Communication method and device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method and device. In the method, a data storage network element can configure SNPN network configuration information for a terminal device in a registration process of the terminal device, so that the subsequent terminal device can perform SNPN selection according to the SNPN network configuration information and a requested network slice. Since the SNPN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate SNPN and a network slice supported by each candidate SNPN, or indicate at least one candidate network selection group and a network slice supported by each candidate network selection group, the target SNPN selected by the terminal device during SNPN selection supports the network slice requested by the terminal device, and the network slice selected by the terminal device during SNPN selection is not required. Therefore, it is ensured that the target SNPN selected by the terminal equipment supports the terminal equipment to realize the current service, and finally the service quality of the terminal equipment working in the SNPN mode can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In order to provide differentiated services and meet the diverse needs of users in different industries or enterprises, the communications industry has conducted in-depth research on private network communications and defined standalone non-public networks (SNPN).

[0003] SNPN does not rely on the public land mobile network (PLMN) public network, and is independently deployed using the basic architecture of the mobile communication system. It can be operated by SNPN operators. Based on the two networks of SNPN and PLMN, the working modes of terminal equipment also include SNPN mode and PLMN mode.

[0004] When the terminal device works in SNPN mode, the terminal device can select the target SNPN to initiate registration based on the SNPN network configuration information sent by the network side. However, after the terminal device registers to the target SNPN, the target SNPN may not be able to support the current service of the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device may trigger SNPN network selection, or continue to be unable to implement the service in the target SNPN network. Either way, the service quality of the terminal device will be affected. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for ensuring the service quality of terminal equipment.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a data storage network element in a communication system. The method comprises the following steps:

[0007] The data storage network element receives a first request message from an access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network; thereafter, the data storage network element sends a first message to the AMF network element; wherein the first message includes SNPN network configuration information of the terminal device; the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN.

[0008] In this method, the data storage network element can configure SNPN network configuration information for the terminal device during the registration process of the terminal device, so that the subsequent terminal device can perform SNPN selection based on the SNPN network configuration information and the requested network slice. Since the SNPN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN, or indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group, the target SNPN selected by the terminal device for SNPN selection supports the network slice requested by the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the target SNPN selected by the terminal device supports the terminal device to implement the current service, and ultimately the service quality of the terminal device working in SNPN mode can be guaranteed.

[0009] In a possible design, the data storage network element may also determine the SNPN network configuration information through the following steps:

[0010] The data storage network element obtains first network slice information, and / or obtains second network slice information; wherein the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending a registration request message, and the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device; the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network; the data storage network element determines the SNPN network configuration information based on the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, as well as support information for network slices by multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups.

[0011] Through this design, the data storage network element can determine the SNPN network configuration information based on the support of multiple SNPNs or network selection groups for network slices, so that the candidate SNPN or candidate network selection group indicated by the SNPN network configuration information supports the first network slice and / or the second network slice, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can select the SNPN that supports the network slice requested by the terminal device according to the SNPN network configuration information.

[0012] In a possible design, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or the first network slice information; wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN based on network slicing; when the first request message includes the first network slice information, the data storage network element can obtain the first network slice information from the first request message; when the first request message includes the first indication, the data storage network element can determine the SNPN network configuration information based on the first indication, according to the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, and the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slicing.

[0013] Through this design, the data storage network element can learn that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN based on network slicing, as well as information such as the network slice requested by the terminal device during the registration process, and then determine the SNPN network configuration information based on this.

[0014] In one possible design, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0015] In one possible design, the content included in the SNPN network configuration information may be, but is not limited to, the following implementations:

[0016] Implementation method 1: The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of the at least one candidate SNPN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN;

[0017] Implementation method 2: The SNPN network configuration information includes a group identifier list of the at least one candidate network selection group and an identifier list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group;

[0018] Implementation method three: the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers supporting at least one candidate SNPN for each network slice;

[0019] Implementation method four: The SNPN network configuration information includes an identifier list of at least one network slice and a group identifier list of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice.

[0020] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group.

[0021] Optionally, the data storage network element may determine the priority of each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group in combination with multiple factors. For example, these factors may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the number of network slices (in the first network slice or the second network slice) supported by each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group, the importance of the network slices (in the first network slice or the second network slice) supported by each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group, the load level of each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group, or the communication quality of each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group, etc.

[0022] Through this design, when the terminal device selects an SNPN based on the SNPN network configuration information, it can select the candidate SNPN or the SNPN corresponding to the candidate network selection group that supports the requested network slice and has the highest priority based on the priority of the candidate SNPN or the candidate network selection group.

[0023] In one possible design, the first message includes a second container, and the second container includes the SNPN network configuration information.

[0024] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal device in a communication system. The method comprises the following steps:

[0025] The terminal device sends a registration request message to the access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network; thereafter, the terminal device receives a second message from the AMF network element; wherein the second message contains the SNPN network configuration information of the terminal device; wherein the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN; the terminal device accesses the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information; wherein the third network slice information is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device; the first target SNPN is a candidate SNPN in the at least one candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice, or the first target SNPN is the SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group in the at least one candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice.

[0026] In one possible design, when the terminal device is in SNPN mode, the terminal device sends the registration request message to the AMF network element; the first network is the first SNPN; in this case, the terminal device can access the first target SNPN through the following steps: receiving a registration acceptance message from the AMF network element; when the registration acceptance message indicates that the third network slice is not allowed, accessing the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

[0027] In one possible design, when the terminal device is in PLMN mode, the terminal device sends a registration request message to the AMF network element; the first network is the first PLMN; in this case, the terminal device can access the first target SNPN through the following steps: when the terminal device switches to SNPN mode, access the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

[0028] In one possible design, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information; wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN based on network slices, and the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0029] In one possible design, the registration request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0030] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate SNPN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a group identification list of the at least one candidate network selection group and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a group identification list of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice.

[0031] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate a priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate a priority of the at least one candidate network selection group;

[0032] The first target SNPN is a candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority among the at least one candidate SNPN, or the first target SNPN is the SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority among the at least one candidate network selection group.

[0033] In one possible design, the second message includes a second container, and the second container carries the SNPN network configuration information.

[0034] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to an access and mobility management function AMF network element in a communication system. The method may include the following steps:

[0035] After receiving the registration request message from the terminal device, the AMF network element sends a first request message to the data storage network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network; the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network; the AMF network element receives the first message from the data storage network element; wherein the first message contains the SNPN network configuration information of the terminal device; the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN; the AMF network element sends a second message to the terminal device; wherein the second message contains the SNPN network configuration information.

[0036] In one possible design, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information; wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN based on network slices, and the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0037] In one possible design, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0038] In one possible design, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information; the registration request message includes the first container.

[0039] Through this design, the AMF network element can transparently transmit the first container from the terminal device to the data storage network element.

[0040] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate SNPN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a group identification list of the at least one candidate network selection group and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a group identification list of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice.

[0041] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group.

[0042] In one possible design, the first message includes a second container, where the second container carries the SNPN network configuration information;

[0043] The second message includes the second container.

[0044] Through this design, the AMF network element can transparently transmit the second container from the data storage network element to the terminal device.

[0045] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a data storage network element in a communication system. The method can include the following steps:

[0046] The data storage network element receives a first request message from an access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the first request message includes a first indication, and the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select a PLMN based on a network slice; the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to a first SNPN; thereafter, the data storage network element sends a first message to the AMF network element based on the first indication; wherein the first message includes the PLMN network configuration information of the terminal device; the PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN.

[0047] In this method, the data storage network element can configure PLMN network configuration information for the terminal device in the registration process of the terminal device in SNPN mode, so that after the terminal device switches to PLMN mode, it can select a PLMN based on the PLMN network configuration information and the requested network slice. Since the PLMN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN, the target PLMN selected by the terminal device for PLMN selection supports the network slice requested by the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the target PLMN selected by the terminal device supports the terminal device to implement the current service, and ultimately ensuring the service quality of the terminal device switched to PLMN mode.

[0048] In a possible design, the data storage network element may also determine the PLMN network configuration information through the following steps:

[0049] The data storage network element obtains first network slice information, and / or obtains second network slice information; wherein the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending a registration request message, and the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device; the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first SNPN; the data storage network element determines the PLMN network configuration information based on the first indication, the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, and the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices.

[0050] Through this design, the data storage network element can determine the PLMN network configuration information based on the support of multiple PLMNs for network slices, so that the candidate PLMN indicated by the PLMN network configuration information supports the first network slice and / or the second network slice, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can select the PLMN that supports the network slice requested by the terminal device according to the PLMN network configuration information.

[0051] In a possible design, the first request message also includes the first network slice information; the data storage network element can obtain the first network slice information from the first request.

[0052] In one possible design, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0053] In a possible design, the content included in the PLMN network configuration information may be, but is not limited to, the following implementations:

[0054] Implementation method 1: The PLMN network configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate PLMN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN;

[0055] Implementation method 2: The PLMN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0056] In one possible design, the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0057] Optionally, the data storage network element may determine the priority of each candidate PLMN in combination with multiple factors. For example, these factors may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the number of network slices (in the first network slice or the second network slice) supported by each PLMN, the importance of the network slices (in the first network slice or the second network slice) supported by each candidate PLMN, the load level of each candidate PLMN, or the communication quality of each candidate PLMN, etc.

[0058] Through this design, when the terminal device selects a PLMN based on the PLMN network configuration information, it can select the candidate PLMN that supports the requested network slice and has the highest priority based on the priority of the candidate PLMN.

[0059] In one possible design, the first message includes a second container, and the second container carries the PLMN network configuration information.

[0060] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal device in a communication system. The method comprises the following steps:

[0061] The terminal device sends a registration request message to the access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first SNPN; the terminal device receives a second message sent by the AMF network element; wherein the second message includes PLMN network configuration information of the terminal device; wherein the PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; the terminal device accesses the first target PLMN according to the PLMN network configuration information and the third network slice information; wherein the third network slice is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device; the first target PLMN is a candidate PLMN among the at least one candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice.

[0062] In one possible design, when the terminal device is in SNPN mode, the terminal device sends the registration request message to the AMF network element; in this case, the terminal device can access the first target PLMN through the following steps: when the terminal device switches to PLMN mode, access the first target PLMN according to the PLMN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

[0063] In one possible design, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information; wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select PLMN based on network slices, and the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0064] In one possible design, the registration request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0065] In one possible design, the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0066] In a possible design, the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN; the first target PLMN is a candidate PLMN among the at least one candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority.

[0067] In one possible design, the second message includes a second container, and the second container carries the PLMN network configuration information.

[0068] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to an access and mobility management function AMF network element in a communication system. The method may include the following steps:

[0069] After receiving the registration request message from the terminal device, the AMF network element sends a first request message to the data storage network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to a first SNPN; the first request message includes a first indication, and the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select a PLMN based on a network slice; the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first SNPN; the AMF network element receives a first message from the data storage network element; wherein the first message includes the PLMN network configuration information of the terminal device; the PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; the AMF network element sends a second message to the terminal device; wherein the second message includes the PLMN network configuration information.

[0070] In a possible design, the first request message also includes first network slice information; wherein the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0071] In one possible design, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0072] In one possible design, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information; the registration request message includes the first container.

[0073] Through this design, the AMF network element can transparently transmit the first container from the terminal device to the data storage network element.

[0074] In one possible design, the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0075] In one possible design, the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0076] In one possible design, the first message includes a second container, and the second container carries the PLMN network configuration information; the second message includes the second container.

[0077] Through this design, the AMF network element can transparently transmit the second container from the data storage network element to the terminal device.

[0078] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a data storage network element in a communication system. The method comprises the following steps:

[0079] The data storage network element receives a first request message from an access and mobility management function AMF; wherein the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register a terminal device to a first network; and sends a first message to the AMF; wherein the first message includes recommended mode information; the recommended mode information is used to indicate a target working mode recommended for the terminal device, and the target working mode is an SNPN mode or a PLMN mode.

[0080] In this method, the data storage network element can configure the recommended mode information for the terminal device during the registration process of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can work in the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information. This method can improve the flexibility of the terminal device in managing the working mode. In addition, in the process of determining the recommended mode information, the network side can refer to the support of the network slice under different working modes. Therefore, when the terminal device is in the recommended target working mode, the probability of selecting the access network to support the requested network slice is higher, which can ultimately improve the service quality of the terminal device.

[0081] In a possible design, the data storage network element may also determine the recommended mode information through the following steps:

[0082] The data storage network element obtains first network slice information, and / or obtains second network slice information; wherein the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending a registration request message, and the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device; the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network; the data storage network element determines the recommended mode information based on the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices, and support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices.

[0083] Through this design, the data storage network element can refer to the network support for network slicing under different working modes when determining the recommended mode information. In this way, when the terminal device is in the recommended target working mode, the probability of selecting the access network to support the requested network slice is higher, which can ultimately improve the service quality of the terminal device.

[0084] In a possible design, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, the first network slice information, or a second indication; wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slicing; the second indication is used to request a recommended working mode; when the first request message includes the first network slice information, the data storage network element can obtain the first network slice information from the first request message; when the first request message includes the first indication or the second indication, the data storage network element can determine the recommended mode information based on the first indication or the second indication in the first request message, according to the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slicing, and support information of multiple PLMNs for network slicing.

[0085] Through this design, the data storage network element can learn that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slicing, as well as information such as the network slice requested by the terminal device and the recommended working mode requested by the terminal device, and can then determine the recommended mode information based on this.

[0086] In one possible design, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, the first network slice information, or the second indication.

[0087] In a possible design, the data storage network element can also determine the first network configuration information; based on this, the first message can also include the first network configuration information; when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information; when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information; wherein, the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN, and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group, and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN; the PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN, and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN.

[0088] Through this design, the data storage network element can configure the recommended mode information and the corresponding first network configuration information to the terminal device through a process so that the terminal device can make a network selection.

[0089] Optionally, when the first working mode of the terminal device is the same as the target working mode, the data storage network element needs to execute the process of determining and sending the first network configuration information, that is, in this case, the first message contains the first network configuration information; when the first working mode is different from the target working mode, the data storage network element may execute the process or not, that is, in this case, the first message may contain the first network configuration information or not.

[0090] In one possible design, the data storage network element can also determine the second network configuration information; based on this, the first message can also include the second network configuration information; the second network configuration information is different from the first network configuration information, when the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information.

[0091] Through this design, the data storage network element can configure the recommended mode information and the second network configuration information to the terminal device through the following process so that the terminal device can make a network selection.

[0092] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate SNPN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a group identification list of the at least one candidate network selection group and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a group identification list of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice; or the PLMN configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate PLMN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0093] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group; or the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0094] In a possible design, the first message includes a second container, and the second container carries the recommended mode information.

[0095] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal device in a communication system. The method may include the following steps:

[0096] The terminal device sends a registration request message to the access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to a first network; the first network is a first SNPN or a first PLMN; the terminal device receives a second message from the AMF network element; wherein the second message contains recommended mode information; the recommended mode information is used to indicate a target working mode recommended for the terminal device, the target working mode being an SNPN mode or a PLMN mode; the terminal device accesses the second network according to the recommended mode information and the third network slice information; wherein the third network slice information is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device; when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the second network is a second SNPN; when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the second network is a second PLMN.

[0097] In a possible design, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, first network slice information, or a second indication; wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slices; the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message; and the second indication is used to request a recommended working mode.

[0098] In one possible design, the registration request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, the first network slice information, or the second indication.

[0099] In a possible design, when the terminal device is in a first working mode, the terminal device can send the registration request message to the AMF network element; wherein, the first working mode is SNPN mode or PLMN mode; when the first working mode is the SNPN mode, the first network is the first SNPN; when the first working mode is the PLMN mode, the first network is the first PLMN.

[0100] In a possible design, the terminal device may access the second network according to the recommended mode information and the third network slice information through, but not limited to, the following two implementations:

[0101] Implementation method 1: when the first working mode is the same as the target working mode, receiving a registration acceptance message from the AMF network element; when the registration acceptance message indicates that the third network slice is not allowed, accessing the second network according to the third network slice information;

[0102] Implementation method 2: When the first working mode is different from the target working mode, when the terminal device switches to the target working mode, it accesses the second network according to the third network slice information.

[0103] In a possible design, the second message also includes first network configuration information; when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information; when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information; wherein the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN; the PLMN network configuration The information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; based on this, the terminal device can access the second network according to the first network configuration information and the third network slice information; wherein, when the first network configuration information is SNPN network configuration information, the second network is a candidate SNPN in the at least one candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice, or the second network is the SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group in the at least one candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice; when the first network configuration information is PLMN network configuration information, the second network is a candidate PLMN in the at least one candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice.

[0104] In a possible design, the second message also includes second network configuration information; the second network configuration information is different from the first network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information.

[0105] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate SNPN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a group identification list of the at least one candidate network selection group and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a group identification list of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice; or the PLMN configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate PLMN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0106] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group; or the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN; when the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information, the second network is a candidate SNPN among the at least one candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority, or the second network is the SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group among the at least one candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority; when the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information, the second network is a candidate PLMN among the at least one candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority.

[0107] In one possible design, the second message includes a second container, and the second container carries the recommended mode information. Optionally, when the second message also includes the first network configuration information or the second network configuration information, the second container can also carry the first network configuration information or the second network configuration information.

[0108] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to an access and mobility management function AMF network element in a communication system. The method comprises the following steps:

[0109] After receiving the registration request message from the terminal device, the AMF network element sends a first request message to the data storage network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network; the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network; the AMF network element receives a first message from the data storage network element; wherein the first message includes recommended mode information; the recommended mode information is used to indicate a target working mode recommended for the terminal device, the target working mode being an SNPN mode or a PLMN mode; the AMF network element sends a second message to the terminal device; wherein the second message includes the recommended mode information.

[0110] In a possible design, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, first network slice information, or a second indication; wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slices; the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message; and the second indication is used to request a recommended working mode.

[0111] In one possible design, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: the first indication, the first network slice information, or the second indication.

[0112] In one possible design, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, the first network slice information, or the second indication; the registration request message includes the first container.

[0113] Through this design, the AMF network element can transparently transmit the first container from the terminal device to the data storage network element.

[0114] In a possible design, the first message also includes first network configuration information; the second message also includes the first network configuration information; when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information; when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information; wherein the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN; the PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN.

[0115] In one possible design, the first message also includes second network configuration information; the second message also includes the second network configuration information; the second network configuration information is different from the first network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information.

[0116] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate SNPN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a group identification list of the at least one candidate network selection group and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a group identification list of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice; or the PLMN configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate PLMN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0117] In one possible design, the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group; or the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0118] In a possible design, the first message includes a second container, which carries the recommended mode information; and the second message includes the second container.

[0119] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a unit for executing each step of any one of the above aspects 1 to 9. Optionally, the communication device may include a communication unit and a processing unit; the communication unit is used to receive and send data, and the processing unit is used to execute the method provided in any one of the above aspects.

[0120] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a communication module, a memory and a processor; wherein the communication module is used to receive and send data; the memory is used to store program instructions; and the processor is used to read the program instructions in the memory to implement the method provided in any of the above aspects.

[0121] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising at least one processing element and at least one storage element, wherein the at least one storage element is used to store programs and data, and the at least one processing element is used to execute the method provided in any one of the above aspects of the present application.

[0122] In a thirteenth aspect, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method provided in any of the above aspects. Optionally, the computer may be an AMF network element, a data storage network element or a terminal device.

[0123] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method provided in any of the above aspects. Optionally, the computer may be an AMF network element, a data storage network element, or a terminal device.

[0124] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, the chip is used to read a computer program stored in a memory, and execute the method provided in any of the above aspects. Optionally, the chip may include a processor, the processor is coupled to the memory, and is used to read the computer program stored in the memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiment. Optionally, the chip may also include components such as a memory, a communication interface, and a power supply module.

[0125] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the method provided in any of the above aspects. In a possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store the necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0126] The technical effects that can be achieved in the second and third aspects mentioned above can refer to the description of technical effects that can be achieved by any possible design in the first aspect mentioned above; the technical effects that can be achieved in the fifth and sixth aspects can refer to the description of technical effects that can be achieved by any possible design in the fourth aspect mentioned above; the technical effects that can be achieved in the eighth and ninth aspects can refer to the description of technical effects that can be achieved by any possible design in the seventh aspect mentioned above; the technical effects that can be achieved in any of the tenth to sixteenth aspects can refer to the description of technical effects that can be achieved by any possible design in the first to ninth aspects mentioned above, and the repetitions will not be discussed here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0127] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0128] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0129] Figure 2 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0130] Figure 3 A flow chart of a communication example provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0131] Figure 4 A flow chart of a communication example provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0132] Figure 5 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0133] Figure 6 A flow chart of a communication example provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0134] Figure 7 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0135] Figure 8 A flow chart of a communication example provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0136] Fig. 9 A flow chart of a communication example provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0137] Fig.10 A flow chart of a communication example provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0138] Fig.11 A flow chart of a communication example provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0139] Fig.12 A structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0140] Fig.13 A structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0141] The present application provides a communication method and device for ensuring the service quality of terminal equipment. The method and device are based on the same technical concept. Since the method and device solve the problem in a similar principle, the implementation of the device and the method can refer to each other, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0142] Some terms in this application are explained below to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0143] 1) Network element is a basic element that constitutes a communication network / communication system. Since the network element has a specific network function in the network, the network element is also called a network function (NF) network element, abbreviated as NF. This application does not limit the specific form of the network element. Optionally, the network element can be a network device, a network function entity, a network element unit or a network module, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0144] 2) Terminal equipment is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. Terminal equipment can also be called user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), user unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile terminal equipment, user terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent, user device, etc.

[0145] For example, the terminal device may be a handheld device with wireless communication function, various vehicle-mounted devices, roadside units, etc. At present, some examples of terminal devices are: mobile phones, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, computing devices, processing devices connected to wireless modems, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile Internet devices (MID), smart point of sale (POS), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, various smart meters (smart water meters, smart electric meters, smart gas meters), vehicle-mounted electronic control units (electronic control units), etc. unit, ECU), on-board computer, on-board cruise system, telematics box (T-BOX), and terminal equipment in future networks.

[0146] 3) Network slice (NS) is to divide the end-to-end network infrastructure into multiple isolated, secure, SLA-guaranteed logical networks based on the service level agreement (SLA) requirements of different industry customers or applications for network bandwidth, latency, security, reliability, geographic coverage, etc.

[0147] Optionally, operators can provide different network slices for different types of communication services on the same physical infrastructure. For example, on the underlying physical infrastructure, operators virtualize eMBB network slices for eMBB communication services, mMTC network slices for mMTC services, and URLLC network slices for URLLC services such as autonomous driving and industrial control.

[0148] In order to ensure the logical functional isolation of different network slices, the communication resources in different network slices also need to be isolated, such as physically isolating the communication resources of different network slices, or logically isolating the communication resources of different network slices.

[0149] A network slice is a combination of network functions and communication resources required to complete certain businesses, providing users with network services corresponding to the business. Therefore, a network slice can be regarded as a complete logical network.

[0150] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, network slicing is a broad concept. Traditional networks or dedicated networks can also be considered as network slices, and networks with partial network functions can also be considered as a type of network slice.

[0151] In a communication system, a single network slice may be uniquely identified by single-network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), and a set of one or more S-NSSAIs may be called network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI).

[0152] Among them, an S-NSSAI consists of a slice / service type (SST) and a slice differentiator.

[0153] 4) PLMN is a public mobile network established and operated by an operator in a country or region for the purpose of providing land mobile communication services to the public. This network can be interconnected with other communication networks such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to form a communication network on the scale of the entire country or region.

[0154] The network identifier of a PLMN (which may be referred to as PLMN ID for short) consists of a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC).

[0155] 5) SNPN, different from PLMN, is a non-public mobile network.

[0156] The communication protocol stipulates that SNPN is a type of non-public network (NPN). PLMN is a service area for ordinary users, while NPN is a dedicated or private network that provides dedicated services to certain industries or corporate users. Depending on whether it relies on PLMN to provide network functions, NPN is divided into SNPN and public network integrated-non-public network (PNI-NPN). The NPN that exists independently without relying on PLMN is recorded as SNPN, which can be independently deployed using the basic architecture of the mobile communication system and is operated by the SNPN operator.

[0157] Generally, a terminal device that performs PLMN selection does not perform SNPN selection, and a terminal device that performs SNPN selection does not perform PLMN selection. That is, a terminal device can access either PLMN or SNPN, but not both at the same time.

[0158] The network identifier of the SNPN (which may be referred to as the network identifier (NID) of the SNPN) may be combined with the PLMN ID to identify the SNPN. It should be noted that the PLMN ID used to identify the SNPN does not need to be unique. For example, the NID of the SNPN may consist of an assignment mode and an NID value.

[0159] 6) Group for network selection: used by terminal devices to select networks. A network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN, which forms an alliance to jointly provide access and business services for terminal devices. For example, a network selection group corresponds to SNPN1 and SNPN2; the contracted SNPN of the terminal device is SNPN2; the terminal device can register and authenticate at SNPN1 and finally access SNPN2.

[0160] The group ID for network selection can be denoted as GIN.

[0161] 7) PLMN mode and SNPN mode are two working modes of terminal equipment, which can also be called PLMN access mode and SNPN access mode.

[0162] According to the above introduction to the concepts of PLMN and NSPN, a terminal device cannot access both networks at the same time. Therefore, in PLMN mode, the terminal device resides in PLMN and accesses PLMN through registration and authentication. In SNPN mode, the terminal device resides in SNPN and accesses SNPN through registration and authentication.

[0163] In an embodiment of the present application, the SNPN mode can also be divided into a traditional (or ordinary) SNPN mode and a sliced ​​SNPN mode. In the traditional SNPN mode, the terminal device can perform SNPN selection to access a candidate SNPN based on the SNPN network configuration information sent by the network side; optionally, after the terminal device accesses a candidate SNPN, it can subsequently attempt to access the candidate SNPN with the highest priority indicated by the SNPN network configuration information through a high-priority network search process. In the sliced ​​SNPN mode, the terminal device can perform SNPN selection based on the requested network slice and the SNPN network configuration information sent by the network side, thereby accessing a candidate SNPN. Among them, the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN configured on the network side, and can also indicate the priority of each candidate SNPN.

[0164] Similarly, in an embodiment of the present application, the PLMN mode can also be divided into a traditional PLMN mode and a sliced ​​PLMN mode. In the traditional PLMN mode, the terminal device can select a PLMN to access a candidate PLMN based on the PLMN network configuration information sent by the network side; optionally, after the terminal device accesses a candidate PLMN, it can subsequently attempt to access the candidate PLMN with the highest priority indicated by the PLMN network configuration information through a high-priority network search process. In the sliced ​​PLMN mode, the terminal device can select a PLMN based on the requested network slice and the PLMN network configuration information sent by the network side, thereby accessing a candidate PLMN. It should be noted that in the traditional PLMN mode, the PLMN network configuration information sent by the network side is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN configured by the network side, and can also indicate the priority of each candidate PLMN; in the sliced ​​PLMN mode, in addition to the above content, the PLMN network configuration information can also indicate the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN.

[0165] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "plurality" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0166] In the embodiments of the present application, descriptions such as "when...", "in the case of...", "if" and "if" all mean that the executing subject will take corresponding measures under certain objective circumstances. They are not limited to time, and do not require the executing subject to make judgments when implementing them, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0167] It should be noted that in this application, "used for indication" can include being used for direct indication and being used for indirect indication. When describing that a certain information is used to indicate A, it can include that the information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, but it does not mean that the information must carry A. Taking the first information used to indicate the first content as an example, the first information can include the first content, and can also include a part of the first content or an identifier or index of the first content, and can also include an algorithm for determining the first content, a calculation parameter, etc. This application does not limit the method of "indication".

[0168] In the present application, "including / comprising A" may be equivalent to "including / comprising A information". A information is used to indicate A.

[0169] In addition, it should be understood that, in the description of this application, words such as "first" and "second" are only used for the purpose of distinguishing the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying an order.

[0170] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0171] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applicable to a communication system. Figure 1A and Figure 1B A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system is provided respectively. Figure 1A For a system architecture based on reference points, Figure 1B It is a system architecture based on service-oriented interfaces. Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, the communication system includes three parts: terminal equipment, mobile communication system deployed by operators, and data network (DN). The functions and entities of each part are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0172] Terminal equipment, referred to as UE, is an entity on the user side that can receive and transmit wireless signals and needs to access the DN through the mobile communication system to implement UE services. The UE can be any device that provides voice and / or data connectivity for users, and this application does not limit this.

[0173] DN, also known as packet data network (PDN), is a network located outside the mobile communication system. Servers that implement various services can be deployed on the DN, which can provide data and / or voice services to the UE. Among them, the mobile communication system can access at least one DN, and the same DN can also be accessed by at least one mobile communication system. For example, the DN can be the Internet, IP Multimedia Service (IMS) network, a dedicated data network, Ethernet, IP local network, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0174] The mobile communication system, which is deployed and maintained by the operator, provides access services and end-to-end connection services for UE, and can also be called a mobile communication network. UE can access DN through the mobile communication system to implement specific services. The mobile communication system can include two parts: (radio) access network ((R)AN) and core network (CN). When the UE requests to access the DN, the mobile communication system can establish a UE session (such as a PDU session) between the UE and the DN to enable communication between the two.

[0175] (R)AN is mainly responsible for the wireless access function of UE. The function of (R)AN can be realized by base station. Base station is an entity on the network side that can receive and transmit wireless signals. It is responsible for providing wireless access-related services to UE within its coverage area, realizing physical layer functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, QoS management, wireless access control, user plane data forwarding and mobility management functions. The base station and UE realize air interface transmission through the Uu interface.

[0176] CN is responsible for connecting the UE to different data networks according to the call request or service request sent by the UE through (R)AN, as well as services such as billing, mobility management, and session management. According to the specific logical function division, CN can be divided into control plane (CP) and user plane (UP). Then the network elements responsible for the control plane function in CN can be collectively referred to as control plane network elements, and the network elements responsible for the user plane function can be collectively referred to as user plane network elements. The functions of the main network elements in the core network are specifically introduced below.

[0177] The user plane network element, namely the user plane function (UPF) network element, referred to as UPF, is mainly responsible for forwarding and receiving the user plane data of the UE. The user plane network element can receive the user plane data from the DN and transmit it to the UE through the base station; the user plane network element can also receive the user plane data from the UE through the base station and forward it to the DN. Among them, the transmission resources and scheduling functions in the user plane network element that provide services to the UE are managed and controlled by the control plane network element.

[0178] The control plane network elements include: access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) network elements, authentication server function (AUSF) network elements, network exposure function (NEF) network elements, charging function (CHF) network elements, application function (AF) network elements, etc. The control plane network elements may also include data storage network elements for storing user data. Optionally, the data storage network elements may include, but are not limited to, unified data repository (UDR) network elements, unified data management (UDM) network elements, and other network elements with data storage functions.

[0179] The following is a brief introduction to each control plane network element.

[0180] AMF network element, which can be referred to as AMF, is mainly responsible for the mobility management, access authentication / authorization, and signaling processing of users in the mobile communication system. For example, the functions of AMF may include: access control, UE location update, UE registration and deregistration, attachment and detachment, and selection of SMF, termination of NAS layer signaling security, UE mobility management, N1 / N2 interface signaling transmission, access authentication and authorization, etc. In addition, AMF is also responsible for transmitting user policies between UE and PCF.

[0181] The SMF network element, which can be referred to as SMF for short, is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile communication system, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specifically, the functions of SMF include: UPF selection, UPF redirection, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation, bearer establishment, modification, and release, and QoS control.

[0182] The PCF network element, which can be referred to as PCF for short, is mainly responsible for supporting the provision of a unified policy framework to control network behavior, providing policy rules to other control plane network elements, and is also responsible for obtaining user contract information related to the policy.

[0183] The AUSF network element, which can be referred to as AUSF for short, is mainly responsible for providing authentication functions and supporting authentication for 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access and non-3GPP (Non-3GPP) access.

[0184] NEF network element, which can be referred to as NEF for short, mainly supports the secure interaction between mobile communication systems and third-party applications, and can safely open network capabilities and events to third parties to enhance or improve the quality of application services. Mobile communication systems can also securely obtain relevant data from third parties through NEF to enhance the network's intelligent decision-making.

[0185] The UDR network element, which can be referred to as UDR for short, is mainly responsible for storing UE's subscription data, policy data, application data and other types of data.

[0186] UDM network element, which can be referred to as UDM for short, is mainly responsible for storing and managing UE's contract data, user access authorization, user's service network element registration management, user identification processing (such as storing and managing user's permanent identity identification, etc.) and other functions.

[0187] AF network element, which can be referred to as AF for short, mainly transmits the requirements of the application side to the network side, and supports interaction with other network elements in the core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some third-party services to the network side. AF network element can be a third-party functional entity or an application server deployed by an operator.

[0188] NSSF network element, which can be referred to as NSSF for short, is mainly responsible for the selection of network slices.

[0189] NWDAF network element, which can be referred to as NWDAF for short, is a data perception and analysis network element that can obtain network data maintained in various network elements of the mobile communication system, and perform perception and analysis based on the network data. Finally, according to the analysis results, it participates in optimizing various network management parameters, network planning, construction, operation and maintenance, optimization and operation, etc., making the network easier to maintain and control, improving the efficiency of network resource utilization, and enhancing user service experience.

[0190] It should be understood that the above network elements in the CN can be network elements implemented on dedicated hardware, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or instances of virtualized functions on a virtualization platform (such as a cloud platform). In addition, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the distribution form of each network element in the communication system. Optionally, each of the above network elements can be deployed in different physical devices, or multiple network elements can be integrated into the same physical device.

[0191] in addition, Figure 1A It also shows the interaction relationship between various network functional entities in the mobile communication system and the corresponding reference points / interfaces. Figure 1B The service-oriented interfaces used between some network functional entities in mobile communication systems are also demonstrated.

[0192] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the working mode of the UE includes two modes: PLMN mode and SNPN mode, and the basic architecture of the mobile communication system of the PLMN and the mobile communication system of the SNPN are independently deployed by the operator. Based on this, when the UE is in the PLMN mode, the various network elements in the above mobile communication system are all PLMN network elements; when the UE is in the SNPN mode, the various network elements in the above mobile communication system are all SNPN network elements. For example, when the UE is in the PLMN mode, the AMF can be recorded as PLMNAMF, and the UDM can be recorded as PLMN UDM; when the UE is in the SNPN mode, the AMF can be recorded as SNPN AMF, and the UDM can be recorded as SNPN UDM.

[0193] It should be noted that although the mobile communication system of the PLMN and the mobile communication system of the SNPN are deployed independently, network elements belonging to different systems can communicate directly or indirectly, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0194] It should also be noted that Figure 1A or Figure 1BThe communication system shown does not constitute a limitation on the communication system to which the embodiments of the present application can be applied. Therefore, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to communication systems of various standards, such as: long term evolution (LTE) communication system, fifth generation (5G) communication system, sixth generation (6G) communication system and future communication systems. In addition, Figure 1A or Figure 1B There is no limitation on the communication scenarios of the communication system, except Figure 1A and Figure 1B In addition to the non-roaming scenarios shown, the present application can also be applied to various roaming scenarios.

[0195] Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the names of the network elements in the mobile communication system. For example, in mobile communication systems of different standards, the network elements may have other names; for example, when multiple network elements are integrated into the same physical device, the physical device may also have other names.

[0196] As described in the background technology, when the terminal device works in SNPN mode, the terminal device can select a target SNPN to initiate registration based on the SNPN configuration information sent by the network side. However, after the terminal device registers to a target SNPN, the target SNPN may not be able to support the current service of the terminal device, causing the terminal device to trigger SNPN selection or fail to implement the service, ultimately affecting the service quality of the terminal device. Among them, the SNPN configuration information currently sent by the network side may include a SNPN priority list (i.e., a prioritized list of preferred SNPNs) or a priority list of group IDs for network selection (i.e., a prioritized list of Group IDs for Network Selection).

[0197] In order to ensure the service quality of the terminal device working in the SNPN mode, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be used in Figure 1A or Figure 1B In the communication system shown in FIG. Figure 2 shown.

[0198] Among them, the data storage network element involved in the embodiment of the present application may be a UDM or a UDR. In addition, depending on the working mode of the terminal device, the mobile communication system to which the AMF network element that provides access management services for the terminal device and the data storage network element that determines the SNPN network configuration information belong may also be different. For example, when the terminal device works in the SNPN mode, the AMF network element can be recorded as the SNPN AMF, and the data storage network element can be recorded as the subscribed SNPN (subscribedSNPN) UDM / UDR of the terminal device, or the home PLMN (home PLMN, H-PLMN) UDM / UDR; when the terminal device works in the PLMN mode, the AMF network element can be recorded as the PLMN AMF, and the data storage network element can be recorded as the H-PLMN UDM / UDR of the terminal device. In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, according to the specific application scenario, the AMF network element can communicate directly with the data storage network element through an interface, or the AMF network element can communicate indirectly with the data storage network element through other network elements, and this application does not limit this.

[0199] Combine the following Figure 2 The flowchart shown illustrates the method.

[0200] S201: When the terminal device resides in the first network, the terminal device initiates a registration process. In the registration process, the terminal device sends a registration request message (e.g., Registration Request) to the AMF network element. The AMF network element receives the registration request message from the terminal device. The registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network.

[0201] Among them, when the terminal device works in the SNPN mode, the first network is the first SNPN; when the terminal device works in the PLMN mode, the first network is the first PLMN.

[0202] S202: The AMF network element sends a first request message to the data storage network element. The data storage network element receives the first request message from the AMF. The first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network.

[0203] Optionally, the first request message may be a message sent by the AMF network element to the data storage during the registration process of the terminal device. For example, the first request message may be Nudm_UECM_Registration_request.

[0204] In one embodiment, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information. The first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN based on network slices, and the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0205] In one implementation, the first indication or the first network slice information may be included in a registration request message. In another implementation, the AMF network element may obtain the first indication or the first network slice information by other means, which is not limited in this application.

[0206] Optionally, the first request message may include a first container, which carries at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information. The registration request message sent by the terminal device in S201 may also include the first container, that is, the AMF network element may transparently transmit the first container in the registration request message to the data storage network element.

[0207] It should also be noted that, in addition to the above content (or in addition to the first container), the registration request message or the first request message may also include other information related to the registration process. For example, the location information (Location) of the terminal device. For another example, the registration request message may also configure the first network slice information outside the first container, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0208] S203: The data storage network element determines the SNPN network configuration information of the terminal device. The SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group. Any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN.

[0209] For the concept of network selection group, please refer to the explanation of terminology in point 6) above, which will not be repeated here.

[0210] In one implementation, in S203, the data storage network element may determine the SNPN network configuration information by the following steps:

[0211] S203-1: The data storage network element obtains first network slice information, and / or obtains second network slice information, wherein the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device.

[0212] Optionally, when the first request message contains first network slice information, the data storage network element may obtain the first network slice information from the first request message; when the first request message does not contain the first network slice information, the data storage network element may not perform the step of obtaining the first network slice information (i.e., perform the step of obtaining the second network slice information), or obtain the first network slice information from the AMF network element.

[0213] In an embodiment of the present application, the data storage network element can obtain the second network slice information from the subscription data of the terminal device stored locally or in other network elements.

[0214] S203-2: The data storage network element determines the SNPN network configuration information based on the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, and the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices. Optionally, the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices can be information stored locally in the data storage network element, or can be obtained from other network elements (such as AF), which is not limited in this application.

[0215] Optionally, when the first request message includes a first indication, the data storage network element may execute S203-2 based on the first indication.

[0216] Among them, the support information of the multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices includes: support information of the multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for the first network slice and / or the second network slice. That is, at least one candidate SNPN or at least one candidate network selection group indicated by the SNPN network configuration information needs to support the first network slice or the second network slice.

[0217] It should be noted that the above steps S203-1 to S203-2 are an implementation method and do not limit the way in which the data storage network element determines the SNPN network configuration information. For example, the data storage network element can also send the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information to other network elements, and the other network elements determine the SNPN network configuration information through steps similar to S203-2, and forward the SNPN network configuration information to the data storage network element.

[0218] In one implementation of the embodiment of the present application, the SNPN network configuration information may also indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group. In this way, the terminal device may select the SNPN according to the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN or the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group.

[0219] Optionally, the data storage network element may determine the priority of each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group in combination with multiple factors. For example, these factors may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the number of network slices (in the first network slice or the second network slice) supported by each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group, the importance of the network slices (in the first network slice or the second network slice) supported by each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group, the load level of each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group, or the communication quality of each candidate SNPN or each candidate network selection group, etc.

[0220] In the embodiment of the present application, the specific implementation methods of the SNPN network configuration information may be, but are not limited to, the following. Among them, in the following implementation methods, the order of network identifiers in the network identifier list of at least one candidate SNPN may reflect the priority of the at least one candidate ANPN; similarly, the order of group identifiers in the group identifier list of at least one network selection group may also reflect the priority of the at least one network selection group. For example, the earlier the position of the identifier in the list, the higher the priority of the object indicated by the identifier.

[0221] Implementation method 1: The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate SNPN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN.

[0222] Exemplarily, it is assumed that the identifier of the first network slice or the second network slice includes: S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3; the network identifiers of the candidate SNPN include: SNPN1, SNPN2...SNPNm. In this implementation, the content included in the SNPN network configuration information can be schematically reflected by Table 1.

[0223] Table 1

[0224] Network ID of the candidate SNPN A list of network slice identifiers supported by each candidate SNPN SNPN1 S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3 SNPN2 S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI3 …… …… SNP S-NSSAI1

[0225] Implementation method 2: The SNPN network configuration information includes a group identifier list of at least one candidate network selection group and an identifier list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group.

[0226] Exemplarily, it is assumed that the identifier of the first network slice or the second network slice includes: S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3; the group identifier of the candidate network selection group includes: GIN1, GIN2...GINm. In this implementation, the content included in the SNPN network configuration information can be schematically reflected by Table 2.

[0227] Table 2

[0228] Network ID of the candidate SNPN A list of network slice identifiers supported by each candidate SNPN GIN1 S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3 GIN2 S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI3 …… …… GIN S-NSSAI1

[0229] Implementation method three: The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice.

[0230] Exemplarily, it is assumed that the identifier of the first network slice or the second network slice includes: S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3; the network identifiers of the candidate SNPN include: SNPN1, SNPN2...SNPNm. In this implementation, the content included in the SNPN network configuration information can be schematically reflected by Table 3.

[0231] Table 3

[0232] Network slice identification List of network identifiers supporting candidate SNPNs for each network slice S-NSSAI1 SNPN1, SNPN2,…, SNPNm S-NSSAI2 SNPN1,…… S-NSSAI3 SNPN1, SNPN2, ...

[0233] Implementation method 4: The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of group identifiers of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice.

[0234] Exemplarily, it is assumed that the identifier of the first network slice or the second network slice includes: S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3; the group identifier of the candidate network selection group includes: GIN1, GIN2...GINm. In this implementation, the content included in the SNPN network configuration information can be reflected by the schematic table 4.

[0235] Table 4

[0236] Network slice identification List of group identifiers of candidate network selection groups supporting each network slice S-NSSAI1 GIN1, GIN2, ..., GINm S-NSSAI2 GIN1, ... S-NSSAI3 GIN1, GIN2, ...

[0237] S204: The data storage network element sends a first message to the AMF network element. The AMF network element receives the first message from the data storage network element. The first message includes SNPN network configuration information.

[0238] S205: The AMF network element sends a second message to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the second message from the AMF network element. The second message includes the SNPN network configuration information.

[0239] Optionally, the first message or the second message may be, but is not limited to, multiplexing related messages involved in the terminal device registration process. For example, the first message may be Nudm_SDM_Get response. For another example, the second message may be a response message corresponding to the registration request message (i.e., a registration acceptance message (e.g., Registration Accept)).

[0240] Optionally, the first message or the second message may not reuse the relevant messages in the terminal device registration process, but may be a dedicated message designed to transmit SNPN network configuration information, which is not limited in this application.

[0241] In one embodiment, the first message may include a second container, and the second container carries the SNPN network configuration information. In this embodiment, the AMF network element may continue to transparently transmit the second container to the terminal device, thereby transmitting the SNPN network configuration information to the terminal device, that is, the second message also includes the second container.

[0242] Exemplarily, in the embodiment of the present application, the first container or the second container may be, but is not limited to, a steering of roaming (SOR) container.

[0243] S206: The terminal device accesses the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information. The third network slice information is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device. The first target SNPN is a candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice in at least one candidate SNPN, or the first target SNPN is an SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice in at least one candidate network selection group.

[0244] In the embodiment of the present application, depending on the specific application scenario, the terminal device can access the first target SNPN through but not limited to the following implementation methods.

[0245] Implementation method 1: When the terminal device is in SNPN mode (for example, traditional SNPN mode or sliced ​​SNPN mode), a registration process is initiated, but the requested third network slice is not allowed. The third network slice is the network slice requested when the terminal device initiates the registration request message.

[0246] When the terminal device is in SNPN mode, the terminal device executes S201 to send a registration request message to the AMF network element. At this time, the first network that the terminal device requests to register is the first SNPN. Afterwards, the terminal device can receive a registration acceptance message from the AMF network element; when the registration acceptance message indicates that the third network slice is not allowed, the terminal device executes SNPN selection, and selects and accesses the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

[0247] In this embodiment, the third network slice can be understood as the third network slice requested by the terminal device during the registration process. For example, the terminal device carries the third network slice information in the registration request message to request the third network slice from the AMF network element. At this time, the third network slice information is the same as the first network slice information contained in the first container.

[0248] Implementation method 2: When the terminal device is in SNPN mode, a registration process is initiated, and the requested third network slice is allowed. The third network slice is the network slice requested when the terminal device initiates a registration request message.

[0249] When the terminal device is in SNPN mode, the terminal device executes S201 to send a registration request message to the AMF network element. At this time, the first network that the terminal device requests to register is the first SNPN. Afterwards, the terminal device can receive a registration acceptance message from the AMF network element; when the registration acceptance message indicates that the third network slice is allowed, the terminal device can access the first SNPN. Afterwards, the terminal device can continue to perform SNPN selection, and through a high-priority network search process, according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information, try to access the first target SNPN with a higher priority than the first SNPN.

[0250] Implementation method three: When the terminal device is in SNPN mode, a registration process is initiated, and the network slice requested when the terminal device initiates the registration process is allowed. The third network slice is different from the network slice requested when the terminal device initiates the registration request message.

[0251] When the terminal device is in SNPN mode, the terminal device executes S201 to send a registration request message to the AMF network element. At this time, the first network that the terminal device requests to register is the first SNPN. Afterwards, the terminal device can receive a registration acceptance message from the AMF network element; when the registration acceptance message indicates that the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message is allowed, the terminal device can access the first SNPN. Afterwards, when the terminal device needs to switch to a third network slice due to a change in the terminal device's service, the terminal device can execute SNPN selection, and select and access the first target SNPN based on the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

[0252] Implementation method 4: When the terminal device is in PLMN mode (for example, traditional PLMN mode or sliced ​​PLMN mode), a registration process is initiated.

[0253] When the terminal device is in PLMN mode, the terminal device sends a registration request message to the AMF network element. At this time, the first network that the terminal device requests to register is the first PLMN. Afterwards, the terminal device can access a certain PLMN or switch the working mode according to the registration result. If the working mode of the terminal device changes from PLMN mode to SNPN mode, the terminal device can perform SNPN selection, and select and access the first target SNPN based on the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information. Optionally, the third network slice information may be the same as or different from the first network slice information, and this application does not limit this.

[0254] Optionally, in this implementation, the terminal device may switch to the SNPN mode according to the user's settings, and this application does not limit the manner in which the terminal device switches to the SNPN mode.

[0255] It should be noted that, when the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of at least one candidate SNPN, the first target SNPN is a candidate SNPN among the at least one candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority; when the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of at least one candidate network selection group, the first target SNPN is the SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group among the at least one candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority.

[0256] In addition, it should be noted that the data storage network element can also update the SNPN network configuration information. For example, when the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices changes, the data storage network element can redetermine the SNPN network configuration information through step S203. If the SNPN configuration indicated by the redetermined SNPN network configuration information is different from the SNPN configuration indicated by the original SNPN network configuration information, the latest SNPN network configuration information is updated to the terminal device through the process of S204-S205, so that the terminal device can perform SNPN network selection based on the latest SNPN network configuration information.

[0257] Optionally, the format of the latest SNPN network configuration information may be the same as the format of the original SNPN network configuration information, as described in implementation methods 1 to 4 in S203.

[0258] Optionally, the latest SNPN network configuration information may also include configuration information of the latest SNPN configuration relative to the SNPN configuration indicated by the original SNPN network configuration information, so as to save signaling transmission overhead. The terminal device may determine the latest SNPN configuration based on the original SNPN network configuration information and the latest SNPN network configuration information, and thus perform SNPN network selection based on the latest SNPN configuration.

[0259] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. In this method, the data storage network element can configure SNPN network configuration information for the terminal device in the registration process of the terminal device, so that the subsequent terminal device can perform SNPN selection based on the SNPN network configuration information and the requested network slice. Since the SNPN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN, or indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group, the target SNPN selected by the terminal device for SNPN selection supports the network slice requested by the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the target SNPN selected by the terminal device supports the terminal device to implement the current service, and ultimately the service quality of the terminal device working in SNPN mode can be guaranteed.

[0260] based on Figure 2 In addition to the method provided by the embodiment shown, the present application also provides the following two communication examples. The two communication examples are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0261] Example 1: See Figure 3 When the UE works in SNPN mode, as shown in the figure, the AMF network element that provides access management services for the UE is the SNPN AMF, hereinafter referred to as AMF; and the data storage network element that determines the SNPN network configuration information of the UE may be the H-PLMN UDM or the contracted SNPN UDM, hereinafter referred to as UDM.

[0262] S300: The UE operates in a SNPN mode (eg, a traditional SNPN mode or a sliced ​​SNPN mode), and the UE resides in a first SNPN.

[0263] S301: UE initiates a registration process and sends a registration request message (e.g., Registration Request) to AMF. The registration request message includes a first SOR container. The first SOR container carries a first indication and may also carry first network slice information.

[0264] Among them, the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN based on the network slice; the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the UE when sending a registration request message.

[0265] Optionally, the first SOR container may also include the location information of the UE. In addition, in addition to the first SOR container, the registration request message may also include other information related to the registration process.

[0266] S302: After receiving the registration request message, the AMF sends a first request message to the UDM, wherein the first request message includes a first SOR container.

[0267] The AMF may reuse the messages in the registration process to send the first request message to the UDM. Exemplarily, the first request message may be Nudm_UECM_Registration_request.

[0268] S303: After receiving the first request message, the UDM determines the SNPN network configuration information of the UE based on the first indication in the first SOR container and the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, wherein the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the UE.

[0269] The specific process of UDM executing S303 and the description of the SNPN network configuration information can be referred to Figure 2 The description of S203 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0270] S304: UDM sends a first response message to AMF, wherein the first response message includes a second SOR container, and the second SOR container carries the SNPN network configuration information determined by S303.

[0271] UDM can reuse the message in the registration process to send the first response message to AMF. Exemplarily, the first response message can be Nudm_SDM_Get response.

[0272] S305: After receiving the first response message, the AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE, wherein the registration acceptance message includes a second SOR container.

[0273] S306: After receiving the registration acceptance message, the UE can select an SNPN based on the SNPN network configuration information in the second SOR container and the requested network slice, and finally select the SNPN that accesses the network slice that supports the UE request.

[0274] Optionally, according to different specific application scenarios, the UE can perform S306 in a variety of ways. For specific processes, please refer to Figure 2 The description of implementation modes 1 to 3 in S206 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0275] Optionally, the UDM may also transmit the latest SNPN network configuration information to the UE through S307 - S309 .

[0276] S307: After S303, UDM can continue to determine the latest SNPN network configuration information of the UE based on the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information; or when factors that need to be combined to determine the SNPN network configuration information (such as support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices, load levels or communication instructions of SNPNs or network selection groups) change, re-determine the latest SNPN network configuration information of the UE based on the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information.

[0277] S308: When the UDM determines that the latest SNPN network configuration information of the UE is inconsistent with the original SNPN network configuration information, it sends a first notification message to the AMF. The first communication message includes a third SOR container, and the third SOR container carries the latest SNPN network configuration information determined by S307.

[0278] Optionally, the latest SNPN network configuration information has the same format as the original SNPN network configuration information.

[0279] S309: After receiving the first notification message, the AMF sends a second notification message to the UE, wherein the second notification message includes a third SOR container.

[0280] UDM or AMF can reuse the network update process to transmit the latest SNPN network configuration information. For example, the first notification message can be a notification message sent by UDM to AMF, such as Nudm_SDM_Notification request; the second notification message can be a downlink (DL) non-access stratum (non-access stratum) transmission message sent by AMF to UE, such as DL NAS Transport.

[0281] S310: After receiving the second notification message, the UE can select the SNPN according to the latest SNPN network configuration information in the third SOR container and the requested network slice. The specific process can be referred to S306 and will not be repeated here.

[0282] Through the method provided in this example 1, UDM can configure SNPN network configuration information for the UE in the registration process of the UE in SNPN mode, so that the subsequent UE can make SNPN selections based on the SNPN network configuration information and the requested network slice. Since the SNPN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN, or indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group, the target SNPN selected by the UE for SNPN selection is the network slice that supports the UE's request, thereby ensuring that the target SNPN selected by the UE supports the UE's current service, and ultimately ensuring the service quality of the UE working in SNPN mode. In addition, the communication system can reuse the UE's registration process to configure the SNPN network configuration information, thereby reducing the signaling transmission overhead. In addition, the communication system can also reuse the network update process to transmit updated SNPN network configuration information, which can also further reduce the signaling transmission overhead.

[0283] Example 2: See Figure 4 When the UE works in the PLMN mode, as shown in the figure, the AMF network element that provides access management services for the UE is the PLMN AMF, which is hereinafter referred to as AMF; and the data storage network element that determines the UE's SNPN network configuration information may be the H-PLMN UDM, which is hereinafter referred to as UDM.

[0284] S400: The UE works in a PLMN mode (eg, a traditional PLMN mode or a sliced ​​PLMN mode), and the UE resides in a first PLMN.

[0285] S401-S405 in this second example are similar to steps S301-S305 in the first example. Similar steps can refer to each other and will not be described again here.

[0286] S406: After the UE switches to SNPN mode, the UE can select an SNPN based on the SNPN network configuration information and the requested network slice, and finally select the SNPN that accesses the network slice that supports the UE's request.

[0287] Optionally, the UE may switch to the SNPN mode according to user settings. This example does not limit the manner in which the UE switches to the SNPN mode.

[0288] The specific process of UE executing S406 can be referred to Figure 2 The description of the fourth implementation method in S206 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0289] It should also be noted that after S403 and before S406, UDM can also determine the latest SNPN network configuration information and send it to the UE, so that the UE can subsequently select SNPN according to the latest SNPN network configuration information after switching to SNPN mode. The process of UDM sending the latest SNPN network configuration information to the UE can refer to steps S307-S309 in Example 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0290] Through the method provided in this second example, the UDM can configure SNPN network configuration information for the UE in the registration process of the UE in the PLMN mode, so that the subsequent UE can perform SNPN selection based on the SNPN network configuration information and the requested network slice. Since the SNPN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN, or indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group, the target SNPN selected by the UE for SNPN selection is the network slice that supports the UE's request, thereby ensuring that the target SNPN selected by the UE supports the UE's current service, and ultimately ensuring the service quality of the UE working in the SNPN mode. In addition, the communication system can reuse the UE's registration process to configure the SNPN network configuration information, thereby reducing the signaling transmission overhead. In addition, the communication system can also reuse the network update process to transmit updated SNPN network configuration information, which can also further reduce the signaling transmission overhead.

[0291] exist Figure 1A or Figure 1B In the communication system shown, in the current solution, the terminal device works in the PLMN mode, and the PLMN network configuration information sent from the network side can be obtained in the registration process of the terminal device. Among them, the PLMN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN. In this way, the terminal device in the PLMN mode can perform PLMN selection based on network slices based on the PLMN network configuration information sent from the network side.

[0292] From the description of the above traditional solution, it can be seen that the terminal device can only obtain the PLMN network configuration information during the registration process of the PLMN. Therefore, when the terminal device switches from the SNPN mode to the PLMN mode, since the registration process of the PLMN has not been executed, the terminal device cannot obtain the PLMN network configuration information. This causes the PLMN selected for the first time when the terminal device switches to the PLMN mode to possibly not support the current service of the terminal device, which in turn causes the terminal device to trigger the PLMN selection or fail to implement the service, ultimately affecting the service quality of the terminal device.

[0293] In order to ensure the service quality of the terminal device switched from the SNPN mode to the PLMN mode, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to Figure 1A or Figure 1B In the communication system shown in FIG. Figure 5 shown.

[0294] Among them, the data storage network element involved in the embodiment of the present application may be a UDM or a UDR. Since in the present embodiment, the terminal device initiates the registration process in the SNPN mode, the AMF network element that provides access management services for the UE may be recorded as the SNPN AMF; and the data storage network element that determines the PLMN network configuration information of the terminal device is the H-PLMNUDM / UDR of the terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, according to the specific application scenario, the AMF network element may communicate directly with the data storage network element through an interface, or the AMF network element may communicate indirectly with the data storage network element through other network elements, and the present application does not limit this.

[0295] Combine the following Figure 5 The flowchart shown illustrates the method.

[0296] S501: When the terminal device resides in the first SNPN, the terminal device initiates a registration process. In the registration process, the terminal device sends a registration request message (e.g., Registration Request) to the AMF network element. The AMF network element receives the registration request message from the terminal device. The registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first SNPN.

[0297] When the terminal device is in SNPN mode, execute S501.

[0298] S502: The AMF network element sends a first request message to the data storage network element. The data storage network element receives the first request message from the AMF. The first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first SNPN. The first request message includes a first indication, which is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select a PLMN based on a network slice.

[0299] Optionally, the first request message may be a message sent by the AMF network element to the data storage during the registration process of the terminal device. For example, the first request message may be Nudm_UECM_Registration_request.

[0300] In one embodiment, the first request message may also include first network slice information, wherein the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0301] In one implementation, the first indication or the first network slice information may be included in a registration request message. In another implementation, the AMF network element may obtain the first network slice information by other means, which is not limited in this application.

[0302] Optionally, the first request message may include a first container, which carries at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information. The registration request message sent by the terminal device in S201 may also include the first container, that is, the AMF network element may transparently transmit the first container in the registration request message to the data storage network element.

[0303] It should also be noted that, in addition to the above content (or in addition to the first container), the registration request message or the first request message may also include other information related to the registration process. For example, the location information (Location) of the terminal device. For another example, the registration request message may also configure the first network slice information outside the first container, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0304] S503: The data storage network element determines PLMN network configuration information of the terminal device, wherein the PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and network slices supported by each candidate PLMN.

[0305] In one implementation, in S203, the data storage network element may determine the SNPN network configuration information by the following steps:

[0306] S503-1: The data storage network element obtains first network slice information, and / or obtains second network slice information, wherein the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device.

[0307] Optionally, when the first request message contains first network slice information, the data storage network element may obtain the first network slice information from the first request message; when the first request message does not contain the first network slice information, the data storage network element may not perform the step of obtaining the first network slice information (i.e., perform the step of obtaining the second network slice information), or obtain the first network slice information from the AMF network element.

[0308] In an embodiment of the present application, the data storage network element can obtain the second network slice information from the subscription data of the terminal device stored locally or in other network elements.

[0309] S503-2: The data storage network element determines the PLMN network configuration information based on the first indication, the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, and the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices. Optionally, the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices can be information stored locally in the data storage network element, or can be obtained from other network elements (such as AF), which is not limited in this application.

[0310] Among them, the support information of the multiple PLMNs for network slices includes: support information of the multiple PLMNs for the first network slice and / or the second network slice. That is, at least one candidate PLMN indicated by the PLMN network configuration information needs to support the first network slice or the second network slice.

[0311] It should be noted that the above steps S503-1 to S503-2 are an implementation method and do not limit the way in which the data storage network element determines the PLMN network configuration information. For example, the data storage network element may also send the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information to other network elements, and the other network elements determine the PLMN network configuration information through steps similar to S503-2, and forward the PLMN network configuration information to the data storage network element.

[0312] In one implementation of the embodiment of the present application, the PLMN network configuration information may further indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN. In this way, the terminal device may select a PLMN according to the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0313] Optionally, the data storage network element may determine the priority of each candidate PLMN in combination with multiple factors. For example, these factors may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the number of network slices (in the first network slice or the second network slice) supported by each PLMN, the importance of the network slices (in the first network slice or the second network slice) supported by each candidate PLMN, the load level of each candidate PLMN, or the communication quality of each candidate PLMN, etc.

[0314] In the embodiment of the present application, the specific implementation of the PLMN network configuration information may be, but is not limited to, the following. Among them, in the following implementations, the order of network identifiers in the network identifier list of at least one candidate PLMN may reflect the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN. For example, the earlier the position of the network identifier in the network identifier list, the higher the priority of the candidate PLMN indicated by the network identifier.

[0315] Implementation method 1: The PLMN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN.

[0316] Exemplarily, it is assumed that the identifier of the first network slice or the second network slice includes: S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3; the network identifier of the candidate PLMN includes: PLMN1, PLMN2...PLMNm. In this implementation, the content included in the PLMN network configuration information can be schematically reflected by Table 5.

[0317] Table 5

[0318] Network ID of the candidate PLMN A list of network slice identifiers supported by each candidate SNPN PLMN1 S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI2, S-NSSAI3 PLMN2 S-NSSAI1, S-NSSAI3 …… …… PLMN S-NSSAI1

[0319] Implementation method 2: The PLMN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0320] The following is an exemplary description using the example in implementation mode 1. In this implementation mode, the content included in the PLMN network configuration information can be schematically represented by Table 6.

[0321] Table 6

[0322] Network slice identification List of network identities of candidate PLMNs supporting each network slice S-NSSAI1 PLMN1, PLMN2,…, PLMNm S-NSSAI2 PLMN1,…… S-NSSAI3 PLMN1, PLMN2, ...

[0323] S504: The data storage network element sends a first message to the AMF network element. The AMF network element receives the first message from the data storage network element. The first message includes PLMN network configuration information.

[0324] S505: The AMF network element sends a second message to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the second message from the AMF network element. The second message includes the PLMN network configuration information.

[0325] Optionally, the first message or the second message may be, but is not limited to, multiplexing related messages involved in the terminal device registration process. For example, the first message may be Nudm_SDM_Get response. For another example, the second message may be a response message corresponding to the registration request message (i.e., a registration acceptance message (e.g., Registration Accept)).

[0326] Optionally, the first message or the second message may not reuse the relevant messages in the terminal device registration process, but may be a dedicated message designed to transmit PLMN network configuration information, which is not limited in this application.

[0327] In one implementation, the first message may include a second container, and the second container carries the PLMN network configuration information. In this implementation, the AMF network element may continue to transparently transmit the second container to the terminal device, thereby transmitting the PLMN network configuration information to the terminal device, that is, the second message also includes the second container.

[0328] Illustratively, in the embodiments of the present application, the first container or the second container may be, but is not limited to, a SOR container.

[0329] S506: The terminal device accesses the first target PLMN according to the PLMN network configuration information and the third network slice information. The third network slice information is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device. The first target PLMN is a candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice among the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0330] In the embodiment of the present application, when the terminal device can switch from the SNPN mode to the PLMN, S506 is executed.

[0331] In S501, when the terminal device is in SNPN mode, the terminal device sends a registration request message to the AMF network element. At this time, the terminal device requests to register the first SNPN. Afterwards, the terminal device can access a certain SNPN or switch the working mode according to the registration result. If the working mode of the terminal device changes from SNPN mode to PLMN mode, the terminal device can perform PLMN selection and select and access the first target PLMN based on the PLMN network configuration information and the third network slice information. Optionally, the third network slice information may be the same as or different from the first network slice information, and this application does not limit this.

[0332] Optionally, the terminal device can switch to PLMN mode according to the user's settings. This application does not limit the way in which the terminal device switches to PLMN mode.

[0333] It should be noted that, when the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of at least one candidate PLMN, the first target PLMN is a candidate PLMN among the at least one candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority.

[0334] In addition, it should be noted that before the terminal device switches to PLMN mode, the data storage network element can also update the PLMN network configuration information. For example, when the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices changes, the data storage network element can redetermine the PLMN network configuration information through step S503. If the PLMN configuration indicated by the redetermined PLMN network configuration information is different from the PLMN configuration indicated by the original PLMN network configuration information, the latest PLMN network configuration information is updated to the terminal device through the process of S504-S505, so that the terminal device can select the PLMN network based on the latest PLMN network configuration information.

[0335] Optionally, the format of the latest PLMN network configuration information may be the same as the format of the original PLMN network configuration information, as described in implementation method 1 and implementation method 2 in S503.

[0336] Optionally, the latest PLMN network configuration information may also include configuration information of the latest PLMN configuration relative to the PLMN configuration indicated by the original PLMN network configuration information, so as to save signaling transmission overhead. The terminal device may determine the latest PLMN configuration based on the original PLMN network configuration information and the latest PLMN network configuration information, and thus perform PLMN network selection based on the latest PLMN configuration.

[0337] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. In this method, a data storage network element can configure PLMN network configuration information for a terminal device in a registration process of a terminal device in SNPN mode, so that after the terminal device subsequently switches to PLMN mode, PLMN selection can be performed based on the PLMN network configuration information and the requested network slice. Since the PLMN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN, the target PLMN selected by the terminal device for PLMN selection supports the network slice requested by the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the target PLMN selected by the terminal device supports the terminal device to implement the current service, and ultimately the service quality of the terminal device switched to PLMN mode can be guaranteed.

[0338] based on Figure 5 The method provided in the embodiment shown, the present application also provides a communication example, and the communication example is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0339] Example 3: See Figure 6When the UE works in SNPN mode, as shown in the figure, the AMF network element that provides access management services for the UE is SNPN AMF, hereinafter referred to as AMF; and the data storage network element that determines the PLMN network configuration information of the UE may be H-PLMN UDM, hereinafter referred to as UDM.

[0340] S600: The UE operates in a SNPN mode (eg, a traditional SNPN mode or a sliced ​​SNPN mode), and the UE resides in a first SNPN.

[0341] S601: UE initiates a registration process and sends a registration request message (e.g., Registration Request) to AMF. The registration request message includes a first SOR container. The first SOR container carries a first indication and may also carry first network slice information.

[0342] Among them, the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select PLMN based on network slices; the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the UE when sending a registration request message.

[0343] Optionally, the first SOR container may also include the location information of the UE. In addition, in addition to the first SOR container, the registration request message may also include other information related to the registration process.

[0344] S602: After receiving the registration request message, the AMF sends a first request message to the UDM, wherein the first request message includes a first SOR container.

[0345] The AMF may reuse the messages in the registration process to send the first request message to the UDM. Exemplarily, the first request message may be Nudm_UECM_Registration_request.

[0346] S603: After receiving the first request message, the UDM determines the PLMN network configuration information of the UE based on the first indication in the first SOR container and the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, wherein the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the UE.

[0347] For details on the UDM execution of S603 and the description of the PLMN network configuration information, please refer to Figure 5 The description of S503 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0348] S604: UDM sends a first response message to AMF, wherein the first response message includes a second SOR container, and the second SOR container carries the PLMN network configuration information determined in S603.

[0349] UDM can reuse the message in the registration process to send the first response message to AMF. For example, the first response message can be Nudm_SDM_Get response.

[0350] S605: After receiving the first response message, the AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE, wherein the registration acceptance message includes a second SOR container.

[0351] S606: After the UE switches to PLMN mode, the UE can select a PLMN based on the PLMN network configuration information in the second SOR container and the requested network slice, and finally select to access the PLMN that supports the network slice requested by the UE.

[0352] Optionally, the UE may switch to the PLMN mode according to user settings, and this example does not limit the manner in which the UE switches to the PLMN mode.

[0353] The specific process of UE executing S606 can be referred to Figure 5 The description of S506 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0354] It should also be noted that after S603 and before S606, the UDM can also determine the latest PLMN network configuration information and send it to the UE, so that the UE can select the PLMN according to the latest PLMN network configuration information after switching to the PLMN mode. The process of UDM sending the latest PLMN network configuration information to the UE can refer to steps S307-S309 in Example 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0355] Through the method provided in this example three, the UDM can configure PLMN network configuration information for the UE in the registration process of the UE in the SNPN mode, so that after the UE switches to the PLMN mode later, it can select a PLMN based on the PLMN network configuration information and the requested network slice. Since the PLMN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN, the target PLMN selected by the UE for PLMN selection is the network slice that supports the UE's request, thereby ensuring that the target PLMN selected by the UE supports the UE's current service, and ultimately ensuring the service quality of the UE switched to the PLMN mode. In addition, the communication system can reuse the UE's registration process to configure the PLMN network configuration information, thereby reducing the signaling transmission overhead. In addition, the communication system can also reuse the network update process to transmit updated PLMN network configuration information, which can further reduce the signaling transmission overhead.

[0356] exist Figure 1A or Figure 1B In the communication system shown, a terminal device supporting two working modes can access the corresponding network in either working mode through a registration process and an access process. However, the network accessed by the terminal device may not support the current service of the terminal device, or the working mode of the terminal device may be wrong. However, the current way for the terminal device to switch the working mode is generally set by the user. This method is not flexible enough and may affect the service quality of the terminal device.

[0357] In order to ensure the service quality of the terminal device supporting two working modes, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to Figure 1A or Figure 1B In the communication system shown in FIG. Figure 7 shown.

[0358] Among them, the data storage network element involved in the embodiment of the present application may be a UDM or a UDR. In addition, depending on the working mode of the terminal device, the mobile communication system to which the AMF network element that provides access management services for the terminal device and the data storage network element that recommends the working mode for the UE belong may also be different. For example, when the terminal device works in SNPN mode, the AMF network element can be recorded as SNPN AMF, and the data storage network element can be recorded as the contracted SNPN UDM / UDR, or H-PLMNUDM / UDR of the terminal device; when the terminal device works in PLMN mode, the AMF network element can be recorded as PLMN AMF, and the data storage network element can be recorded as the H-PLMN UDM / UDR of the terminal device. In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, according to the specific application scenario, the AMF network element can communicate directly with the data storage network element through an interface, or the AMF network element can communicate indirectly with the data storage network element through other network elements, and this application does not limit this.

[0359] Combine the following Figure 7 The flowchart shown illustrates the method.

[0360] S701: When the terminal device resides in the first network, the terminal device initiates a registration process. In the registration process, the terminal device sends a registration request message (e.g., Registration Request) to the AMF network element. The AMF network element receives the registration request message from the terminal device. The registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network.

[0361] In this embodiment, when the terminal device is in the first working mode, S701 is executed. The first working mode is the SNPN mode or the PLMN mode. When the terminal device works in the SNPN mode, the first network is the first SNPN; when the terminal device works in the PLMN mode, the first network is the first PLMN.

[0362] S702: The AMF network element sends a first request message to the data storage network element. The data storage network element receives the first request message from the AMF. The first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network.

[0363] Optionally, the first request message may be a message sent by the AMF network element to the data storage during the registration process of the terminal device. For example, the first request message may be Nudm_UECM_Registration_request.

[0364] In one embodiment, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, first network slice information, or a second indication. The first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slices, the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message, and the second indication is used to request a recommended working mode.

[0365] In one implementation, the above three items of information, namely, the first indication, the first network slice information and the second indication, may be included in the registration request message. In another implementation, the AMF network element may obtain at least one of the above information by other means, which is not limited in this application.

[0366] Optionally, the first request message may include a first container, which carries at least one of the following: a first indication, first network slice information, or a second indication. The registration request message sent by the terminal device in S701 may also include the first container, that is, the AMF network element may transparently transmit the first container in the registration request message to the data storage network element.

[0367] It should also be noted that, in addition to the above content (or in addition to the first container), the registration request message or the first request message may also include other information related to the registration process. For example, the location information (Location) of the terminal device. For another example, the registration request message may also configure the first network slice information outside the first container, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0368] S703: The data storage network element determines the recommended mode information of the terminal device, wherein the recommended mode information is used to indicate the target working mode recommended for the terminal device, and the target working mode is the SNPN mode or the PLMN mode.

[0369] In one implementation, in S703, the data storage network element may determine the recommended mode information by the following steps:

[0370] S703-1: The data storage network element obtains first network slice information, and / or obtains second network slice information, wherein the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device.

[0371] Optionally, when the first request message contains first network slice information, the data storage network element may obtain the first network slice information from the first request message; when the first request message does not contain the first network slice information, the data storage network element may not perform the step of obtaining the first network slice information (i.e., perform the step of obtaining the second network slice information), or obtain the first network slice information from the AMF network element.

[0372] In an embodiment of the present application, the data storage network element can obtain the second network slice information from the subscription data of the terminal device stored locally or in other network elements.

[0373] S703-2: The data storage network element determines the recommended mode information based on the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices, and the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices. Optionally, the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices, or the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices can be information stored locally in the data storage network element, or can be obtained from other network elements (such as AF), which is not limited in this application.

[0374] Optionally, when the first request message includes the first indication or the second indication, the data storage network element may execute S703-2 based on the first indication or the second indication.

[0375] Among them, the support information of the multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices includes: support information of the multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for the first network slice and / or the second network slice. Similarly, the support information of the multiple PLMNs for network slices includes: support information of the multiple PLMNs for the first network slice and / or the second network slice.

[0376] In S703-2, the data storage network element can determine the support of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for the first network slice and / or the second network slice (the number of supported network slices, which network slices are supported, and the importance of these network slices) based on the above information, as well as the support of multiple PLMNs for the first network slice and / or the second network slice (data of supported network slices, which network slices are supported, and the importance of these network slices), and finally determine the target operating mode recommended to the terminal device based on these support conditions. Optionally, the data storage network element can also determine the target operating mode in combination with other factors, such as the load level and / or communication quality of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups, the load level and / or communication quality of multiple PLMNs, etc.

[0377] It should be noted that the above steps S703-1 to S703-2 are an implementation method and do not limit the way in which the data storage network element determines the recommended mode information. For example, the data storage network element may also send relevant information such as the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information to other network elements, and the other network elements determine the recommended mode information through steps similar to S703-2 and forward the recommended mode information to the data storage network element.

[0378] S704: The data storage network element sends a first message to the AMF network element. The AMF network element receives the first message from the data storage network element. The first message includes recommended mode information.

[0379] S705: The AMF network element sends a second message to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the second message from the AMF network element. The second message includes the recommended mode information.

[0380] Optionally, the first message or the second message may be, but is not limited to, multiplexing related messages involved in the terminal device registration process. For example, the first message may be Nudm_SDM_Get response. For another example, the second message may be a response message corresponding to the registration request message (i.e., a registration acceptance message (e.g., Registration Accept)).

[0381] Optionally, the first message or the second message may not reuse the relevant messages in the terminal device registration process, but may be a dedicated message designed to transmit the recommended mode information, which is not limited in this application.

[0382] In one implementation, the first message may include a second container, and the second container carries the recommended mode information. In this implementation, the AMF network element may continue to transparently transmit the second container to the terminal device, thereby transmitting the recommended mode information to the terminal device, that is, the second message also includes the second container.

[0383] Exemplarily, in the embodiment of the present application, the first container or the second container may be, but is not limited to, a steering of roaming (SOR) container.

[0384] S706: The terminal device accesses the second network according to the recommended mode information and the third network slice information. The third network slice information is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device. When the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the second network is the second SNPN; when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the second network is the second PLMN.

[0385] In the embodiment of the present application, depending on the specific application scenario, the process of the terminal device executing S706 may differ and may include the two implementation modes.

[0386] Implementation method one: When the first working mode currently in which the terminal device is located is the same as the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information, the terminal device can execute S706 according to the registration result. That is, after S701, the terminal device receives a registration acceptance message from the AMF network element; when the registration acceptance message indicates that the third network slice is not allowed, the terminal device accesses the second network according to the third network slice information. At this time, the second network is the same type as the first network, but the network identifier is different; when the registration acceptance message indicates that the third network slice is allowed, the terminal device accesses the second network. At this time, the second network is the same network as the first network (the type and network identifier are the same). It should be noted that in the current case, the third network slice information is the same as the first network slice information.

[0387] Implementation method 2: When the first working mode is different from the target working mode, when the terminal device switches to the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information, the second network is accessed according to the third network slice information. At this time, the second network is of a different type from the first network. When the target working mode is the SNPN mode, the second network is the second SNPN; when the target working mode is the PLMN mode, the second network is the second PLMN. It should be noted that in the current case, the third network slice information may be the same as or different from the first network slice information.

[0388] In addition, when the first working mode is different from the target working mode, this application does not limit the timing of the terminal device switching to the target working mode. For example, the terminal device may switch to the target working mode when it determines that the first working mode is different from the target working mode after receiving the recommended mode information; it may also switch to the target working mode when the registration acceptance message corresponding to S701 received indicates that the requested network slice is not allowed; it may also remind the user of the recommended mode information and let the user set to switch to the target working mode; it may also switch to the target working mode when the requested network slice changes (that is, the service of the terminal device changes).

[0389] In one implementation, during the execution of S703, the data storage network element may also determine first network configuration information. The first network configuration information corresponds to the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information. In this way, when the terminal device is in the target operating mode, or switches to the target operating mode, the terminal device may perform network selection based on the first network configuration information and the requested network slice.

[0390] For example, when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information; when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information.

[0391] In this implementation, the first message and the second message may also include the first network configuration information, for example, the second container of the first message or the second message may also include the first network configuration information. Optionally, the data storage network element may also transmit the first network configuration information through another transmission process.

[0392] Optionally, in this implementation, the data storage network element may decide whether to execute the process of determining and sending the first network configuration information according to the first working mode that the terminal device is currently in. For example, when the first working mode is the same as the target working mode, the data storage network element needs to execute the process of determining and sending the first network configuration information; when the first working mode is different from the target working mode, the data storage network element may or may not execute the process.

[0393] Furthermore, during the execution of S703, the data storage network element may also determine the second network configuration information. The second network configuration information corresponds to another working mode other than the target working mode, that is, the second network configuration information is different from the above-mentioned first network configuration information. When the first network configuration information is SNPN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is PLMN network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is PLMN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is SNPN network configuration information. Similar to the transmission process of the configuration information of the first network, the first message and the second message may also include the second network configuration information, for example, the second container of the first message or the second message also includes the second network configuration information. Optionally, the data storage network element may also transmit the first network configuration information through another transmission process.

[0394] For the process of determining and sending the first network configuration information or the second network configuration information by the data storage network element, the description of the SNPN network configuration information and the PLMN network configuration information, and the process of the terminal device selecting a network based on the received network configuration information, please refer to Figure 2 or Figure 5 The embodiments and corresponding examples shown are not described in detail in the embodiments of the present application.

[0395] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. In this method, the data storage network element can configure recommended mode information for the terminal device in the registration process of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can operate in the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information. This method can improve the flexibility of the terminal device in managing the working mode. In addition, in the process of determining the recommended mode information, the network side may refer to the support of the network slice under different working modes. Therefore, when the terminal device is in the recommended target working mode, the probability of selecting the access network to support the requested network slice is higher, which can ultimately improve the service quality of the terminal device.

[0396] based on Figure 7 The method provided by the illustrated embodiment, the present application also provides several communication examples, the communication examples are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0397] Example 4: See Figure 8 When the UE works in the PLMN mode, as shown in the figure, the AMF network element providing access management services for the UE is the PLMN AMF, hereinafter referred to as AMF; and the data storage network element for determining the recommended mode information of the UE may be the H-PLMN UDM, hereinafter referred to as UDM.

[0398] S800: The UE operates in a PLMN mode (eg, a traditional PLMN mode or a sliced ​​PLMN mode), and the UE resides in a first PLMN.

[0399] S801: UE initiates a registration process and sends a registration request message (e.g., Registration Request) to AMF. The registration request message includes a first SOR container. The first SOR container carries a first indication and may also carry first network slice information.

[0400] Among them, the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slices; the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the UE when sending a registration request message.

[0401] Optionally, the first SOR container may also include the location information of the UE. In addition, in addition to the first SOR container, the registration request message may also include other information related to the registration process.

[0402] S802: After receiving the registration request message, the AMF sends a first request message to the UDM, wherein the first request message includes a first SOR container.

[0403] The AMF may reuse the messages in the registration process to send the first request message to the UDM. Exemplarily, the first request message may be Nudm_UECM_Registration_request.

[0404] S803: After receiving the first request message, the UDM determines the recommended mode information based on the first indication in the first SOR container, the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices, and the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices. The recommended mode information is used to indicate the target working mode recommended for the terminal device, and the target working mode is SNPN mode or PLMN mode. The second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the UE.

[0405] For the specific process of UDM executing S803, please refer to Figure 7 The description of S703 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0406] Optionally, the UDM can also determine the network configuration information corresponding to the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information. For example, when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the UDM can also determine the PLMN network configuration information through S803a. When the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the UDM can determine the SNPN network configuration information; it can also determine the SNPN network configuration information. When the terminal device switches to the SNPN mode to initiate the registration process, the UDM serving it will determine the SNPN network configuration information.

[0407] Optionally, the UDM may also determine network configuration information corresponding to another working mode other than the target working mode. For example, when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the UDM may also determine the SNPN network configuration information; when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the UDM may also determine the PLMN network configuration information.

[0408] Optionally, the UDM may also update the PLMN network configuration information or the SNPN network configuration information and transmit it to the UE. For the specific process, please refer to Figure 5 For a description of the process of updating PLMN network configuration information in the embodiment shown in FIG. Figures 2 to 4 The description of the process of updating the SNPN network configuration information in the illustrated embodiments or examples will not be repeated here.

[0409] S804: UDM sends a first response message to AMF, wherein the first response message includes a second SOR container, and the second SOR container carries the recommended mode information determined in S803.

[0410] UDM can reuse the message in the registration process to send the first response message to AMF. For example, the first response message can be Nudm_SDM_Get response.

[0411] S805: After receiving the first response message, the AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE, wherein the registration acceptance message includes a second SOR container.

[0412] Optionally, when the UDM further determines the network configuration information corresponding to the target working mode or the network configuration information corresponding to another working mode, the first response message and the second SOR container in the registration acceptance message also include the network configuration information. For example, when the UDM executes S803a, the first response message and the second SOR container in the registration acceptance message also include the PLMN network configuration information.

[0413] S806a: After the UE receives the registration acceptance message, when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the UE selects a PLMN based on the PLMN network configuration information and the requested network slice.

[0414] The process of UE executing S806a can refer to Figure 7 The description of implementation mode 1 of S706 in the embodiment shown, and Figure 5 and Figure 6 The process of selecting a PLMN based on the PLMN network configuration information in the illustrated embodiment or example will not be described in detail here.

[0415] S806b: After the UE receives the registration acceptance message, when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the UE may switch to the SNPN mode.

[0416] For information on when the UE switches to SNPN mode and the subsequent SNPN selection process, please refer to Figure 7 The description of the second embodiment of S706 in the embodiment shown, and Figure 2-Figure 4 The process of performing SNPN selection according to SNPN network configuration information in the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0417] Example 5: See Fig. 9When the UE works in the SNPN mode, as shown in the figure, the AMF network element providing access management services for the UE is the SNPN AMF, hereinafter referred to as AMF; and the data storage network element for determining the recommended mode information of the UE may be the H-PLMN UDM, hereinafter referred to as UDM.

[0418] S900: The UE operates in a SNPN mode (eg, a traditional SNPN mode or a sliced ​​SNPN mode), and the UE resides in a first SNPN.

[0419] S901: UE initiates a registration process and sends a registration request message (e.g., Registration Request) to AMF. The registration request message includes a first SOR container. The first SOR container carries a first indication and may also carry first network slice information.

[0420] Among them, the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slices; the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the UE when sending a registration request message.

[0421] Optionally, the first SOR container may also include the location information of the UE. In addition, in addition to the first SOR container, the registration request message may also include other information related to the registration process.

[0422] S902: After receiving the registration request message, the AMF sends a first request message to the UDM, wherein the first request message includes a first SOR container.

[0423] The AMF may reuse the messages in the registration process to send the first request message to the UDM. Exemplarily, the first request message may be Nudm_UECM_Registration_request.

[0424] S903: After receiving the first request message, the UDM determines the recommended mode information based on the first indication in the first SOR container, the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices, and the support information of multiple SNPNs for network slices. The recommended mode information is used to indicate the target working mode recommended for the terminal device, and the target working mode is SNPN mode or PLMN mode. The second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the UE.

[0425] For the specific process of UDM executing S903, please refer to Figure 7 The description of S703 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0426] Optionally, the UDM can also determine the network configuration information corresponding to the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information. For example, when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the UDM can also determine the SNPN network configuration information through S903a. When the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the UDM can determine the PLMN network configuration information; it can also determine the PLMN network configuration information. When the terminal device switches to the PLMN mode to initiate the registration process, the UDM serving it will determine the PLMN network configuration information.

[0427] Optionally, the UDM may also determine network configuration information corresponding to another working mode other than the target working mode. For example, when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the UDM may also determine the SNPN network configuration information; when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the UDM may also determine the PLMN network configuration information.

[0428] Optionally, the UDM may also update the SNPN network configuration information or the PLMN network configuration information and transmit it to the UE. For the specific process, please refer to Figures 2 to 4 The description of the process of updating the SNPN network configuration information in the embodiment or example shown, and reference Figure 5 The description of the process of updating the PLMN network configuration information in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0429] S904: UDM sends a first response message to AMF, wherein the first response message includes a second SOR container, and the second SOR container carries the recommended mode information determined in S903.

[0430] UDM can reuse the message in the registration process to send the first response message to AMF. For example, the first response message can be Nudm_SDM_Get response.

[0431] S905: After receiving the first response message, the AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the UE, wherein the registration acceptance message includes a second SOR container.

[0432] Optionally, when the UDM further determines the network configuration information corresponding to the target working mode or the network configuration information corresponding to another working mode, the first response message and the second SOR container in the registration acceptance message also include the network configuration information. For example, when the UDM executes S903a, the first response message and the second SOR container in the registration acceptance message also include the SNPN network configuration information.

[0433] S906a: After the UE receives the registration acceptance message, when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the UE selects the SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the requested network slice.

[0434] The process of UE executing S906a can refer to Figure 7 The description of implementation mode 1 of S706 in the embodiment shown, and Figures 2 to 4 The process of selecting SNPN according to SNPN network configuration information in the illustrated embodiment or example will not be described in detail here.

[0435] S906b: After the UE receives the registration acceptance message, when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the UE may switch to the PLMN mode.

[0436] For information on when the UE switches to PLMN mode and the subsequent PLMN selection process, please refer to Figure 7 The description of the second embodiment of S706 in the embodiment shown, and Figure 5 and Figure 6 The process of performing PLMN selection according to PLMN network configuration information in the illustrated embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0437] Example 6: See Fig.10 The specific process of this example is as follows Figure 8 The example 4 shown is basically the same, except that: the first SOR container in the registration request message and the first request message further includes a second indication. The second indication is used to request a recommended working mode; when the UDM executes S1003, it can determine the recommended mode information based on the first indication and the second indication.

[0438] Example 7: See Fig.11 The specific process of this example is as follows Fig. 9 The fifth example shown is basically the same, except that: the first SOR container in the registration request message and the first request message further includes a second indication. The second indication is used to request a recommended working mode; when the UDM executes S1103, it can determine the recommended mode information based on the first indication and the second indication.

[0439] Through the above examples 4 to 7, UDM can determine the recommended mode information for the UE in the UE registration process, so that the UE can work in the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information. In addition, in the process of recommending the mode information, if the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the same as the current working mode of the UE, UDM can also configure the corresponding network configuration information for the UE so that the UE can make a network selection. In addition, in the process of determining the recommended mode information, UDM can refer to the support of the network slices under different working modes. Therefore, when the UE is in the target working mode, the probability of selecting the access network to support the network slice it requests is higher, which can ultimately improve the service quality of the UE.

[0440] In the above embodiments or examples, the SNPN network configuration information is used by the terminal device to select the SNPN based on the network slice, therefore, the SNPN network configuration information can also be referred to as slice-based SNPN selection (slice based SNPN selection, SbSs) information. Similarly, the PLMN network configuration information is used by the terminal device to select the PLMN based on the network slice, therefore, the PLMN network configuration information can also be referred to as slice-based PLMN selection (slice based PLMN selection, SbPs) information.

[0441] It should also be noted that each step involved in the above embodiments or examples can be executed by the corresponding device, or by components such as the chip, processor or chip system in the device, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit it. The above embodiments are only illustrated by the example of execution by the corresponding device. In addition, the specific implementation methods or examples in the above embodiments do not limit the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application. The above embodiments or examples do not limit the name of the device that executes each step in the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application and other functions. For example, in the embodiments of the present application, the data storage network element can be any network element in the mobile communication system, not limited to the UDM and UDR in the example, and the name of the network element can also be replaced by the first network element. Similarly, the AMF network element can also be the network element responsible for the terminal device registration process in the mobile communication system. With the evolution of communication technology, the name of the network element is not limited to AMF, and can also be replaced by the second network element.

[0442] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, some steps can be selected for implementation, and the order of the steps in the diagram can be adjusted for implementation, and this application does not limit this. It should be understood that executing some steps in the diagram, adjusting the order of the steps, or combining them for specific implementation all fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0443] It is understandable that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the various devices involved in the above embodiments include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of the various functions. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and method steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, 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 scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0444] It can be understood that the above-mentioned network architecture and application scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new services, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0445] It should be noted that the "steps" in the embodiments of the present application are only for illustration, and are a method of expression used to better understand the embodiments, and do not constitute a substantial limitation on the execution of the scheme of the present application. For example, the "steps" can also be understood as "features". In addition, the steps do not constitute any limitation on the execution order of the scheme of the present application. Any changes in the order of steps, step merging, or step splitting made on this basis that do not affect the implementation of the overall scheme, and the resulting new technical solutions are also within the scope of the disclosure of the present application.

[0446] Based on the same technical concept, the present application also provides a communication device, which can be applied to Figure 1A or Figure 1B The communication device is used to implement the method provided in the above embodiment, and the communication device can be applied to various network devices (such as AMF network element or data storage network element, etc.) or terminal devices involved in the above embodiment. Fig.12 As shown, the communication device 1200 includes a communication unit 1201 and a processing unit 1202 .

[0447] The communication unit 1201 is used to receive and send data, and supports the communication device 1200 to communicate with other devices.

[0448] The processing unit 1202 is used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 1200 and execute the steps performed by the network device or terminal device in the communication method provided in each of the above embodiments or examples.

[0449] Optionally, the communication device 1200 further includes a storage unit for storing program code and / or data of the communication device 1200 .

[0450] The communication unit 1201 may be referred to as an input / output unit, a transceiver unit, etc., and the communication unit 1201 may be a transceiver or a communication interface; the processing unit 1202 may be a processor. When the communication device 1200 is a module (e.g., a chip) in a communication device (e.g., a terminal device, an AMF network element, a data storage network element, etc.), the communication unit 1201 may be an input / output interface, an input / output circuit, or an input / output pin, etc., and may also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or an interface circuit, etc.; the processing unit 1202 may be a processor, a processing circuit, or a logic circuit, etc.

[0451] In one implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to Figure 2 The AMF network element in the embodiment provided. In this implementation, the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the following steps through the communication unit 1201:

[0452] After receiving a registration request message from a terminal device, sending a first request message to a data storage network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to a first network; and the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network;

[0453] Receive a first message from the data storage network element; wherein the first message includes SNPN network configuration information of the terminal device; the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN;

[0454] Send a second message to the terminal device; wherein the second message includes the SNPN network configuration information.

[0455] Optionally, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information;

[0456] The first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN based on network slices, and the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0457] Optionally, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0458] Optionally, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information;

[0459] The registration request message includes the first container.

[0460] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of the at least one candidate SNPN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of group identifiers of the at least one candidate network selection group and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of group identifiers of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice.

[0461] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group.

[0462] Optionally, the first message includes a second container, and the second container carries the SNPN network configuration information;

[0463] The second message includes the second container.

[0464] In one implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to Figure 2 The data storage network element in the provided embodiment. In this implementation, the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the following steps through the communication unit 1201:

[0465] Receiving a first request message from an access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network;

[0466] A first message is sent to the AMF network element; wherein the first message includes SNPN network configuration information of the terminal device; the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN.

[0467] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to:

[0468] Obtaining first network slice information, and / or obtaining second network slice information; wherein the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending a registration request message, and the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device; the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network;

[0469] The SNPN network configuration information is determined based on the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, as well as the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices.

[0470] Optionally, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or the first network slice information; wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select an SNPN based on the network slice;

[0471] When the first request message includes the first network slice information, the processing unit 1202, when acquiring the first network slice information, is specifically used to:

[0472] Acquire the first network slice information from the first request message;

[0473] When the first request message includes the first indication, the processing unit 1202, when determining the SNPN network configuration information according to the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, is specifically used to:

[0474] Based on the first indication, the SNPN network configuration information is determined according to the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, and the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices.

[0475] Optionally, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0476] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of the at least one candidate SNPN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of group identifiers of the at least one candidate network selection group and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of group identifiers of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice.

[0477] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group.

[0478] Optionally, the first message includes a second container, and the second container includes the SNPN network configuration information.

[0479] In one implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to Figure 2 The terminal device in the embodiment provided. In this implementation, the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the following steps through the communication unit 1201:

[0480] Sending a registration request message to an access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration with the first network;

[0481] Receive a second message from the AMF network element; wherein the second message includes SNPN network configuration information of the terminal device; wherein the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN;

[0482] According to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information, access the first target SNPN; wherein the third network slice information is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device; the first target SNPN is a candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice in the at least one candidate SNPN, or the first target SNPN is the SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice in the at least one candidate network selection group.

[0483] Optionally, the processing unit 1202, when sending a registration request message to the AMF network element through the communication unit 1201, is specifically used to:

[0484] When the terminal device is in SNPN mode, sending the registration request message to the AMF network element through the communication unit 1201; the first network is a first SNPN;

[0485] The processing unit 1202, when accessing the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information, is specifically configured to:

[0486] Receiving a registration acceptance message from the AMF network element through the communication unit 1201;

[0487] When the registration acceptance message indicates that the third network slice is not allowed, access the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

[0488] Optionally, the processing unit 1202, when sending a registration request message to the AMF network element through the communication unit 1201, is specifically used to:

[0489] When the terminal device is in PLMN mode, sending a registration request message to the AMF network element through the communication unit 1201; the first network is a first PLMN;

[0490] The processing unit 1202, accessing the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information, includes:

[0491] When the terminal device switches to SNPN mode, it accesses the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

[0492] Optionally, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information;

[0493] The first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN based on network slices, and the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0494] Optionally, the registration request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0495] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of the at least one candidate SNPN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of group identifiers of the at least one candidate network selection group and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of group identifiers of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice.

[0496] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group;

[0497] The first target SNPN is a candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority among the at least one candidate SNPN, or the first target SNPN is the SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority among the at least one candidate network selection group.

[0498] Optionally, the second message includes a second container, and the second container carries the SNPN network configuration information.

[0499] In one implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to Figure 5 The AMF network element in the embodiment provided. In this implementation, the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the following steps through the communication unit 1201:

[0500] After receiving a registration request message from a terminal device, sending a first request message to a data storage network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to a first SNPN; the first request message includes a first indication, and the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select a PLMN based on a network slice; the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first SNPN;

[0501] Receiving a first message from the data storage network element; wherein the first message includes PLMN network configuration information of the terminal device; the PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and network slices supported by each candidate PLMN;

[0502] Send a second message to the terminal device; wherein the second message includes the PLMN network configuration information.

[0503] Optionally, the first request message also includes first network slice information;

[0504] Among them, the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0505] Optionally, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0506] Optionally, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information;

[0507] The registration request message includes the first container.

[0508] Optionally, the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0509] Optionally, the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0510] Optionally, the first message includes a second container, and the second container carries the PLMN network configuration information;

[0511] The second message includes the second container.

[0512] In one implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to Figure 5 The data storage network element in the provided embodiment. In this implementation, the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the following steps through the communication unit 1201:

[0513] Receiving a first request message from an access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the first request message includes a first indication, and the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select a PLMN based on a network slice; the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to a first SNPN;

[0514] Based on the first indication, a first message is sent to the AMF network element; wherein the first message includes PLMN network configuration information of the terminal device; the PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN.

[0515] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to:

[0516] Obtaining first network slice information, and / or obtaining second network slice information; wherein the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending a registration request message, and the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device; the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first SNPN;

[0517] Based on the first indication, the PLMN network configuration information is determined according to the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, and the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices.

[0518] Optionally, the first request message further includes the first network slice information; when obtaining the first network slice information, the processing unit 1202 is specifically used to:

[0519] Obtain the first network slice information from the first request.

[0520] Optionally, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0521] Optionally, the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0522] Optionally, the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0523] Optionally, the first message includes a second container, and the second container carries the PLMN network configuration information.

[0524] In one implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to Figure 5 The terminal device in the embodiment provided. In this implementation, the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the following steps through the communication unit 1201:

[0525] Sending a registration request message to an access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first SNPN;

[0526] Receiving a second message sent from the AMF network element; wherein the second message includes PLMN network configuration information of the terminal device; wherein the PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and network slices supported by each candidate PLMN;

[0527] Access the first target PLMN according to the PLMN network configuration information and the third network slice information; wherein the third network slice is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device; the first target PLMN is a candidate PLMN among the at least one candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice.

[0528] Optionally, the processing unit sends a registration request message to the AMF network element through the communication unit 1201, including:

[0529] When the terminal device is in SNPN mode, sending the registration request message to the AMF network element through the communication unit 1201;

[0530] The processing unit, when accessing the first target PLMN according to the PLMN network configuration information and the third network slice information, is specifically used to:

[0531] When the terminal device switches to PLMN mode, it accesses the first target PLMN according to the PLMN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

[0532] Optionally, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information;

[0533] The first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select a PLMN based on a network slice, and the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

[0534] Optionally, the registration request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

[0535] Optionally, the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0536] Optionally, the PLMN network configuration information is further used to indicate a priority of the at least one candidate PLMN;

[0537] The first target PLMN is a candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority among the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0538] Optionally, the second message includes a second container, and the second container carries the PLMN network configuration information.

[0539] In one implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to Figure 7 The AMF network element in the embodiment provided. In this implementation, the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the following steps through the communication unit 1201:

[0540] After receiving a registration request message from a terminal device, sending a first request message to a data storage network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to a first network; and the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network;

[0541] Receive a first message from the data storage network element; wherein the first message includes recommended mode information; the recommended mode information is used to indicate a target operating mode recommended for the terminal device, the target operating mode being a SNPN mode or a PLMN mode;

[0542] Sending a second message to the terminal device; wherein the second message includes the recommended mode information.

[0543] Optionally, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, first network slice information, or a second indication;

[0544] Among them, the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slices; the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message; and the second indication is used to request a recommended working mode.

[0545] Optionally, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: the first indication, the first network slice information, or the second indication.

[0546] Optionally, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, the first network slice information, or the second indication;

[0547] The registration request message includes the first container.

[0548] Optionally, the first message further includes first network configuration information; the second message further includes the first network configuration information;

[0549] When the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information; when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information;

[0550] The SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN;

[0551] The PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN.

[0552] Optionally, the first message further includes second network configuration information; the second message further includes the second network configuration information;

[0553] The second network configuration information is different from the first network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information.

[0554] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate SNPN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a group identification list of the at least one candidate network selection group and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a group identification list of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice; or the PLMN configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate PLMN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0555] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group; or the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0556] Optionally, the first message includes a second container, and the second container carries the recommended mode information;

[0557] The second message includes the second container.

[0558] In one implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to Figure 7 The data storage network element in the provided embodiment. In this implementation, the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the following steps through the communication unit 1201:

[0559] Receiving a first request message from an access and mobility management function AMF; wherein the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network;

[0560] Send a first message to the AMF; wherein the first message includes recommended mode information; the recommended mode information is used to indicate a target operating mode recommended for the terminal device, and the target operating mode is an SNPN mode or a PLMN mode.

[0561] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to:

[0562] Obtaining first network slice information, and / or obtaining second network slice information; wherein the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending a registration request message, and the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device; the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network;

[0563] The recommended mode information is determined based on the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slicing, and the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slicing.

[0564] Optionally, the first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, the first network slice information, or a second indication;

[0565] The first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slicing; the second indication is used to request a recommended working mode;

[0566] When the first request message includes the first network slice information, the processing unit 1201, when acquiring the first network slice information, is specifically used to:

[0567] Acquire the first network slice information from the first request message;

[0568] When the first request message includes the first indication or the second indication, the processing unit 1201, when determining the recommended mode information according to the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices, and the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices, is specifically used to:

[0569] Based on the first indication or the second indication in the first request message, the recommended mode information is determined according to the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices, and the support information of multiple PLMNs for network slices.

[0570] Optionally, the first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, the first network slice information, or the second indication.

[0571] Optionally, the first message further includes first network configuration information;

[0572] When the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information; when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information;

[0573] The SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN;

[0574] The PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and the network slices supported by each candidate PLMN.

[0575] Optionally, the first message further includes second network configuration information;

[0576] The second network configuration information is different from the first network configuration information. When the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information.

[0577] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate SNPN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a group identification list of the at least one candidate network selection group and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a group identification list of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice; or the PLMN configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate PLMN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0578] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group; or the PLMN network configuration information is also used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN.

[0579] Optionally, the first message includes a second container, and the second container carries the recommended mode information.

[0580] In one implementation, the communication device 1200 may be applied to Figure 7 The terminal device in the embodiment provided. In this implementation, the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the following steps through the communication unit 1201:

[0581] Sending a registration request message to an access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to a first network; the first network is a first SNPN or a first PLMN;

[0582] receiving a second message from the AMF network element; wherein the second message includes recommended mode information; the recommended mode information is used to indicate a target operating mode recommended for the terminal device, the target operating mode being an SNPN mode or a PLMN mode;

[0583] Access the second network according to the recommended mode information and the third network slice information; wherein the third network slice information is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device; when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the second network is the second SNPN; when the target working mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the second network is the second PLMN.

[0584] Optionally, the registration request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, first network slice information, or a second indication;

[0585] Among them, the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN and PLMN based on network slices; the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message; and the second indication is used to request a recommended working mode.

[0586] Optionally, the registration request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, the first network slice information, or the second indication.

[0587] Optionally, when the processing unit 1202 sends a registration request message to the AMF network element through the communication unit 1201, the processing unit 1202 includes:

[0588] When the terminal device is in the first working mode, the registration request message is sent to the AMF network element through the communication unit 1201; wherein, the first working mode is the SNPN mode or the PLMN mode; when the first working mode is the SNPN mode, the first network is the first SNPN; when the first working mode is the PLMN mode, the first network is the first PLMN.

[0589] Optionally, accessing the second network according to the recommended mode information and the third network slice information includes:

[0590] When the first working mode is the same as the target working mode, receive a registration acceptance message from the AMF network element; when the registration acceptance message indicates that the third network slice is not allowed, access the second network according to the third network slice information; or when the first working mode is different from the target working mode, when the terminal device switches to the target working mode, access the second network according to the third network slice information.

[0591] Optionally, the second message further includes first network configuration information;

[0592] When the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the SNPN mode, the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information; when the target operating mode indicated by the recommended mode information is the PLMN mode, the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information;

[0593] The SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN;

[0594] The PLMN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate PLMN and a network slice supported by each candidate PLMN;

[0595] The processing unit 1202, when accessing the second network according to the third network slice information, is specifically configured to:

[0596] Accessing the second network according to the first network configuration information and the third network slice information; wherein, when the first network configuration information is SNPN network configuration information, the second network is a candidate SNPN supporting the third network slice in the at least one candidate SNPN, or the second network is an SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group supporting the third network slice in the at least one candidate network selection group;

[0597] When the first network configuration information is PLMN network configuration information, the second network is a candidate PLMN among the at least one candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice.

[0598] Optionally, the second message further includes second network configuration information;

[0599] The second network configuration information is different from the first network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information; when the first network configuration information is the PLMN network configuration information, the second network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information.

[0600] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate SNPN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information includes a group identification list of the at least one candidate network selection group and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate SNPN supporting each network slice; or the SNPN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a group identification list of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice; or the PLMN configuration information includes a network identification list of the at least one candidate PLMN and an identification list of network slices supported by each candidate PLMN; or the PLMN network configuration information includes an identification list of at least one network slice and a network identification list of at least one candidate PLMN supporting each network slice.

[0601] Optionally, the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group; or the PLMN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate PLMN;

[0602] When the first network configuration information is the SNPN network configuration information, the second network is a candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority among the at least one candidate SNPN, or the second network is an SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority among the at least one candidate network selection group;

[0603] When the first network configuration information is PLMN network configuration information, the second network is a candidate PLMN among the at least one candidate PLMN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority.

[0604] Optionally, the second message includes a second container, and the second container carries the recommended mode information.

[0605] It should be noted that the specific functions of the processing unit 1202 can refer to the relevant description in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0606] It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into a processing unit, or may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0607] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program code.

[0608] Based on the above embodiments, the present application also provides a communication device, which can be Figure 1A or Figure 1BThe communication system shown in FIG. 1 is a network device (eg, an AMF network element or a data storage network element) or a terminal device. The communication device can implement the method in the above embodiment or example and has the function of the communication device 1200. Fig.13 As shown, the communication device 1300 includes: a communication module 1301, a processor 1302, and a memory 1303. The communication module 1301, the processor 1302, and the memory 1303 are interconnected.

[0609] Optionally, the communication module 1301, the processor 1302 and the memory 1303 are interconnected via a bus 1304. The bus 1304 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig.13 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0610] The communication module 1301 is used to receive and send data to achieve communication with other devices. Exemplarily, when the communication device 1300 is a terminal device, the communication module 1301 can be a transceiver; when the communication device 1300 is a network device such as an AMF network element or a data storage network element, the communication module 1301 can be a communication interface.

[0611] The functions of the processor 1302 may refer to the description in the above embodiments and will not be described again here.

[0612] Among them, the processor 1302 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP) or a combination of a CPU and a NP, etc. The processor 1302 can further include a hardware chip. The above-mentioned hardware chip can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The above-mentioned PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL) or any combination thereof. When the processor 1302 implements the above-mentioned functions, it can be implemented by hardware, and of course, it can also be implemented by hardware executing the corresponding software. The steps of the method disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application can be directly reflected as the execution of the processor 1302, or as the execution of the combination of hardware and software modules in the processor 1302.

[0613] The memory 1303 is used to store program instructions, data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions may include program codes, which include computer operation instructions. The memory 1303 may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM); it may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk memory, hard disk drive (HDD), or solid state drive (SSD). The memory 1303 can also be any other medium that can be used to carry or store program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, and this application does not limit this. The processor 1302 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 1303 to implement the above functions, thereby implementing the method provided in the above embodiment.

[0614] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system, which includes an AMF network element, a data storage network element and a terminal device, wherein the AMF network element is used to implement the steps performed by the AMF network element in the method provided in the above embodiments or examples, the data storage network element is used to implement the steps performed by the data storage network element in the above embodiments or examples, and the terminal device is used to implement the steps performed by the terminal device in the above embodiments or provided methods.

[0615] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program; when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0616] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0617] Optionally, the above-mentioned computer may include but is not limited to: Figure 1A or Figure 1B Various network devices or terminal devices in the communication system shown.

[0618] The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. For example, but not limited to, a computer-readable medium may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, 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.

[0619] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments. Optionally, the chip may include a processor, which is coupled to the memory and is used to read a computer program stored in the memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments. Optionally, the chip may also include components such as a memory, a communication interface, and a power supply module.

[0620] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions involved in the terminal device in the above embodiments. In a possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store the necessary programs and data for the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0621] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and apparatus. In the method, a data storage network element can configure SNPN network configuration information for a terminal device in the registration process of the terminal device, so that the subsequent terminal device can perform SNPN selection based on the SNPN network configuration information and the requested network slice. Since the SNPN network configuration information can indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN, or indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group, the target SNPN selected by the terminal device for SNPN selection supports the network slice requested by the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the target SNPN selected by the terminal device supports the terminal device to implement the current service, and ultimately the service quality of the terminal device working in SNPN mode can be guaranteed.

[0622] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application may adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented in one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that include computer-usable program code.

[0623] The present application is described with reference to the flowchart and / or block diagram of the method, device (system), and computer program product according to the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram 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, an embedded processor or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the function specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and / or one box or multiple boxes in the block diagram.

[0624] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufactured product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0625] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operational steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, whereby the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0626] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, applied to a data storage network element, characterized in that: include: Receiving a first request message from an access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the first request message is used to request the data storage network element to register the terminal device to the first network; A first message is sent to the AMF network element; wherein the first message includes SNPN network configuration information of the terminal device; the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Obtaining first network slice information, and / or obtaining second network slice information; wherein the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending a registration request message, and the second network slice information is used to indicate the second network slice subscribed by the terminal device; the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration to the first network; The SNPN network configuration information is determined based on the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, as well as the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or the first network slice information; wherein the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select an SNPN based on the network slice; When the first request message includes the first network slice information, the obtaining the first network slice information includes: Acquire the first network slice information from the first request message; When the first request message includes the first indication, determining the SNPN network configuration information according to the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information includes: Based on the first indication, the SNPN network configuration information is determined according to the first network slice information and / or the second network slice information, and the support information of multiple SNPNs or multiple network selection groups for network slices.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of the at least one candidate SNPN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of group identifiers of the at least one candidate network selection group and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers supporting at least one candidate SNPN for each network slice; or The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of group identifiers of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first message includes a second container, and the second container includes the SNPN network configuration information.

8. A communication method, applied to a terminal device, characterized in that: include: Sending a registration request message to an access and mobility management function AMF network element; wherein the registration request message is used by the terminal device to request registration with the first network; Receive a second message from the AMF network element; wherein the second message includes SNPN network configuration information of the terminal device; wherein the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate SNPN and the network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is used to indicate at least one candidate network selection group and the network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; any candidate network selection group corresponds to at least one SNPN; According to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information, access the first target SNPN; wherein the third network slice information is used to indicate the third network slice requested by the terminal device; the first target SNPN is a candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice in the at least one candidate SNPN, or the first target SNPN is the SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice in the at least one candidate network selection group.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The sending of a registration request message to the AMF network element comprises: When the terminal device is in SNPN mode, sending the registration request message to the AMF network element; the first network is a first SNPN; The accessing the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information includes: Receiving a registration acceptance message from the AMF network element; When the registration acceptance message indicates that the third network slice is not allowed, access the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The sending of a registration request message to the AMF network element comprises: When the terminal device is in PLMN mode, sending a registration request message to the AMF network element; the first network is a first PLMN; The accessing the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information includes: When the terminal device switches to SNPN mode, it accesses the first target SNPN according to the SNPN network configuration information and the third network slice information.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The registration request message includes at least one of the following: a first indication, or first network slice information; The first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device has the ability to select SNPN based on network slices, and the first network slice information is used to indicate the first network slice requested by the terminal device when sending the registration request message.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The registration request message includes a first container, and the first container carries at least one of the following: the first indication, or the first network slice information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that: The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of network identifiers of the at least one candidate SNPN and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate SNPN; or The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of group identifiers of the at least one candidate network selection group and a list of identifiers of network slices supported by each candidate network selection group; or The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of network identifiers supporting at least one candidate SNPN for each network slice; or The SNPN network configuration information includes a list of identifiers of at least one network slice and a list of group identifiers of at least one candidate network selection group supporting each network slice.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that: The SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate SNPN; or the SNPN network configuration information is further used to indicate the priority of the at least one candidate network selection group; The first target SNPN is a candidate SNPN that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority among the at least one candidate SNPN, or the first target SNPN is the SNPN corresponding to a candidate network selection group that supports the third network slice and has the highest priority among the at least one candidate network selection group.

15. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that: The second message includes a second container, and the second container carries the SNPN network configuration information.

16. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A communication unit for receiving and sending data; A processing unit, configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A memory for storing program instructions; transceiver, used to receive and send signals; A processor is used to read the program instructions in the memory so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a processor; the processor is coupled to a memory, and the processor is used to read a computer program stored in the memory, so that the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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