Positioning request processing method, device and system

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a positioning request processing method, device and system, which can reduce the response time delay of a positioning service. The method comprises: a mobility management network element receives a request message and sends a first message to a location management network element according to the request message, the first message being used for triggering the location management network element to obtain location information of a first terminal device through user plane positioning; and after receiving the first message, the position management network element sends a second message to the first terminal device through a PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message, and the second message is used for indicating the first terminal device to report positioning data.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202080098584.4, and the original application date is March 31, 2020. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated into this application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a positioning request processing method, device and system. Background Art

[0003] Currently, the core network can provide positioning services for specific terminal devices through capability exposure interfaces or positioning service interfaces.

[0004] Among them, after the positioning request of the positioning demander reaches the access and mobility management function (AMF) network element through the capability exposure interface or the positioning service interface, the AMF network element selects the appropriate location management function (LMF) network element to calculate the location of the terminal device. Subsequently, the LMF network element interacts with the terminal device to obtain data used to calculate the location of the terminal device.

[0005] During the interaction between the above-mentioned LMF network element and the terminal device, all data packets are transmitted through the control plane channel. For example, the uplink transmission path is "terminal device-radio access network device-AMF network element-LMF network element", and the downlink transmission path is "LMF network element-AMF network element-radio access network device-terminal device".

[0006] However, the AMF network element may process more services and therefore may not be able to forward the data packets of the positioning service in a timely manner, which may result in a long response time for the positioning service. Summary of the invention

[0007] The embodiments of the present application provide a positioning request processing method, device and system, which can reduce the response delay of the positioning service.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0009] In a first aspect, a method for processing a positioning request is provided. The method includes: a location management network element receives a first message from a mobile management network element, the first message is used to trigger the location management network element to obtain location information of a first terminal device through user plane positioning, and then the location management network element sends a second message to the first terminal device through a PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message, the second message is used to instruct the first terminal device to report positioning data.

[0010] Based on this solution, in the positioning service, the LMF network element and the located terminal device can interact through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, and can avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, that is, the control plane transmission path interaction, thereby avoiding the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packet of the positioning service in time, thereby reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of interruption of the positioning service.

[0011] In one possible design, the first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the location management network element obtains the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning. Based on this possible design, a solution can be implemented in which the first message explicitly triggers the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through the user plane through the first indication information.

[0012] In one possible design, the first message includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the mobility management network element is in a congested state, so as to trigger the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning. Based on this possible design, the location management network element can be indirectly triggered to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through the user plane.

[0013] In one possible design, the positioning request processing method also includes: the location management network element obtains the IP address of the first terminal device; the location management network element sends a second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device based on the first message, including: the location management network element sends the second message to the first terminal device through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device based on the first message, and the destination address of the second message is the IP address of the first terminal device.

[0014] In one possible design, the location management network element obtains the IP address of the first terminal device, including: the location management network element receives the IP address of the first terminal device from a session management network element, and the session management network element serves the first terminal device.

[0015] In one possible design, the positioning request processing method also includes: the location management network element obtains the address information of the session management network element, and sends a third message to the session management network element based on the address information of the session management network element, where the third message is used to request the IP address of the first terminal device.

[0016] In one possible design, the location management network element obtains the address information of the session management network element, including: the location management network element sends a fourth message to the unified data management network element, where the fourth message is used to request the address information of the session management network element; thereafter, the location management network element receives the address information of the session management network element from the unified data management network element.

[0017] In one possible design, the positioning request processing method further includes: the location management network element sends a third indication message to the mobile management network element, and the third indication message is used to trigger the mobile management network element to notify the first terminal to establish a PDU session of the first terminal device. Based on this possible design, since the location management network element can instruct the first terminal device to establish a PDU session of the first terminal device, it can be ensured that there is an available PDU session to transmit the positioning service data.

[0018] In a possible design, the positioning request processing method also includes: the location management network element receives the positioning data from the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device, and determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the positioning data. Based on this possible design, in the uplink transmission of the positioning service, the positioning data of the positioning service can also be transmitted through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, and can also avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, that is, the control plane transmission path transmission, thereby avoiding the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packet of the positioning service in time, further reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of positioning service interruption.

[0019] In a second aspect, a method for processing a positioning request is provided. The method includes: a mobile management network element receives a request message, the request message is used to request the location information of a first terminal device; the mobile management network element sends a first message to a location management network element according to the request message, the first message is used to trigger the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0020] Based on this solution, since the first message can trigger the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning, in the subsequent positioning process, the LMF network element and the located terminal device can interact through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, and can avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, that is, the control plane transmission path interaction, thereby avoiding the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packet of the positioning service in time, thereby reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of interruption of the positioning service.

[0021] In one possible design, the first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the location management network element obtains the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning. Based on this possible design, a solution can be implemented in which the first message explicitly triggers the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through the user plane through the first indication information.

[0022] In one possible design, the first message includes second indication information, which indicates that the mobility management network element is in a congested state, so as to trigger the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0023] In a possible design, the mobile management network element sends a first message to the location management network element according to the request message, which may include: when the mobile management network element is in a congested state, the mobile management network element sends the first message to the location management network element according to the request message. Based on this possible design, the location management network element can be indirectly triggered to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through the user plane.

[0024] In one possible design, the positioning request processing method also includes: the mobile management network element sends a fourth indication information to the session management network element, and the fourth indication information is used to instruct the session management network element to send the IP address of the first terminal device to the location management network element. The session management network element serves the first terminal device. Based on this possible design, the location management network element can obtain the IP address of the first terminal device, thereby being able to send a message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device, thereby reducing the positioning service response delay.

[0025] In one possible design, the positioning request processing method also includes: the mobile management network element receives third indication information from the location management network element, and the third indication information is used to trigger the mobile management network element to notify the first terminal device to establish a PDU session for the first terminal device; the mobile management network element sends fifth indication information to the first terminal device based on the third indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to establish the PDU session for the first terminal device. Based on this possible design, since the mobile management network element can instruct the first terminal device to establish the PDU session of the first terminal device based on the triggering of the third indication information, it can be ensured that there is an available PDU session to transmit positioning service data.

[0026] In a third aspect, a method for processing a positioning request is provided, which includes: a first terminal device receives a second message from a location management network element through a PDU session of the first terminal device, obtains positioning data according to the second message, and then sends the positioning data to the location management network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0027] Based on this solution, since the LMF network element and the located terminal device can interact through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, it is possible to avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, i.e., interaction on the control plane transmission path. This can avoid the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packets of the positioning service in a timely manner, thereby reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of interruption of the positioning service.

[0028] In one possible design, the first terminal device receives the second message from the location management network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device, including: the first terminal device receives the second message from the location management network element through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device, and the destination address of the second message is the Internet Protocol IP address of the first terminal device.

[0029] In one possible design, the first terminal device sends the positioning data to the location management network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device, including: the first terminal device sends the positioning data to the location management network element through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0030] In a possible design, the positioning request processing method may also include: the first terminal device receives fifth indication information from the mobile management network element, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to establish a PDU session of the first terminal device; the first terminal device establishes the PDU session of the first terminal device according to the fifth indication information. Based on this possible design, since the first terminal device can establish the PDU session of the first terminal device based on the indication of the mobile management network element, it can be guaranteed that there is an available PDU session to transmit positioning service data.

[0031] In a fourth aspect, a location management network element is provided, which has the function of implementing the method described in the first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0032] In a fifth aspect, a location management network element is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer execution instructions, and when the location management network element is running, the processor executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to enable the location management network element to perform a positioning request processing method as described in any one of the above-mentioned first aspects.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, a location management network element is provided, comprising: a processor; the processor is used to couple with a memory, and after reading instructions in the memory, execute a positioning request processing method as described in any one of the first aspects above according to the instructions.

[0034] In the seventh aspect, a location management network element is provided, including: a processor and an interface circuit, which can be a code / data read and write interface circuit, and the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor is used to run the computer execution instructions to execute the positioning request processing method described in any one of the first aspects above.

[0035] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer-readable storage medium is executed on a computer, the computer can execute the positioning request processing method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0036] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the positioning request processing method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0037] In a tenth aspect, a device (for example, the device may be a chip system) is provided, the device including a processor for supporting a location management network element to implement the functions involved in the first aspect. In one possible design, the device also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the location management network element. When the device is a chip system, it may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0038] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the fourth to tenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0039] In the eleventh aspect, a mobility management network element is provided, which has the function of implementing the method described in the second aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0040] In the twelfth aspect, a mobile management network element is provided, including: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer execution instructions, and when the mobile management network element is running, the processor executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to enable the mobile management network element to perform a positioning request processing method as described in any one of the second aspects above.

[0041] In a thirteenth aspect, a mobile management network element is provided, comprising: a processor; the processor is used to couple with a memory, and after reading instructions in the memory, execute a positioning request processing method as described in any one of the second aspects above according to the instructions.

[0042] In a fourteenth aspect, a mobile management network element is provided, including: a processor and an interface circuit, which may be a code / data read / write interface circuit, and which is used to receive computer execution instructions (the computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor is used to run the computer execution instructions to execute the positioning request processing method described in any one of the second aspects above.

[0043] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer-readable storage medium is executed on a computer, the computer can execute the positioning request processing method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0044] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the positioning request processing method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0045] In a seventeenth aspect, a device (for example, the device may be a chip system) is provided, the device including a processor for supporting a mobile management network element to implement the functions involved in the second aspect. In one possible design, the device also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the mobile management network element. When the device is a chip system, it may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0046] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the eleventh to seventeenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0047] In aspect 18, a first terminal device is provided, which has the function of implementing the method described in aspect 3 above. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0048] In the nineteenth aspect, a first terminal device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer execution instructions, and when the first terminal device is running, the processor executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to enable the first terminal device to execute the positioning request processing method as described in any one of the third aspects above.

[0049] In the twentieth aspect, a first terminal device is provided, comprising: a processor; the processor is used to couple with a memory, and after reading instructions in the memory, execute a positioning request processing method as described in any one of the third aspects above according to the instructions.

[0050] In the twenty-first aspect, a first terminal device is provided, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit may be a code / data read / write interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (the computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor is used to run the computer execution instructions to execute the positioning request processing method described in any one of the third aspects above.

[0051] In the twenty-second aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer-readable storage medium is executed on a computer, the computer can execute the positioning request processing method described in any one of the third aspects above.

[0052] In the twenty-third aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the positioning request processing method described in any one of the third aspects.

[0053] In the twenty-fourth aspect, a device (for example, the device may be a chip system) is provided, the device including a processor for supporting a first terminal device to implement the functions involved in the third aspect. In one possible design, the device also includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data for the first terminal device. When the device is a chip system, it may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0054] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in aspects 18 to 24 can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in aspect 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0055] In a twenty-fifth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system comprising a location management network element and a mobility management network element. The location management network element is used to execute the steps executed by the location management network element in the first aspect above or in the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application; the mobility management network element is used to execute the steps executed by the mobility management network element in the second aspect above or in the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0056] In one possible design, the communication system may further include a first terminal device, which is used to execute the steps performed by the first terminal device in the above-mentioned third aspect or the scheme provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0057] In one possible design, the communication system may also include other devices that interact with the location management network element, the mobility management network element, or the first terminal device in the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, such as the first device or the session management network element, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0058] These and other aspects of the present application will become more clearly understood in the description of the following embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Figure 1a A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 1b A schematic diagram of the structure of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an application of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application in a 5G network;

[0062] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 4 A flowchart of a positioning request processing method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 5 A flowchart of another positioning request processing method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 6 A flowchart of another positioning request processing method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a location management network element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a mobility management network element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Among them, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which 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. And, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference.

[0070] In addition, the positioning request processing method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a variety of system architectures. The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiment of the present application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiment of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiment of the present application. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiment of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0071] like Figure 1a As shown, a communication system 10 provided in an embodiment of the present application is provided. The communication system 10 includes a mobility management network element 101 and a location management network element 102.

[0072] The mobility management network element 101 and the location management network element 102 may communicate directly or through forwarding by other devices, which is not specifically limited in the present embodiment.

[0073] The mobility management network element 101 is used to receive a request message, where the request message is used to request location information of a first terminal device.

[0074] The mobility management network element 101 is also used to send a first message to the location management network element according to the request message, and the first message is used to trigger the location management network element 102 to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0075] The location management network element 102 is used to receive a first message from the mobility management network element 101, where the first message is used to trigger the location management network element 102 to obtain location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0076] The location management network element 102 is further used to send a second message to the first terminal device through the protocol data unit PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message, and the second message is used to instruct the first terminal device to report positioning data.

[0077] In the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application, after the mobile management network element receives the request message for requesting the location information of the first terminal device, it can send a first message to the location management network element for triggering the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning, so that after the location management network element receives the first message, it sends a second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message to instruct the first terminal device to report positioning data. Based on the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application, since the location management network element notifies the first terminal device to report positioning data through the user plane, it can avoid communicating with the first terminal device through the mobile management network element, thereby avoiding the problem that the mobile management network element cannot forward the positioning service data packet in time, thereby reducing the response delay of the positioning service or reducing the probability of positioning service interruption.

[0078] Optionally, in addition to the above functions, the above-mentioned mobile management network element 101 can also be used for mobility management in mobile networks, such as user location update, user registration network, user switching, etc. In the fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) communication system, the network element or entity corresponding to the mobile management network element 101 can be an access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) network element in the 5G network architecture. Namf is a service-based interface provided by the AMF network element. The AMF network element can communicate with other network functions through Namf. In future communications such as the sixth generation (6th generation, 6G) system, the mobile management network element 101 can still be an AMF network element, or the mobile management network element 101 has other names, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0079] Optionally, in addition to the above functions, the location management network element 102 can also be used for location request management of location services, location resource allocation, obtaining location information of terminal devices, and returning the location information to relevant network elements. In a 5G communication system, the network element or entity corresponding to the location management network element 102 can be a location management function (LMF) network element in the 5G network architecture. Nlmf is a service-based interface provided by the AMF network element. The LMF network element can communicate with other network functions through Nlmf. In future communications such as the 6th generation (6G) system, the location management network element 102 can still be an LMF network element, or the location management network element 102 has other names, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0080] like Figure 1b As shown, another possible communication system 20 applicable to the embodiment of the present application is shown. In addition to including Figure 1a In addition to the mobility management network element 101 and the location management network element 102, the first terminal device 201, the access device 202, the user plane network element 203, the session management network element 204, the data management network element 205, the network open function network element 206, the application function network element 207, the gateway mobile location center 208, and the client 209 may also be included. Among them:

[0081] The first terminal device 201 is a device with wireless transceiver function, which can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.). The first terminal device 201 can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc.

[0082] The access device 202 is a device that provides a wireless communication function for the first terminal device. The access device 202 includes, for example, but is not limited to: a next-generation base station (gnodeB, gNB) in 5G, an evolved node B (evolved node B, eNB), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a node B (node ​​B, NB), a base station controller (basestation controller, BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a home base station (for example, home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (baseBand unit, BBU), a transmission point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), a transmitting point (transmitting point, TP), a mobile switching center, etc.

[0083] The user plane network element 203 is used for packet routing and forwarding, quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data, etc. In the 5G communication system, the network element or entity corresponding to the user plane network element 203 can be a user plane function (UPF) network element in the 5G network architecture. In future communications such as the 6th generation (6G) communication system, the user plane network element 203 can still be a UPF network element, or the user plane network element 203 has other names, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0084] The session management network element 204 is used for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, and release. In the 5G communication system, the network element or entity corresponding to the session management network element 204 may be a session management function (SMF) network element in the 5G network architecture. In future communications such as the 6th generation (6G) communication system, the session management network element 204 may still be an SMF network element, or the session management network element 204 may have other names, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0085] The data management network element 205 is used to process user identification, access authentication, registration, or mobility management. In the 5G communication system, the network element or entity corresponding to the data management network element can be a unified data management (UDM) network element in the 5G network architecture, where Nudm is a service-based interface provided by the UDM network element, and the UDM network element can communicate with other network functions through Nudm. In future communications such as 6G communication systems, the data management network element 205 can still be a UDM network element, or the data management network element 205 has other names, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0086] The network exposure function network element 206 mainly provides services that enable the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network to safely provide network service capabilities to the third-party service provider application function network element 207. In the 5G communication system, the network exposure function network element 206 can be a (network exposure function, NEF) network element, Nnef is a service-based interface provided by the NEF network element, and the NEF network element can communicate with other network functions through Nnef. In future communications such as 6G communication systems, the network exposure function network element 206 can still be a NEF network element, or have other names, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0087] The application function network element 207 is mainly used to provide application layer information to the 3GPP network. In the 5G communication system, the application function network element 207 can be an application function (AF) network element. Naf is a service-based interface provided by the AF network element. The AF network element can communicate with other network functions through Naf. In future communications such as 6G communication systems, the application function network element 207 can still be an AF network element, or have other names, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Exemplarily, the AF network element may include, for example, a services capability server (SCS) or an application server (AS).

[0088] The gateway mobile location center 208 is mainly used for processing location requests for location services and selecting appropriate mobile management network elements for location services. In a 5G communication system, the gateway mobile location center may be a gateway mobile location center (GMLC). In future communications such as a 6G communication system, the gateway mobile location center 208 may still be a GMLC, or the gateway mobile location center 208 may have other names, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0089] The client 209 may be a party that requests the location information of the first terminal device, and may also be referred to as a Client.

[0090] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, taking the 5G communication system as an example, it is a schematic diagram of a specific possible network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application, including the above-mentioned AMF network element, LMF network element, first terminal device, gNB, UPF network element, SMF network element, UDM network element, NEF network element, AF network element, GMLC and client. In addition, it can also include an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, a network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, a network exposure function Repository Function (NRF) network element, or a policy control function (PCF) network element, a unified data repository (UDR) network element, an unstructured data storage function (UDSF), etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0091] in, Figure 2 The N1 interface is the reference point between the first terminal device and the AMF network element; the N2 interface is the reference point between the gNB and the AMF network element, which is used for sending non-access stratum (NAS) messages and next generation application protocol (NGAP) messages; the N3 interface is the reference point between the gNB and the UPF network element, which is used for transmitting user plane data; the N4 interface is the reference point between the SMF and the UPF, which is used for transmitting information such as tunnel identification information of the N3 connection, data cache indication information, and downlink data notification messages; the N6 interface is the reference point between the UPF network element and the data network (DN), which is used for transmitting user plane data.

[0092] also, Figure 2The control plane network elements shown, such as the AUSF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, LMF network element, NSSF network element, NEF network element, NRF network element, PCF network element, UDM network element, UDR network element, UDSF network element or AF network element, can also interact using service-based interfaces. For example, the service-based interface provided by the AUSF network element to the outside may be Nausf; the service-based interface provided by the AMF network element to the outside may be Namf; the service-based interface provided by the SMF network element to the outside may be Nsmf; the service-based interface provided by the NSSG network element to the outside may be Nnssf; the service-based interface provided by the NEF network element to the outside may be Nnef; the service-based interface provided by the NRF network element to the outside may be Nnrf; the service-based interface provided by the PCF network element to the outside may be Npcf; the service-based interface provided by the UDM network element to the outside may be Nudm; and the service-based interface provided by the AF network element to the outside may be Naf. For related descriptions, please refer to the 5G system architecture diagram in the 23501 standard, which will not be repeated here.

[0093] It is understandable that the above network elements or functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The above network elements or functions can be divided into one or more services, and further, services that exist independently of network functions may also appear. In this application, instances of the above functions, or instances of services included in the above functions, or service instances that exist independently of network functions can all be referred to as service instances.

[0094] For example, the above network elements or functions can be Figure 3 This is achieved by the communication equipment in the system. Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 300 includes a processor 301, a communication line 302, a memory 303, and at least one communication interface ( Figure 3 The communication interface 304 is used as an example for illustration only).

[0095] The processor 301 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0096] The communication link 302 may include a pathway to transmit information between the above-mentioned components.

[0097] The communication interface 304 uses any transceiver or other device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc.

[0098] The memory 303 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a communication line 302. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0099] The memory 303 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 301. The processor 301 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 303, thereby implementing the positioning request processing method provided in the following embodiment of the present application.

[0100] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0101] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 301 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 3 CPU0 and CPU1 in.

[0102] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 300 may include multiple processors, such as Figure 3 301 and processor 308 in the embodiment of the present invention. Each of these processors may be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0103] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 300 may also include an output device 305 and an input device 306. The output device 305 communicates with the processor 301 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 305 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 306 communicates with the processor 301 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 306 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0104] The communication device 300 may be a general purpose device or a dedicated device. In a specific implementation, the communication device 300 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal device, an embedded device or a computer with a plurality of Figure 3 The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the communication device 300.

[0105] The following will be combined Figures 1a to 3 The positioning request processing method provided in the embodiment of the present application is specifically described.

[0106] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to Figure 2 The 5G network architecture shown can also be applied to other future communication systems, such as 6G network architecture, etc. In addition, the names of the various network elements used in the embodiments of the present application may keep the same functions in future communication systems, but the names may be changed.

[0107] by Figure 1a or Figure 1b The communication system shown is applied to Figure 2 Take the 5G network shown in the figure as an example. Figure 4 As shown, a positioning request processing method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0108] S401. The first device sends a request message to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the request message from the first device.

[0109] The request message is used to request the location information of the first terminal device, that is, the first terminal device can be understood as a positioning object.

[0110] Optionally, the first device may be between the demander of the location information of the first terminal device (hereinafter referred to as the demander) and the AMF network element, and is used to select the AMF network element to process the positioning request. In this case, it can be considered that the demander and the AMF network element communicate through the forwarding of the first device. Exemplarily, the first device may be a GMLC or NEF network element, and the demander may be, for example, a third-party application server or an AF network element. In this case, before step S401, the first device also receives a message from the demander requesting the location information of the first terminal device. Alternatively, the first device may also be the demander of the location information of the first terminal device, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0111] The request message may include an identifier of the first terminal device. Optionally, the identifier of the first terminal device may be a user permanent identifier (SUPI) of the first terminal device, or a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI).

[0112] Optionally, the request message may also include positioning accuracy information and location information of the party requesting the location information of the first terminal device.

[0113] Optionally, the positioning accuracy information indicates the demander's requirement on the accuracy of the location information of the first terminal device. For example, when the positioning accuracy information is 1 meter, it means that the Euclidean distance between the location indicated by the location information of the first terminal device that the demander requires to be returned and the actual location of the first terminal device is less than or equal to 1 meter; when the positioning accuracy information is 10 meters, it means that the Euclidean distance between the location indicated by the location information of the first terminal device that the demander requires to be returned and the actual location of the first terminal device is less than or equal to 10 meters.

[0114] Optionally, the location information of the demander represents the location of the demander, which may be the geographical location coordinates of the demander in a certain location system (for example, the global positioning system (GPS) or the Beidou satellite system); or, it may be the location of the demander in a mobile communication network, for example, a cell identifier (cell identifier) ​​or a tracking area identifier (TAI), etc.

[0115] S402, the AMF network element sends a first message to the LMF network element according to the request message. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the first message from the AMF network element.

[0116] Among them, the first message is used to trigger the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0117] The first message includes the identifier of the first terminal device. Optionally, the first message may also include positioning accuracy information and location information of the party requesting the location information of the first terminal device. Please refer to the relevant description in the above step S401, which will not be repeated here.

[0118] Optionally, after receiving the request message, the AMF network element can determine whether it can perform relevant transmissions of the positioning service in a timely manner (such as forwarding data packets of the positioning service) based on its own status. When the AMF network element determines that it cannot perform relevant transmissions of the positioning service in a timely manner, it sends the first message to the LMF network element to trigger the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0119] Exemplarily, the AMF network element determines that the relevant transmission of the positioning service cannot be carried out in time. This can be as follows: the AMF network element detects whether the load of the AMF network element is greater than a first threshold. When the load of the AMF network element is greater than the first threshold, the AMF network element determines that the AMF network element is in a congested state, thereby determining that the relevant transmission of the positioning service cannot be carried out in time.

[0120] Alternatively, optionally, after receiving the request message, the AMF network element may not determine its own status, but may send a first message to the LMF network element to trigger the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning, thereby reducing the load on the AMF network element. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0121] Optionally, the first message may trigger the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning in a variety of ways, exemplarily:

[0122] In a possible implementation, the message name or message type of the first message can be used as a trigger condition, and the message name or message type can trigger the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning. In other words, a message with a specific name or a specific type can trigger the LMF network element to perform user plane positioning.

[0123] In another possible implementation, the first message may include first indication information, which instructs the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning, that is, the first message explicitly triggers the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning through the first indication information.

[0124] Optionally, in this implementation, the first indication information can be represented by a bit in the first message. When the value of the bit is "1" or "0", it means that the first indication information instructs the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0125] In another possible implementation, when the AMF network element determines that it is in a congested state, the first message may include second indication information, and the second indication information may indicate that the AMF network element is in a congested state, so as to trigger the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning. That is to say, the first message indicates that the AMF network element is in a congested state through the second indication information, thereby indirectly triggering the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0126] Exemplarily, the second indication information can be represented by a bit in the first message. When the value of the bit is "1" or "0", it indicates that the AMF network element is in a congested state, thereby triggering the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0127] S403: The LMF network element sends a second message to the first terminal device according to the first message. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second message from the LMF network element.

[0128] The second message is used to instruct the first terminal device to report positioning data, and the positioning data is used by the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device. The positioning data can also be called measurement data, and the two can be replaced with each other. This embodiment of the application does not make specific restrictions on this.

[0129] Optionally, after receiving the first message from the AMF network element, the LMF network element can select a suitable location calculation method, then determine the positioning data provided by the first terminal device required by the location calculation method, and send the second message to the first terminal device.

[0130] The LMF network element sends a second message to the first terminal device through a protocol data unit (PDU) session of the first terminal device according to the first message. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second message from the LMF network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0131] Optionally, the LMF network element sends a second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message, which may include: the LMF network element sends the second message to the first terminal device through the user plane network element (taking the UPF network element as an example) corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device, and the destination address of the second message is the IP address of the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second message from the LMF network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device, which may include: the first terminal device receives the second message from the LMF network element through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0132] That is to say, the transmission path of the second message can be "LMF network element-UPF network element-gNB-first terminal device", where the transmission path "UPF network element-gNB-first terminal device" is the transmission path established when establishing the PDU session of the first terminal device, which can also be called the user plane transmission path of the first terminal device.

[0133] Among them, "through the PDU session of the first terminal device" can also be understood as "through the user plane transmission path of the first terminal device". At this time, correspondingly, "through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device" can be understood as "through the user plane network element in the user plane transmission path of the first terminal device", which can be replaced with each other, and the embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0134] Based on this solution, in the positioning service, the LMF network element and the located terminal device can interact through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, and can avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, that is, the control plane transmission path interaction, thereby avoiding the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packet of the positioning service in time, thereby reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of interruption of the positioning service.

[0135] Optionally, in an implementation scenario of an embodiment of the present application, the positioning request processing method further includes the following steps S404-S406:

[0136] S404: The first terminal device obtains positioning data.

[0137] After receiving the second message, the first terminal device can obtain positioning data according to the second message.

[0138] Optionally, the first terminal device obtains the positioning data by: the first terminal device collects and measures (for example, measures the signal quality of a cell adjacent to the current service cell of the first terminal device) according to the requirements of the LMF network element to obtain the positioning data.

[0139] S405: The first terminal device sends positioning data to the LMF network element. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the positioning data from the first terminal device.

[0140] The first terminal device can also send positioning data to the LMF network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives positioning data from the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0141] Optionally, the first terminal device sends positioning data to the LMF network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device, which may include: the first terminal device sends positioning data to the LMF network element through the user plane network element (taking the UPF network element as an example) corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives positioning data from the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device, which may include: the LMF network element receives positioning data from the first terminal device through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0142] That is to say, the transmission path of the positioning data can be "first terminal device-gNB-UPF network element-LMF network element", where the transmission path "first terminal device-gNB-UPF network element" is the transmission path established when establishing the PDU session of the first terminal device, which can also be called the user plane transmission path of the first terminal device.

[0143] S406. The LMF network element determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the positioning data.

[0144] Optionally, after receiving the positioning data, the LMF network element can determine the location information of the first terminal device according to the positioning calculation method selected in the above step S403.

[0145] Optionally, after the LMF network element determines the location information of the first terminal device, it can send the location information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element returns the location information of the first terminal device to the first device.

[0146] Based on this solution, in the uplink transmission of the positioning service, the positioning data of the positioning service can also be transmitted through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, and can also avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, that is, transmission on the control plane transmission path, thereby avoiding the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packet of the positioning service in time, further reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of interruption of the positioning service.

[0147] Among them, the above Figure 4 The actions of each network element in each step shown can be determined by Figure 3The processor 301 in the communication device 300 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 303 for execution, and this embodiment does not impose any limitation on this.

[0148] Optional, with Figure 1a or Figure 1b The communication system shown is applied to Figure 2 Take the 5G network shown in the figure as an example. Figure 5 As shown, another positioning request processing method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the positioning request processing method includes the following steps:

[0149] S501. A first device sends a request message to an AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the request message from the first device.

[0150] S502, the AMF network element sends a first message to the LMF network element according to the request message. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the first message from the AMF network element.

[0151] S503: The LMF network element sends a second message to the first terminal device according to the first message. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second message from the LMF network element.

[0152] Among them, steps S501-S503 and Figure 4 Steps S401-S403 in the embodiment shown are the same, and the relevant description can be referred to in Figure 4 The embodiments shown will not be described in detail here.

[0153] Among them, in step S503, the LMF network element sends the second message to the first terminal device according to the first message, including: the LMF network element sends the second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message.

[0154] Based on this solution, in the positioning service, the LMF network element and the located terminal device can interact through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, and can avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, that is, the control plane transmission path interaction, thereby avoiding the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packet of the positioning service in time, thereby reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of interruption of the positioning service.

[0155] It should be noted that Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment is described by taking the case where the PDU session of the first terminal device has been successfully established before step S502 as an example.

[0156] Optionally, when the LMF network element sends a second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device, the destination address of the second message is the IP address of the first terminal device. Therefore, before step S503, the LMF network element also obtains the IP address of the first terminal device, which is the IP address allocated to the first terminal device by the SMF network element serving the first terminal device during the establishment of the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0157] Optionally, the LMF network element obtains the IP address of the first terminal device, which may include: the LMF network element receives the IP address of the first terminal device from the SMF network element, which is a session management network element serving the first terminal device.

[0158] Optionally, the IP address of the first terminal device may be that sent by the SMF network element to the LMF network element after the LMF network element requests it, or may be that the AMF network element instructs the SMF network element to send it to the LMF network element. This embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0159] Based on this, in a possible implementation, when the LMF network element requests the IP address of the first terminal device from the SMF network element, before step S503, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following steps:

[0160] S504a, the LMF network element sends a fourth message to the UDM network element. Correspondingly, the UDM network element receives the fourth message from the LMF network element.

[0161] Among them, the fourth message is used to request the address information of the SMF network element.

[0162] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, in addition to the "fourth message", a "third message" is also involved. The "third message" will be described in detail in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0163] Optionally, the fourth message may include an identifier of the first terminal device so that the UDM network element searches for an SMF network element serving the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0164] S504b, the UDM network element sends the address information of the SMF network element to the LMF network element. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the address information of the SMF network element from the UDM network element.

[0165] Optionally, since the UDM network element can save relevant information of the established PDU session when establishing the PDU session of the first terminal device, when the PDU session of the first terminal device is successfully established, the UDM network element can find the address information of the SMF network element and return it to the LMF network element.

[0166] It can be understood that the method performed by the LMF network element in steps S504a-S504b can be understood as a method for the LMF network element to obtain the address information of the SMF network element.

[0167] S504c, the LMF network element sends a third message to the SMF network element. Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the third message from the LMF network element.

[0168] The third message is used to request the IP address of the first terminal device.

[0169] Optionally, after the LMF network element obtains the address information of the SMF network element, it can send a third message to the SMF network element according to the address information of the SMF network element. After the SMF network element receives the third message, it can execute the following step S504d in response to the third message.

[0170] S504d, the SMF network element sends the IP address of the first terminal device to the LMF network element. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the IP address of the first terminal device from the SMF network element.

[0171] Based on this solution, the LMF network element can obtain the IP address of the first terminal device through the UDM network element and the SMF network element, so that in the positioning service, user surface interaction can be achieved with the first terminal device according to the IP address, thereby reducing the response delay of the positioning service.

[0172] In another possible implementation, when the AMF network element instructs the SMF network element to send the IP address of the first terminal device to the LMF network element, before step S503, Figure 5 The method shown may also include the following steps:

[0173] S504e, the AMF network element sends the fourth indication information to the SMF network element. Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the fourth indication information from the AMF network element.

[0174] Among them, the fourth indication information is used to instruct the SMF network element to send the IP address of the first terminal device to the LMF network element.

[0175] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, in addition to the "fourth indication information", the "third indication information" is also involved. The third indication information will be explained in subsequent embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0176] S504f, the SMF network element sends the IP address of the first terminal device to the LMF network element. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the IP address of the first terminal device from the SMF network element.

[0177] Optionally, after the SMF network element receives the fourth indication information from the AMF network element, it can send the IP address of the first terminal device to the LMF network element according to the fourth indication information, that is, execute step S504f.

[0178] Based on this solution, since the AMF network element can instruct the SMF network element to send the IP address of the first terminal device to the LMF network element, the interaction between the LMF network element and the SMF network element and / or UDM network element can be reduced, further reducing the processing delay of the LMF network element in positioning services.

[0179] At this point, the LMF network element can send a second message with the destination address being the IP address of the first terminal device to the first terminal device according to the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0180] It is understandable that there is no strict execution order between step S504e and the above-mentioned step S502. Step S504e can be executed first, and then step S502; step S502 can be executed first, and then step S504e; step S504e and step S502 can also be executed at the same time, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0181] Optionally, in an implementation scenario of the embodiment of the present application, after step S503, Figure 5 The method shown also includes the following steps S505-S507:

[0182] S505: The first terminal device obtains positioning data.

[0183] S506: The first terminal device sends positioning data to the LMF network element. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the positioning data from the first terminal device.

[0184] S507. The LMF network element determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the positioning data.

[0185] Among them, steps S505-S507 are respectively Figure 4 Steps S404-S406 in the embodiment shown are the same, and the relevant description can be referred to. Figure 4 The embodiments shown will not be described in detail here.

[0186] Based on this possible design, in the uplink transmission of the positioning service, the positioning data of the positioning service can also be transmitted through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, and can also avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, that is, transmission on the control plane transmission path, thereby avoiding the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packet of the positioning service in time, further reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of interruption of the positioning service.

[0187] Among them, the above Figure 5 The actions of each network element in each step shown can be determined by Figure 3 The processor 301 in the communication device 300 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 303 for execution, and this embodiment does not impose any limitation on this.

[0188] Optional, with Figure 1a or Figure 1b The communication system shown is applied to Figure 2 Take the 5G network shown in the figure as an example. Figure 6 As shown, another positioning request processing method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the positioning request processing method includes the following steps:

[0189] S601. The first device sends a request message to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the request message from the first device.

[0190] S602, the AMF network element sends a first message to the LMF network element according to the request message. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the first message from the AMF network element.

[0191] S603: The LMF network element sends a second message to the first terminal device according to the first message. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second message from the LMF network element.

[0192] Among them, steps S601-S603 and Figure 4 Steps S401-S403 in the embodiment shown are the same, and the relevant description can be referred to in Figure 4 The embodiments shown will not be described in detail here.

[0193] Among them, in step S603, the LMF network element sends the second message to the first terminal device according to the first message, including: the LMF network element sends the second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message.

[0194] Based on this solution, in the positioning service, the LMF network element and the located terminal device can interact through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, and can avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, that is, the control plane transmission path interaction, thereby avoiding the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packet of the positioning service in time, thereby reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of interruption of the positioning service.

[0195] Optionally, in this embodiment, before step S603, the LMF network element may determine whether the PDU session of the first terminal device has been successfully established. At this time, Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following steps S604a-S604b:

[0196] S604a, the LMF network element sends a fourth message to the UDM network element. Correspondingly, the UDM network element receives the fourth message from the LMF network element.

[0197] Among them, the fourth message is used to request the address information of the SMF network element, and the SMF network element is a session management network element serving the first terminal device.

[0198] Optionally, the fourth message may include an identifier of the first terminal device so that the UDM network element searches for an SMF network element serving the first terminal device based on the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0199] Optionally, if the UDM network element fails to find the address information of the SMF network element, it indicates that the PDU session of the first terminal device has not been established. At this time, the UDM network element may not respond to the fourth message, for example, not send any message to the LMF network element; or, the UDM network element may notify the LMF network element that the address information of the SMF network element has not been found. In this scenario, the following step S604b may be executed.

[0200] S604b, the UDM network element sends a negative response message to the LMF network element. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives a negative response message from the UDM network element.

[0201] Among them, the negative response message is used to notify the LMF network element that the address information of the SMF network element has not been found.

[0202] Correspondingly, when the LMF network element does not receive the address information of the SMF network element from the UDM network element, it can be determined that the PDU session of the first terminal device has not been established. At this time, optionally, Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment may further include the following steps S605a-S605b:

[0203] S605a, the LMF network element sends the third indication information to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the third indication information from the LMF network element.

[0204] Among them, the third indication information is used to trigger the AMF network element to notify the first terminal device to establish a PDU session for the first terminal device.

[0205] S605b, the AMF network element sends the fifth indication information to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the fifth indication information from the AMF network element.

[0206] Among them, the fifth indication information instructs the first terminal device to establish a PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0207] Optionally, after the AMF network element receives the third indication information from the LMF network element, it can send the fifth indication information to the first terminal device based on the trigger of the third indication information, so that the first terminal device establishes a PDU session.

[0208] Correspondingly, such as Figure 6 As shown, after the first terminal device receives the fifth indication information, it can trigger the establishment of a PDU session and perform the PDU session establishment process with the core network to establish the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0209] It can be understood that after the PDU session of the first terminal device is successfully established, the LMF network element can send a second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device, that is, execute step S603.

[0210] Based on this solution, when the LMF network element has not received the address information of the SMF network element, the LMF network element can instruct the first terminal device through the AMF network element to establish a PDU session for the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device can establish a PDU session for the first terminal device according to the instruction of the AMF network element, so that there is an available PDU session to transmit positioning service data, thereby reducing the response delay of the positioning service.

[0211] Optionally, when the LMF network element sends a second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device, the destination address of the second message is the IP address of the first terminal device. Therefore, after the PDU session of the first terminal device is successfully established, Figure 6 The method shown may further include the following step S606:

[0212] S606. The LMF network element obtains the IP address of the first terminal device.

[0213] Among them, the IP address is allocated to the first terminal device by the SMF network element serving the first terminal device during the establishment of the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0214] In a possible implementation, the method by which the LMF network element obtains the IP address of the first terminal device can be referred to the above steps S504a-S504d, which will not be repeated here.

[0215] In another possible implementation, in the above step S605b, the AMF network element can also send the address information of the LMF network element to the first terminal device. Accordingly, the first terminal device can inform the SMF network element of the address information of the LMF network element during the PDU session establishment process. After the PDU session of the first terminal device is successfully established, the SMF network element can send the IP address of the first terminal device to the LMF network element based on the address information of the LMF network element.

[0216] Based on this possible solution, the SMF network element can actively send the IP address of the first terminal device to the LMF network element after the PDU session of the first terminal device is successfully established, so that the LMF network element does not need to interact with the UDM network element to query the address information of the SMF network element and then request the IP address of the first terminal device from the SMF network element, thereby reducing the signaling interaction between the LMF network element and the UDM network element and the SMF network element, and further reducing the response delay of the positioning service.

[0217] In another possible implementation, in the above step S604a, the LMF network element requests the UDM network element for the address information of the SMF network element. When the UDM network element fails to find the address information of the SMF network element, the address information of the LMF network element can be saved. Later, during the establishment of the PDU session of the first terminal device, after the UDM network element receives the PDU session related information of the first terminal device (for example, the information of the SMF network element serving the first terminal device), it can send the address information of the SMF network element to the LMF network element, so that the LMF network element can obtain the address information of the SMF network element, and then send a third message to the SMF network element according to the address information of the SMF network element to obtain the IP address of the first terminal device. Please refer to the above steps S504c-S504d, which will not be repeated here.

[0218] Based on this possible solution, the UDM network element can actively send the address information of the SMF network element to the LMF network element after the PDU session of the first terminal device is successfully established, so that the LMF network element does not need to interact with the UDM network element to query the address information of the SMF network element, thereby reducing the signaling interaction between the LMF network element and the UDM network element, and further reducing the response delay of the positioning service.

[0219] At this point, the LMF network element can send a second message with the destination address being the IP address of the first terminal device to the first terminal device according to the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0220] Optionally, in an implementation scenario of the embodiment of the present application, after step S603, Figure 6 The method shown also includes the following steps S607-S609:

[0221] S607: The first terminal device obtains positioning data.

[0222] S608: The first terminal device sends positioning data to the LMF network element. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the positioning data from the first terminal device.

[0223] S609. The LMF network element determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the positioning data.

[0224] Among them, steps S607-S609 are respectively Figure 4 Steps S404-S406 in the embodiment shown are the same, and the relevant description can be referred to. Figure 4 The embodiments shown will not be described in detail here.

[0225] Based on this possible design, in the uplink transmission of the positioning service, the positioning data of the positioning service can also be transmitted through the user plane transmission path of the located terminal device, and can also avoid forwarding through the AMF network element, that is, transmission on the control plane transmission path, thereby avoiding the long response time of the positioning service caused by the AMF network element being unable to forward the data packet of the positioning service in time, further reducing the response time of the positioning service or reducing the probability of interruption of the positioning service.

[0226] Among them, the above Figure 6 The actions of each network element in each step shown can be determined by Figure 3 The processor 301 in the communication device 300 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 303 for execution, and this embodiment does not impose any limitation on this.

[0227] It is understandable that in the embodiments of the present application, each network element may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps are only examples. The embodiments of the present application may also perform other steps or variations of various steps. In addition, each step may be performed in a different order presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application need to be performed.

[0228] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or provided for in any logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to each other, and the technical features in the different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0229] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that in order to realize the above functions, the above-mentioned location management network element, mobile management network element or first terminal device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this document, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0230] The embodiment of the present application can divide the location management network element, the mobility management network element or the first terminal device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0231] For example, when the functional modules are divided in an integrated manner, Figure 7 The schematic diagram shows a structure of a location management network element 70. The location management network element 70 comprises: a receiving module 701 and a sending module 702, and optionally, a processing module 703.

[0232] The processing module 703 is used to control and manage the actions of the location management network element. For example, the processing module 703 is used to support the location management network element to execute Figure 4 Process S406, Figure 5 Process S507, Figure 6 The receiving module 701 and the sending module 702 are used to support the communication between the location management network element and other network entities, such as Figures 4 to 6 The communication between the mobility management network element and / or the first terminal device is shown.

[0233] Optionally, the location management network element 70 may further include a storage module 704 ( Figure 7 ), which is used to store program codes and data of the location management network element 70. Specifically, please refer to the following description:

[0234] The receiving module 701 is used to receive a first message from a mobile management network element, and the first message is used to trigger the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning; the sending module 702 is used to send a second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message, and the second message is used to instruct the first terminal device to report positioning data.

[0235] Optionally, the processing module 703 is used to obtain the IP address of the first terminal device; the sending module 702 is used to send a second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message, including: the sending module 702 is used to send a second message to the first terminal device through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message, and the destination address of the second message is the IP address of the first terminal device.

[0236] Optionally, the processing module 703 is used to obtain the IP address of the first terminal device, including: the processing module 703 is used to receive the IP address of the first terminal device from the session management network element through the receiving module 701, and the session management network element serves the first terminal device.

[0237] Optionally, the processing module 703 is also used to obtain the address information of the session management network element; the sending module 702 is also used to send a third message to the session management network element according to the address information of the session management network element, and the third message is used to request the IP address of the first terminal device.

[0238] Optionally, the processing module 703 is also used to obtain the address information of the session management network element, including: the processing module 703 is also used to send a fourth message to the unified data management network element through the sending module 702, and the fourth message is used to request the address information of the session management network element; the processing module 703 is also used to receive the address information of the session management network element from the unified data management network element through the receiving module 701.

[0239] Optionally, the sending module 702 is further used to send third indication information to the mobility management network element, where the third indication information is used to trigger the mobility management network element to notify the first terminal device to establish a PDU session for the first terminal device.

[0240] Optionally, the receiving module 701 is further used to receive positioning data from the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device; the processing module 703 is further used to determine the location information of the first terminal device based on the positioning data.

[0241] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0242] In this embodiment, the location management network element 70 is presented in the form of dividing various functional modules in an integrated manner. Here, the "module" may refer to a specific ASIC, a circuit, a processor and a memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can imagine that the location management network element 70 can be used Figure 3 The form shown.

[0243] for example, Figure 3 The processor 301 in the embodiment can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 303 to enable the location management network element 70 to execute the positioning request processing method in the above method embodiment.

[0244] Specifically, Figure 7The functions / implementation processes of the receiving module 701, the sending module 702, and the processing module 703 can be realized by Figure 3 The processor 301 in the embodiment calls the computer execution instruction stored in the memory 303 to implement. Or, Figure 7 The function / implementation process of the processing module 703 in Figure 3 The processor 301 in the embodiment calls the computer execution instruction stored in the memory 303 to implement, Figure 7 The functions / implementation processes of the receiving module 701 and the sending module 702 can be Figure 3 The communication interface 304 in is implemented.

[0245] Since the location management network element 70 provided in this embodiment can execute the above-mentioned positioning request processing method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0246] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a device (for example, the device may be a chip system), which includes a processor for supporting a location management network element to implement the above-mentioned positioning request processing method. In one possible design, the device also includes a memory. The memory is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the location management network element. Of course, the memory may not be in the device. In another possible design, the device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, which is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in the memory, which may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor. When the device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips, or it may include chips and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0247] Or, for example, when the functional modules are divided in an integrated manner, Figure 8 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a mobility management network element 80. The mobility management network element 80 comprises: a receiving module 801 and a sending module 802.

[0248] The receiving module 801 and the sending module 802 are used to support the communication between the mobility management network element and other network entities, such as Figures 4 to 6 The locations shown manage the communication between network elements.

[0249] Optionally, the mobility management network element 80 may further include a processing module 803 and a storage module 804 ( Figure 8 The processing module 803 is used to control and manage the actions of the mobility management network element, and the storage module 804 is used to store the program code and data of the mobility management network element. Specifically, please refer to the following description:

[0250] The receiving module 801 is used to receive a request message, which is used to request the location information of the first terminal device; the sending module 802 is used to send a first message to the location management network element according to the request message, and the first message is used to trigger the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

[0251] Optionally, the sending module 802 is used to send the first message to the location management network element according to the request message, and may include: when the mobility management network element is in a congested state, the sending module 802 is used to send the first message to the location management network element according to the request message.

[0252] Optionally, the sending module 802 is further used to send fourth indication information to the session management network element, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the session management network element to send the IP address of the first terminal device to the location management network element, and the session management network element serves the first terminal device.

[0253] Optionally, the receiving module 801 is also used to receive a third indication message from the location management network element, and the third indication message is used to trigger the mobile management network element to notify the first terminal device to establish a protocol data unit PDU session of the first terminal device; the sending module 802 is also used to send a fifth indication message to the first terminal device according to the third indication message, and the fifth indication message is used to instruct the first terminal device to establish the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0254] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0255] In this embodiment, the mobility management network element 80 is presented in the form of dividing various functional modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here may refer to a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can imagine that the mobility management network element 80 can be used Figure 3 The form shown.

[0256] for example, Figure 3 The processor 301 in the embodiment can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 303 to enable the mobility management network element 80 to execute the positioning request processing method in the above method embodiment.

[0257] Specifically, Figure 8 The functions / implementation processes of the receiving module 801 and the sending module 802 can be Figure 3 The processor 301 in the embodiment calls the computer execution instruction stored in the memory 303 to implement. Or, Figure 8 The functions / implementation processes of the receiving module 801 and the sending module 802 can be Figure 3 The communication interface 304 in is implemented.

[0258] Since the mobility management network element 80 provided in this embodiment can execute the above-mentioned positioning request processing method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0259] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a device (for example, the device may be a chip system), which includes a processor for supporting a mobile management network element to implement the above-mentioned positioning request processing method. In one possible design, the device also includes a memory. The memory is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the mobile management network element. Of course, the memory may not be in the device. In another possible design, the device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, which is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in the memory, which may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor. When the device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips, or it may include chips and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0260] For example, when the functional modules are divided in an integrated manner, Fig. 9 The schematic diagram of the structure of a first terminal device 90 is shown. The first terminal device 90 comprises: a receiving module 901 , a sending module 902 , and a processing module 903 .

[0261] The processing module 903 is used to control and manage the actions of the first terminal device. For example, the processing module 903 is used to support the first terminal device to execute Figure 4 Process S404, Figure 5 Process S505, Figure 6 The receiving module 901 and the sending module 902 are used to support the communication between the first terminal device and other network entities, such as Figures 4 to 6 Communications between mobility management network elements and / or location management network elements are shown.

[0262] Optionally, the first terminal device 90 may further include a storage module 904 ( Fig. 9 ), which is used to store program codes and data of the first terminal device 90. Specifically, the following description may be referred to:

[0263] The receiving module 901 is used to receive a second message from the location management network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device; the processing module 903 is used to obtain positioning data according to the second message; the sending module 902 is used to send the positioning data to the location management network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0264] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is used to receive a second message from the location management network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device, including: the receiving module 901 is used to receive a second message from the location management network element through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device, and the destination address of the second message is the Internet Protocol IP address of the first terminal device.

[0265] Optionally, a sending module 902 is used to send the positioning data to the location management network element through the PDU session of the first terminal device, including: a sending module 902 is used to send the positioning data to the location management network element through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device.

[0266] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is also used to receive a fifth indication information from the mobile management network element, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to establish a PDU session of the first terminal device; the processing module 903 is also used to establish a PDU session of the first terminal device according to the fifth indication information.

[0267] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0268] In this embodiment, the first terminal device 90 is presented in the form of dividing various functional modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here may refer to a specific ASIC, a circuit, a processor and a memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can imagine that the first terminal device 90 can be used Figure 3 The form shown.

[0269] for example, Figure 3 The processor 301 in the embodiment can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 303 to enable the first terminal device 90 to execute the positioning request processing method in the above method embodiment.

[0270] Specifically, Fig. 9 The functions / implementation processes of the receiving module 901, the sending module 902, and the processing module 903 can be realized by Figure 3 The processor 301 in the embodiment calls the computer execution instruction stored in the memory 303 to implement. Or, Fig. 9 The function / implementation process of the processing module 903 in Figure 3 The processor 301 in the memory 303 calls the computer execution instruction stored in the memory 303 to implement the function / implementation process of the receiving module 901 and the sending module 902. Figure 3 The communication interface 304 in is implemented.

[0271] Since the first terminal device 90 provided in this embodiment can execute the above-mentioned positioning request processing method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0272] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a device (for example, the device may be a chip system), which includes a processor for supporting the first terminal device to implement the above-mentioned positioning request processing method. In one possible design, the device also includes a memory. The memory is used to store the necessary program instructions and data for the first terminal device. Of course, the memory may not be in the device. In another possible design, the device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, which is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in the memory, which may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor. When the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0273] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or may contain one or more servers, data centers and other data storage devices that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0274] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "one" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in a claim. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0275] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations 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 positioning request processing method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The mobility management network element receives a request message, where the request message is used to request location information of the first terminal device; The mobility management network element sends a first message to the location management network element according to the request message, where the first message is used to trigger the location management network element to obtain location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning; The location management network element receives the first message, and sends a second message to the first terminal device through a protocol data unit PDU session of the first terminal device based on the first message, where the second message is used to instruct the first terminal device to report positioning data.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first message includes first indication information, and the first indication information instructs the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first message includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the mobility management network element is in a congested state, so as to trigger the location management network element to obtain the location information of the first terminal device through user plane positioning.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The location management network element obtains an Internet Protocol IP address of the first terminal device; The location management network element sends a second message to the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device according to the first message, including: The location management network element sends the second message to the first terminal device through the user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session of the first terminal device based on the first message, and the destination address of the second message is the IP address of the first terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The location management network element obtains the Internet Protocol IP address of the first terminal device, including: The location management network element receives the IP address of the first terminal device from the session management network element, and the session management network element serves the first terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: The location management network element obtains address information of the session management network element; The location management network element sends a third message to the session management network element according to the address information of the session management network element, where the third message is used to request the IP address of the first terminal device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The location management network element obtains the address information of the session management network element, including: The location management network element sends a fourth message to the unified data management network element, where the fourth message is used to request address information of the session management network element; The location management network element receives the address information of the session management network element from the unified data management network element.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The location management network element sends third indication information to the mobility management network element, where the third indication information is used to trigger the mobility management network element to notify the first terminal device to establish a PDU session for the first terminal device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The location management network element receives the positioning data from the first terminal device through the PDU session of the first terminal device; The location management network element determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the positioning data.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The mobility management network element sends a first message to the location management network element according to the request message, including: When the mobility management network element is in a congested state, the mobility management network element sends the first message to the location management network element according to the request message.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The mobility management network element sends fourth indication information to the session management network element, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the session management network element to send the Internet Protocol IP address of the first terminal device to the location management network element, and the session management network element serves the first terminal device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The mobility management network element receives third indication information from the location management network element, where the third indication information is used to trigger the mobility management network element to notify the first terminal device to establish a protocol data unit PDU session of the first terminal device; The mobility management network element sends fifth indication information to the first terminal device based on the third indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to establish a PDU session of the first terminal device.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The method comprises instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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