Methods, devices, equipment and media for dynamic signing of roaming locations under 5G networks

Abstract

This application provides a method, apparatus, device, and medium for dynamic subscription in roaming locations under a 5G network, relating to the field of communication technology. The method includes: obtaining a target data network identifier, which is issued by the access and mobility management function (AM) network element after the user equipment (UE) initiates a session request to the AM network element in the core network, indicating that the UE has completed a private network service subscription in the roaming location and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location; determining a private network traffic splitting rule matching the target data network identifier; and distributing the private network traffic splitting rule to the user plane function (MPF) network element in the core network. The private network traffic splitting rule is used by the MPF network element to establish a traffic splitting session with the UE, and the traffic splitting session is used by the UE to access the private network services provided by the private network within the private network service area. This application can solve the problem that users in other locations cannot easily access the private network services provided within the private network area of ​​their visited location.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of communication technology, and in particular relates to a method, apparatus, device and medium for dynamic signing of roaming locations under 5G network. Background Technology

[0002] Commercial organizations sometimes provide private network services in a specific area of ​​the local area. Local users can access the intranet and experience the private network service by signing a contract.

[0003] Currently, when users from other regions visit a local area and wish to experience the local private network service, they need to first return to their home region to sign a contract before the private network service can be activated.

[0004] The existing method makes it difficult for users in other locations to conveniently access the private network services of the destination. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a method, apparatus, device, and medium for dynamic contract signing in roaming locations under a 5G network, which can solve the problem that users in other locations cannot easily access the private network services of the visited location.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for dynamic subscription in a roaming location under a 5G network, applied to a session management function network element in the core network of the roaming location, the method comprising:

[0007] Obtain the target data network identifier, which is issued by the access and mobility management function network element after the user equipment initiates a session request to the access and mobility management function network element in the core network, and the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming location and is in the private network service area of ​​the roaming location.

[0008] Determine the private network traffic offloading rules that match the target data network identifier;

[0009] The private network traffic splitting rules are distributed to the user plane function network elements in the core network. The private network traffic splitting rules are used by the user plane function network elements to establish a traffic splitting session with the user equipment. The traffic splitting session is used by the user equipment to access the private network provided by the private network service within the private network service area.

[0010] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a dynamic subscription method for roaming locations under a 5G network, applied to access and mobility management function network elements in the core network of the roaming location, the method comprising:

[0011] In response to a session request initiated by a user equipment, session information is obtained, indicating that the user equipment has completed a private network service contract in the roaming location and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location;

[0012] Based on the established proximity principle, target application mobility policy control function network elements are selected from the core network;

[0013] Based on the session information, the target data network identifier is obtained from the target application mobility policy control function network element;

[0014] The target data network identifier is transmitted to the session management function network element in the core network.

[0015] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a dynamic subscription method for roaming locations under a 5G network, applied to a policy control function network element in the core network of the roaming location, the method comprising:

[0016] Obtain session information transmitted by network elements for access and mobility management functions;

[0017] Based on the session information, it is determined whether the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area;

[0018] If the user equipment has completed the private network service contract and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location, the target data network identifier is returned to the access and mobility management function network element.

[0019] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a roaming dynamic contract signing device under a 5G network, comprising:

[0020] The identifier acquisition module is used to acquire the target data network identifier, which is issued by the access and mobility management function network element after the user equipment initiates a session request to the access and mobility management function network element in the core network. The user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is in the private network service area of ​​the roaming area.

[0021] The traffic splitting rule acquisition module is used to acquire private network traffic splitting rules that match the target data network identifier;

[0022] The traffic offloading rule distribution module is used to distribute the private network traffic offloading rules to the user plane function network elements in the core network. The private network traffic offloading rules are used by the user plane function network elements to establish a traffic offloading session with the user equipment. The traffic offloading session is used by the user equipment to access the private network provided by the private network service within the private network service area.

[0023] Fifthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a roaming dynamic contract signing device under a 5G network, comprising:

[0024] The information acquisition module is used to respond to a session request initiated by a user equipment and acquire session information, wherein the user equipment has completed a private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area;

[0025] The network element selection module is used to select target application mobility policy control network elements from the core network based on the set proximity principle.

[0026] The data acquisition module is used to acquire the target data network identifier from the target application mobility policy control function network element based on the session information;

[0027] The identifier transmission module is used to transmit the target data network identifier to the session management function network element in the core network.

[0028] Sixthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a roaming dynamic contract signing device under a 5G network, comprising:

[0029] The session acquisition module is used to acquire session information transmitted by access and mobility management function network elements;

[0030] The information determination module is used to determine, based on the session information, whether the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area;

[0031] The identifier feedback module is used to return the target data network identifier to the access and mobility management function network element when the user equipment has completed the private network service contract and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location.

[0032] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a processor, and a memory storing computer program instructions; the processor reads and executes the computer program instructions to implement the method described above.

[0033] Eighthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by the core network, implement the method described above.

[0034] Ninthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described method.

[0035] The 5G network roaming dynamic subscription method, apparatus, device, and medium provided in this embodiment enable user equipment to complete private network service subscription in the roaming location. When the user is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location, the user equipment can switch to access the private network provided by the private network service through the private network traffic splitting rules issued to the user plane function network element. This eliminates the cumbersome operation of the user having to go to the home location to subscribe to the private network service, allowing the user to conveniently access the local private network provided in the visited location. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the current 3GPP UL CL technical specifications;

[0038] Figure 2 A diagram illustrating the overall framework of the 5G private network traffic offloading strategy control scheme based on roaming location dynamic subscription provided in this application embodiment;

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the 5G network roaming dynamic contract signing method provided in this application embodiment;

[0040] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating the control principle of local traffic offloading service strategy based on roaming location contract provided in this application embodiment;

[0041] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the 5G network roaming dynamic contract signing method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0042] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the 5G network roaming dynamic contract signing method provided in this application embodiment;

[0043] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the overall process of a user equipment accessing private network services in a roaming location, as provided in this application embodiment;

[0044] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the 5G network roaming dynamic signing device provided in this application embodiment;

[0045] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of the 5G network roaming dynamic signing device provided in this application embodiment;

[0046] Figure 10A schematic diagram of the structure of the 5G network roaming dynamic signing device provided in this application embodiment;

[0047] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the core network structure provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely intended to explain the present invention and not to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can be practiced without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely to provide a better understanding of the present invention by illustrating examples of the invention.

[0049] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0050] The technical solutions provided in this application are applicable to 5G systems. A 5G system includes terminal equipment, access network equipment, and core network equipment. The core network equipment includes: Session Management Function (SMF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), User Plane Function (UPF), and Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0051] In 5G systems, the terminal devices involved in the embodiments of this application can be referred to as User Equipment (UE), which can be devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users, handheld devices with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, etc. The names of the terminal devices may differ in different systems. Wireless terminal devices can communicate with one or more core networks (CNs) via a Radio Access Network (RAN). Wireless terminal devices can be mobile terminal devices, such as mobile phones (or "cellular" phones) and computers with mobile terminal devices, for example, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices, which exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. Examples include Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and other devices. Wireless terminal equipment can also be referred to as a system, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, access point, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user device, but is not limited to these terms in the embodiments of this application.

[0052] With the development of 5G networks, 5G private networks have evolved towards private network convergence, mainly enhancing the business scenarios of collaborative access between public and private networks, so that users can access both the enterprise campus intranet and the public network at the same time. However, these services all require the relevant service diversion strategies to be enabled for users in advance in their home regions.

[0053] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Uplink Classifier (UL CL) technical specification, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the current 3GPP UL CL technical specification, such as... Figure 1As shown, the entire system framework includes user equipment 11, access network equipment 12, access and mobility management function network element 13, session management function network element 14, uplink classifier 15, first anchor point 16, and second anchor point 17. Currently, the main service offloading technology solution adopts the 5G UL CL offloading solution. UL CL function is a data offloading function for the user plane, which realizes the offloading of service flows accessing the local network to the local service server according to the characteristics of user service flows. That is, users support UL CL capability in the 5G network, and when moving in the 5G network, they can support UL CL + secondary anchor point services based on subscription and / or location information. Generally, activation is handled by the home operator signing up a specific package. Thus, regardless of the user's location, when the user uses the service, the network-side AMF and SMF need to obtain the subscription policy information from the home PCF to determine whether the user is allowed to use the service. 2) There is a certain amount of traffic detour and latency, requiring advance activation, resulting in a poor customer experience. The drawbacks are particularly noticeable in scenarios such as: when users travel outside their home region and visit a local museum to experience its virtual reality guided tours via dynamic contracts, or when browsing shopping malls and pedestrian streets to enjoy free data services offered by these businesses. These services are typically offered in partnership with local businesses and mobile operators. If visitors have to return to their home region to sign up and use these services, the customer experience is clearly poor. Therefore, local operators need to provide visitors with the ability to instantly sign up for these local services, allowing them to directly use these services through dynamic contracts on the local operator's network. This would improve the visitor experience and simultaneously increase the profitability for both businesses and operators.

[0054] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a 5G private network traffic offloading strategy control scheme based on dynamic roaming location subscription. This scheme allows visitor users to quickly subscribe to the aforementioned services after entering the visited location from their home location, and access the servers of the relevant commercial institutions via UL CL traffic offloading. When a user leaves these commercial institutions or the subscribed private network service times out, the network side will re-modify the user session and delete the offloading session for accessing the aforementioned services. This significantly improves the customer's real-time experience.

[0055] The technical solution of this application will be described in detail below through specific embodiments. It should be noted that the following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments.

[0056] First, let's introduce the overall architecture of this solution. Figure 2 The overall framework structure diagram of the 5G private network traffic offloading strategy control scheme based on roaming location dynamic subscription provided in the embodiments of this application is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, it mainly includes Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element 21, Session Management Function (SMF) network element 22, User Plane Function (UPF) network element 23, and Policy Control Function (PCF) network element 23. The UPF is further divided into a traffic offloading user plane function network element (UL CL UPF), a primary anchor point user plane function network element (PSA1 UPF) 24, and a secondary anchor point function network element 25 (PSA0 UPF). The AMF, SMF, and PCF need to be modified to adapt to this scheme.

[0057] AMF: It needs to be modified to support the selection of Access and Mobility Policy Control Function (AM-PCF) network elements based on Serving Scope. It should support passing the selected Data Network Name (selectedDNN) received from AM-PCF to SMF, and jointly decide with SMF on the Protocol Data Unit Session (PDU) session that needs to be reactivated in private network service scenarios based on the Requested Data Network Name (Requested DNN) requested by the user equipment and the selectedDNN issued by AM-PCF.

[0058] SMF needs to be modified to support enabling local traffic offloading based on the selectedDNN obtained from the AMF side, and triggering the UL CL UPF selection process. It should also support matching local traffic offloading rules based on the selectedDNN and sending the offloading rules to the UL CLUPF.

[0059] The PCF needs to be modified to support obtaining the user's private network service subscription status locally, and to issue the private network service DNN to the AMF based on the subscription status and the user's location. When a 5G user subscribes to a local private network service in a roaming area, the network service provided by the private network service will be automatically activated when the user enters the private network area: the user can enjoy the private network service after entering a specific private network area in a roaming area. When the user enters the private network area, the PCF will dynamically issue the private network DNN=dnn-ar to the SMF. The SMF will activate the ULCL traffic offloading rules bound to dnn-ar based on the new DNN, and the user can use the network service provided by the campus private network.

[0060] As a UL CL UPF, it can receive traffic splitting rules issued by SMF and perform traffic splitting according to the rules. As a traffic splitting auxiliary anchor point, it handles service flows accessing the local network.

[0061] In the above after the modification Figure 2 The framework requires the coordinated deployment of PCF, AMF, and SMF. Since UL CL is not supported by 2G / 3G / 4G users or international roaming, this method primarily targets 5G users. Furthermore, in scenarios where dynamic rule-based traffic offloading by PCF and dedicated network service offloading coexist, dedicated network offloading takes precedence. Also, even if a user has subscribed to multiple local dedicated network services, only one local dedicated network service can be active for the same user at any given time. Additionally, in Inter AMF scenarios where a user moves from within the campus to outside the campus, the new-side AMF will not notify the SMF to rebuild the session, the SMF cannot delete the user's current dedicated network policy, and the user's offloading session will be retained until the user moves out of the coverage area of ​​the current offloading UPF, at which point the offloading session will be released.

[0062] Continue to refer to the above. Figure 2 When implementing the traffic offloading strategy control scheme based on dynamic roaming location for 5G private networks, the main steps are as follows:

[0063] ① When a user signs up for a private network service, the PCF issues a selectedDNN (hereinafter referred to as the target data network identifier) ​​based on the user's location;

[0064] ② The AMF forwards the selectedDNN sent by the PCF to the SMF;

[0065] ③SMF selects UL CL UPF based on predefined rules matched by selectedDNN;

[0066] ④ Issue the traffic offloading strategy to UL CL UPF;

[0067] ⑤ Divert user data according to the diversion rules;

[0068] ⑥UE accessing internet services;

[0069] ⑦UE accesses local services.

[0070] The following section uses the SMF (Service Provider Function) in the core network equipment of the roaming location as the implementing entity to introduce a traffic offloading strategy control scheme based on dynamic subscription in roaming locations under 5G private networks. Specifically, Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a dynamic roaming subscription method in a 5G network provided in an embodiment of this application. The method uses the SMF (Software-Defined Network Function) in the core network equipment of the roaming location as the executing entity, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0071] Step S310: Obtain the target data network identifier.

[0072] Among them, the target data network identifier, namely the selectedDNN mentioned above, is issued by the access and mobility management function network element after the user equipment initiates a session request to the access and mobility management function network element in the core network. This indicates that the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area.

[0073] In some implementations, user equipment can sign up for the private network service in any area of ​​the roaming location, such as outside or within the private network service area. This avoids the need for users to return to their home location to sign up, allowing them to conveniently access the private network service even when visiting a new location. The private network service supports instant signing and activation both within and outside the private network service park, or even at the new location, and offers various activation methods: online or offline signing, registration via a web portal or QR code, or automatic signing during ticket purchase.

[0074] In this embodiment, the user roaming has signed up for local park diversion service (i.e., private network service) through the interface of the operator capability open platform (such as ticketing website, park QR code, operation system, etc.). When the user enters the park of the private network service, the AMF will obtain the user's latest location information.

[0075] When a user roams to a visited location, the session is activated. The visited AMF then selects the nearest local AM-PCF to request the establishment of an N15 session and transmits the user's location information and user information to the AM-PCF.

[0076] The AM-PCF obtains user information and location information from the AMF's N15 session creation request message. Based on the user information, it determines that the user has subscribed to a private network service and that the user's current location is within the private network area. The AM-PCF then sends an N15 session response message to the AMF, which carries the DNN (Target Data Network Identifier) ​​of the user's subscribed local private network service through smfSelInfo.dnn.

[0077] Step S320: Determine the private network traffic splitting rule that matches the target data network identifier.

[0078] In this embodiment, the AMF determines the subsequent session flow and the type of DNN sent to the SMF based on the selectedDNN issued by the AM-PCF and the requestedDNN carried by the user. When the AMF decides that a split session needs to be created for a PDU session of the requestedDNN type, it will send the requestedDNN and selectedDNN to the SMF.

[0079] Among them, SMF selects the home PCF (SM-PCF) based on requestedDNN to create N7 sessions and obtains the relevant session policies.

[0080] Step S330: Distribute the private network traffic distribution rules to the user plane function network elements in the core network.

[0081] Among them, the private network traffic splitting rule is used to establish a traffic splitting session between user plane function network elements and user equipment. The traffic splitting session is used by user equipment to access the private network provided by the private network service within the private network service area.

[0082] In this embodiment, if the SMF determines that the selectedDNN is a private network DNN, it selects the UL CL UPF and the secondary anchor point UPF, creates an N4 traffic splitting session for the user, and sends the traffic splitting rules to the UL CL UPF. The decision SMF matches the predefined UL CL traffic splitting rules based on the selectedDNN sent by the AM-PCF and transmitted through the AMF.

[0083] In the private network service scenario, SMF only issues the home location billing control policy to the primary anchor point UPF (referred to as PSA1 UPF in this article). The secondary anchor point UPF is used for local network access in the park and does not perform billing statistics for local park private network services.

[0084] For example, Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating the control principle of local traffic offloading service strategy based on roaming location contract provided in this application embodiment is shown below. Figure 4 As shown, the main entities involved include roaming user 40, access and mobility management function network element 41 (AMF), session management function network element 43 (SMF), user plane function network element (UPF), and policy control function network element 42 (PCF). Among these, there are offloading user plane function network element 44 (UL CL UPF), private network user plane function network element 45 (private network UPF), and secondary anchor point function network element 46 (PSA0 UPF). The specific execution steps mainly include the following five steps:

[0085] S41: AMF selects the nearest local AM-PCF.

[0086] When a user roams to a visited location, the session is activated. The visited AMF then selects the nearest local AM-PCF to request the establishment of an N15 session and transmits the user's location information and user information to the AM-PCF.

[0087] S42: AM-PCF decides whether to enable private network services based on contract information and user location.

[0088] The AM-PCF obtains user information and location information from the AMF's N15 session creation request message. Based on the user information, it determines that the user has subscribed to a private network service and that the user's current location is within the private network area. In the N15 session response message sent to the AMF, the AM-PCF carries the DNN (i.e., target data network identifier, selectedDNN) of the user's subscribed local private network service through smfSelInfo.dnn.

[0089] S43: AMF carries the UE's request DNN and selected DNN.

[0090] The AMF determines the subsequent session flow and the type of DNN sent to the SMF based on the selectedDNN issued by the AM-PCF and the requestedDNN carried by the user. When the AMF decides that a split session needs to be created for a PDU session of type requestedDNN, it will send the requestedDNN and selectedDNN to the SMF.

[0091] S44: SMF uses request DNN to select location-related NF to create a session.

[0092] Among them, SMF selects the home PCF (SM-PCF) based on requestedDNN to create N7 sessions and obtains the relevant session policies.

[0093] S45: SMF matches UL CL splitting rules based on selected DNN and uses request DNN to implement UL CLUPF or auxiliary anchor UPF insertion.

[0094] In this process, if the SMF determines that the selectedDNN is a private network DNN, it selects the UL CL UPF and the secondary anchor point UPF (represented as PSA0 UPF in this paper), creates an N4 traffic splitting session for the user, and sends the traffic splitting rules to the UL CL UPF. The decision SMF then matches the predefined UL CL traffic splitting rules based on the selectedDNN sent by the AM-PCF and transmitted through the AMF.

[0095] This application's embodiments modify the AMF and SMF so that when a user signs up for a service in a roaming location, the AMF can obtain the selectedDNN (Target Data Network Identifier) ​​from the PCF and pass it to the SMF. The SMF can then match the selectedDNN with local traffic offloading rules and issue it to the UL CL UPF. The UL CL UPF receives the traffic offloading rules from the SMF and offloads the user device's network data, allowing the user device to access the local private network. This solves the current problem where users need to sign up for services in their home location beforehand if they need to use the visited location's private network, improving convenience. Furthermore, since the roaming location's PCF provides the selectedDNN to the roaming location's AMF and SMF, the roaming location's AMF and SMF no longer need to obtain their subscription policy information from the home location's PCF, reducing traffic detours and latency. In addition, this method expands the scope of private network service offloading in the operator's flexible local new service expansion, enhancing the user experience.

[0096] In some embodiments, the PDU Session Anchor (PSA) UPF can be divided into a central UPF, an edge UPF, and a traffic offshoot UPF. The SMF can select the traffic offshoot user plane function element (UL CL UPF) and the primary anchor user plane function element (PSA1 UPF) based on at least one of the Tracking Area Identifier (TAI), the RequestedDNN (RequestedDNN), and the Data Network Access Identifier (DANI), and then distribute the private network traffic offshoot rules to the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF.

[0097] In this embodiment, UL CL UPF, also known as offloading PDF, is used to offload service data to a private network (DN) or the public Internet.

[0098] In this embodiment, the central PDF, also known as the main anchor point UPF, refers to the UPF that assigns a user plane IP address to the UE when the UE is activated, and it is also the session anchor point for the UE to access the Internet.

[0099] This application embodiment, by selecting UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF and issuing private network traffic offloading rules, enables UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF to allow UEs to access the private network of the roaming location when visiting the roaming location, by signing up for the private network service of the roaming location, and to access the private network of the signed-up service within the private network area, without having to go to the home location to sign up for the service in advance.

[0100] Furthermore, in some other embodiments, the SMF can also select the PSA0 UPF based on information such as TAI and RequesteddNN. Here, PSA0 UPF, also known as the edge PDF or secondary anchor point UPF mentioned above, refers to the edge-side N4 session anchor point when the UE accesses the local network.

[0101] The SMF can send a PFCP Session creation procedure to the PSA0 UPF, carrying the N3 downlink tunnel information and the ordinary PCC policy (i.e., policy and charging control information) issued by the SM-PCF. The PSA0 UPF returns the N3 uplink tunnel information. Simultaneously, the SMF sends a PFCP Session Modification Request message to the PSA0 UPF, updating its downlink tunnel to the N9 interface (corresponding to the first interface). The PSA0 UPF returns the N9 interface uplink tunnel information.

[0102] This application embodiment establishes an effective communication connection between the SMF and the PSA0 UPF, providing a transmission path for the UE's data traffic. Simultaneously, the carried PCC policy can also guide the UPF on how to process user plane data.

[0103] Additionally, in some implementations, when the SMF sends a private network traffic splitting rule matching selectedDDNN(dnn-ar) to the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF, it first sends a PFCP Session creation procedure to the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF. At this time, the UL CL UPF needs to return the uplink tunnel information of the N3 interface (corresponding to the second interface) and the downlink tunnel information of the N9 interface, and the PSA1 UPF needs to return the uplink tunnel information of the N3 interface and the uplink tunnel information of the N9 interface.

[0104] After the UL CL UPF and PSA1 UPF return information, the SMF establishes a session with the UL CL UPF and PSA1 UPF.

[0105] In this embodiment, the N3 interface is the interface between the AMF and the UPF. Uplink tunnel information is used to guide data transmission from the user equipment through the RAN to the UPF in the core network. This information includes tunnel IDs, etc., to ensure that data can be correctly routed to the target UPF and processed and forwarded accordingly.

[0106] Additionally, the N9 interface serves as the interface between UPFs for transmitting user plane data. Downlink tunnel information on the N9 interface guides data transmission from one UPF to another or an external network via the N9 interface. This information, including tunnel IDs, ensures data is transmitted along the intended path and ultimately reaches the target network or device. Similar to downlink tunnel information, uplink tunnel information on the N9 interface is also used for data transmission on the N9 interface.

[0107] This application's embodiments refine the details of session management. Regarding the application of traffic splitting rules, by carrying and distributing traffic splitting rules to UL CL UPF and PSA1 UPF, SMF can guide these UPFs on how to classify and process data flows according to different service requirements and network conditions.

[0108] In addition, in some implementations, the SMF can also send a PFCP SessionModification Request message to the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF, carrying the uplink tunnel information of the N9 interface returned by the PSA0 UPF, and update its uplink tunnel to the N9 interface.

[0109] In this embodiment, the PFCP Session Modification Request message is a message used in a 5G network to modify an established PFCP session. PFCP is a communication protocol used between the control plane and the user plane, responsible for managing user equipment sessions, quality of service, billing, and other functions. Through the PFCP Session Modification Request message, the uplink tunnel of the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF can be updated to the N9 interface.

[0110] In this embodiment, the PFCP Session Modification Request message is sent via SMF to update the uplink tunnel of UL CLUPF+PSA1 UPF to the N9 interface, thereby optimizing the tunnel configuration of the session and ensuring smooth data transmission in both uplink and downlink directions.

[0111] In other embodiments, the SMF may also send a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer Request message, carrying an N2 SM Information notification (R)AN side, to update the uplink tunnel information of the N3 tunnel on the base station side to UL CL UPF.

[0112] In this embodiment, updating the uplink tunnel information of the N3 tunnel on the base station side to the UL CL UPF involves replacing the original uplink tunnel information with the new uplink tunnel information provided by the UL CL (Uplink Classifier) ​​UPF. In a 5G network, the N3 interface is the interface between the AMF and the UPF, used to transmit user plane data. The UL CL UPF is the UPF responsible for processing uplink data. Therefore, this operation ensures that the base station can correctly transmit the uplink data of the user equipment to the new UL CL UPF for processing.

[0113] Furthermore, in some implementations, the SMF can also send a PFCPSession Modification Request to the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF, sending the downlink address information of the (R)AN side N3 tunnel and the corresponding Policy and Charging Rules (PDR) to the UL CL UPF+PSA1.

[0114] In this embodiment, the PDR is a set of policies and charging rules used to define and manage user data transmission. It contains information about how to route, process, and charge user data. When the SMF decides to modify an established PFCP session, it notifies the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF by sending a PFCP Session Modification Request message and providing a new PDR. These new PDRs will instruct the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF on how to process and forward user data according to the new policies and charging rules. Simultaneously, the SMF also provides the downlink address information of the (R)AN-side N3 tunnel to ensure that data can be correctly routed to the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF.

[0115] In addition, after receiving the N3 tunnel downlink address information and PDR, UL CL UPF+PSA1UPF can respond with a PFCP Session Modification Response message.

[0116] This application embodiment enables the SMF to flexibly manage the UPF's processing method for user plane data by sending the PDR to the UL CL UPF+PSA1, ensuring that data transmission complies with network policies and service requirements.

[0117] In other embodiments, the AMF can complete signaling interaction with the UE via the (R)AN, sending a PDU SessionResource Setup Request message containing N2 SM information. The N2 SM information may include a QoS Flow Identifier (QFI), a Quality of Service Profile (QoS Profile), and Core Network Tunnel Information (CN Tunnel Info). Additionally, the (R)AN sends an N1 SM Container to the UE containing a PDU SessionEstablishment Accept message and an allocated IPv4 address.

[0118] After receiving the PDU Session Resource Setup Request message from the AMF, the (R)AN sends a PDU Session Resource Setup Response message to the AMF to establish AN tunnel information. The response message includes AN Tunnel Info, a List of Accepted / Rejected QFIs, etc. Subsequently, the SMF and AMF interact to obtain access network tunnel information (referred to as AN Tunnel Info).

[0119] In this embodiment, in a 5G network, an AN tunnel refers to a logical channel between the UE and the AMF, used to transmit control plane signaling messages. The AN Tunnel Info contains information such as the tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID), tunnel type, and tunnel version, and is crucial for establishing and maintaining AN tunnels.

[0120] The "List of Accepted / Rejected QFIs" refers to the list of QoS flow identifiers (QFIs) that have been accepted or rejected. During the establishment of a PDU session, the UE requests several QoS flows, each identified by a unique QFI. However, due to network resource limitations or other reasons, not all QoS flow requests can be accepted. Therefore, the AMF (Application Management Function) lists which QoS flows have been accepted and which have been rejected in the response message, allowing the UE to understand the current QoS status and make appropriate adjustments.

[0121] This application embodiment obtains access network tunnel information from the AMF (Access Network Provider). The SMF can then understand the specific parameters of the tunnel, ensuring the security and reliability of data transmission. Simultaneously, based on the access network tunnel information, the SMF can better understand the connection status between the user equipment and the network, thereby more accurately allocating resources to the user equipment and managing its data transmission. Furthermore, based on the access network tunnel information, the SMF can more rationally allocate network resources, avoiding resource waste and congestion.

[0122] In other embodiments, after a user equipment (UE) completes its private network service subscription in a roaming area, the UE can access the private network provided by the private network service within the private network area, and can also use the public network within the same private network area. Specifically, when the UE's access to the private network times out and / or it leaves the private network service area, the traffic splitting session established between the UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF and the UE is deleted, causing the UE to stop accessing the private network and switch to accessing the public network. This provides greater flexibility, allowing the UE to switch between public and private networks flexibly.

[0123] The following section uses the AMF (Active Network Function) in the core network equipment of the roaming location as the implementing entity to introduce a traffic offloading strategy control scheme based on dynamic subscription in roaming locations under 5G private networks. Specifically, Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a dynamic roaming subscription method in a 5G network provided in an embodiment of this application. The method uses the AMF (Active Network Function) in the core network equipment of the roaming location as the executing entity, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0124] Step S510: In response to a session request initiated by the user equipment, obtain session information. This information includes details of the user equipment having completed a private network service agreement in the roaming location and being within the private network service area of ​​that location.

[0125] In this embodiment, the session information may include the user device's location information and user information (specifically, it may include TAI, SUPI, and RequestedDNN, etc.).

[0126] Furthermore, in some implementations, after the AMF extracts the location information, TAI, and SUPI from the session information, the AMF can forward the location information, TAI, and SUPI to the AM-PCF (corresponding to the target application mobility policy control function network element). The target application mobility policy control function network element then determines, based on the location information, TAI, and SUPI, whether the user has subscribed to the private network service and is within the private network area.

[0127] If the user has signed up for a private network service and is within the private network area, the target data network identifier (i.e., selectedDNN) will be returned to the AMF.

[0128] Step S520: Based on the set proximity principle, select the target application mobility policy control function network element from the core network.

[0129] In this embodiment, referring to the preceding text, the AMF is modified to support the selection of the AM-PCF based on user range and service range. When a user roams to a visited location and activates a session, the visited AMF selects the nearest local AM-PCF to request the establishment of an N15 session and transmits the user's location information and user information to the AM-PCF.

[0130] Step S530: Based on session information, obtain the target data network identifier from the target application mobility policy control function network element.

[0131] The session information includes user information and user location. The user location can be used to determine whether the user's device is within the private network area, while the user information can be used to determine whether the user has signed up for private network services.

[0132] In other implementations, after the AMF obtains the target data network identifier, it can also compare it with a locally configured preset whitelist to determine whether it is in the preset whitelist. Specifically, when the target data network identifier matches the preset whitelist, the AMF then passes the target data network identifier to the SMF, thereby ensuring accuracy and avoiding errors.

[0133] Step S540: Pass the target data network identifier to the session management function network element in the core network.

[0134] In this embodiment, when the AMF receives the target data network identifier (i.e., selectedDNN) issued by the AM-PCF, it will carry the selectedDNN in the N11 session creation request sent to the SMF.

[0135] In other embodiments, the AMF will also interact with the base station side to send control messages of the SMF to the base station side. These control messages are used to control the N3 interface (also referred to herein as the second interface) tunnel uplink tunnel information of the base station side to be updated to UL CL UPF in the core network.

[0136] Specifically, the control message can refer to the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer Request message. The SMF will send the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer Request message, carrying the N2 SMInformation to the AMF, which will then notify the (R)AN side to update the uplink tunnel information of the N3 tunnel on the base station side to UL CL UPF.

[0137] In addition, in some embodiments, the AMF also acts as a communication bridge between the access network device and the SMF, for example, obtaining access network tunnel information from the access network device and sending it to the SMF.

[0138] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart of a dynamic roaming subscription method in a 5G network provided in an embodiment of this application. The method uses the Policy Control Function (PCF) element in the core network of the roaming location as the executing entity, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0139] Step S610: Obtain session information transmitted by access and mobility management function network elements;

[0140] Step S620: Based on the session information, determine whether the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area;

[0141] Step S630: If the user equipment has completed the private network service contract and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location, return the target data network identifier to the access and mobility management function network element.

[0142] In this embodiment, the PCF mainly communicates and interacts with the AMF mentioned above. Therefore, the steps performed by the PCF can be referred to the description of the interaction between the AMF and the PCF in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0143] For example, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall process of a user equipment accessing private network services in a roaming location, as provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 7 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0144] 1. The UE initiates the PDU session creation process, carrying TAI, SUPI and Requested DNN information.

[0145] 2. AMF selects the nearest AM-PCF based on user information and local configuration.

[0146] 3.1 The AMF sends an Npcf_AMPolicyControl_Create Request message to the AM-PCF, carrying user TAI location information and SUPI information.

[0147] 3.2 AM-PCF decides whether to issue a private network DNN based on the user's subscription status for the private network service and the user's current location TAI information. a) If the conditions are met, the UserProfileName, which identifies the predefined UL CL traffic splitting rule for the private network service, is issued to the AMF in the form of selectedDNN("smfSelInfo.dnn"="dnn-ar") via the Npcf_AMPolicyControl_Create Response message. b) If the conditions are not met, only a normal AM policy (LOC_CH trigger) is issued to the AMF.

[0148] 4. The AMF parses the selectedDnn(dnn-ar) specified by AM-PCF from the Npcf_AMPolicyControl_Create response message and matches it against the preset whitelist of the local configuration (ADD ALLOWDNN). a) If a match is found, selectedDnn(dnn-ar) is included in the N11 session creation request sent to the SMF. b) If no match is found, selectedDnn(dnn-ar) is not included.

[0149] 5. The AMF carries the RequestedDNN from the UE activation request and the selectedDNN (dnn-ar) specified by the AM-PCF to the SMF through the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request message.

[0150] 6. Session registration.

[0151] 7. Select SM-PCF for SMF.

[0152] 8.1-8.2, the SMF initiates an N7 session creation request to the SM-PCF via the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create Request message. At this time, the SM-PCF sends a normal PCC policy to the SMF via a Response message. The traffic splitting policy SMF then uses the selectedDnn(dnn-ar) parsed from the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request message as the Userprofile name to match and extract the locally configured ULCL private network traffic splitting rules.

[0153] 9. SMF returns the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response message to AMF.

[0154] 10. SMF selects PSA0 UPF based on user TAI, Requesteddnn and other information, and selects UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF based on user TAI, Requesteddnn, DNAI and other information.

[0155] 11a-11b, SMF sends the PFCP Session creation procedure to PSA0, carrying downlink tunnel information of N3 and ordinary PCC policy issued by SM-PCF. PSA0 UPF returns uplink tunnel information of N3.

[0156] 12a-12b, SMF sends a PFCP Session creation procedure to UL CL UPF+PSA1 UPF, carrying local traffic splitting rules based on selectedDnn (dnn-ar) matching. UL CL UPF+PSA1 carries the allocated N3 uplink tunnel information, the UL CL UPF's N9 downlink tunnel information, and the PSA1 UPF's N9 tunnel uplink information in its response message.

[0157] 13a-13b: SMF sends a PFCP Session Modification Request message to PSA0 to update its downlink tunnel to the N9 interface. PSA0 UPF returns uplink tunnel information for the N9 interface.

[0158] 14a-14b, SMF sends a PFCP Session Modification Request message to “UL CL UPF+PSA1”, carrying the uplink tunnel information of the PSA0 UPF returned to the N9 interface, and updates its uplink tunnel to the N9 interface.

[0159] 15. The SMF sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer Request message, carrying the N2SM Information notification (R)AN side, to update the uplink tunnel information of the N3 tunnel on the base station side to UL CL UPF.

[0160] 16-18. The AMF completes signaling interaction with the UE via (R)AN by sending a PDU Session Resource Setup Request. The request includes N2 SM Information, including QFI, QoS Profile, and CN Tunnel Info, and sends N1 SM Container to the UE, including PDU Session Establishment Accept and Allocated IPv4 Address. The (R)AN sends a PDU Session Resource Setup Response to the AMF to establish AN tunnel information. The response message includes AN Tunnel Info, List of Accepted / Rejected QFI, etc.

[0161] 19. SMF and AMF interact to obtain information such as AN Tunnel Info.

[0162] 20a-20b, SMF sends a PFCP Session Modification Request to UL CL UPF+PSA1, sending the downlink address information of the (R)AN side N3 tunnel and the corresponding PDR to UL CL UPF+PSA1. UL CL UPF+PSA1 responds with a PFCP Session Modification Response.

[0163] The roaming-area private network service access scheme provided in this application can enable operators to expand new services, meet various private network service offloading scenarios, and broaden business prospects. For users accessing roaming-area services, they can further obtain convenient local commercial services. At the same time, the local offloading service strategy control method based on roaming-area contracts facilitates the joint launch of specific local private network services by operators and commercial institutions (such as parks, museums, etc.) and enterprises.

[0164] The following are embodiments of the apparatus described in this application, which can be used to execute the embodiments of the method described in this application. For details not disclosed in the apparatus embodiments of this application, please refer to the embodiments of the method described in this application.

[0165] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 5G network roaming dynamic subscription device provided in an embodiment of this application. This 5G network roaming dynamic subscription device can be integrated into the SMF (Software-Defined Function) in the core network of the roaming location. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the roaming dynamic signing device 800 under the 5G network includes an identifier acquisition module 810, a traffic splitting rule acquisition module 820, and a traffic splitting rule distribution module 830.

[0166] The identifier acquisition module 810 is used to acquire the target data network identifier. This identifier is issued by the access and mobility management function (AM) network element after the user equipment (UE) initiates a session request to the AM / AM network element in the core network. This means the UE has already completed a private network service agreement in the roaming location and is within the private network service area of ​​that location. The traffic offloading rule acquisition module 820 is used to acquire the private network traffic offloading rule that matches the target data network identifier. The traffic offloading rule distribution module 830 is used to distribute the private network traffic offloading rule to the user plane function (MPF) network element in the core network. The private network traffic offloading rule is used by the MPF network element to establish a traffic offloading session with the UE. This traffic offloading session is used by the UE to access the private network provided by the private network service within the private network service area.

[0167] In some examples, the traffic offloading rule distribution module can be used to: obtain session information carried in the session request; then select the offloading user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element based on at least one of the user temporary mobility identifier, the data network identifier requested by the user equipment, and the data network access identifier; and distribute the private network traffic offloading rules to the offloading user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element.

[0168] The session information includes at least one of the following: a user temporary mobility identifier, a data network identifier requested by the user equipment, and a data network access identifier.

[0169] In some examples, a port update module is also included, which is used to obtain policy and charging control information from the session management policy control function network element of the user equipment's home location; then select a secondary anchor user plane function network element based on the user's temporary mobility identifier and data network identifier; and create a session with the secondary anchor user plane function network element based on the policy and charging control information; and finally update the downlink tunnel end of the secondary anchor user plane function network element to the first interface.

[0170] In some examples, a session creation module is also included to determine whether the uplink tunnel information of the second interface and the downlink tunnel information of the first interface returned by the offloading user plane function network element, and the uplink tunnel information of the second interface and the first interface returned by the main anchor user plane function network element are obtained; and to create a session with the offloading user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element after the offloading user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element return information.

[0171] In some examples, an interface update module is also included, which is used to obtain the uplink tunnel information of the first interface returned by the secondary anchor user function network element; and then, based on the interface uplink tunnel information of the first interface, the uplink tunnel ends of the diverted user plane function network element and the primary anchor user plane function network element are updated to the first interface.

[0172] In some examples, an information update module is also included, which is used to update the tunnel uplink tunnel information of the second interface on the base station side to the offloading user plane function network element.

[0173] In some examples, a rule forwarding module is also included, which is used to obtain the tunnel downlink address information and policies and charging rules of the second interface on the base station side; and send the tunnel downlink address information and policies and charging rules of the second interface to the off-line user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element.

[0174] In some examples, an information acquisition module is also included to obtain access network tunnel information from access and mobility management function network elements.

[0175] In some examples, a session deletion module is also included to delete the offloading session when the user equipment times out of accessing the private network and / or leaves the private network service area.

[0176] In some examples, user equipment completes private network service contracts both outside and within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location.

[0177] The apparatus provided in this application embodiment can be used to execute the method in the above-described SMF side embodiment. Its implementation principle and technical effect are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0178] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the 5G network roaming dynamic subscription device provided in an embodiment of this application. This 5G network roaming dynamic subscription device can be integrated into the AMF (Active Mobile Frame) in the core network of the roaming location. Figure 9 As shown, the 5G network roaming dynamic signing device 900 includes an information acquisition module 910, a network element selection module 920, a data acquisition module 930, and an identifier transmission module 940.

[0179] The information acquisition module 910 is used to acquire session information in response to a session request initiated by the user equipment. The network element selection module 920 is used to select a target application mobility policy control function network element from the core network based on a set proximity principle. The data acquisition module 930 is used to acquire a target data network identifier from the target application mobility policy control function network element based on the session information. The identifier transmission module 940 is used to transmit the target data network identifier to the session management function network element in the core network.

[0180] Among them, the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area.

[0181] In some examples, the data acquisition module can specifically be used to extract the user equipment's location information, temporary mobile identifier, and data network access identifier from the session information; then send the user equipment's location information, temporary mobile identifier, and data network access identifier to the target application mobility policy control function network element; and obtain the target data network identifier fed back by the target application mobility policy control function network element based on the location information, temporary mobile identifier, and data network access identifier.

[0182] In some examples, the identifier passing module can be used to: compare the target data network identifier with a locally configured preset whitelist; and when the target data network identifier matches the preset whitelist, pass the target data network identifier to the session management function network element.

[0183] In some examples, a control information forwarding module is also included, which is used to obtain control messages sent by the session management function network element and forward them to the base station side. The control messages are used to control the uplink tunnel information of the second interface tunnel on the base station side to be updated to the offloading user plane function network element in the core network.

[0184] In some examples, a tunnel information forwarding module is also included, which is used to obtain access network tunnel information from access network devices and send it to the session management function network element.

[0185] The apparatus provided in this application embodiment can be used to execute the method in the embodiment shown in the AMF side above. Its implementation principle and technical effect are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0186] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the 5G network roaming dynamic subscription device provided in an embodiment of this application. This 5G network roaming dynamic subscription device can be integrated into the PCF in the core network of the roaming location. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the 5G network roaming dynamic signing device 1000 includes a session acquisition module 1010, an information determination module 1020, and an identifier feedback module 1030.

[0187] The session acquisition module 1010 is used to acquire session information transmitted by access and mobility management function network elements.

[0188] The information determination module 1020 is used to determine, based on session information, whether the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area.

[0189] The identifier feedback module 1030 is used to return the target data network identifier to the access and mobility management function network element when the user equipment has completed the private network service contract and is in the private network service area of ​​the roaming location.

[0190] Figure 11This is a schematic diagram of the core network structure provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 11 As shown, the user equipment 1101 (UE) in the core network 1100 establishes a session with the core network 1100 through the access network equipment 1102. The core network 1100 includes at least the access and mobility management function network element 1105 (AMF), the session management function network element 1104 (SMF), the user plane function network element 1103 (UPF), and the policy control function network element 1106 (PCF).

[0191] Among them, the access and mobility management function network element 1105 is used to select the access and mobility management policy control function network element AM-PCF in the policy control function network element 1106 based on the user range and service range, and to transmit the session information in the session request initiated by the user equipment to the access and mobility management policy control function network element AM-PCF.

[0192] The Access and Mobility Management Policy Control Function (AM-PCF) network element is used to return the target data network identifier to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AM-PCF) network element 1105 when it is determined that the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is in the private network service area of ​​the roaming area.

[0193] Session management function network element 1104 is used to obtain the target data network identifier of access and mobility management function network element AM-PCF, and after determining the private network traffic splitting rule that matches the target data network identifier, it sends the private network traffic splitting rule to user plane function network element 1103.

[0194] User plane function network element 1103 is used to enable user equipment to access the private network provided by the private network service within the private network service area according to the private network traffic distribution rules.

[0195] This application also provides an electronic device, which may include a processor and a memory storing computer program instructions.

[0196] Specifically, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits that can be configured to implement the embodiments of the present invention.

[0197] The memory may include a large-capacity storage device for data or instructions. For example, and not limitingly, the memory may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk drive, flash memory, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, or a combination of two or more of these. In one instance, the memory may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media, or the memory may be non-volatile solid-state memory. The memory may be internal or external to the integrated gateway disaster recovery device.

[0198] In one instance, the memory may be read-only memory (ROM). In one instance, the ROM may be a mask-programmed ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), an electrically rewritable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0199] Memory may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk storage media devices, optical storage media devices, flash memory devices, and electrical, optical, or other physical / tangible memory storage devices. Therefore, typically, memory includes one or more tangible (non-transitory) computer-readable storage media (e.g., memory devices) encoded with software including computer-executable instructions, and when the software is executed (e.g., by one or more processors), it is operable to perform the operations described with reference to the methods according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0200] The processor implements the method in the embodiments shown above by reading and executing computer program instructions stored in memory.

[0201] In one example, the electronic device may also include a communication interface and a bus. The processor, memory, and communication interface are connected via the bus and communicate with each other.

[0202] The communication interface is mainly used to enable communication between various modules, devices, units and / or equipment in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0203] A bus, including hardware, software, or both, couples components of an online data traffic metering device together. For example, and not limitingly, a bus may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a Front Side Bus (FSB), a Hyper Transport (HT) interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an Infinite Bandwidth Interconnect, a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Microchannel Architecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express (PCI-X) bus, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association Local (VLB) bus, or other suitable buses, or combinations of two or more of these. Where appropriate, a bus may include one or more buses. While specific buses are described and illustrated in embodiments of the invention, the invention contemplates any suitable bus or interconnect.

[0204] Furthermore, in conjunction with the dynamic roaming subscription method for 5G networks described in the above embodiments, this invention can be implemented using a computer storage medium. This computer storage medium stores computer program instructions; when these computer program instructions are executed by a processor, they implement any of the dynamic roaming subscription methods for 5G networks described in the above embodiments.

[0205] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which, when executed, implements any of the 5G network roaming dynamic contracting methods described in the above embodiments.

[0206] It should be clarified that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and shown. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0207] The functional blocks shown in the above block diagram can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this invention are programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. Programs or code segments can be stored on a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried on a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, erasable read-only memory (EROM), floppy disks, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Code segments can be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, etc.

[0208] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this invention describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or apparatus. However, this invention is not limited to the order of the steps described above; that is, the steps can be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0209] The aspects of this disclosure have been described above with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. It should be understood that each block in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine such that these instructions, executable via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, enable the implementation of the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Such a processor can be, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a special application processor, or a field-programmable logic circuit. It is also understood that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can also be implemented by special-purpose hardware performing the specified functions or actions, or can be implemented by a combination of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0210] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dynamic contract signing method for roaming locations under a 5G network, characterized in that, The method, which applies to a session management function network element in the core network of a roaming location, includes: Obtain the target data network identifier, which is issued by the access and mobility management function network element after the user equipment initiates a session request to the access and mobility management function network element in the core network, and the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming location and is in the private network service area of ​​the roaming location. Determine the private network traffic offloading rules that match the target data network identifier; The private network traffic splitting rules are distributed to the user plane function network elements in the core network. The private network traffic splitting rules are used by the user plane function network elements to establish a traffic splitting session with the user equipment. The traffic splitting session is used by the user equipment to access the private network provided by the private network service within the private network service area.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of distributing the private network traffic offloading rules to the user plane function network elements in the core network includes: Obtain the session information carried in the session request, the session information including at least one of the user temporary mobility identifier, the data network identifier requested by the user equipment, and the data network access identifier; Based on at least one of the user temporary mobility identifier, the data network identifier requested by the user equipment, and the data network access identifier, select the off-line user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element. The private network traffic splitting rules are distributed to the splitting user plane function network element and the main anchor point user plane function network element.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: Policy and charging control information is obtained from the session management policy control function network element of the user equipment's home location; Based on the user temporary mobility identifier and the data network identifier, select the secondary anchor point user plane function network element; Based on the aforementioned strategy and charging control information, a session is created with the secondary anchor user plane function network element; Update the downlink tunnel end of the auxiliary anchor point user plane function network element to the first interface.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, After the private network traffic offloading rules are distributed to the user plane function network elements in the core network, the method further includes: Determine whether the uplink tunnel information of the second interface and the downlink tunnel information of the first interface returned by the user plane function network element of the diversion are obtained, as well as the uplink tunnel information of the second interface and the uplink tunnel information of the first interface returned by the main anchor user plane function network element. After the user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element return information, a session is created with the user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: Obtain the uplink tunnel information of the first interface returned by the auxiliary anchor point user plane function network element; Based on the uplink tunnel information of the first interface, the uplink tunnel ends of the offloading user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element are updated to the first interface.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Update the uplink tunnel information of the second interface on the base station side to the offloading user plane function network element.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: Obtain the tunnel downlink address information and policies and billing rules of the second interface on the base station side; The tunnel downlink address information, policies, and billing rules of the second interface are sent to the diversion user plane function network element and the main anchor user plane function network element.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Access network tunnel information is obtained from the access and mobility management function network element.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, It also includes, The traffic splitting session is deleted when the user equipment times out of accessing the private network and / or leaves the private network service area.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The user equipment completes the private network service contract outside the private network service area of ​​the roaming location or within the private network service area.

11. A method for dynamic contract signing in roaming locations under a 5G network, characterized in that, The method, applied to access and mobility management function network elements in the core network of the roaming location, includes: In response to a session request initiated by a user equipment, session information is obtained, indicating that the user equipment has completed a private network service contract in the roaming location and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location; Based on the established proximity principle, target application mobility policy control function network elements are selected from the core network; Based on the session information, the target data network identifier is obtained from the target application mobility policy control function network element; The target data network identifier is transmitted to the session management function network element in the core network.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the target data network identifier from the target application mobility policy control function network element based on the session information includes: The location information of the user equipment, the user temporary mobility identifier, and the data network access identifier are extracted from the session information. The location information of the user equipment, the user temporary mobility identifier, and the data network access identifier are sent to the target application mobility policy control function network element; The target application mobility policy control function network element obtains the target data network identifier based on the location information, user temporary mobility identifier, and data network access identifier.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The step of transmitting the target data network identifier to the session management function network element in the core network includes: Compare the target data network identifier with the locally configured preset whitelist; When the target data network identifier matches the preset whitelist, the target data network identifier is passed to the session management function network element.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Also includes: The control message sent by the session management function network element is obtained and forwarded to the base station side. The control message is used to control the uplink tunnel information of the second interface tunnel on the base station side to be updated to the offloading user plane function network element in the core network.

15. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Also includes: Access network tunnel information is obtained from the access network device and sent to the session management function network element.

16. A dynamic contract signing method for roaming locations under a 5G network, characterized in that, The method, which applies to a policy control function network element in the core network of a roaming location, includes: Obtain session information transmitted by network elements for access and mobility management functions; Based on the session information, it is determined whether the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area; If the user equipment has completed the private network service contract and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location, the target data network identifier is returned to the access and mobility management function network element.

17. A dynamic contract signing device for roaming locations under a 5G network, characterized in that, include: The identifier acquisition module is used to acquire the target data network identifier, which is issued by the access and mobility management function network element after the user equipment initiates a session request to the access and mobility management function network element in the core network. The user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is in the private network service area of ​​the roaming area. The traffic splitting rule acquisition module is used to acquire private network traffic splitting rules that match the target data network identifier; The traffic offloading rule distribution module is used to distribute the private network traffic offloading rules to the user plane function network elements in the core network. The private network traffic offloading rules are used by the user plane function network elements to establish a traffic offloading session with the user equipment. The traffic offloading session is used by the user equipment to access the private network provided by the private network service within the private network service area.

18. A dynamic contract signing device for roaming locations under a 5G network, characterized in that, include: The information acquisition module is used to respond to a session request initiated by a user equipment and acquire session information, wherein the user equipment has completed a private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area; The network element selection module is used to select target application mobility policy control network elements from the core network based on the set proximity principle. The data acquisition module is used to acquire the target data network identifier from the target application mobility policy control function network element based on the session information; The identifier transmission module is used to transmit the target data network identifier to the session management function network element in the core network.

19. A dynamic contract signing device for roaming locations under a 5G network, characterized in that, include: The session acquisition module is used to acquire session information transmitted by access and mobility management function network elements; The information determination module is used to determine, based on the session information, whether the user equipment has completed the private network service contract in the roaming area and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming area; The identifier feedback module is used to return the target data network identifier to the access and mobility management function network element when the user equipment has completed the private network service contract and is within the private network service area of ​​the roaming location.

20. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes: a processor and a memory storing computer program instructions; the processor reads and executes the computer program instructions to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, 11-15, or 16.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer storage medium stores computer program instructions, which, when executed by an electronic device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, 11-15, or 16.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any one of claims 1-10, 11-15, or 16.

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