the first request includes the identifier of the first session, the access network element determines the address of the first session according to the identifier of the first session; if the first request includes the address of the first session, the access network element determines that the address of the first session is stored locally, and sends the address of the first session to the first terminal. It can be understood that when the first terminal corresponds to multiple sessions, the access network element cannot determine a unique session according to the first identifier of the first terminal. At this time, the first request may carry, in addition to the first identifier of the first terminal, the identifier of the first session and / or the address of the first session. For example, the first request includes the first identifier of the first terminal and the identifier of the first session, and the access network element determines multiple sessions corresponding to the first terminal according to the first identifier of the first terminal, determines the first session in the multiple sessions according to the identifier of the first session, and obtains the address of the first session.

[0223] Optionally, the first information sent by the access network element to the first terminal is carried in a DHCP message.

[0224] In another possible implementation, the access network element may initiate a process of establishing a child security link (child SA) to the first terminal, where the child SA corresponds to the first session. In the process of establishing the child SA, the access network element sends first information to the first terminal. Optionally, the first information is carried in an IKE_Create_Child_SA Req / Res message.

[0225] It is understandable that the present application does not limit the execution order of S302 and S303. For example, the present application may execute S302 and S303 simultaneously, or execute S302 first and then S303, or execute S303 first and then S302.

[0226] S304: The first terminal determines the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link corresponding to the first session according to the first information.

[0227] It can be understood that after the first terminal receives the first information on the 3GPP side and the first information on the non-3GPP side, the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link can be bound and corresponded to the first session. That is, the first session corresponds to two links, one is a 3GPP link, and the other is a non-3GPP link. Therefore, after S304, the first session has the function of a multi-access session, and the first terminal can send data on the first session. In other words, the first terminal can bind the non-3GPP link to the first session for transmitting data between the first terminal and the core network. In this way, the first terminal may not initiate the process of establishing a multi-access session on the non-3GPP side. Therefore, if the first terminal does not support access to the core network from the non-3GPP side, Figure 3 The method shown can associate the first terminal with the first session, so that the first session has the function of a multi-access session and realizes data transmission on the multi-access session; if the first terminal supports access to the core network from the non-3GPP side, Figure 3 The method shown can simplify the process of establishing a multi-access session.

[0228] S305: The first terminal sends first data to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the first data from the first terminal.

[0229] In the present application, the source address of the first data is the address of the first session. That is, the first terminal can use the address of the first session as the source IP address to encapsulate the first data, obtain the encapsulated data packet, and send the data packet to the access network element.

[0230] In a possible implementation, the first terminal sends a request to an access device (such as Figure 1D The access device 106 in the example sends the encapsulated data packet. After receiving the data packet, the access device sends the data packet to the access network element. For example, the access device sends the data packet to the access network element through an L2 link or an L3 link.

[0231] It can be understood that after receiving the data packet, the access network element can decapsulate the data packet to obtain the first data and the address of the first session.

[0232] S306: The access network element sends the first data according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session.

[0233] In the present application, the information corresponding to the address of the first session is determined based on the address of the first session. That is, after the access network element receives the first data, it can determine the information corresponding to the address of the first session based on the source address of the first data (i.e., the address of the first session). Among them, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session or the information of the first channel corresponding to the first session. In other words, after the access network element receives the first data, it can associate the first data with the first session, and realize the transmission of the first data on the non-3GPP side through the first session. In this way, the first terminal can initiate the establishment process of the multi-access session on the non-3GPP side without initiating the process of establishing a multi-access session.

[0234] It can be understood that before S306, the access network element obtains the information corresponding to the address of the first session, and stores the correspondence between the address of the first session and the context of the first session, or stores the correspondence between the address of the first session and the information of the first channel. Alternatively, before S306, the access network element obtains the information corresponding to the address of the first session, and establishes the above correspondence. In this way, after receiving the first data, the access network element can determine the context of the first session or the information of the first channel according to the address of the first session and the above correspondence.

[0235] In a possible implementation, the access network element encapsulates the first data according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session, obtains a first data packet, and sends the first data packet, wherein the first data packet includes the first data.

[0236] As an example, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session, and the access network element sends a first data packet to the server in the DN. The destination address of the first data packet (such as the address of the server) is determined according to the context of the first session. After receiving the first data packet, the server decapsulates the data packet to obtain the first data.

[0237] As another example, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes information of the first channel, and the access network element sends a first data packet to the UPF network element. The destination address of the first data packet (such as the address of the UPF network element) is determined based on the information of the first channel. After receiving the first data packet, the UPF network element decapsulates the data packet to obtain the first data. Subsequently, the UPF network element can continue to encapsulate the first data and send the encapsulated data packet to the server in the DN.

[0238] It can be understood that the above S305-S306 is the process of the terminal sending uplink data (that is, the first data is uplink data). For downlink data, after the UPF network element obtains the downlink data (such as the downlink data sent by the server in the DN to the UPF), it can match the corresponding session according to the packet header information of the downlink data. For example, the destination address of the packet header of the downlink data is the address of the first session. The UPF network element can determine the first session according to the destination address, encapsulate the packet header of the first channel corresponding to the first session for the downlink data, and send the encapsulated downlink data packet to the access network element. After receiving the downlink data packet, the access network element can determine the L2 link or L3 link according to the first channel, and send the downlink data to the first terminal through the L2 link or L3 link.

[0239] It is understandable that the above S301a-S306 is implemented as an embodiment. In a specific application, S301a-S306 can also be decomposed into different embodiments for implementation. For example, S301a-S304 can be implemented as an embodiment, and S305-S306 can be implemented as another embodiment.

[0240] It can be understood that the actions of the RAN node or the first terminal or the access network element in the above S301a-S306 can be Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 20 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 203 for execution, and the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0241] based on Figure 3 According to the method shown, the first terminal can bind the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link for the first session based on the first information obtained from the 3GPP side and the first information obtained from the non-3GPP side, so that the first session has the function of a multi-access session to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side, for example, to avoid the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side. For the access network element, after receiving the first data from the first terminal, it can associate the first data with the first session according to the address of the first session. In this way, the first data can be transmitted on the non-3GPP side through the first session to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side, for example, to avoid the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side. In summary, the first terminal may not initiate the establishment process of the multi-access session on the non-3GPP side, but bind the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link for the first session according to the first information by the first terminal, so that the first session has the function of a multi-access session, and the access network element associates the first data with the first session through the source address of the first data, so that the first data is transmitted on the non-3GPP side.

[0242] Optional, in Figure 3In one possible implementation of the method shown, the first terminal may instruct the access network element to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the access network element may determine to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side, for example, to avoid the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the process of establishing a multi-access session can be simplified. In addition, since the method provided in the present application does not require the interaction of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side when implementing a multi-access session, the method can be applied to terminals that do not support access to the core network from the non-3GPP side. For example, Figure 4 As shown, Figure 3 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0243] S300a: The first terminal sends first indication information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the first indication information from the first terminal.

[0244] In the present application, the first indication information is used to indicate that the NAS message on the non-3GPP side is omitted.

[0245] In the present application, omitting the NAS message on the non-3GPP side can be understood as not using the NAS message when the first terminal accesses the core network from the non-3GPP side; or, accessing the core network in a simplified manner through non-3GPP access technology; or, the first terminal sends a NAS message through the 3GPP side when accessing the core network through non-3GPP; or, non-3GPP access uses NAS messages accessed by the 3GPP side; or, the first terminal registers to the core network using a simplified access method from the non-3GPP side; or, the first terminal does not use NAS messages when accessing the core network, and the access network element does not generate NAS messages on behalf of the first terminal; or, the first terminal simplifies access on the non-3GPP side; or, simplifies the access on the non-3GPP side; or, simplifies the access process on the non-3GPP side; or, simplifies the process of non-3GPP side accessing the core network; or, the non-3GPP side and the 3GPP side share the NAS message on the 3GPP side.

[0246] In this application, "omitting NAS messages on the non-3GPP side" can be replaced by "integrating the functions of the UPF network element and the access network element", or by "deploying the UPF network element and the access network element as one". A unified explanation is made here and no further details will be given later.

[0247] Optionally, the first terminal may send the first indication information to the access network element through the access device.

[0248] In a possible design, the first indication information includes a second identifier of the first terminal. The second identifier of the first terminal is an identifier obtained by the first terminal on the 3GPP side, such as: a 5G global unique temporary identity (5G-GUTI) of the first terminal. That is, the access network element recognizes that the first indication information includes the 5G-GUTI of the first terminal, and determines to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side.

[0249] In another possible design, the first indication information includes 1-bit indication information. When the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the first indication information indicates to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side.

[0250] In another possible design, the first indication information includes the second identifier of the first terminal and 1-bit indication information. When the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the first indication information indicates to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side.

[0251] It can be understood that the above is only an example of the information included in the first indication information. In specific applications, the information included in the first indication information may also be in other forms without limitation.

[0252] It can be understood that if the first indication information does not include the second identifier of the first terminal, the first terminal also sends the second identifier to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the second identifier of the first terminal.

[0253] Optional, in Figure 3 In one possible implementation of the method shown, the access network element may instruct the AMF network element to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the AMF network element may determine to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side to avoid initiating the multi-access session establishment process from the non-3GPP side, or avoid interacting with NAS messages on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the process of establishing a multi-access session can be simplified. In addition, since the method provided in the present application does not require initiating the multi-access session establishment process from the non-3GPP side, or does not require interacting with NAS messages on the non-3GPP side when implementing a multi-access session, the method can be applied to terminals that do not support access to the core network from the non-3GPP side. For example, Figure 4 As shown, Figure 3 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0254] S300b: The access network element sends the second information to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the second information from the access network element.

[0255] In the present application, the second information includes at least one of a second identifier of the first terminal or second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate to omit the non-access layer message of the non-3GPP side.

[0256] It is understandable that the content included in the second indication information may be the same as or different from the content included in the first indication information. That is, after receiving the first indication information, the access network element may forward the first indication information to the AMF network element, or, after receiving the first indication information, the access network element processes the first indication information to obtain the second indication information and sends the second indication information to the AMF network element.

[0257] Optionally, the second information is carried in an N2 message or a container.

[0258] In a possible design, the second indication information includes 1-bit indication information. When the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the second indication information indicates to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side.

[0259] It can be understood that the above is only an example of the information included in the second indication information. In a specific application, the information included in the second indication information may also be in other forms without limitation.

[0260] Optionally, if the second information does not include the second indication information, the second identifier of the first terminal included in the second information may have the function of the second indication information. If the second information does not include the second identifier of the first terminal, the second indication information may include the second identifier of the first terminal.

[0261] S300c: The AMF network element determines, based on the second information, that the first terminal omits the NAS message when accessing the core network through a non-3GPP technology.

[0262] Optionally, after receiving the second information, the AMF network element may locally record that the first terminal omits NAS messages when accessing the core network through non-3GPP technology, so that when the first terminal subsequently requests services from the AMF (for example, requesting to establish a multi-access session), the AMF network element determines to omit NAS messages on the non-3GPP side based on the recorded content.

[0263] Exemplarily, the AMF network element obtains the context of the first terminal, and stores identification information in the context of the first terminal according to the second information. The context of the first terminal is the context registered by the first terminal in 3GPP. The identification information is used to identify that the first terminal omits NAS messages when accessing the core network through non-3GPP. In this way, when the first terminal subsequently requests a service from the AMF network element, the AMF network element can obtain the context of the first terminal, and determine to omit NAS messages on the non-3GPP side according to the identification information stored in the context of the first terminal. The identification information includes an identifier of the access network element (such as at least one of the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the access network element or the IP address of the access network element) or at least one of the second indication information.

[0264] Optional, in Figure 3 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the first terminal may indicate to the AMF network element that the UPF network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element on the non-3GPP side are functionally unified, or indicate that the NAS message on the non-3GPP side is omitted. In this way, the AMF network element may determine that the UPF network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element on the non-3GPP side are functionally unified. For example, Figure 4 As shown, Figure 3 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0265] S300d: The first terminal sends fourth indication information to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the fourth indication information from the first terminal.

[0266] In the present application, the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the UPF network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element function on the non-3GPP side are unified, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate the omission of the NAS message on the non-3GPP side ( Figure 4 Only the fourth indication information is shown in the figure, which is used to indicate the situation where the UPF network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element function on the non-3GPP side are integrated). Optionally, the fourth indication information is carried in a session establishment NAS (session establishment NAS) message or an uplink NAS transmission (UL NAS transport) message.

[0267] In one possible design, the fourth indication information includes the first identifier of the first terminal; or, the fourth indication information includes 1-bit indication information. If the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the fourth indication information indicates that the UPF network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element function on the non-3GPP side are integrated, or indicates that the NAS message on the non-3GPP side is omitted; or, the fourth indication information includes the first identifier of the first terminal and the above-mentioned 1-bit indication information.

[0268] It can be understood that the above is only an example of the information included in the fourth indication information. In a specific application, the information included in the fourth indication information may also be in other forms without limitation.

[0269] Optional, in Figure 3 In one possible implementation of the method shown, the AMF network element may indicate to the SMF network element that the UPF network element corresponding to the first session is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or indicate to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the SMF network element may select a UPF network element (such as a UPF network element integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side) for the first session. Figure 1D The SMF network element may also determine to omit the establishment process of the first channel. Figure 4 As shown, Figure 3 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0270] S300e: The AMF network element sends the fifth indication information to the SMF network element. Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the fifth indication information from the AMF network element.

[0271] In the present application, the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the UPF network element corresponding to the first session is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or to indicate that the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side is omitted ( Figure 4 Only the fifth indication information is shown, which is used to indicate the situation where the UPF network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element function on the non-3GPP side are integrated).

[0272] It is understandable that the content included in the fifth indication information may be the same as or different from the content included in the fourth indication information. That is, after receiving the fourth indication information, the AMF network element may forward the fourth indication information to the SMF network element, or, after receiving the fourth indication information, the AMF network element processes the fourth indication information to obtain the fifth indication information, and sends the fifth indication information to the SMF network element.

[0273] Optionally, the fifth indication information is carried in a create session message.

[0274] In one possible design, the fifth indication information includes the first identifier of the first terminal; or, the fifth indication information includes the identifier of the access network element; or, the fifth indication information includes 1-bit indication information. If the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the fifth indication information indicates that the UPF network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element function on the non-3GPP side are integrated, or indicates that the NAS message on the non-3GPP side is omitted; or, the fifth indication information includes the first identifier of the first terminal and the above-mentioned 1-bit indication information.

[0275] It can be understood that the above is only an example of the information included in the fifth indication information. In a specific application, the information included in the fifth indication information may also be in other forms without limitation.

[0276] It can be understood that if the fifth indication information does not include the first identifier of the first terminal, the SMF network element can obtain the first identifier from the AMF network element or the first terminal. For example, the SMF network element receives the first identifier of the first terminal from the AMF network element (the first identifier can be carried in the create session message), or receives the first identifier from the first terminal (the first identifier can be carried in the session establishment NAS message).

[0277] Optional, in Figure 3 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the SMF network element may indicate to the UPF network element that the first channel is not allocated, so that the UPF network element determines to omit the establishment process of the first channel. Figure 4 As shown, Figure 3 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0278] S300f: The SMF network element sends the third indication information to the UPF network element. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the third indication information from the SMF network element.

[0279] In the present application, the third indication information is used to determine not to allocate the first channel. Optionally, the third indication information is carried in a second session (eg, a packet forwarding control protocol (PFCP) session) establishment request message.

[0280] In one possible implementation, after receiving the fifth indication information, the SMF network element determines that the UPF network element and the access network element corresponding to the first session are functionally unified. Since the first channel is a channel between the access network element and the UPF network element, the UPF network element may not allocate the first channel. Therefore, the SMF network element sends the third indication information to the UPF network element, so that the UPF network element determines not to allocate the first channel according to the third indication information.

[0281] It can be understood that the content included in the third indication information may be the same as or different from the content included in the fifth indication information. That is, after receiving the fifth indication information, the SMF network element may forward the fifth indication information to the UPF network element for the UPF to determine not to allocate the first channel for the first session; or, after receiving the fifth indication information, the SMF network element processes the fifth indication information to obtain the third indication information, and sends the third indication information to the UPF network element.

[0282] In one possible design, the third indication information includes the first identifier of the first terminal; or, the third indication information includes the identifier of the access network element; or, the third indication information includes 1-bit indication information, and if the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the third indication information indicates that the first channel is not allocated; or, the third indication information includes the first identifier of the first terminal and the above-mentioned 1-bit indication information.

[0283] It can be understood that the above is only an example of the information included in the third indication information. In specific applications, the information included in the third indication information may also be in other forms without limitation.

[0284] It can be understood that if the third indication information does not include the first identifier of the first terminal, the UPF network element can obtain the first identifier from the SMF network element. For example, the SMF network element sends the first identifier to the UPF network element. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the first identifier from the SMF network element, that is, obtains the first identifier. Optionally, the first identifier can be carried in the second session establishment request message.

[0285] It can be understood that after the UPF network element obtains the first identifier of the first terminal, it can determine the correspondence between the non-3GPP link corresponding to the first identifier and the context of the second session based on the first identifier. Among them, the context of the second session corresponds to the context of the first session, for example, the context of the first session includes the context of the second session, or the context of the second session includes the context of the first session. Therefore, the UPF network element can establish a correspondence between the non-3GPP link corresponding to the first identifier and the context of the first session. In this way, in S306, the access network element (at this time, the access network element and the UPF network element are deployed as one) can determine the context of the first session based on the address of the first session.

[0286] Optionally, the SMF network element sends the identifier of the first session to the UPF network element. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the identifier of the first session from the SMF network element. The identifier of the first session is carried in the second session establishment request message. In this way, the UPF network element can determine that the first session corresponds to the second session.

[0287] Among them, the action of the first terminal or access network element or AMF network element or SMF network element or UPF network element in the above S300a-S300f can be Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 20 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 203 for execution, and the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0288] In order to better understand the method provided by the present application, Figure 1D The network architecture shown in FIG. 1 is used as an example to introduce the complete process of the communication method provided by this application. Figure 5 or Figure 6 It should be understood that Figures 3 to 6 The descriptions of features in the methods shown can be borrowed from each other.

[0289] like Figure 5 As shown, another communication method provided by the present application may include the following steps:

[0290] S501: The terminal 102 completes the registration process to the core network through cellular technology and obtains the second identifier allocated to it by the AMF network element 108.

[0291] In the present application, the second identifier of the terminal 102 is an identifier obtained by the terminal 102 on the 3GPP side. For example, the second identifier is the 5G-GUTI of the terminal 102. Optionally, the second identifier includes an identifier of the AMF network element 108.

[0292] It can be understood that the terminal 102 can establish a connection with the WLAN AP (such as the access device 106) based on the WLAN access technology, so that the terminal 102 can communicate with the access network element 101 through the access device 106. In a specific application, the connection between the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / access network element 101 can be an IP connection (that is, the terminal 102 uses a trusted WLAN access technology to access the core network), or the connection between the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / access network element 101 can be an Internet protocol security (IPsec) connection (that is, the terminal 102 uses a trusted WLAN access technology or an untrusted WLAN access technology to access the core network). If the connection between the two is an IP connection, the method provided in this application executes the following S502a to S518a; if the connection between the two is an IPsec connection, the method provided in this application executes the following S502b to S516b.

[0293] It can be understood that in S502a to S518a, the access network element 101 may be a TWIF network element or a TNGF network element. In S502b to S516b, the access network element 101 may be a N3IWF network element.

[0294] It is understandable that, in addition to IP connection and IPsec connection, there may be other connection methods between the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / access network element 101, such as connection through wired access technology, etc., which are not introduced one by one in this application. When the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / access network element 101 are connected through these methods, the operations to be performed by the method provided in this application are similar to the operations to be performed by the method provided in this application when the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / access network element 101 are connected through IP connection or IPsec connection. Therefore, reference may be made to the following S502a to S518a, or the following S502b to S516b, and no further elaboration is given.

[0295] S502a: The access device 106 obtains the second identifier of the terminal 102.

[0296] In one possible implementation, the access device 106 sends a first extensible authentication protocol (EAP) message to the terminal 102. Optionally, the first EAP message is an EAP request (EAP-req) message or an EAP identification (EAP identify) message. The first EAP message is used to request an identification of the terminal 102. After receiving the first EAP message, the terminal 102 sends a second EAP message to the access device 106. Optionally, the second EAP message is an EAP response (EAP-res) message or an EAP identify message. The second EAP message includes a second identification of the terminal 102. The access device 106 receives the second EAP message, i.e., obtains the second identification of the terminal 102. Optionally, the second EAP message also includes first indication information. For an introduction to the first indication information, please refer to the above. Figure 3 or Figure 4 As described in the method shown.

[0297] Exemplarily, the second EAP message includes a network access identifier (NAI) of terminal 102, and the NAI of terminal 102 includes a second identifier of terminal 102. Optionally, the NAI of terminal 102 also includes first indication information. Taking the second identifier of terminal 102 as the 5G-GUTI of terminal 102 as an example, the NAI of terminal 102 includes <5G-GUTI of terminal 102>@nai.5gc-nnn.mnc123.mcc45.3gppnetwork.org. Among them, the first indication information includes "5gc-nnn". "mnc123.mcc45" means a public land mobile network (PLMN) with a mobile country code (MCC) of "45" and a mobile network code (MNC) of "123". It should be understood that "5gc-nnn" is merely exemplary, and "5gc-nnn" can be replaced by other information having the function of the first indication information, such as "5gc-xxx" or "6gc-abc", etc., without limitation.

[0298] S503a: The access device 106 sends an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) message to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the AAA message from the access device 106.

[0299] In a possible implementation, the access device 106 selects an access network element in the PLMN indicated by the second EAP message, for example, selects the access network element 101. It can be understood that if the second EAP message includes the first indication information, the access device 106 selects an access network element that supports simplified non-3GPP side access in the PLMN indicated by the second EAP message, that is, the access network element 101 supports simplified non-3GPP side access. Subsequently, the access device 106 sends an AAA message to the access network element 101 selected by it.

[0300] In a possible design, the AAA message includes the second identifier of the terminal 102. Optionally, the AAA message also includes the first indication information. For example, the AAA message includes the NAI of the terminal 102.

[0301] S504a: The access network element 101 sends the second identifier of the terminal 102 to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the second identifier of the terminal 102 from the access network element 101.

[0302] In a possible implementation, the access network element 101 selects the AMF network element according to the second identifier of the terminal 102. For example, if the second identifier includes the identifier of the AMF network element 108, the access network element 101 selects the AMF network element 108. Subsequently, the access network element 101 sends the second identifier of the terminal 102 to the AMF network element 108. Optionally, the access network element 101 also sends second indication information to the AMF network element 108. Accordingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the second indication information from the access network element 101. For an introduction to the second indication information, please refer to the above Figure 3 or Figure 4 As described in the method shown.

[0303] As an example, the access network element 101 sends an N2 message to the AMF network element 108. Accordingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the N2 message. The N2 message includes a second identifier of the terminal 102, which is used to identify the terminal 102 and has a function of second indication information. Alternatively, the N2 message includes the second identifier of the terminal 102 and the second indication information.

[0304] As another example, the access network element 101 sends a container parameter to the AMF network element 108. Accordingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the container parameter. The container parameter includes a second identifier of the terminal 102, which is used to identify the terminal 102 and has a function of a second indication information. Alternatively, the container parameter includes the second identifier of the terminal 102 and the second indication information.

[0305] It can be understood that after receiving the N2 message or container parameter, the AMF network element 108 can determine to simplify the access process on the non-3GPP side.

[0306] S505a: The AMF network element 108 obtains the context of the terminal 102 according to the second identifier of the terminal 102, and stores the identifier information in the context of the terminal 102.

[0307] In the present application, the context of the terminal 102 is the context registered by the terminal 102 in 3GPP. The identification information is used to identify that the terminal 102 omits the NAS message when accessing the core network through non-3GPP. The identification information includes at least one of the identification of the access network element 101 (such as at least one of the FQDN of the access network element 101 or the IP address of the access network element 101) or the second indication information.

[0308] It can be understood that the AMF network element 108 storing the identification information in the context of the terminal 102 can be understood as the AMF network element 108 completing the non-3GPP side registration.

[0309] Optionally, since the terminal 102 has completed the registration process to the core network through cellular technology in S501, the AMF network element 108 can determine that the terminal 102 has been accessed through 3GPP and completed the authentication after obtaining the context of the terminal 102. Therefore, when accessing the non-3GPP side, the root key (key) used for authentication on the 3GPP side can be reused to omit the process of re-authentication.

[0310] Optionally, the AMF network element 108 sends an N2 message to the access network element 101. Accordingly, the access network element 101 receives the N2 message from the AMF network element 108. The N2 message includes a NAS message, such as a NAS Security Mode Command message. It should be understood that if the AMF network element 108 determines to simplify the access process on the non-3GPP side, the AMF network element 108 may not send the N2 message to save signaling overhead.

[0311] Optionally, if the terminal 102 is successfully authenticated, the AMF network element 108 sends the key of the access network element 101 (such as: AN key) to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the key of the access network element 101 from the AMF network element 108. Among them, the key of the access network element 101 is determined by the AMF network element 108 according to the root key during the above-mentioned 3GPP side authentication. Optionally, the key of the access network element 101 can be carried in the N2 initial context setup message.

[0312] Optionally, after the access network element 101 receives the key of the access network element 101, it can be determined that the terminal 102 is successfully authenticated. Subsequently, the access network element 101 sends an EAP success (EAP-success) message and the key of the non-3GPP wireless air interface side (such as a pairwise master key (PMK)) to the access device 106. Correspondingly, the access device 106 receives the EAP-success message and the key of the non-3GPP wireless air interface side from the access network element 101. Among them, the EAP-success message is used to indicate that the terminal 102 is successfully authenticated. The key of the non-3GPP wireless air interface side (such as the WLAN wireless air interface side) is generated by the access network element 101 based on the key of the access network element 101. Optionally, the EAP-success message and the key of the non-3GPP wireless air interface side are carried in the AAA message.

[0313] Optionally, after receiving the EAP-success message and the key on the non-3GPP wireless air interface side, the access device 106 may save the key on the non-3GPP wireless air interface side and send an EAP-success message to the terminal 102 .

[0314] S506a: The terminal 102 sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the PDU session establishment request message from the terminal 102.

[0315] It is understandable that if the terminal 102 determines to perform simplified access on the non-3GPP side (such as the terminal 102 can determine that the terminal 102 can perform simplified access on the non-3GPP side according to the second identifier of the terminal 102), the terminal 102 can initiate a session PDU session establishment process on the 3GPP side. For example, the terminal 102 sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF network element 108 to request to establish a PDU session. The PDU session can be a multi-access session. It is understandable that Figure 5 The PDU session in the method shown is equivalent to Figure 3 or Figure 4 The first session in the method shown.

[0316] Optionally, the PDU session establishment request message is carried in a UL NAS transport message. If the PDU session is a multi-access session, the UL NAS transport message may carry a request indication of a multi-access PDU session, which is used to indicate that the PDU session requested to be established is a multi-access PDU session.

[0317] In a possible implementation, the terminal 102 sends a PDU session identifier (PDU sessionID) to the AMF network element 108. Accordingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the PDU session identifier from the terminal 102. The PDU session identifier may be assigned by the terminal 102 and is used to identify the PDU session.

[0318] S507a: The AMF network element 108 sends a create session message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the create session message from the AMF network element 108.

[0319] It can be understood that after receiving the PDU session establishment request message, the AMF network element 108 can obtain the context of the terminal 102 and determine to perform simplified access on the non-3GPP side according to the identification information stored in the context of the terminal 102. Subsequently, the AMF network element 108 sends a create session message to the SMF network element 109.

[0320] Optionally, the session creation message includes an identifier of the access network element 101 and a NAS message. The NAS message may include a PDU session establishment request message.

[0321] S508a: The SMF network element 109 sends a PFCP session establishment request message to the UPF network element 107. Correspondingly, the UPF network element 107 receives the PFCP session establishment request message from the SMF network element 109.

[0322] It is understandable that after the SMF network element 109 receives the create session message, it can obtain the policy information of the PDU session from the PCF network element 112. The policy information may include the diversion mode, and / or, diversion function indication, etc. The SMF network element 109 can also select the UPF network element 107, and send a PFCP session establishment request message to the UPF network element 107 to request the establishment of a PFCP session corresponding to the PDU session. The PFCP session is a session between the UPF network element 107 and the SMF network element 109. The PFCP session establishment request message may include the above-mentioned policy information. Optionally, the PFCP session establishment request message may also include an identifier of the PDU session. It is understandable that Figure 5 The PFCP session in the method shown is equivalent to Figure 3 or Figure 4 The second session in the illustrated method.

[0323] Optionally, the SMF network element 109 can select the UPF network element 107 deployed together with the access network element 101 based on the identifier of the access network element 101.

[0324] S509a: The UPF network element 107 sends a PFCP session establishment success message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the PFCP session establishment success message from the UPF network element 107.

[0325] The PFCP session establishment success message may be used to indicate that the PFCP session is established successfully. Optionally, the PFCP session establishment success message includes information on the 3GPP side and information on the non-3GPP side.

[0326] Among them, the information on the 3GPP side includes information on the second channel, such as an identifier of the second channel. The second channel is a channel between the UPF network element 107 and the RAN node 104. Optionally, the information on the 3GPP side also includes the address of the PDU session, and / or 3GPP indication information. The address of the PDU session includes the IP address of the terminal 102, or includes the IP address of the terminal 102 and the link specific IP address of the terminal 102. For example, when the UPF network element 107 and the access network element 101 are not deployed in one, the information on the 3GPP side also includes the address of the PDU session, so that the SMF network element 109 sends the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102 through the AMF network element 108 and the RAN node 104. Subsequently, the terminal 102 can bind the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link according to the address of the PDU session, or send data on the non-3GPP side according to the address of the PDU session. Optionally, the information on the 3GPP side also includes indication information of the access technology (such as non-3GPP side access) corresponding to the linkspecific IP address of the terminal 102. The 3GPP indication information is used to indicate that the information on the 3GPP side is information transmitted on the 3GPP side.

[0327] Among them, the information on the non-3GPP side includes information on the first channel, such as an identifier of the first channel. The first channel is a channel between the UPF network element 107 and the access network element 101. Optionally, the information on the non-3GPP side also includes the address of the PDU session, and / or non-3GPP indication information. For example, when the UPF network element 107 and the access network element 101 are not deployed in one, the information on the non-3GPP side also includes the address of the PDU session, so that the SMF network element 109 sends the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102 through the AMF network element 108 and the access network element 101. Subsequently, the terminal 102 can bind the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link according to the address of the PDU session, or send data on the non-3GPP side according to the address of the PDU session. Optionally, the information on the non-3GPP side also includes indication information of the access technology (such as non-3GPP side access) corresponding to the linkspecific IP address of the terminal 102. The non-3GPP indication information is used to indicate that the information on the non-3GPP side is information transmitted on the non-3GPP side.

[0328] In the above example, the information on the 3GPP side and the information on the non-3GPP side are included in the same PFCP session establishment success message. In a specific application, the information on the 3GPP side and the information on the non-3GPP side can also be included in different PFCP session establishment success messages, which are sent by the UPF network element 107 to the SMF network element 109. For example, the UPF network element 107 sends a PFCP session establishment success message 1 and a PFCP session establishment success message 2 to the SMF network element 109. Among them, the PFCP session establishment success message 1 includes the information on the 3GPP side, and the PFCP session establishment success message 2 includes the information on the non-3GPP side.

[0329] S510a: The SMF network element 109 sends a create session response message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the create session response message from the SMF network element 109.

[0330] In a possible implementation, the create session response message includes information on the 3GPP side and information on the non-3GPP side. The create session response message also includes a NAS message. The NAS message includes a PDU session establishment success message.

[0331] In the above example, the information on the 3GPP side and the information on the non-3GPP side are included in the same create session response message. In a specific application, the information on the 3GPP side and the information on the non-3GPP side may also be included in different create session response messages, which are sent by the SMF network element 109 to the AMF network element 108. For example, the SMF network element 109 sends a create session response message 1 and a create session response message 2 to the AMF network element 108. Among them, the create session response message 1 includes the information on the 3GPP side, and the create session response message 2 includes the information on the non-3GPP side.

[0332] S511a: The AMF network element 108 sends the 3GPP side information to the RAN node 104. Correspondingly, the RAN node 104 receives the 3GPP side information from the AMF network element 108.

[0333] S512a: The RAN node 104 sends the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102. Accordingly, the terminal 102 receives the address of the PDU session from the RAN node 104.

[0334] Optionally, the address of the PDU session may be carried in a PDU session establishment success message sent to the terminal 102. The PDU session establishment success message is included in a NAS message.

[0335] S513a: The AMF network element 108 sends the non-3GPP side information to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the non-3GPP side information from the AMF network element 108.

[0336] In one possible implementation, after the access network element 101 receives information from the non-3GPP side, it can store the correspondence between the address of the PDU session and the information of the first channel, so as to subsequently determine the information of the first channel according to the address of the PDU session, or determine the address of the PDU session according to the first channel.

[0337] It can be understood that the present application does not limit the execution order of S511a to S513a. For example, S511a can be executed first, then S512a, and finally S513a, or S513a can be executed first, then S511a, and finally S512a, or S511a can be executed first, then S513a, and finally S512a.

[0338] S514a: The terminal 102 sends a first request to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the first request from the terminal 102.

[0339] In a possible implementation, at S512a, after receiving the PDU session establishment success message, the terminal 102 determines that the PDU session is established successfully. Afterwards, the terminal 102 initiates a DHCP process on the non-3GPP side to request the address of the PDU session. For example, the terminal 102 sends a DHCP discovery or DHCP request message to the access network element 101. The DHCP discovery or DHCP request message includes a first request. The first request is used to request the address of the PDU session.

[0340] S515a: The access network element 101 sends the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102. Correspondingly, the terminal 102 receives the address of the PDU session from the access network element 101.

[0341] It can be understood that after receiving the first request, the access network element 101 can establish a correspondence between the first channel and the L2 link or the L3 link. The access network element 101 can also determine the context of the PDU session and send the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102. For example, the access network element 101 receives the first request from the L2 link or the L3 link between the terminal 102, and determines the information of the first channel according to the correspondence between the L2 link or the L3 link and the first channel. The first channel corresponds to the PDU session one by one, so the access network element 101 can determine the PDU session corresponding to the first channel, and then determine the address of the PDU session. Alternatively, the access network element 101 determines the address of the PDU session according to the correspondence between the address of the PDU session stored by the access network element 101 in S513a and the information of the first channel. Subsequently, the access network element 101 can send the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102.

[0342] Optionally, the address of the PDU session is carried in a DHCP message.

[0343] S516a: The terminal 102 determines the 3GPP link and non-3GPP link corresponding to the PDU session according to the address of the PDU session.

[0344] It can be understood that after receiving the address of the PDU session, the terminal 102 can determine that the address of the PDU session is the same as the address of the PDU session contained in the NAS message on the 3GPP side received in S512a, and bind the link on the non-3GPP side with the link on the 3GPP side to correspond to the same PDU session. That is, there are two connections in the PDU session, one is a connection for 3GPP access, and the other is a connection for non-3GPP access. Therefore, the PDU session is a multiple access PDU session, or has the function of a multiple access PDU session.

[0345] S517a: The terminal 102 sends the first data to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the first data from the terminal 102.

[0346] It can be understood that the process of S517a is similar to the process of S305, and reference may be made to the corresponding description in the above S305, which will not be repeated here.

[0347] S518a: The access network element 101 sends the first data to the UPF network element 107. Correspondingly, the UPF network element 107 receives the first data from the access network element 101.

[0348] It can be understood that the access network element 101 can determine the information of the first channel corresponding to the first data according to the source IP address of the first data received in S517a (i.e., the address of the PDU session). For example, the access network element 101 determines the information of the first channel according to the correspondence between the address of the PDU session stored by the access network element 101 in S513a and the information of the first channel. Subsequently, the access network element 101 can encapsulate the first data into a general packet radio system (GPRS) tunneling protocol-user plane (GTP-U) header of the first channel to obtain a first data packet, and send the first data packet to the UPF network element 107. It should be understood that the first data packet includes the first data.

[0349] It can be understood that when the access network element 101 and the UPF network element 107 are deployed together, the above-mentioned first channel is an internal channel of the device, and the step of encapsulating the GTP-U packet header can be omitted.

[0350] Optionally, after receiving the first data, the UPF network element 107 can send the first data to the DN 116.

[0351] It can be understood that S517a-S518a is the process of the terminal 102 sending uplink data (that is, the first data is uplink data). For downlink data, after the UPF network element 107 obtains the downlink data, it can match the corresponding PDU session based on the packet header information of the downlink data. Among them, the destination IP address of the packet header of the downlink data is the address of the PDU session. Afterwards, the UPF network element 107 encapsulates the downlink data with the GTP-U packet header of the first channel corresponding to the PDU session, obtains a downlink data packet, and sends the downlink data packet to the access network element 101. After receiving the downlink data packet, the access network element 101 can delete the GTP-U packet header of the downlink data packet according to the correspondence between the first channel and the L2 link or L3 link, and then send the downlink data on the L2 link or L3 link.

[0352] The following describes the steps of the communication method provided by the present application when the connection between the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / access network element 101 is an IPsec connection:

[0353] S502b: The terminal 102 sends the second identifier of the terminal 102 to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the second identifier from the terminal 102.

[0354] Optionally, the terminal 102 sends the second identifier of the terminal 102 to the access network element 101 through the access device 106. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the second identifier from the terminal 102 through the access device 106.

[0355] It can be understood that after the terminal 102 establishes a connection with the WLAN AP (such as the access device 106) based on the WLAN access technology, the local IP address (UE local IP address) of the terminal 102 assigned by the WLAN network can be obtained. Subsequently, the terminal 102 selects the access network element 101, obtains the IP address of the access network element 101, and initiates the IPSec establishment process to the access network element 101. For example, the terminal 102 sends an internet key exchange (IKE) authentication (IKE_AUTH) request message to the access network element 101. The IKE_AUTH request message includes the second identifier of the terminal 102. For example, the IKE_AUTH request message includes the NAI of the terminal 102.

[0356] It can be understood that after the access network element 101 receives the second identifier of the terminal 102, the AMF network element can be selected according to the second identifier. Taking the second identifier of the terminal 102 as the 5G-GUTI of the terminal 102 as an example, if the 5G-GUTI of the terminal 102 includes the identifier of the AMF network element 108, the access network element 101 selects the AMF network element 108.

[0357] S503b: The access network element 101 sends the second identifier of the terminal 102 to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the second identifier of the terminal 102 from the access network element 101.

[0358] It can be understood that the process of S503b is similar to the process of S504a, and reference may be made to the corresponding description in S504a, which will not be repeated here.

[0359] S504b: The AMF network element 108 obtains the context of the terminal 102 according to the second identifier of the terminal 102, and stores the identifier information in the context of the terminal 102.

[0360] Optionally, if the terminal 102 passes the authentication on the 3GPP side, the AMF network element 108 can generate a key (such as N3IWF key) for the access network element 101 based on the root key, and send the key to the access network element 101. After receiving the key, the access network element 101 can determine that the authentication of the terminal 102 is successful, and send an IKE_AUTH message to the terminal 102. The IKE_AUTH message can carry an EAP-Success message.

[0361] It is understandable that after receiving the IKE_AUTH message, the terminal 102 can establish an IPSec security connection (IPSec SA) with the access network element 101 according to the IKE_AUTH message. In the process of establishing the IPSec SA, the access network element 101 can allocate an inner IP address to the terminal 102 and send the IP address of the access network element 101 (such as NAS_IP_Address) to the terminal 102.

[0362] It is understandable that the other descriptions of S504b can refer to the corresponding descriptions in S505a and will not be elaborated herein.

[0363] S505b: The terminal 102 sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the PDU session establishment request message from the terminal 102.

[0364] S506b: The AMF network element 108 sends a create session message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the create session message from the AMF network element 108.

[0365] S507b: The SMF network element 109 sends a PFCP session establishment request message to the UPF network element 107. Correspondingly, the UPF network element 107 receives the PFCP session establishment request message from the SMF network element 109.

[0366] S508b: The UPF network element 107 sends a PFCP session establishment success message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the PFCP session establishment success message from the UPF network element 107.

[0367] S509b: The SMF network element 109 sends a create session response message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the create session response message from the SMF network element 109.

[0368] S510b: The AMF network element 108 sends the 3GPP side information to the RAN node 104. Correspondingly, the RAN node 104 receives the 3GPP side information from the AMF network element 108.

[0369] S511b: The RAN node 104 sends the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102. Correspondingly, the terminal 102 receives the address of the PDU session from the RAN node 104.

[0370] S512b: The AMF network element 108 sends the non-3GPP side information to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the non-3GPP side information from the AMF network element 108.

[0371] It can be understood that the above process of S505b-S512b is similar to the above process of S506a-S513a. Therefore, reference may be made to the corresponding description in the above S506a-S513a and no further details are given.

[0372] S513b: The access network element 101 sends the identifier of the PDU session to the terminal 102. Correspondingly, the terminal 102 receives the identifier of the PDU session from the access network element 101.

[0373] Optionally, the access network element 101 further sends a UP_IP_Address corresponding to the PDU session to the terminal 102. Accordingly, the terminal 102 receives the UP_IP_Address from the access network element 101.

[0374] It can be understood that the access network element 101 can initiate a process of establishing a child SA to the terminal 102 to establish a child SA corresponding to the PDU session. In this process, the access network element 101 can send the identifier of the PDU session and the address of the PDU session (such as UP_IP_Address) to the terminal 102. Optionally, the identifier of the PDU session and the UP_IP_Address are carried in the IKE_Create_Child_SA Req / Res message.

[0375] It is understandable that the access network element 101 can establish a child SA, or repeat the above-mentioned child SA establishment process to establish multiple child SAs corresponding to the PDU session without limitation.

[0376] S514b: The terminal 102 determines the 3GPP link and non-3GPP link corresponding to the PDU session according to the identifier of the PDU session.

[0377] It can be understood that after receiving the identifier of the PDU session, the terminal 102 can bind the link on the non-3GPP side with the link on the 3GPP side according to the identifier of the PDU session, corresponding to the PDU session. That is, the PDU session has two connections, one for 3GPP access and the other for non-3GPP access. Therefore, the PDU session is a multiple access PDU session, or has the function of a multiple access PDU session.

[0378] S515b: The terminal 102 sends the first data to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the first data from the terminal 102.

[0379] It can be understood that the terminal 102 uses the address of the PDU session (such as the address of the PDU session obtained through S511b) as the source IP address of the first data, and encapsulates the generic routing encapsulation protocol (GRE) header. After that, the terminal 102 encapsulates the inner IP of the terminal 102 (as the source IP address) and the UP_IP_Address corresponding to the PDU session (as the destination IP address) outside the GRE header. After that, the terminal 102 continues to encapsulate the local IP address assigned by the WLAN network to the terminal 102 and the IP address of the access network element 101 in the outer layer, obtains the encapsulated data packet, and sends the data packet to the access network element 101.

[0380] S516b: The access network element 101 sends the first data to the UPF network element 107. Correspondingly, the UPF network element 107 receives the first data from the access network element 101.

[0381] It is understandable that after receiving the encapsulated data packet, the access network element 101 can remove the outer IP header and GRE header to obtain the first data, and encapsulate the first data with the GTP-U header of the first channel to obtain the first data packet, and send the first data packet to the UPF network element 107. It should be understood that the first data packet includes the first data.

[0382] It can be understood that when the access network element 101 and the UPF network element 107 are deployed together, the above-mentioned first channel is an internal channel of the device, and the step of encapsulating the GTP-U packet header can be omitted.

[0383] Optionally, after receiving the first data, the UPF network element 107 can send the first data to the DN 116.

[0384] Among them, the actions of each device in the above S501, S502a to S518a and S502b to S516b, such as the terminal 102 or the access network element 101 or the AMF network element 108 or the SMF network element 109 or the UPF network element 107 can be Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 20 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 203 for execution, and the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0385] based on Figure 5According to the method shown, the terminal 102 can send a NAS message through the 3GPP cellular side, establish a PDU session, and bind the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link for the PDU session. In addition, the access network element 101 can associate the PDU session with the received first data according to the address of the PDU session, and realize the transmission of the first data on the non-3GPP side through the PDU session. Therefore, the PDU session can be used by both the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side at the same time, realizing the function of multi-access PDU session. In the above process, the terminal 102 transmits NAS messages through the 3GPP cellular side, and does not transmit NAS messages through the non-3GPP side (that is, the NAS messages on the non-3GPP side are omitted). Therefore, it can be understood that the NAS messages transmitted on the 3GPP side are used by the non-3GPP side. In summary, Figure 5 The method shown can avoid the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side, thereby simplifying the implementation of the terminal 102, and can also implement multi-access PDU sessions when the terminal 102 does not support access to the core network from the non-3GPP side.

[0386] Figure 5 The method shown is to illustrate the method provided by the present application by taking the independent deployment of the access network element 101 and the UPF network element 107 as an example. The method provided by the present application is illustrated below by taking the integrated deployment of the access network element 101 and the UPF network element 107 as an example.

[0387] like Figure 6 As shown, another communication method provided by the present application may include the following steps:

[0388] S601: The terminal 102 completes the registration process to the core network through cellular technology and obtains the second identifier allocated to it by the AMF network element 108.

[0389] In the present application, the second identifier of the terminal 102 is an identifier obtained by the terminal 102 on the 3GPP side. For example, the second identifier is the 5G-GUTI of the terminal 102. Optionally, the second identifier includes an identifier of the AMF network element 108.

[0390] It can be understood that the terminal 102 can establish a connection with the WLAN AP (such as the access device 106) based on the WLAN access technology, so that the terminal 102 can communicate with the first network element 115 through the access device 106. In a specific application, the connection between the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / the first network element 115 can be an IP connection, or the connection between the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / the first network element 115 can be an IPsec connection. If the connection between the two is an IP connection, the method provided in the present application executes the following S602a to S617a; if the connection between the two is an IPsec connection, the method provided in the present application executes the following S602b to S616b.

[0391] It is understandable that, in addition to IP connection and IPsec connection, there may be other connection methods between the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / the first network element 115, such as connection through wired access technology, etc., which are not introduced one by one in this application. When the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / the first network element 115 are connected through these methods, the operations to be performed by the method provided in this application are similar to the operations to be performed by the method provided in this application when the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / the first network element 115 are connected through IP connection or IPsec connection. Therefore, reference may be made to the following S602a to S617a, or the following S602b to S616b, and no further description is given.

[0392] S602a: The access device 106 obtains the second identifier of the terminal 102.

[0393] S603a: The access device 106 sends an AAA message to the first network element 115. Correspondingly, the first network element 115 receives the AAA message from the access device 106.

[0394] It can be understood that the first network element 115 has the functions of an access network element and a UPF network element. Therefore, the access device 106 sending an AAA message to the first network element 115 can be understood as the access device 106 sending an AAA message to a module / device in the first network element 115 that has the function of an access network element. The first network element 115 receiving an AAA message from the access device 106 can be understood as the module / device in the first network element 115 that has the function of an access network element receiving an AAA message from the access device 106.

[0395] S604a: The first network element 115 sends the second identifier of the terminal 102 to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the second identifier of the terminal 102 from the first network element 115.

[0396] It can be understood that the first network element 115 sending the second identifier of the terminal 102 to the AMF network element 108 can be understood as the module / device with the function of accessing the network element in the first network element 115 sending the second identifier of the terminal 102 to the AMF network element 108. The AMF network element 108 receiving the second identifier of the terminal 102 from the first network element 115 can be understood as the AMF network element 108 receiving the second identifier of the terminal 102 from the module / device with the function of accessing the network element in the first network element 115.

[0397] S605a: The AMF network element 108 obtains the context of the terminal 102 according to the second identifier of the terminal 102, and stores the identifier information in the context of the terminal 102.

[0398] It can be understood that the above process of S602a-S605a is similar to the above process of S502a-S505a, so you can refer to the corresponding description in the above S502a-S505a and will not repeat them again.

[0399] S606a: The terminal 102 sends a PDU session establishment request message and the fourth indication information to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the PDU session establishment request message and the fourth indication information from the terminal 102.

[0400] It is understandable that if the terminal 102 determines to perform simplified access on the non-3GPP side (such as the terminal 102 can determine that the terminal 102 can perform simplified access on the non-3GPP side according to the second identifier of the terminal 102), the terminal 102 can initiate a session PDU session establishment process on the 3GPP side. For example, the terminal 102 sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF network element 108 to request to establish a PDU session. The PDU session can be a multi-access session. It is understandable that Figure 6 The PDU session in the method shown is equivalent to Figure 3 or Figure 4 The first session in the method shown.

[0401] Optionally, the PDU session establishment request message and the fourth indication information are carried in the UL NAS transport message. If the PDU session is a multi-access session, the UL NAS transport message may carry a request indication of a multi-access PDU session, which is used to indicate that the PDU session requested to be established is a multi-access PDU session. For an introduction to the fourth indication information, please refer to Figure 4 The corresponding description in the method shown is not repeated here.

[0402] In a possible implementation, the terminal 102 sends the PDU session identifier (PDU sessionID) and / or the first identifier of the terminal 102 to the AMF network element 108. Accordingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the PDU session identifier from the terminal 102 and / or the first identifier of the terminal 102. The PDU session identifier may be assigned by the terminal 102 and is used to identify the PDU session. The first identifier of the terminal 102 is an identifier obtained by the terminal 102 on the non-3GPP side, for example, the first identifier is the MAC address of the terminal 102.

[0403] S607a: The AMF network element 108 sends a create session message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the create session message from the AMF network element 108.

[0404] It can be understood that after receiving the PDU session establishment request message and the fourth indication information, the AMF network element 108 determines to perform simplified access on the non-3GPP side according to the fourth indication information, and / or determines to deploy the access network element and the UPF network element in one. Subsequently, the AMF network element 108 sends a create session message to the SMF network element 109.

[0405] Optionally, the session creation message includes the identifier of the first network element 115, the PDU session establishment request message and the fifth indication information. Optionally, the session creation message also includes the first identifier of the terminal 102. The introduction of the fifth indication information can refer to the above Figure 4 The corresponding description in the method shown is not repeated here.

[0406] S608a: The SMF network element 109 sends a PFCP session establishment request message to the first network element 115. Correspondingly, the first network element 115 receives the PFCP session establishment request message from the SMF network element 109.

[0407] It can be understood that the SMF network element 109 sending the PFCP session establishment request message to the first network element 115 can be understood as the SMF network element 109 sending the PFCP session establishment request message to the module / device with UPF in the first network element 115. The first network element 115 receiving the PFCP session establishment request message from the SMF network element 109 can be understood as the module / device with UPF in the first network element 115 receiving the PFCP session establishment request message from the SMF network element 109.

[0408] It is understandable that after receiving the create session message, the SMF network element 109 can obtain the policy information of the PDU session from the PCF network element 112, and select a network element in which the access network element and the UPF network element are deployed together, such as the first network element 115. The policy information may include a diversion mode, and / or a diversion function indication, etc. Afterwards, the SMF network element 109 sends a PFCP session establishment request message to the first network element 115 to request the establishment of a PFCP session corresponding to the PDU session. The PFCP session is a session between the first network element 115 (such as a module / device with UPF in the first network element 115) and the SMF network element 109. The PFCP session establishment request message may include the above-mentioned policy information and the third indication information. Optionally, the PFCP session establishment request message may also include an identifier of the PDU session, and / or a first identifier of the terminal 102. It is understandable that Figure 6 The PFCP session in the method shown is equivalent to Figure 3 or Figure 4 The second session in the method shown. The introduction of the third indication information can refer to the above Figure 4 The corresponding description in the method shown.

[0409] Optionally, the SMF network element 109 may select the first network element based on the identifier of the first network element 115 in the create session message.

[0410] It is understandable that the first network element 115 (such as a module / device with UPF in the first network element 115) can store part or all of the information included in the PFCP session establishment request message and use this information as the context of the PFCP session. It should be understood that since the PFCP session is a PFCP session corresponding to the PDU session, this information can also be used as the context of the PDU session.

[0411] S609a: The first network element 115 sends a PFCP session establishment success message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the PFCP session establishment success message from the first network element 115.

[0412] It can be understood that the first network element 115 sending a PFCP session establishment success message to the SMF network element 109 can be understood as the module / device with UPF in the first network element 115 sending a PFCP session establishment success message to the SMF network element 109. The SMF network element 109 receiving a PFCP session establishment success message from the first network element 115 can be understood as the SMF network element 109 receiving a PFCP session establishment success message from the module / device with UPF in the first network element 115.

[0413] It can be understood that after the first network element 115 (such as a module / device with UPF in the first network element 115) receives the PFCP session establishment request message, it can determine not to allocate the first channel for the non-3GPP side according to the third indication information therein. Afterwards, the first network element 115 (such as a module / device with UPF in the first network element 115) establishes a correspondence between the non-3GPP access side connection and the PFCP session context (i.e., PDU session context) based on the first identifier of the terminal 102. In addition, the first network element 115 (such as a module / device with UPF in the first network element 115) allocates the second channel on the 3GPP side, but does not allocate the first channel on the non-3GPP side.

[0414] The PFCP session establishment success message may be used to indicate that the PFCP session is established successfully. Optionally, the PFCP session establishment success message includes information on the 3GPP side.

[0415] Among them, the information on the 3GPP side includes information about the second channel, such as an identifier of the second channel. The second channel is a channel between the first network element 115 (such as a module / device with UPF in the first network element 115) and the RAN node 104. Optionally, the information on the 3GPP side also includes an address of a PDU session, and / or 3GPP indication information. The address of the PDU session includes the IP address of the terminal 102, or includes the IP address of the terminal 102 and the link specific IP address of the terminal 102. Optionally, the information on the 3GPP side also includes indication information of the access technology (such as non-3GPP side access) corresponding to the link specific IP address of the terminal 102. The 3GPP indication information is used to indicate that the information on the 3GPP side is information transmitted on the 3GPP side.

[0416] S610a: The SMF network element 109 sends a create session response message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the create session response message from the SMF network element 109.

[0417] In a possible implementation, the create session response message includes information on the 3GPP side. The create session response message also includes a NAS message. The NAS message includes a PDU session establishment success message.

[0418] S611a: The AMF network element 108 sends the 3GPP side information to the RAN node 104. Correspondingly, the RAN node 104 receives the 3GPP side information from the AMF network element 108.

[0419] S612a: The RAN node 104 sends the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102. Accordingly, the terminal 102 receives the address of the PDU session from the RAN node 104.

[0420] Optionally, the address of the PDU session may be carried in a PDU session establishment success message sent to the terminal 102. The PDU session establishment success message is included in a NAS message.

[0421] S613a: The terminal 102 sends a DHCP message to the first network element 115. Correspondingly, the first network element 115 receives the DHCP message from the terminal 102.

[0422] It can be understood that the terminal 102 sending a DHCP message to the first network element 115 can be understood as the terminal 102 sending a DHCP message to a module / device having a function of accessing a network element in the first network element 115. The first network element 115 receiving a DHCP message from the terminal 102 can be understood as a module / device having a function of accessing a network element in the first network element 115 receiving a DHCP message from the terminal 102.

[0423] In one possible implementation, at S612a, after receiving the PDU session establishment success message, the terminal 102 determines that the PDU session establishment is successful. Afterwards, the terminal 102 initiates a DHCP process on the non-3GPP side. For example, the terminal 102 sends a DHCP message (such as a DHCP discovery message or a DHCP request message) to the first network element 115.

[0424] In a possible design, the DHCP message includes the first identifier of the terminal 102. Optionally, the DHCP message also includes fourth information. The fourth information is used to indicate the PDU session. For example, the fourth information includes at least one of the identifier of the PDU session and the address of the PDU session.

[0425] It is understandable that after receiving the DHCP message, the first network element 115 (such as a module / device with a function of accessing a network element in the first network element 115) can determine the PDU session according to the DHCP message. For example, if the terminal 102 corresponds to one PDU session, the first network element 115 determines the PDU session according to the first identifier of the terminal 102; if the terminal 102 corresponds to multiple PDU sessions, the first network element 115 determines the PDU session according to the fourth information, or according to the fourth information and the first identifier of the terminal 102.

[0426] It can be understood that after the first network element 115 determines the PDU session, it can establish a correspondence between the L2 link or L3 link and the context of the PDU session (or the context of the PFCP session) based on the first identifier of the terminal 102 (or the identifier of the PDU session, or the address of the PDU session).

[0427] S614a: The first network element 115 sends the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102. Correspondingly, the terminal 102 receives the address of the PDU session from the first network element 115.

[0428] It can be understood that the address of the PDU session sent by the first network element 115 to the terminal 102 can be understood as the address of the PDU session sent by the module / device with the access network element function in the first network element 115 to the terminal 102. The address of the PDU session received by the terminal 102 from the first network element 115 can be understood as the address of the PDU session received by the terminal 102 from the module / device with the access network element function in the first network element 115.

[0429] It is understandable that after receiving the DHCP message, the first network element 115 (such as a module / device with access network element function in the first network element 115) can determine the context of the PDU session and send the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102.

[0430] Optionally, the address of the PDU session is carried in a DHCP message. In other words, the first network element 115 sends a DHCP message to the terminal 102. The DHCP message includes the address of the PDU session.

[0431] S615a: The terminal 102 determines the 3GPP link and non-3GPP link corresponding to the PDU session according to the address of the PDU session.

[0432] It can be understood that the process of S615a is similar to the process of S516a, so reference may be made to the corresponding description in S516a and no further elaboration is given.

[0433] S616a: The terminal 102 sends the first data to the first network element 115. Correspondingly, the first network element 115 receives the first data from the terminal 102.

[0434] It can be understood that the terminal 102 sending the first data to the first network element 115 can be understood as the terminal 102 sending the first data to the module / device with the access network element function in the first network element 115. The first network element 115 receiving the first data from the terminal 102 can be understood as the module / device with the access network element function in the first network element 115 receiving the first data from the terminal 102.

[0435] It can be understood that the process of S616a is similar to the process of S305, and reference may be made to the corresponding description in the above S305, which will not be repeated here.

[0436] S617a: The first network element 115 sends the first data according to the context of the PDU session.

[0437] For example, the first network element 115 sends a first data packet to the server in the DN 116. The first data packet includes first data, and the destination address of the first data packet (such as the address of the server) is determined according to the context of the PDU session. After receiving the first data packet, the server decapsulates the data packet to obtain the first data.

[0438] The following describes the steps of the communication method provided by the present application when the connection between the terminal 102 and the access device 106 / the first network element 115 is an IPsec connection:

[0439] S602b: The access device 106 obtains the second identifier of the terminal 102 .

[0440] S603b: The access device 106 sends an AAA message to the first network element 115. Correspondingly, the first network element 115 receives the AAA message from the access device 106.

[0441] S604b: The first network element 115 sends the second identifier of the terminal 102 to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the second identifier of the terminal 102 from the first network element 115.

[0442] S605b: The AMF network element 108 obtains the context of the terminal 102 according to the second identifier of the terminal 102, and stores the identifier information in the context of the terminal 102.

[0443] S606b: The terminal 102 sends a PDU session establishment request message and the fourth indication information to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the PDU session establishment request message and the fourth indication information from the terminal 102.

[0444] S607b: The AMF network element 108 sends a create session message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the create session message from the AMF network element 108.

[0445] S608b: The SMF network element 109 sends a PFCP session establishment request message to the first network element 115. Correspondingly, the first network element 115 receives the PFCP session establishment request message from the SMF network element 109.

[0446] S609b: The first network element 115 sends a PFCP session establishment success message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the PFCP session establishment success message from the first network element 115.

[0447] S610b: The SMF network element 109 sends a create session response message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the create session response message from the SMF network element 109.

[0448] S611b: The AMF network element 108 sends the 3GPP side information to the RAN node 104. Correspondingly, the RAN node 104 receives the 3GPP side information from the AMF network element 108.

[0449] S612b: The RAN node 104 sends the address of the PDU session to the terminal 102. Accordingly, the terminal 102 receives the address of the PDU session from the RAN node 104.

[0450] It can be understood that the above process of S602b-S612b is similar to the above process of S602a-S612a, so the corresponding description in the above S602a-S612a can be referred to and will not be repeated here.

[0451] S613b: The first network element 115 sends the identifier of the PDU session to the terminal 102. Correspondingly, the terminal 102 receives the identifier of the PDU session from the first network element 115.

[0452] It can be understood that the first network element 115 sends the identifier of the PDU session to the terminal 102, which can be understood as the module / device with the access network element function in the first network element 115 sending the identifier of the PDU session to the terminal 102. The terminal 102 receives the identifier of the PDU session from the first network element 115, which can be understood as the terminal 102 receives the identifier of the PDU session from the module / device with the access network element function in the first network element 115.

[0453] S614b: The terminal 102 determines the 3GPP link and non-3GPP link corresponding to the PDU session according to the identifier of the PDU session.

[0454] S615b: The terminal 102 sends the first data to the first network element 115. Correspondingly, the first network element 115 receives the first data from the terminal 102.

[0455] It can be understood that the terminal 102 sending the first data to the first network element 115 can be understood as the terminal 102 sending the first data to the module / device with the access network element function in the first network element 115. The first network element 115 receiving the first data from the terminal 102 can be understood as the module / device with the access network element function in the first network element 115 receiving the first data from the terminal 102.

[0456] It can be understood that the process of S613b-S615b is similar to the process of S513b-S515b. Please refer to the corresponding description in the above S513b-S515b and no further details will be given.

[0457] S616b: The first network element 115 sends the first data according to the context of the PDU session.

[0458] It can be understood that the process of S616b is similar to the process of S617a, and reference may be made to the corresponding description in the above S617a, which will not be repeated here.

[0459] The actions of the devices in the above S601, S602a to S617a and S602b to S616b, such as the terminal 102 or the first network element 115 or the AMF network element 108 or the SMF network element 109, can be performed by Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 20 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 203 for execution, and the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0460] based on Figure 6According to the method shown, the terminal 102 can send a NAS message through the 3GPP cellular side, establish a PDU session, and bind the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link for the PDU session. In addition, the first network element 115 can associate the PDU session with the received first data according to the address of the PDU session, and realize the transmission of the first data on the non-3GPP side through the PDU session. Therefore, the PDU session can be used by both the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side, realizing the function of multi-access PDU session. In the above process, the terminal 102 transmits NAS messages through the 3GPP cellular side, and does not transmit NAS messages through the non-3GPP side (that is, the NAS messages on the non-3GPP side are omitted). Therefore, it can be understood that the NAS messages transmitted on the 3GPP side are used by the non-3GPP side. In summary, Figure 6 The method shown can avoid the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side, thereby simplifying the implementation of the terminal 102, and can also implement multi-access PDU sessions when the terminal 102 does not support access to the core network from the non-3GPP side. Figure 6 In the method shown, the functions of the access network element and the UPF are deployed together on the first network element 115, which can simplify the implementation on the network side and reduce the network deployment cost.

[0461] Understandably, the above Figures 3 to 6 The method shown introduces the process of the first terminal / terminal 102 realizing a multi-access session by simplifying access. In the above method, the terminal corresponding to the multi-access session on the 3GPP side and the terminal corresponding to the non-3GPP side are the same terminal. However, in a specific application, the terminal corresponding to the multi-access session on the 3GPP side and the terminal corresponding to the non-3GPP side may be different. That is: the multi-access session corresponds to one terminal on the 3GPP side, and the multi-access session corresponds to another terminal on the non-3GPP side. In this way, one of the terminals can assist another terminal in accessing the core network. For example, a terminal with core network access capability can assist a terminal without core network access capability to access the core network through non-3GPP access technology. In addition, this method can also realize multi-access sessions.

[0462] like Figure 7 As shown, a communication method provided by the present application may include the following steps:

[0463] S701: The RAN node obtains address information of the third session.

[0464] In this application, the RAN node is Figure 1A The RAN node 104 in, or the RAN node is Figure 1D The RAN node 104 in.

[0465] In the present application, the third session is a session corresponding to the second terminal. The third session already exists, or has been established, or the third session has been established on an access technology side, or the third session is in the process of being established. For example, the third session is a session established by the first terminal through a session establishment process initiated from the 3GPP side. Optionally, the third session is a PDU session, a single access PDU session, or a multi-access PDU session. In the present application, the second terminal is Figure 1A The terminal 105 shown, the first terminal is Figure 1A The terminal 102 shown; or the second terminal is Figure 1D The terminal 105 shown, the first terminal is Figure 1D The terminal 102 is shown. Optionally, the first terminal has a core network access capability, and the second terminal does not have a core network access capability.

[0466] In the present application, the address information of the third session includes the IP address of the third session on the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side (such as the IP address of the first terminal). Optionally, the address information of the third session also includes the IP address of the third session on the non-3GPP side (such as the UE link specific IP address of the second terminal). Therefore, the address of the third session can be understood as the address of the terminal (such as the second terminal or the first terminal) corresponding to the third session.

[0467] In a possible implementation, the RAN node obtains the address information of the third session from other network elements, such as an AMF network element. The AMF network element may be Figure 1A The AMF network element in the core network 103 shown in FIG. Figure 1D The AMF network element 108 shown in .

[0468] Exemplarily, after the third session is successfully established, the AMF network element obtains the address information of the third session from the SMF network element, and sends the address information of the third session to the RAN node. The RAN node receives the address information of the third session from the AMF network element and can obtain the address information of the third session.

[0469] S702: The RAN node sends address information of the third session to the first terminal. Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the address information of the third session from the RAN node.

[0470] It can be understood that, through S702, the first terminal can obtain the address information of the third session from the 3GPP side. Optionally, the address information of the third session is carried in the session establishment success message.

[0471] S703: The access network element obtains an identifier of the third session.

[0472] In this application, the access network element is Figure 1AThe access network element 101 in, or the access network element is Figure 1D It can be understood that the access network element can be deployed as a network element alone in the network, or the access network element can be deployed as a network function with other network functions (such as UPF) in the same network element (such as Figure 1D The first network element 115) in the network is not restricted.

[0473] Optionally, the access network element also obtains information about the third channel.

[0474] In the present application, the identifier of the third session may indicate the third session. The third channel is a channel between the access network element and the UPF network element (such as the N3 channel), and the third channel corresponds to the third session. Exemplarily, the information of the third channel includes the identifier of the third channel. In the present application, the UPF network element is Figure 1A The UPF network element in the core network 103, or Figure 1D UPF network element 107 in.

[0475] In a possible implementation, the access network element obtains the identifier of the third session and the information of the third channel from other network elements, such as the AMF network element. Exemplarily, after the third session is successfully established, the AMF network element obtains the identifier of the third session and the information of the third channel from the SMF network element, and sends the identifier of the third session and the information of the third channel to the access network element. The access network element receives the identifier of the third session and the information of the third channel from the AMF network element, and can obtain the identifier of the third session and the information of the third channel. Among them, the SMF network element is Figure 1A The SMF network element in the core network 103 shown in FIG. Figure 1D The SMF network element 109 shown in .

[0476] S704: The access network element sends the identifier of the third session to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the identifier of the third session from the access network element.

[0477] It can be understood that, through S704, the second terminal can obtain the identifier of the third session from the non-3GPP side.

[0478] In a possible implementation, the access network element may initiate a process of establishing a child SA to the second terminal, where the child SA corresponds to the third session. In the process of establishing the child SA, the access network element sends an identifier of the third session to the second terminal. Optionally, the access network element also sends address information of the third session to the second terminal. Optionally, the identifier of the third session and the address information of the third session are carried in an IKE_Create_Child_SA Req / Res message.

[0479] It can be understood that the present application does not limit the execution order of S701-S702 and S703-S704. For example, the present application can execute S701-S702 and S703-S704 simultaneously, or execute S701-S702 first and then S703-S704, or execute S703-S704 first and then S701-S702.

[0480] It can be understood that the actions of the RAN node, the first terminal, the second terminal, or the access network element in the above S701-S704 can be Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 20 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 203 for execution, and the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0481] based on Figure 7 In the method shown, the first terminal receives the address information of the third session on the 3GPP side, so that the third session can be bound to the first terminal, and the second terminal receives the identifier of the third session on the non-3GPP side, so that the third session can be bound to the second terminal. Therefore, the third session can bind the 3GPP link and the non-3GPP link, that is, the third session has the function of multi-access session. In addition, since the terminal corresponding to the third session on the 3GPP side is different from the terminal corresponding to the non-3GPP side, one of the terminals can trigger the establishment process of the third session to assist the other terminal in accessing the core network. For example, the first terminal triggers the establishment process of the third session to assist the second terminal in accessing the core network through the non-3GPP access technology.

[0482] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the first terminal may assist the second terminal in acquiring the 3GPP side identifier so that the second terminal is bound to the third session. Figure 8 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0483] S700a: The first terminal obtains the device identification of the second terminal.

[0484] Exemplarily, the first terminal obtains the device identification of the second terminal by scanning the identification code of the second terminal (such as a QR code or a barcode of the second terminal). The device identification of the second terminal may indicate the second terminal.

[0485] S700b: The first terminal sends the third identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the third identifier from the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal.

[0486] In this application, the AF network element is Figure 1A The AF network element in the core network 103 in the embodiment of the present invention, or Figure 1DAfter the first terminal establishes a connection with the AF network element, the third identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal are sent to the AF network element. The third identifier of the first terminal is a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI) of the first terminal.

[0487] S700c: The AF network element obtains the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal.

[0488] In this application, the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal is an identifier allocated to the second terminal by the core network (such as the AMF network element in the core network), such as the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal is the 5G-GUTI of the second terminal or the GUTI of the second terminal.

[0489] In a possible implementation, the AF network element obtains the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal from the AMF network element according to the third identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal. For example, the AF can obtain the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal through the following S1-S3:

[0490] S1: The AF sends a sixth request to the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the sixth request from the AF network element.

[0491] In this application, the NEF network element is Figure 1A NEF network element in the core network 103, or Figure 1D The NEF network element 110 in the sixth request is used to request the allocation of a 3GPP side identifier for the second terminal. Exemplarily, the sixth request includes the third identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal. Optionally, the sixth request also includes GUTI (such as 5G-GUTI) request indication information to request the allocation of GUTI.

[0492] Optionally, the sixth request is carried in a GUTI (such as 5G-GUTI) request message. It can be understood that if the third identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal are carried in the GUTI (such as 5G-GUTI) request message, the AF network element may not send the GUTI (such as 5G-GUTI) request indication information.

[0493] S2: The NEF network element sends the fourth identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the fourth identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal from the NEF network element.

[0494] In the present application, the fourth identifier of the first terminal is a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of the first terminal.

[0495] It can be understood that after the NEF network element receives the third identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal, it can obtain the fourth identifier of the first terminal and send the fourth identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal to the AMF network element.

[0496] As an example, the NEF network element sends a query message to the UDM network element to query the AMF network element currently registered by the first terminal. The query information may include the third identifier of the first terminal. After receiving the query message, the UDM network element queries the AMF network element currently registered by the first terminal according to the third identifier of the first terminal, and sends the identifier of the AMF network element to the NEF network element. After receiving the identifier of the AMF network element, the NEF network element sends the fourth identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal to the AMF network element.

[0497] As another example, the NEF network element sends a query message to the UDM network element to query the AMF network element currently registered by the first terminal. The query information may include the third identifier of the first terminal, the fourth identifier of the first terminal, and the device identifier of the second terminal. After receiving the query message, the UDM network element queries the AMF network element currently registered by the first terminal according to the third identifier of the first terminal, and sends the fourth identifier of the first terminal and the device identifier of the second terminal to the AMF network element.

[0498] In this application, the UDM network element is Figure 1A NEF network element in the core network 103, or Figure 1D The UDM network element 113 in the network.

[0499] S3: The AMF network element sends the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal from the AMF network element.

[0500] It can be understood that after the AMF network element receives the device identifier of the second terminal, it allocates the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the second terminal and sends the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the AF network element.

[0501] In a possible implementation, the AMF network element sends the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the AF network element via the NEF network element. Alternatively, the AMF network element sends the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the AF network element via the UDM network element and the NEF network element.

[0502] Optionally, the AMF network element obtains the context of the first terminal according to the fourth identifier of the first terminal, and stores the device identifier of the second terminal in the context of the first terminal. In this way, the subsequent AMF network element can obtain the context of the first terminal according to the device identifier of the second terminal.

[0503] Optionally, after the AMF network element allocates the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the second terminal, the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal can be stored in the context of the first terminal. In this way, the subsequent AMF network element can obtain the context of the first terminal according to the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal.

[0504] Optionally, the AMF network element sends the device identifier of the second terminal to the AF network element. Correspondingly, the AF receives the device identifier of the second terminal from the AMF network element.

[0505] It can be understood that after receiving the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal, the AF network element can store the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal.

[0506] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the second terminal may obtain the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal from the AF network element so that the second terminal determines to omit the NAS message when accessing the core network from the non-3GPP. Figure 8 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0507] S700d: The AF network element sends the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal from the AF network element.

[0508] It is understandable that the second terminal can communicate with the WLAN AP (such as Figure 1D The access device 106 in the second terminal establishes a connection to obtain an IP address. Afterwards, the second terminal may establish a connection with the AF network element, and the AF network element may send the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the second terminal.

[0509] Optionally, the AF network element sends the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the second terminal based on the request of the second terminal. For example, the second terminal sends a fifth request to the AF network element to request the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal. The fifth request includes the device identifier of the second terminal. After receiving the fifth request, the AF network element queries the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal according to the device identifier of the second terminal, and sends the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the second terminal.

[0510] Optionally, the AF network element sends the identifier of the access network element to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the identifier of the access network element from the AF network element. In this way, the second terminal can determine the access network element to be connected. Optionally, the AF network element obtains the identifier of the access network element from other devices, or the identifier of the access network element corresponding to the second terminal is configured in the AF network element by static configuration. For example, the AF network element stores the device identifier of the second terminal and the identifier of the access network element corresponding to the device identifier of the second terminal.

[0511] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the AF network element may obtain the identifier of the UPF network element and send the identifier of the UPF to the second terminal so that the second terminal initiates the IPSec establishment process to the UPF. Figure 8 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0512] S700e: The AF network element obtains the identifier of the UPF network element.

[0513] In one possible implementation, the AF network element obtains the UPF network element identifier from the SMF network element. Figure 1A The SMF network element in the core network 103 shown in FIG. Figure 1D The SMF network element 109 shown in FIG. 109. The identifier of the UPF network element includes at least one of the FQDN of the UPF network element or the IP address of the UPF network element.

[0514] Exemplarily, the first terminal sends a second request to the AMF network element to request the establishment of a third session. The second request includes third information. The third information includes at least one of the following: a data network name, slice information, or a group identifier. After receiving the second request, the AMF network element sends the second request and the identifier of the access network element to the SMF network element. Among them, the identifier of the access network element is determined based on the third information (such as the AMF network element stores the correspondence between the third information and the access network element, and the AMF network element determines the identifier of the access network element based on the correspondence and the third information). After receiving the second request and the identifier of the access network element, the SMF network element sends the identifier of the UPF network element to the AF network element. The identifier of the UPF network element is determined based on the third information (such as the SMF network element stores the correspondence between the third information and the UPF network element, and the SMF network element determines the identifier of the UPF network element based on the correspondence and the third information); or the identifier of the UPF network element is determined based on the identifier of the access network element, for example, the UPF network element and the access network element are integrated in function, and the identifier of the UPF network element is the identifier of the access network element.

[0515] It is understandable that the identification of the access network element can also be obtained by the PCF network element from the AF and sent to the SMF network element. Figure 1A The PCF network element in the core network 103 or Figure 1D The PCF network element 112 in.

[0516] It is understandable that the SMF network element can directly send the UPF network element identifier to the AF network element, or send the UPF network element identifier to the AF network element through other network elements. For example, the SMF network element sends the UPF network element identifier to the AF network element via the NEF network element, or sends the UPF network element identifier to the AF network element via the PCF network element and the NEF network element.

[0517] It can be understood that after the AF network element receives the identifier of the UPF network element, it stores the identifier of the UPF network element and associates the identifier of the UPF network element with the second terminal (such as associating the identifier of the UPF network element with the device identifier of the second terminal).

[0518] S700f: The AF network element sends the identifier of the UPF network element to the second terminal. Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the identifier of the UPF network element from the AF network element.

[0519] In a possible implementation, the AF network element sends the UPF identifier to the second terminal based on the request of the second terminal. The request sent by the second terminal includes the device identifier of the second terminal.

[0520] Optional, in Figure 7 In one possible implementation of the method shown, the second terminal may instruct the access network element to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the access network element may determine to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side to simplify the multi-access session establishment process on the non-3GPP side, for example, to avoid the transmission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the process of establishing a multi-access session can be simplified. In addition, since the method provided in the present application does not require the interaction of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side when implementing a multi-access session, the method can be applied to terminals that do not support access to the core network from the non-3GPP side. For example, Figure 8 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0521] S700g: The second terminal sends sixth indication information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the sixth indication information from the second terminal.

[0522] In the present application, the sixth indication information is used to indicate the omission of the NAS message on the non-3GPP side.

[0523] Optionally, the second terminal may send sixth indication information to the access network element through the access device.

[0524] In a possible design, the sixth indication information includes the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal. That is, the access network element identifies that the sixth indication information includes the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal, and determines to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side.

[0525] In another possible design, the sixth indication information includes 1-bit indication information. When the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the sixth indication information indicates to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side.

[0526] In another possible design, the sixth indication information includes the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal and 1-bit indication information. When the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the sixth indication information indicates to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side.

[0527] It can be understood that the above is only an example of the information included in the sixth indication information. In a specific application, the information included in the sixth indication information may also be in other forms without limitation.

[0528] It can be understood that if the sixth indication information does not include the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal, the second terminal also sends the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal.

[0529] Optional, in Figure 7 In one possible implementation of the method shown, the access network element may instruct the AMF network element to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the AMF network element may determine to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side to avoid initiating the multi-access session establishment process from the non-3GPP side, or avoid interacting with NAS messages on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the process of establishing a multi-access session can be simplified. In addition, since the method provided in the present application does not require initiating the multi-access session establishment process from the non-3GPP side, or does not require interacting with NAS messages on the non-3GPP side when implementing a multi-access session, the method can be applied to terminals that do not support access to the core network from the non-3GPP side. For example, Figure 8 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0530] S700h: The access network element sends the fifth information to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the fifth information from the access network element.

[0531] In the present application, the fifth information includes at least one of the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal or the seventh indication information. The seventh indication information is used to indicate to omit the non-access layer message of the non-3GPP side.

[0532] It is understandable that the content included in the seventh indication information may be the same as or different from the content included in the sixth indication information. That is, after the access network element receives the sixth indication information, it may forward the sixth indication information to the AMF network element, or, after the access network element receives the sixth indication information, it processes the sixth indication information to obtain the seventh indication information, and sends the seventh indication information to the AMF network element.

[0533] Optionally, the fifth information is carried in an N2 message or a container.

[0534] In a possible design, the seventh indication information includes 1-bit indication information. When the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the seventh indication information indicates to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side.

[0535] It can be understood that the above is only an example of the information included in the seventh indication information. In a specific application, the information included in the seventh indication information may also be in other forms without limitation.

[0536] Optionally, if the fifth information does not include the seventh indication information, the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal included in the fifth information may have the function of the seventh indication information. If the fifth information does not include the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal, the seventh indication information may include the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal.

[0537] S700i: The AMF network element determines, based on the fifth information, that the first terminal assists the second terminal in accessing the core network through non-3GPP technology and omits the NAS message.

[0538] Optionally, after receiving the fifth information, the AMF network element may locally record the omitted NAS message on the non-3GPP side, so that when the first terminal subsequently requests a service from the AMF (for example, requesting to establish a multi-access session), the AMF network element determines to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side based on the recorded content.

[0539] Exemplarily, the AMF network element obtains the context of the first terminal, and stores identification information in the context of the first terminal according to the fifth information. The identification information is used to identify the omission of NAS messages on the non-3GPP side or the omission of NAS messages when the first terminal assists the second terminal in accessing the core network through non-3GPP technology. In this way, when the first terminal subsequently requests a service from the AMF network element, the AMF network element can obtain the context of the first terminal, and determine to omit NAS messages on the non-3GPP side according to the identification information stored in the context of the first terminal. The identification information includes an identifier of the access network element (such as at least one of the FQDN of the access network element or the IP address of the access network element) or at least one item of the seventh indication information.

[0540] Optional, in Figure 7In one possible implementation of the method shown, the AMF network element may indicate to the SMF network element that the UPF network element corresponding to the third session is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or indicate to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side. In this way, the SMF network element may select a UPF network element (such as a UPF network element integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side) for the third session. Figure 1D The SMF network element may also determine to omit the establishment process of the third channel. For example, Figure 8 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0541] S700j: The AMF network element sends the eighth indication information to the SMF network element. Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the eighth indication information from the AMF network element.

[0542] In the present application, the eighth indication information is used to indicate that the UPF network element corresponding to the third session is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or to indicate that the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side is omitted. The AMF network element can determine to send the eighth indication information to the SMF network element based on the identification information stored in the context of the first terminal.

[0543] Optionally, the eighth indication information is carried in a create session message.

[0544] In one possible design, the eighth indication information includes an identifier of the access network element; or, the eighth indication information includes 1-bit indication information. If the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the eighth indication information indicates that the UPF network element corresponding to the third session and the access network element function on the non-3GPP side are integrated, or indicates that the NAS message on the non-3GPP side is omitted; or, the eighth indication information includes the identifier of the access network element and the above-mentioned 1-bit indication information.

[0545] It can be understood that the above is only an example of the information included in the eighth indication information. In a specific application, the information included in the eighth indication information may also be in other forms without limitation.

[0546] Optional, in Figure 7 In a possible implementation of the method shown, the SMF network element may indicate to the UPF network element that the third channel is not allocated, so that the UPF network element determines to omit the establishment process of the third channel. Figure 8 As shown, Figure 7 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0547] S700k: The SMF network element sends the ninth indication information to the UPF network element. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the ninth indication information from the SMF network element.

[0548] In the present application, the ninth indication information is used to determine not to allocate the third channel. Optionally, the ninth indication information is carried in a fourth session (eg, PFCP session) establishment request message.

[0549] It can be understood that the content included in the ninth indication information may be the same as or different from the content included in the eighth indication information.

[0550] In one possible design, the ninth indication information includes the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal; or, the ninth indication information includes the identifier of the access network element; or, the ninth indication information includes 1-bit indication information, and if the value of the 1-bit indication information is "1" or "0", the ninth indication information indicates that the third channel is not allocated; or, the ninth indication information includes the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal and the above-mentioned 1-bit indication information.

[0551] It can be understood that the above is only an example of the information included in the ninth indication information. In a specific application, the information included in the ninth indication information may also be in other forms without limitation.

[0552] It can be understood that if the ninth indication information does not include the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal, the UPF network element can obtain the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal from the SMF network element.

[0553] It can be understood that after the UPF network element obtains the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal, it can determine the correspondence between the non-3GPP link corresponding to the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal and the context of the fourth session according to the 3GPP side identifier of the second terminal. Among them, the context of the fourth session corresponds to the context of the third session.

[0554] Optionally, the SMF network element sends the identifier of the third session to the UPF network element. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the identifier of the third session from the SMF network element. The identifier of the third session is carried in the fourth session establishment request message. In this way, the UPF network element can determine that the third session corresponds to the fourth session.

[0555] The action of the first terminal or the second terminal or the access network element or the AMF network element or the SMF network element or the UPF network element or the AF network element in the above S700a-S700k can be performed by Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 20 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 203 for execution, and the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0556] In order to better understand the method provided by the present application, Figure 1D The network architecture shown in FIG. 1 and the network architecture supporting untrusted non-3GPP access technology are used as an example to introduce the complete process of the communication method provided by the present application. Fig. 9 or Fig.10 The method shown. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the method shown, the access network element 101 or the first network element 115 may be an N3IWF network element. It should be understood that Figures 7 to 10 The descriptions of features in the methods shown can be borrowed from each other.

[0557] like Fig. 9 As shown, another communication method provided by the present application may include the following steps:

[0558] S901: Terminal 102 completes the registration process to the core network through cellular technology.

[0559] It can be understood that the process of S901 is similar to the process of S501, so reference may be made to the corresponding description in the above S501 and no further elaboration is given.

[0560] S902: Terminal 102 obtains the device identification of terminal 105.

[0561] S903: The terminal 102 sends the third identifier of the terminal 102 and the device identifier of the terminal 105 to the AF network element 114. Correspondingly, the AF network element 114 receives the third identifier from the terminal 102 and the device identifier of the terminal 105.

[0562] S904 : The AF network element 114 obtains the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 according to the third identifier of the terminal 102 and the device identifier of the terminal 105 .

[0563] S905 : The AF network element 114 sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 to the terminal 105 . Correspondingly, the terminal 105 receives the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 from the AF network element 114 .

[0564] It can be understood that the process of S902-S905 is similar to the process of S700a-S700d, so the corresponding description in the above S700a-S700d can be referred to and will not be repeated.

[0565] S906: The terminal 105 sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 from the terminal 105.

[0566] Exemplarily, the terminal 105 initiates an IPSec establishment process to the access network element 101, and in the process of establishing IPSec, sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 to the access network element 101. For example, the terminal 105 sends an IKE_AUTH request message to the access network element 101. The IKE_AUTH request message includes the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105. For example, the IKE_AUTH request message includes the NAI of the terminal 105.

[0567] It can be understood that after the access network element 101 receives the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105, the AMF network element can be selected according to the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105. Taking the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 as the 5G-GUTI of the terminal 105 as an example, the 5G-GUTI of the terminal 105 includes the identifier of the AMF network element 108, then the access network element 101 selects the AMF network element 108.

[0568] S907: The access network element 101 sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 from the access network element 101.

[0569] Optionally, the access network element 101 further sends seventh indication information to the AMF network element 108. Accordingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the seventh indication information from the access network element 101. The introduction of the seventh indication information can refer to the above Figure 8 As described in the method shown.

[0570] As an example, the access network element 101 sends an N2 message to the AMF network element 108. Accordingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the N2 message. The N2 message includes the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105, and the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 is used to identify the terminal 105 and has the function of the seventh indication information. Alternatively, the N2 message includes the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 and the seventh indication information.

[0571] As another example, the access network element 101 sends a container parameter to the AMF network element 108. Accordingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the container parameter. The container parameter includes a 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105, and the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 is used to identify the terminal 105 and has the function of the seventh indication information. Alternatively, the container parameter includes the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 and the seventh indication information.

[0572] It can be understood that after receiving the N2 message or container parameter, the AMF network element 108 can determine to simplify the access process on the non-3GPP side.

[0573] S908: The AMF network element 108 obtains the context of the terminal 102 according to the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105, and stores the identifier information in the context of the terminal 102.

[0574] The context of the terminal 102 is the context registered by the terminal 102 in 3GPP. The identification information is used to identify that the NAS message on the non-3GPP side is omitted or the NAS message is omitted when the terminal 102 assists the terminal 105 to access the core network through the non-3GPP. The identification information includes an identifier of the access network element 101 (such as at least one of the FQDN of the access network element 101 or the IP address of the access network element 101) or at least one of the seventh indication information.

[0575] It can be understood that the AMF network element 108 storing the identification information in the context of the terminal 102 can be understood as the AMF network element 108 completing the registration of the terminal 105 on the non-3GPP side.

[0576] Optionally, the AMF network element 108 sends an N2 message to the access network element 101. Accordingly, the access network element 101 receives the N2 message from the AMF network element 108. The N2 message includes a NAS message, such as a NAS Security Mode Command message. It should be understood that if the AMF network element 108 determines to simplify the access process on the non-3GPP side, the AMF network element 108 may not send the N2 message to save signaling overhead.

[0577] Optionally, if the terminal 105 is successfully authenticated, the AMF network element 108 sends the key of the access network element 101 (such as: AN key) to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the key of the access network element 101 from the AMF network element 108. Among them, the key of the access network element 101 is determined by the AMF network element 108 according to the root key during the 3GPP side authentication. Optionally, the key of the access network element 101 can be carried in the N2initial context setup message.

[0578] Optionally, after the access network element 101 receives the key of the access network element 101, it can be determined that the terminal 105 is successfully authenticated. Subsequently, the access network element 101 sends an EAP-success message and a key on the non-3GPP wireless air interface side (such as a PMK key) to the access device 106. Correspondingly, the access device 106 receives the EAP-success message and the key on the non-3GPP wireless air interface side from the access network element 101. Among them, the EAP-success message is used to indicate that the terminal 105 is successfully authenticated. The key on the non-3GPP wireless air interface side (such as the WLAN wireless air interface side) is generated by the access network element 101 based on the key of the access network element 101.

[0579] Optionally, after receiving the EAP-success message and the key on the non-3GPP wireless air interface side, the access device 106 may save the key on the non-3GPP wireless air interface side and send an EAP-success message to the terminal 105 .

[0580] S909: The terminal 102 sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the PDU session establishment request message from the terminal 102.

[0581] Understandably, Fig. 9 The PDU session in the method shown is equivalent to Figure 7 or Figure 8 The third session in the method shown.

[0582] Optionally, the PDU session establishment request message is carried in a UL NAS transport message. If the PDU session is a multi-access session, the UL NAS transport message may carry a request indication of a multi-access PDU session, which is used to indicate that the PDU session requested to be established is a multi-access PDU session.

[0583] In a possible implementation, the terminal 102 sends a PDU session identifier (PDU sessionID) to the AMF network element 108. Accordingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the PDU session identifier from the terminal 102. The PDU session identifier may be assigned by the terminal 102 and is used to identify the PDU session.

[0584] Optionally, the PDU session establishment request message includes third information. The introduction of the third information may refer to the above S700e.

[0585] It can be understood that the present application does not limit the execution order of S906-S908 and S909. For example, S906-S908 may be executed first and then S909, or S909 may be executed first and then S906-S908.

[0586] S910: The AMF network element 108 sends a create session message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the create session message from the AMF network element 108.

[0587] It can be understood that after receiving the PDU session establishment request message, the AMF network element 108 can obtain the context of the terminal 102 and determine to perform simplified access on the non-3GPP side according to the identification information stored in the context of the terminal 102. Subsequently, the AMF network element 108 sends a create session message to the SMF network element 109.

[0588] Optionally, the create session message includes an identifier of the access network element 101 and a NAS message. The identifier of the access network element 101 can be determined based on the third information. The NAS message can include a PDU session establishment request message. Optionally, the create session message, the NAS message, or the PDU session establishment request message also includes eighth indication information. For an introduction to the eighth indication information, reference can be made to the corresponding description in S700j above.

[0589] S911: The SMF network element 109 sends a PFCP session establishment request message to the UPF network element 107. Correspondingly, the UPF network element 107 receives the PFCP session establishment request message from the SMF network element 109.

[0590] It is understandable that after the SMF network element 109 receives the create session message, it can obtain the policy information of the PDU session from the PCF network element 112. The policy information may include the diversion mode, and / or, diversion function indication, etc. The SMF network element 109 can also select the UPF network element 107, and send a PFCP session establishment request message to the UPF network element 107 to request the establishment of a PFCP session corresponding to the PDU session. The PFCP session is a session between the UPF network element 107 and the SMF network element 109. The PFCP session establishment request message may include the above-mentioned policy information. Optionally, the PFCP session establishment request message may also include an identifier of the PDU session. It is understandable that Fig. 9 The PFCP session in the method shown is equivalent to Figure 7 or Figure 8 The fourth session in the method shown.

[0591] Optionally, the SMF network element 109 may select the UPF network element 107 deployed in conjunction with the access network element 101 according to the identifier of the access network element 101. Optionally, the SMF network element 109 sends ninth indication information to the UPF network element 107. Accordingly, the UPF network element 107 receives the ninth indication information from the SMF network element 109. For an introduction to the ninth indication information, reference may be made to the corresponding description in the above S700k.

[0592] S912: The UPF network element 107 sends a PFCP session establishment success message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the PFCP session establishment success message from the UPF network element 107.

[0593] Among them, the PFCP session establishment success message can be used to indicate that the PFCP session is successfully established. Optionally, the PFCP session establishment success message includes information on the 3GPP side, or the PFCP session establishment success message includes information on the 3GPP side and information on the non-3GPP side. For example, if the access network element 101 and the UPF network element 107 are not deployed together, the PFCP session establishment success message includes information on the 3GPP side and information on the non-3GPP side; if the access network element 101 and the UPF network element 107 are deployed together, the PFCP session establishment success message includes information on the 3GPP side.

[0594] Among them, the information on the 3GPP side includes information on the fourth channel, such as the identifier of the fourth channel. The fourth channel is the channel between the UPF network element 107 and the RAN node 104. Optionally, the information on the 3GPP side also includes address information of the PDU session, and / or 3GPP indication information. The address information of the PDU session includes the IP address of the terminal 102, or includes the IP address of the terminal 102 and the link specific IP address of the terminal 105. Optionally, the information on the 3GPP side also includes indication information of the access technology (such as non-3GPP side access) corresponding to the linkspecific IP address of the terminal 105. The 3GPP indication information is used to indicate that the information on the 3GPP side is information transmitted on the 3GPP side.

[0595] Among them, the information on the non-3GPP side includes information on the third channel and an identifier of the PDU session, such as an identifier of the third channel. The third channel is the channel between the UPF network element 107 and the access network element 101. Optionally, the information on the non-3GPP side also includes the address of the PDU session (such as the link specific IP address of the terminal 105), and / or non-3GPP indication information. Optionally, the information on the non-3GPP side also includes indication information of the access technology (such as non-3GPP side access) corresponding to the link specific IP address of the terminal 105. The non-3GPP indication information is used to indicate that the information on the non-3GPP side is information transmitted on the non-3GPP side.

[0596] In the above example, the information on the 3GPP side and the information on the non-3GPP side are included in the same PFCP session establishment success message. In a specific application, the information on the 3GPP side and the information on the non-3GPP side can also be included in different PFCP session establishment success messages, which are sent by the UPF network element 107 to the SMF network element 109.

[0597] S913: The SMF network element 109 sends a create session response message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the create session response message from the SMF network element 109.

[0598] In a possible implementation, the create session response message includes information on the 3GPP side, or includes information on the 3GPP side and information on the non-3GPP side. The create session response message also includes a NAS message. The NAS message includes a PDU session establishment success message.

[0599] In the above example, the information on the 3GPP side and the information on the non-3GPP side are included in the same create session response message. In a specific application, the information on the 3GPP side and the information on the non-3GPP side can also be included in different create session response messages, which are sent by the SMF network element 109 to the AMF network element 108.

[0600] S914: The AMF network element 108 sends the 3GPP side information to the RAN node 104. Correspondingly, the RAN node 104 receives the 3GPP side information from the AMF network element 108.

[0601] S915 : The RAN node 104 sends the address information of the PDU session to the terminal 102 . Correspondingly, the terminal 102 receives the address information of the PDU session from the RAN node 104 .

[0602] Optionally, the address information of the PDU session may be carried in a PDU session establishment success message sent to the terminal 102. The PDU session establishment success message is included in a NAS message.

[0603] S916: The AMF network element 108 sends the non-3GPP side information to the access network element 101. Correspondingly, the access network element 101 receives the non-3GPP side information from the AMF network element 108.

[0604] It can be understood that if the session creation response message includes information on the non-3GPP side, the AMF network element 108 sends the information on the non-3GPP side to the access network element 101; if the session creation response message does not include information on the non-3GPP side, the AMF network element 108 does not send the information on the non-3GPP side to the access network element 101.

[0605] In one possible implementation, after the access network element 101 receives information from the non-3GPP side, it can store the correspondence between the address information of the PDU session and the information of the third channel, so as to subsequently determine the information of the third channel according to the address information of the PDU session, or determine the address information of the PDU session according to the third channel.

[0606] It can be understood that the present application does not limit the execution order of S914 to S916. For example, S914 can be executed first, then S915, and finally S916; or S916 can be executed first, then S914, and finally S915; or S914 can be executed first, then S916, and finally S915.

[0607] S917 : The access network element 101 sends the identifier of the PDU session to the terminal 105 . Correspondingly, the terminal 105 receives the identifier of the PDU session from the access network element 101 .

[0608] Optionally, the access network element 101 further sends a UP_IP_Address corresponding to the PDU session to the terminal 105. Accordingly, the terminal 105 receives the UP_IP_Address from the access network element 101.

[0609] It can be understood that the access network element 101 can initiate a process of establishing a child SA to the terminal 105 to establish a child SA corresponding to the PDU session. In this process, the access network element 101 can send an identifier of the PDU session and an address of the PDU session (such as UP_IP_Address) to the terminal 105. Optionally, the identifier of the PDU session and the UP_IP_Address are carried in the IKE_Create_Child_SA Req / Res message.

[0610] It is understandable that the access network element 101 can establish a child SA, or repeat the above-mentioned child SA establishment process to establish multiple child SAs corresponding to the PDU session without limitation.

[0611] The actions of the devices in the above S901 to S917, such as the terminal 102 or the terminal 105 or the access network element 101 or the AMF network element 108 or the SMF network element 109 or the UPF network element 107 or the AF network element 114, can be performed by Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 20 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 203 for execution, and the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0612] based on Fig. 9 In the method shown, terminal 102 can assist terminal 105 in obtaining the identifier of the 3GPP side on the 3GPP side, and send a NAS message through the 3GPP cellular to establish a PDU session. The PDU session is bound to terminal 102 on the 3GPP side and to terminal 105 on the non-3GPP side, so the PDU session has the function of a multi-access session. Fig. 9 In the method shown, the terminal 105 can be bound to the PDU session through the NAS message transmitted by the terminal 102 on the 3GPP side. This not only enables the terminal 102 to trigger the PDU session establishment process to assist the terminal 105 in accessing the core network through non-3GPP access technology, but also simplifies the access process on the non-3GPP side.

[0613] exist Fig. 9In the method shown, the AF network element 114 can obtain the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 and send the identifier to the terminal 105, so that the terminal 105 indicates to the AMF network element 108 to omit the NAS message on the non-3GPP side. In a specific application, if the access network element 101 and the UPF network element 107 are deployed in one, such as deployed on the first network element 115, in addition to the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105, the AF network element 114 can also obtain the identifier of the first network element 115, so that the terminal 105 initiates the IPSec establishment process to the first network element 115.

[0614] like Fig.10 As shown, another communication method provided by the present application may include the following steps:

[0615] S1001: Terminal 102 completes the registration process to the core network through cellular technology.

[0616] It can be understood that the process of S1001 is similar to the process of S501, so reference may be made to the corresponding description in the above S501 and no further elaboration is given.

[0617] S1002: Terminal 102 obtains the device identification of terminal 105.

[0618] S1003: The terminal 102 sends the third identifier of the terminal 102 and the device identifier of the terminal 105 to the AF network element 114. Correspondingly, the AF network element 114 receives the third identifier from the terminal 102 and the device identifier of the terminal 105.

[0619] S1004 : The AF network element 114 obtains the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 according to the third identifier of the terminal 102 and the device identifier of the terminal 105 .

[0620] It can be understood that the process of S1002-S1004 is similar to the process of S700a-S700c, so the corresponding description in the above S700a-S700c can be referred to and no further details are given.

[0621] S1005: The terminal 102 sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the PDU session establishment request message from the terminal 102.

[0622] It can be understood that the process of S1005 is similar to the process of S909 described above, so reference may be made to the corresponding description in S909 described above and no further details are given.

[0623] S1006: The AMF network element 108 sends a create session message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the create session message from the AMF network element 108.

[0624] Optionally, the create session message includes an identifier of the first network element 115 and a NAS message. The identifier of the first network element 115 may be determined according to the third information. The NAS message may include a PDU session establishment request message.

[0625] S1007: The SMF network element 109 sends a PFCP session establishment request message to the first network element 115. Correspondingly, the first network element 115 receives the PFCP session establishment request message from the SMF network element 109.

[0626] It is understandable that after the SMF network element 109 receives the create session message, it can obtain the policy information of the PDU session from the PCF network element 112. The policy information may include the diversion mode, and / or, diversion function indication, etc. The SMF network element 109 can also select the first network element 115, and send a PFCP session establishment request message to the first network element 115 to request the establishment of a PFCP session corresponding to the PDU session. The PFCP session is a session between the first network element 115 and the SMF network element 109. The PFCP session establishment request message may include the above-mentioned policy information. Optionally, the PFCP session establishment request message may also include an identifier of the PDU session. It is understandable that Fig.10 The PFCP session in the method shown is equivalent to Figure 7 or Figure 8 The fourth session in the method shown.

[0627] Optionally, the SMF network element 109 may determine that the first network element 115 has the function of the access network element 101 and the function of the UPF network element 107 according to the identifier of the first network element 115. Therefore, the SMF network element 109 may send the ninth indication information to the first network element 115. Accordingly, the first network element 115 receives the ninth indication information from the SMF network element 109. For the introduction of the ninth indication information, reference may be made to the corresponding description in the above S700k.

[0628] S1008: The first network element 115 sends a PFCP session establishment success message to the SMF network element 109. Correspondingly, the SMF network element 109 receives the PFCP session establishment success message from the first network element 115.

[0629] The PFCP session establishment success message may be used to indicate that the PFCP session is established successfully. Optionally, the PFCP session establishment success message includes information on the 3GPP side.

[0630] Among them, the information on the 3GPP side includes information on the fourth channel, such as an identifier of the fourth channel. The fourth channel is a channel between the first network element 115 and the RAN node 104. Optionally, the information on the 3GPP side also includes address information of the PDU session, and / or 3GPP indication information. The address information of the PDU session includes the IP address of the terminal 102, or includes the IP address of the terminal 102 and the link specific IP address of the terminal 105. Optionally, the information on the 3GPP side also includes indication information of the access technology (such as non-3GPP side access) corresponding to the linkspecific IP address of the terminal 105. The 3GPP indication information is used to indicate that the information on the 3GPP side is information transmitted on the 3GPP side.

[0631] S1009: The SMF network element 109 sends a create session response message to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the create session response message from the SMF network element 109.

[0632] In a possible implementation, the create session response message includes information on the 3GPP side. The create session response message also includes a NAS message. The NAS message includes a PDU session establishment success message.

[0633] S1010: The AMF network element 108 sends the 3GPP side information to the RAN node 104. Correspondingly, the RAN node 104 receives the 3GPP side information from the AMF network element 108.

[0634] S1011: The RAN node 104 sends address information of the PDU session to the terminal 102. Correspondingly, the terminal 102 receives the address information of the PDU session from the RAN node 104.

[0635] Optionally, the address information of the PDU session may be carried in a PDU session establishment success message sent to the terminal 102. The PDU session establishment success message is included in a NAS message.

[0636] S1012: The SMF network element 109 sends the identifier of the first network element 115 to the AF network element 114. Correspondingly, the AF network element 114 receives the identifier of the first network element 115 from the SMF node 109.

[0637] It can be understood that the SMF network element 109 can directly send the identifier of the first network element 115 to the AF network element 114, or send the identifier of the first network element 115 to the AF network element 114 through other network elements. For example, the SMF network element 109 sends the identifier of the first network element 115 to the AF network element 114 via the NEF network element 110, or sends the identifier of the first network element 115 to the AF network element 114 via the PCF network element 112 and the NEF network element 110.

[0638] It can be understood that the AF network element 114 receives the identifier of the first network element 115 and can associate the identifier of the first network element 115 with the terminal 105. For example, the AF network element 114 associates the device identifier of the terminal 105 / the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 with the identifier of the first network element 115. In this way, the AF network element 114 can query the identifier of the first network element 115 according to the device identifier of the terminal 105 / the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105.

[0639] S1013: The AF network element 114 sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 and the identifier of the first network element 115 to the terminal 105. Accordingly, the terminal 105 receives the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 and the identifier of the first network element 115 from the AF network element 114.

[0640] In a possible implementation, the AF network element 114 sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 and the identifier of the first network element 115 to the terminal 105 based on the request of the terminal 105. For example, the terminal 105 sends a request message for requesting the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 and the identifier of the first network element 115 to the AF network element 114. The request message includes the device identifier of the terminal 105. After receiving the request message, the AF network element 114 queries the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 and the identifier of the first network element 115 according to the device identifier of the terminal 105, and sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 and the identifier of the first network element 115 to the terminal 105.

[0641] Understandably, Fig.10 It is shown that S1012-S1013 are executed after S1011, but in a specific application, S1012-S1013 can be executed after the SMF network element 109 selects the first network element 115 (i.e., determines the first network element 115). For example, S1012-S1013 can be executed simultaneously with S1007, or between S1007 and S1008, or after S1008, without limitation.

[0642] S1014: The terminal 105 sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 to the first network element 115. Correspondingly, the first network element 115 receives the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 from the terminal 105.

[0643] It can be understood that the terminal 105 initiates an IPSec establishment process to the first network element 115. Afterwards, the terminal 105 sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 to the first network element 115. For details, please refer to the corresponding introduction in S906.

[0644] S1015: The first network element 115 sends the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 to the AMF network element 108. Correspondingly, the AMF network element 108 receives the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105 from the first network element 115.

[0645] S1016: The AMF network element 108 obtains the context of the terminal 102 according to the 3GPP side identifier of the terminal 105, and stores the identifier information in the context of the terminal 102.

[0646] It can be understood that the above-mentioned process of S1014-S1016 is similar to the process of S906-S908, so the corresponding description in the above-mentioned S906-S908 may be referred to without further elaboration.

[0647] S1017: The first network element 115 sends the identifier of the PDU session to the terminal 105. Correspondingly, the terminal 105 receives the identifier of the PDU session from the first network element 115.

[0648] Understandably, Fig.10 It is shown that S1017 is executed after S1016, but in a specific application, S1017 can be executed after the terminal 105 initiates the IPSec establishment process to the first network element 115. For example, S1017 can be executed between S1014 and S1015, or simultaneously with S1015, or after S1015, without limitation. The introduction of the above S1017 can refer to the corresponding description in the above S917, and will not be repeated here.

[0649] The actions of the devices in the above S1001 to S1017, such as the terminal 102 or the terminal 105 or the AMF network element 108 or the SMF network element 109 or the first network element 115 or the AF network element 114, can be performed by Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 20 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 203 for execution, and the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0650] based on Fig.10 In the method shown, terminal 102 can assist terminal 105 in obtaining the identifier of the 3GPP side on the 3GPP side, and send a NAS message through the 3GPP cellular to establish a PDU session. The PDU session is bound to terminal 102 on the 3GPP side and to terminal 105 on the non-3GPP side, so the PDU session has the function of a multi-access session. Fig.10 In the method shown, the terminal 105 can bind to the PDU session through the NAS message transmitted by the terminal 102 on the 3GPP side, which not only enables the terminal 102 to trigger the PDU session establishment process to assist the terminal 105 in accessing the core network through the non-3GPP access technology, but also simplifies the access process on the non-3GPP side. Fig.10 In the method shown, the AF network element 114 can also obtain the identifier of the first network element 115 from the SMF network element 109, so that the terminal 105 can initiate the IPSec establishment process to the first network element 115.

[0651] The various embodiments mentioned above in this application can be combined without limitation if there is no contradiction between the solutions.

[0652] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by this application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, the present application also provides a communication device, which may be the access network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above access network element, or a component that can be used for the access network element; or, the communication device may be the first terminal in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above first terminal, or a component that can be used for the first terminal; or, the communication device may be the AMF network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above AMF network element, or a component that can be used for the AMF network element; or, the communication device may be the SMF network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above SMF network element, or a component that can be used for the SMF network element; or, the communication device may be the UPF network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above UPF network element, or a component that can be used for the UPF network element; or, the communication device may be the AF network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above AF network element, or a component that can be used for the AF network element; or, the communication device may be the second terminal in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above second terminal, or a component that can be used for the second terminal. It is understandable that the above-mentioned access network element, the first terminal, the AMF network element, the SMF network element, the UPF network element, the AF network element or the second terminal, etc., in order to realize the above-mentioned functions, include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm operations of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware 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.

[0653] The present application can divide the functional modules of the access network element, the first terminal, the AMF network element, the SMF network element, the UPF network element, the AF network element or the second terminal according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It can be understood that the division of modules in the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0654] For example, when the functional modules are divided in an integrated manner, Fig.11 The structure diagram of a communication device 1100 is shown. The communication device 1100 includes an interface module 1101. Optionally, the communication device 1100 also includes a processing module 1102. The interface module 1101, which may also be referred to as an interface unit, is used to perform transceiver operations, and may be, for example, an interface circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface. The processing module 1102, which may also be referred to as a processing unit, is used to perform operations other than transceiver operations, and may be, for example, a processing circuit or a processor.

[0655] In some embodiments, the communication device 1100 may further include a storage module ( Fig.11 ), for storing program instructions and data.

[0656] Exemplarily, the communication device 1100 is used to implement the function of accessing a network element. Figures 3 to 10 The access network element described in the embodiment shown.

[0657] The interface module 1101 is used to receive first data from the first terminal. The source address of the first data is the address of the first session, the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the 3GPP side and the non-3GPP side, or the address of the first session is the IP address of the first session on the non-3GPP side. For example, the interface module 1101 can be used to execute S305.

[0658] The interface module 1101 is further configured to send the first data according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session. The information corresponding to the address of the first session is determined according to the address of the first session, and the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session or the information of the first channel corresponding to the first session, and the first channel is the channel between the access network element and the user plane function network element on the non-3GPP side. For example, the interface module 1101 can be used to execute S306.

[0659] In a possible implementation, the interface module 1101 is further configured to receive first indication information from the first terminal, where the first indication information is used to indicate to omit the non-access stratum message of the non-3GPP side.

[0660] In a possible implementation, the interface module 1101 is further used to send second indication information to the access and mobility management function network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate to omit the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side.

[0661] In a possible implementation, the first indication information or the second indication information includes a 5G globally unique temporary identifier of the first terminal.

[0662] In a possible implementation manner, the interface module 1101 is further configured to send the address of the first session to the first terminal.

[0663] In one possible implementation, the interface module 1101 is further used to receive a first request from the first terminal through a layer 2 link or a layer 3 link associated with the first session, wherein the first request is used to request an address of the first session; and the processing module 1102 is used to determine the address of the first session based on the layer 2 link or the layer 3 link.

[0664] In one possible implementation, the interface module 1101 is further used to receive a first request from the first terminal, where the first request is used to request the address of the first session, and the first request includes at least one of the following: a first identifier of the first terminal, an identifier of the first session, or an address of the first session, where the first identifier is an identifier obtained by the first terminal on the non-3GPP side; the processing module 1102 is further used to determine the address of the first session based on the first request.

[0665] In a possible implementation, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session. The interface module 1101 is specifically configured to send a first data packet including first data. The destination address of the first data packet is determined according to the context of the first session.

[0666] In a possible implementation, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes information of the first channel. The interface module 1101 is specifically used to send a first data packet, the first data packet includes first data, and the destination address of the first data packet is determined according to the information of the first channel.

[0667] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1102 is further configured to obtain the address of the first session and information corresponding to the address of the first session.

[0668] In one possible implementation, the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session, and the interface module 1101 is also used to receive at least one of a first identifier or a third indication information of the first terminal from the session management function network element, where the first identifier is an identifier obtained by the first terminal on the non-3GPP side, and the third indication information is used to determine not to allocate the first channel.

[0669] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device 1100 is a user plane function network element.

[0670] When used to implement the function of accessing a network element, for other functions that the communication device 1100 can implement, refer to Figures 3 to 10 The relevant introduction of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated in detail.

[0671] Alternatively, illustratively, the communication device 1100 is used to implement the functions of the first terminal or the terminal 102. The communication device 1100 is, for example, Figure 3 The embodiment shown or Figure 4 The first terminal or the communication device 1100 described in the embodiment shown is, for example, Figure 5 The embodiment shown or Figu...

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving first data from a first terminal, where a source address of the first data is an address of a first session, where the address of the first session is an IP address of the first session on a Third Generation Partnership Project 3GPP side and a non-3GPP side, or where the address of the first session is an IP address of the first session on a non-3GPP side; The first data is sent according to information corresponding to the address of the first session, where the information corresponding to the address of the first session is determined based on the address of the first session, and the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes the context of the first session or information of the first channel corresponding to the first session, where the first channel is a channel between an access network element on the non-3GPP side and a user plane function network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: First indication information is received from the first terminal, where the first indication information is used to indicate to omit a non-access stratum message on a non-3GPP side.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second indication information to the access and mobility management function network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate to omit the non-access layer message of the non-3GPP side.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The address of the first session is sent to the first terminal.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a first request from the first terminal through a layer 2 link or a layer 3 link associated with the first session, the first request being used to request an address for the first session; An address for the first session is determined based on the layer 2 link or the layer 3 link.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a first request from the first terminal, where the first request is used to request the address of the first session, and the first request includes at least one of the following: a first identifier of the first terminal, an identifier of the first session, or an address of the first session, where the first identifier is an identifier obtained by the first terminal on a non-3GPP side; An address for the first session is determined based on the first request.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The information corresponding to the address of the first session includes a context of the first session, and the sending of the first data according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes: A first data packet is sent, where the first data packet includes the first data, and a destination address of the first data packet is determined according to a context of the first session.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The information corresponding to the address of the first session includes information of the first channel, and sending the first data according to the information corresponding to the address of the first session includes: A first data packet is sent, where the first data packet includes the first data, and a destination address of the first data packet is determined according to information of the first channel.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The address of the first session and information corresponding to the address of the first session are obtained.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or 9, characterized in that: The information corresponding to the address of the first session includes a context of the first session, and the method further includes: Receive at least one of a first identifier or a third indication information of the first terminal from a session management function network element, where the first identifier is an identifier obtained by the first terminal on a non-3GPP side, and the third indication information is used to determine not to allocate the first channel.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving first information on a third generation partnership project 3GPP side, where the first information includes an address of a first session or an identifier of the first session, where the address of the first session is an IP address of the first session on a 3GPP side and a non-3GPP side, or the address of the first session is an IP address of the first session on a non-3GPP side; receiving the first information from the non-3GPP side; Determine the 3GPP link and non-3GPP link corresponding to the first session according to the first information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending first data to an access network element on the non-3GPP side, where a source address of the first data is an address of the first session.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate to omit a non-access stratum message on a non-3GPP side.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The first information includes an address of the first session, and the method further includes: A first request is sent via a layer 2 link or a layer 3 link associated with the first session, the first request being used to request an address for the first session.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The first information includes an address of the first session, and the method further includes: Send a first request, where the first request is used to request the address of the first session, and the first request includes at least one of the following: a first identifier of the first terminal, an identifier of the first session, or an address of the first session, where the first identifier is an identifier obtained by the first terminal on a non-3GPP side.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a fourth indication message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the fourth indication message is used to indicate that the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session and the access network element function on the non-3GPP side are unified, or the fourth indication message is used to indicate the omission of the non-access layer message on the non-3GPP side.

17. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving second information from an access network element on a non-third generation partnership project 3GPP side, where the second information includes at least one of a second identifier of the first terminal or second indication information, where the second identifier is an identifier obtained by the first terminal on the 3GPP side, and the second indication information is used to indicate to omit a non-access stratum message on the non-3GPP side; Determine, according to the second information, that the first terminal omits non-access layer messages when accessing a core network through a non-3GPP technology.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: Acquire the context of the first terminal; According to the second information, identification information is stored in the context of the first terminal, where the identification information is used to identify that the first terminal omits non-access layer messages when accessing a core network through a non-3GPP technology.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive fourth indication information from the first terminal, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send fifth indication information to the session management function network element, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element corresponding to the first session is integrated with the access network element function on the non-3GPP side, or the fifth indication information is used to indicate the omission of non-access layer messages on the non-3GPP side.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or comprises a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, or comprises a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store programs or instructions, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, or performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, or performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20.

23. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instruction stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program or instructions are executed, the computer performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, or the method according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

24. A computer program product, comprising computer program code, characterized in that: When the computer program code is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method of any one of claims 11 to 16, or the method of any one of claims 17 to 20.

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