Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a communication device. In the method, a sensing function network element can configure sensing service information, so that a transmission channel between the sensing function network element and an application function network element is established. Moreover, after the transmission channel between the sensing function network element and the application function network element is established, the transmission channel can be used for transmitting the sensing service, so that the capability of providing sensing in an operator network is realized.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Sensing technology is a technology that is based on air interface resources such as radar and millimeter waves, collects the content of reflected sensing signals (i.e., sensing information), and further processes the sensing information to obtain the required information. Therefore, sensing technology can be combined with communication technology to use the functions of existing communication devices, the spectrum of communication devices, and the signals of communication devices to send sensing signals, so as to provide sensing capabilities in the operator network. However, there is currently no discussion on how to provide sensing capabilities in the operator network (how to provide sensing capabilities through terminals or base stations), which is an issue to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and a communication device. The method provides a sensing function network element that realizes a sensing function. The sensing function network element can determine sensing service information, so as to provide sensing capabilities in the operator network.

[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method. For example, the communication method can be executed by a sensing function network element, or a component of the sensing function network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logical module that can implement all or part of the sensing function. Among them, the sensing function network element receives a first request message from an application function network element. The first request message includes at least one of sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element. Based on the first request message, the sensing function network element determines sensing service information, which includes at least one of sensing service requirement information, the address information of the application function network element, a list of authorized terminals, sensing quality description information, the identification information of the sensing service, or the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel.

[0005] In this method, the sensing function network element can configure the sensing service information, so as to establish a transmission channel between the sensing function network element and the application function network element. And after establishing the transmission channel between the sensing function network element and the application function network element, the transmission channel can be used to transmit sensing services, so as to provide sensing capabilities in the operator network based on the sensing function network element.

[0006] In a possible implementation, the sensing function network element receives a second request message from the application function network element. The second request message is used to request the identification information of the sensing service. The sensing function network element generates the identification information of the sensing service, and the identification information of the sensing service is used to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service. The sensing function network element sends a second response message to the application function network element, and the second response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

[0007] In this implementation, the sensing function network element can generate the identification information of the sensing service based on the second request message that is only used to request the identification information of the sensing service, so as to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service, which is beneficial for each network element to identify different sensing services or the sensing sessions corresponding to the sensing services based on the identification information of the sensing service, thereby realizing the sensing function.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the sensing function network element generates the identification information of the sensing service based on the first request message, and the identification information of the sensing service is used to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service. The sensing function network element sends a first response message to the application function network element, and the first response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

[0009] In this implementation, the first request message is used to request both the sensing function and the identification information of the sensing service. Then, the sensing function network element can generate the identification information of the sensing service based on the first request message, so as to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service, which is beneficial for the network element to identify different sensing services or the sensing sessions corresponding to the sensing services based on the identification information of the sensing service, thereby realizing the sensing function.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the sensing function network element sends a third request message to the first session management function network element. The third request message is used to request the first session management function network element to generate sensing quality description information and configure the corresponding transmission. The first session management function network element is determined based on the sensing service area information; the first session management function network element has a sensing function. The sensing function network element receives a third response message from the first session management function network element, and the third response message includes at least one of the sensing quality description information or the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel.

[0011] In this implementation, the sensing function network element can request the first session management function network element with a sensing function to generate sensing quality description information and configure the corresponding transmission, so that the first session management function network element allocates the sensing data transmission channel and determines the sensing quality description information for ensuring the transmission quality, which is beneficial for realizing the sensing function while ensuring the transmission quality of the sensing data.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the sensing function network element receives a fourth request message from the second session management function network element. The fourth request message includes the identification information of the sensing service and the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element. The sensing function network element sends a fourth response message to the second session management function network element. The fourth response message includes sensing service information.

[0013] In this implementation, when the terminal requests to perform sensing service transmission, the second session management function network element that manages the terminal may request the sensing function network element to establish sensing resources (such as obtaining sensing service information or the address information of the sensing function network element), which is conducive to the terminal and multiple network elements (such as the sensing function network element, the second session management function network element, etc.) to jointly implement the sensing function.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first request message further includes a list of authorized terminals.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the sensing function network element performs authentication processing on the terminal based on the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element and the list of authorized terminals.

[0016] In the above implementation, the sensing function network element may also perform authentication processing on the terminal that requests to perform sensing service transmission. For example, comparing the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element with the list of authorized terminals is conducive to identifying whether the terminal is authorized to implement the sensing function.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method. For example, the entity that executes this communication method may be a sensing function network element, or a component of the sensing function network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module that can implement all or part of the sensing function. Among them, the sensing function network element obtains the identification information of the terminal and performs authentication processing on the terminal based on the identification information of the terminal.

[0018] In this method, the sensing function network element realizes the function of authenticating the terminal while realizing the sensing function, and determines whether the terminal is authorized to implement the sensing function, so as to realize the sensing function in the operator network.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the sensing function network element receives a fourth request message from the second session management function network element. The fourth request message includes the identification information of the sensing service and the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element.

[0020] In this embodiment, when the terminal requests to perform sensing service transmission, the second session management function network element that manages the terminal may request the sensing function network element to establish sensing resources (such as obtaining sensing service information or the address information of the sensing function network element), which is conducive to the terminal and multiple network elements (such as the sensing function network element, the second session management function network element, etc.) to jointly implement the sensing function.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the sensing function network element compares the identification information of the terminal with the list information of the authorized terminals to determine that the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data. Among them, the list information of the authorized terminals is pre-configured by the sensing function network element, or is received by the sensing function network element from the application function network element.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the sensing function network element compares the identification information of the terminal with the list information of the authorized terminals to determine that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data; the list information of the authorized terminals is pre-configured by the sensing function network element, or is received by the sensing function network element from the application function network element. The sensing function network element sends a first indication message to the second session management network element, and the first indication message indicates that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data.

[0023] In the above embodiment, the sensing function network element may determine whether the identification information of the terminal belongs to the identification information in the list information of the authorized terminals based on the list information of the authorized terminals, so as to determine whether the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data. Optionally, if the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data, the sensing function network element may also feedback the first indication message that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data to the second session management function network element that manages the terminal.

[0024] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method. For example, the communication method may be executed by an application function network element, or a component of the application function network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), and may also be a logic module that can implement all or part of the application functions. Among them, the application function network element sends a first request message to the sensing function network element, and the first request message includes at least one of sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element. The application function network element stores at least one of sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element.

[0025] In this method, the application function network element may request the sensing function network element to establish a transmission channel between the sensing function network element and the application function network element, so as to realize the ability to provide sensing in the operator network.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the application function network element sends a second request message to the sensing function network element, and the second request message is used to request the identification information of the sensing service. The application function network element receives a second response message from the sensing function network element, and the second response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

[0027] In this implementation, the application function network element sends a second request message requesting the identification information of the sensing service, so as to request the sensing function network element to generate the identification information of the sensing service, which is used to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service. This is beneficial for each network element to identify different sensing services or the sensing sessions corresponding to the sensing services based on the identification information of the sensing service, thereby realizing the sensing function.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the application function network element sends a fifth request message to the network openness function network element, and the fifth request message includes the list information of the authorized terminals.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the application function network element sends a sixth request message to the policy control function network element, and the sixth request message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the list of terminals authorized to perform end-side sensing.

[0030] In the above implementation, the application function network element can send the list information of the authorized terminals to the network openness function network element or the policy control function network element, which is beneficial for other network elements to obtain the list information of the authorized terminals from the network openness function network element.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the application function network element sends a first notification message to the terminal, and the first notification message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

[0032] In this implementation, the application function network element can send the identification information of the sensing service and / or the address information of the sensing function network element to the terminal, which is beneficial for the terminal to establish a transmission channel for transmitting sensing data with the sensing function network element.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. For example, the communication method can be executed by a terminal, or a component of the terminal (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. Among them, the terminal receives a first notification message from the application function network element, and the first notification message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element. The terminal sends sensing data.

[0034] In this method, the terminal can receive the identification information of the sensing service and / or the address information of the sensing functional network element, which is beneficial for the terminal to establish a transmission channel for transmitting sensing data with the sensing functional network element, so as to realize the sensing function in the operator network.

[0035] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal sends sensing data to the sensing functional network element through a first session used for interacting with the application functional network element.

[0036] In this implementation manner, the terminal can use the first session already established with the application functional network element to send sensing data without re - establishing a session, which is beneficial for improving the processing efficiency.

[0037] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal sends a seventh request message to the second session management network element. The seventh request message includes at least one of the identification information of the terminal, the identification information of the sensing service, or the address information of the sensing functional network element. The terminal receives a seventh response message, and the seventh response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service, the sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the sensing functional network element.

[0038] In this implementation manner, the terminal can request the second session management network element associated with it to obtain the identification information of the sensing service, etc., which is beneficial for the terminal to establish a transmission channel for transmitting sensing data with the sensing functional network element, so as to realize the sensing function in the operator network.

[0039] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. For example, the entity that executes this communication method can be a second session management functional network element, or a component of the second session management functional network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), and can also be a logical module that can implement all or part of the session management function. Among them, the second session management functional network element sends a fourth request message to the sensing functional network element. The fourth request message includes the identification information of the sensing service and / or the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management functional network element. The second session management functional network element receives a fourth response message from the sensing functional network element, and the fourth response message includes sensing service information.

[0040] In this method, the second session management functional network element can request the sensing functional network element to obtain sensing service information and / or the address information of the sensing functional network element, which is beneficial for the terminal associated with the second session management functional network element to establish a transmission channel for transmitting sensing data with the sensing functional network element, so as to realize the sensing function in the operator network.

[0041] In a possible implementation manner, the identification information of the terminal is used for the sensing functional network element to perform authentication processing on the terminal.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the second session management function network element receives first indication information from the sensing function network element, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data.

[0043] In the above implementation, if the sensing function network element determines that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data during the authentication process of the terminal, the second session management function network element may receive the first indication information, thereby determining that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data.

[0044] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a sensing function network element, or a component of the sensing function network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a device that can be used in combination with the sensing function network element. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a functional module, and the functional module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. Among them, the communication unit is used to receive a first request message from the application function network element, and the first request message includes at least one of sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element. The processing unit is used to determine sensing service information based on the first request message, and the sensing service information includes at least one of sensing service requirement information, the address information of the application function network element, the list information of authorized terminals, sensing quality description information, the identification information of the sensing service, or the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is used to receive a second request message from the application function network element, and the second request message is used to request the identification information of the sensing service. The processing unit is used to generate the identification information of the sensing service, and the identification information of the sensing service is used to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service. The communication unit is further used to send a second response message to the application function network element, and the second response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is used to generate the identification information of the sensing service based on the first request message, and the identification information of the sensing service is used to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service. The communication unit is used to send a first response message to the application function network element, and the first response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to send a third request message to a first session management function network element. The third request message is used to request the first session management function network element to generate perception quality description information and configure corresponding transmissions. The first session management function network element is determined based on perception service area information; the first session management function network element has a perception function. The communication unit is further configured to receive a third response message from the first session management function network element. The third response message includes at least one of perception quality description information or identification information of a perception data transmission channel.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to receive a fourth request message from a second session management function network element. The fourth request message includes identification information of a perception service and identification information of a terminal associated with the second session management function network element. The communication unit is further configured to send a fourth response message to the second session management function network element. The fourth response message includes perception service information.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to receive a list of authorized terminals from an application function network element.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to perform authentication processing on a terminal based on the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element.

[0052] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a perception function network element, or a component of a perception function network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a device that can be used in combination with a perception function network element. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include functional modules. The functional modules may be hardware circuits, may be software, or may be implemented by combining hardware circuits and software.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. Among them, the communication unit is configured to obtain the identification information of the terminal. The processing unit is configured to perform authentication processing on the terminal based on the identification information of the terminal.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to receive a fourth request message from a second session management function network element. The fourth request message includes identification information of a perception service and identification information of a terminal associated with the second session management function network element.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to compare the identification information of the terminal with the list information of authorized terminals to determine that the terminal is authorized to collect perception data. Among them, the list information of authorized terminals is pre-configured by the perception function network element, or is received by the perception function network element from the application function network element.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to compare the identification information of the terminal with the list information of authorized terminals to determine that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data; the list information of authorized terminals is pre-configured by the sensing function network element, or is received by the sensing function network element from the application function network element. The communication unit is configured to send a first indication message to the second session management network element, and the first indication message indicates that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data.

[0057] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be an application function network element, or a component of an application function network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a device that can be used in combination with an application function network element. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a functional module, and the functional module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. Among them, the communication unit is configured to send a first request message to the sensing function network element, and the first request message includes at least one of sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element. The processing unit is configured to store at least one of sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to send a second request message to the sensing function network element, and the second request message is used to request the identification information of the sensing service. The communication unit is further configured to receive a second response message from the sensing function network element, and the second response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to send a fifth request message to the network exposure function network element, and the fifth request message includes the list information of authorized terminals.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to send a sixth request message to the policy control function network element, and the sixth request message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the list of terminals authorized to perform end-side sensing.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to send a first notification message to the terminal, and the first notification message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

[0063] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a terminal, or a component of a terminal (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a device that can be used in combination with a terminal. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a functional module, and the functional module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. Among them, the communication unit is configured to receive a first notification message from an application function network element, and the first notification message includes at least one of identification information of a sensing service or address information of a sensing function network element. The communication unit is further configured to send sensing data.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to send sensing data to a sensing function network element through a first session used for interacting with an application function network element.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to send a seventh request message to a second session management network element, and the seventh request message includes at least one of identification information of a terminal, identification information of a sensing service, or address information of a sensing function network element. The communication unit is further configured to receive a seventh response message, and the seventh response message includes at least one of identification information of a sensing service, sensing service requirement information, or address information of a sensing function network element.

[0067] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a session management function network element, or a component of a session management function network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a device that can be used in combination with a session management function network element. In a possible implementation, the communication device may include a functional module, and the functional module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. Among them, the communication unit is configured to send a fourth request message to a sensing function network element, and the fourth request message includes identification information of a sensing service and identification information of a terminal associated with a second session management function network element. The communication unit is further configured to receive a fourth response message from the sensing function network element, and the fourth response message includes sensing service information.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is configured to receive first indication information from a sensing function network element, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data.

[0070] For the sixth to tenth aspects, by way of example, the processing unit may be a processor, and the communication unit may be a transceiver unit, transceiver, or communication interface. It can be understood that when the communication device is a communication equipment (such as a terminal or a network device), the communication unit may be a transceiver in the communication device (for example, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver), which is implemented, for example, through an antenna, a feeder, a codec, etc. in the communication device. Or, if the communication device is a chip disposed in a device, the processing unit may be a processing circuit, a logic circuit, etc. of the chip, and the communication unit may be an input / output interface of the chip, such as an input / output circuit, a pin, etc.

[0071] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, including: a processor for executing instructions; optionally, the communication device further includes a memory for storing the instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device is caused to implement at least one of the following: the first to fifth aspects, and the methods in any possible implementation manner of the first to fifth aspects. Optionally, the processor and the memory are coupled.

[0072] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes at least one of the devices or equipment in the above sixth to tenth aspects, such that at least one of the devices or equipment executes the methods in the first to fifth aspects, and any possible implementation manner of the first to fifth aspects.

[0073] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which instructions are stored, and when the instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the methods in the first to fifth aspects, and any possible implementation manner of the first to fifth aspects.

[0074] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, including instructions, and when the instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the methods in the first to fifth aspects, and any possible implementation manner of the first to fifth aspects.

[0075] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip, which includes a processor (or a logic circuit). Optionally, the chip may further include a communication interface (or an interface) for implementing the methods in the first to fifth aspects, and any possible implementation manner of the first to fifth aspects. In a possible implementation, if the chip is the smallest processing unit in a whole machine, the chip may be a processor, or may include a processor and a memory, or may further include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver for implementing the methods in the first to fifth aspects, and any possible implementation manner of the first to fifth aspects.

[0076] In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor and an interface. Optionally, it may further include a memory for implementing the methods in the first aspect to the fifth aspect, and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect. The chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices. Description of the Drawings

[0077] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture;

[0078] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a network architecture based on a peer-to-peer interface;

[0079] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0080] Figure 4 It is a schematic flowchart of a function for implementing perception in a carrier network by interaction at the application layer and reusing the PDU session establishment / modification process provided by the present application;

[0081] Figure 5 It is a schematic flowchart of a function for implementing perception in a carrier network by interaction at the network layer and reusing the PDU session establishment / modification process provided by the present application;

[0082] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0083] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided by the present application. Detailed Embodiments

[0084] In the embodiments of the present application, " / " may indicate that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B may indicate A or B; "and / or" may be used to describe three relationships of associated objects. For example, A and / or B may indicate: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. These three situations, where A and B may be singular or plural.

[0085] In the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to distinguish technical features with the same or similar functions. These terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the terms such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different. In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design solutions. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a specific way for easy understanding.

[0086] In the embodiments of the present application, "send" and "receive" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to a terminal" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal device, which may include directly sending through the air interface, and also include indirectly sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving information from a network device" can be understood as the source of the information being the network device, which may include directly receiving from the network device through the air interface, or may also include indirectly receiving from the network device through the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0087] In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices. For example, between a network device and a terminal device, or can also be carried out within a device. For example, sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, trace or interface.

[0088] It can be understood that necessary processing may be performed on the information between the source end and the destination end of the information transmission, such as encoding, modulation, etc., but the destination end can understand the valid information from the source end. Similar expressions in the present application can be understood similarly and will not be elaborated here.

[0089] In the embodiments of the present application, "indication" may include direct indication and indirect indication, and may also include explicit indication and implicit indication. If the information indicated by a certain piece of information (such as the indication information described below) is called the information to be indicated, then in the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated. For example, but not limited to, the information to be indicated can be directly indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated, etc. The information to be indicated can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is an association relationship between the other information and the information to be indicated; it is also possible to only indicate a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or pre-agreed. For example, the arrangement order of each piece of information (such as protocol pre-definition) can be used to indicate specific information, thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. The present application does not limit the specific manner of indication. It can be understood that for the sender of the indication information, the indication information can be used to indicate the information to be indicated, and for the receiver of the indication information, the indication information can be used to determine the information to be indicated.

[0090] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0091] First, for the convenience of understanding, the definitions of relevant terms involved in the present application are introduced in detail below:

[0092] 1. Network architecture:

[0093] Among them, the communication method provided by the present application can be applied to the network architecture as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 . For example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture based on a service-oriented architecture, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture based on a peer-to-peer interface. Figure 1 or Figure 2 The network architecture shown includes three parts, namely the terminal device part, the data network (DN), and the operator network part. It should be noted that Figure 1 and Figure 2 The main difference is that Figure 2 The interfaces between the network elements in are peer-to-peer interfaces, rather than service-oriented interfaces.

[0094] Next, the devices or functional network elements in each part are described.

[0095] (1) Among them, the communication system of the present application may include, but is not limited to, communication systems of various radio access technologies (RATs). For example, it may be a 5G (or new radio (NR)) communication system, or a transitional system between an LTE communication system and a 5G communication system, which may also be referred to as a 4.5G communication system. Of course, it may also be a future communication system, such as a sixth-generation (6G) or even a seventh-generation (7G) system, etc. The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art know that with the evolution of the communication network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0096] (2) A terminal, also known as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. For example, a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. with wireless connection capabilities. Currently, some examples of terminals are: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, palmtop computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, drones, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, terminals in 5G networks, terminals in future evolved networks, or terminals in future communication systems, etc.

[0097] (3) The operator network may include one or more of the following network elements: Authentication Server Function (AUSF) network element, Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element, Policy Control Function (PCF) network element, Unified Data Management (UDM) network element, Unified Data Repository (UDR), Network Repository Function (NRF) network element, Application Function (AF) network element (also known as the application server), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, Session Management Function (SMF) network element, Radio Access Network (RAN), User Plane Function (UPF) network element, Sensing Function (SF), etc. Optionally, in the above operator network, the part except the radio access network part may be referred to as the core network part.

[0098] Among them, the RAN is used to implement wireless-related functions, including connecting a terminal to a RAN node (or device) of a wireless network, which can also be called a base station. For example, some examples of RAN nodes are: the next generation Node B (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), or wireless fidelity (Wifi) access point (AP), satellite in a satellite communication system, wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, wearable device, drone, or device in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) network (e.g., vehicle-to-everything device), or communication device in device-to-device (D2D) communication, etc. Optionally, the RAN node may include a centralized unit (CU) node, or a distributed unit (DU) node, or a RAN device including a CU node and a DU node. The RAN device including a CU node and a DU node splits the protocol layer of the eNB in the long term evolution (LTE) system, and the functions of some protocol layers are centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all protocol layers are distributed in the DU, and the DU is centrally controlled by the CU. In some deployments of network devices, the CU can also be divided into CU-control plane (CP) and CU-user plane (UP), etc. In another possible implementation, the network device can also be a radio unit (RU), etc. In yet another possible implementation, the network device can also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, etc. The present application does not limit the specific type of the network device.Exemplarily, when the network device is an ORAN architecture, the network device shown in the embodiments of the present application may be an access network device in ORAN, or a module in the access network device, etc. In the ORAN system, the CU may also be referred to as an open central unit (O-CU), the DU may also be referred to as an open distributed unit (O-DU), the CU-DU may also be referred to as an open central unit-distributed unit (O-CU-DU), the CU-UP may also be referred to as an open central unit-control plane (O-CU-UP), and the RU may also be referred to as an open radio unit (O-RU).

[0099] Among them, the AMF is responsible for the mobility management of users, including functions such as mobile state management, allocation of user temporary identity identifiers, authentication and authorization of users, etc. The SMF is responsible for the selection of UP network elements, re-selection of UP network elements, IP address allocation, establishment, modification and release of bearers, QoS control, etc. The UDM is responsible for managing subscription data and notifying the corresponding network elements when the subscription data is modified, etc. The UDR is used to implement functions such as storing and retrieving subscription data, policy data, and common architecture data, etc.; to provide relevant data for the UDM, PCF, and NEF; the UDR should be able to have different data access authentication mechanisms for different types of data such as subscription data and policy data to ensure the security of data access; the UDR should be able to return a failure response with an appropriate cause value for illegal service-oriented operations or data access requests. The AF provides a certain application layer service to the UE. When the AF provides a service to the UE, it has requirements for the quality of service (QoS) and charging policy, and needs to notify the network; the AF also needs application-related information fed back by the core network. The UPF supports all or part of the following functions: interconnecting protocol data unit (PDU) sessions with data networks; packet routing and forwarding (for example, supporting the forwarding of uplink classified traffic to data networks, supporting branching points, and supporting multi-homed PDU sessions); packet detection, etc. The SF supports some or all of the following functions: session management functions for sensing data transmission (such as determining the QoS of transmitted sensing data, etc.); managing the accuracy parameters of sensing (for example, obtaining the sensing accuracy that the network side can handle according to the requirements of the AF); processing of sensing data (for example, converting sensing measurement data into the final target result information of sensing); allocating identification information for sensing services, etc. Optionally, the sensing function can be an independent network element or a logical function of an existing network element. For example, it can be one of the logical functions of a location management function (LMF) network element. This application does not make a limitation. It should be noted that the system architecture and network elements described above are only an example. In fact, it can also be applied to other network architectures and systems. This application does not make a limitation.

[0100] 2. Integration of Communication and Sensing:

[0101] Sensing technology is a technology based on air interface resources such as radar and millimeter waves. By collecting the content of reflected sensing signals (i.e., sensing information) and further processing the sensing information, the required information can be obtained. The combination of sensing technology and communication technology (i.e., integration of communication and sensing) is mainly due to the following reasons:

[0102] (1) The coverage range of the communication device can meet the requirements of the sensing service scenario, such as beside highways, airport airspace, etc.;

[0103] (2) All major sensing scenarios have communication requirements at the same time. For example, in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) scenario, the UAV device needs to communicate and interact with other network elements at the same time; for another example, in the V2X scenario, the V2X user needs to interact with the V2X application server to obtain content such as service parameters and service information.

[0104] All of the above make it possible to integrate communication and sensing. Further, the present application uses the functions of existing communication devices, the spectrum of communication devices, and the signals of communication devices to send sensing signals, and can realize the ability to provide sensing in the operator network.

[0105] 3. Sensing modes:

[0106] In the integrated communication and sensing scenario, the sensing modes can be divided into three categories: base station side sensing, terminal side sensing, and cooperative sensing. Among them, base station side sensing means that the base station spontaneously transmits and receives signals, or base station A transmits and base station B receives. Terminal side sensing means that the UE spontaneously transmits and receives, or UE A transmits and UE B receives. Cooperative sensing means that the base station transmits and the UE receives, or the UE transmits and the base station receives. The present application mainly relates to terminal side sensing.

[0107] II. Communication method provided by the present application:

[0108] 1. A communication method provided by the present application:

[0109] For example, Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application. This method can be implemented by the interaction between the application function network element and the sensing function network element, and this method includes the following steps:

[0110] S101, the application function network element sends a first request message to the sensing function network element; correspondingly, the sensing function network element receives the first request message.

[0111] For example, the first request message may be a sensing service establishment request message sent by AF to SF, and this first request message is used to request SF to establish a sensing service. Among them, the first request message includes at least one of sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element.

[0112] (1) The perceived service area information is used to indicate the target area to be perceived. For example, the perceived service area information may include at least one of the following: information at the tracking area (TA) granularity, or information at the cell granularity, or information at the granularity of a certain geographical area or geographical address. Optionally, if the perceived service area information is information at the granularity of a certain geographical area or geographical address, the information at this granularity needs to be converted into area information recognizable by the core network, such as information at the TA or cell granularity. Optionally, the above different granularity information may be, for example, a location range, such as the location range of a TA or a cell or the location range of a specified geographical area; or it may be longitude and latitude information, such as the longitude and latitude information of a TA or a cell or the longitude and latitude information of a specified geographical area.

[0113] (2) The perceived service requirement information is used to indicate the requirement indicators of the perceived service. For example, the perceived service requirement information may include at least one of the following: the service quality information of the perception, the reporting control information, the reported information of the perception, or the start time of the perceived service. Among them, the service quality information of the perception includes, for example, the type of the perceived service (such as the vehicle networking service that can achieve perception, the drone detection service, etc.), or the requirements of the service (such as positioning accuracy information, speed measurement accuracy, perception resolution, latency, etc.). The reporting control information includes, for example, the number of reports (such as single or periodic) or the reporting conditions (such as triggered reporting or periodic reporting). The reported information of the perception specifically refers to what kind of perceived data the AF requests the core network to report; for example, the reported information of the perception may be point cloud information, and the point cloud information may specifically refer to a set of points composed of points on the reflection surface of an object; or it may be information on measurement results, and the information on measurement results may specifically be the description information of the measured object, such as speed, size, radar cross section, etc.; or it may be the description of an event, and the description of the event may specifically be the description for a specific service. For example, for the drone detection service, for the given perceived target area information, it is detected whether there is an unauthorized user. The start time of the perceived service may be, for example, a specific time value, or a time difference from the current time (such as starting the perceived service after a period of time from the current time).

[0114] (3) The address information of the application function network element is used to indicate the destination address for reporting sensed data, or the destination address of the reported sensed information. For example, after the sensing function network element and other related network elements (such as the session management network element) or devices (such as the terminal) collect the sensed data, it is necessary to send the collected sensed data, or the collected sensed data after further processing, to the application function network element. Then, the address of the application function network element is the destination address for reporting the sensed data. The address information of the application function network element is represented in the form of, for example, an IP address and port number information, or in the form of a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), or in the form of an application ID (identity).

[0115] Optionally, the first request message further includes a list of authorized terminals. For example, the list of authorized terminals is a UE ID list. The identification information (UE ID) of the terminal can be a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI), or can be a mobile subscriber ISDN (integrated services digital network) number (MSISDN), or can be an external group identification information (such as an external group ID), or can be an application layer ID. Optionally, when the list of authorized terminals is external group identification information or application layer ID, the SF can query the core network element (such as the UDM, etc.) to obtain the corresponding identification information of the terminal (such as GPSI, SUPI or MSISDN).

[0116] Optionally, if the first request message is used to request the establishment of a sensing service and also to request the SF to allocate an identifier for the sensing service, the following operations are further included after S101: The sensing function network element generates identifier information for the sensing service based on the first request message; The sensing function network element sends a first response message to the application function network element, and the first response message includes at least one of the identifier information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

[0117] Among them, the identification information of the sensing service is used to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service. For example, the identification information of the sensing service includes a sensing ID, which is used to represent a specific sensing service (within the operator). Optionally, the identification information of the sensing service can be represented by a combination of a public land mobile network ID (PLMNID) and a sensing service ID. For example, both the PLMNID and the sensing service ID can be represented by one or more fields, and each field can be represented by binary, octal, decimal, or hexadecimal numbers. Among them, the representation method of the address information of the sensing function network element is similar to that of the application function network element. For example, the address information of the sensing function network element can be represented in the form of an IP address and port number information, or in the form of a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), or in the form of a sensing function ID.

[0118] Optionally, if the first request message is used to request the establishment of a sensing service, and the application function network element then requests the SF to allocate the identification of the sensing service through a second request message, the following operations are further included before S101: The sensing function network element receives the second request message from the application function network element, and the second request message is used to request the identification information of the sensing service; the sensing function network element generates the identification information of the sensing service, and the identification information of the sensing service is used to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service; the sensing function network element sends a second response message to the application function network element, and the second response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element. Optionally, the first request message includes the identification information of the sensing service.

[0119] For example, the second request message can be a sensing identification allocation request message sent by the application function network element to the sensing function network element, and the sensing identification allocation request message includes the address information of the application function network element. For the example description of the address information of the application function network element, reference can be made to the corresponding description above, and details are not elaborated here.

[0120] Optionally, after S101, the following steps are further included:

[0121] The sensing function network element sends a third request message to the first session management function network element, and the third request message is used to request the first session management function network element to generate sensing quality description information and configure the corresponding transmission. The first session management function network element is determined based on the sensing service area information; the first session management function network element has sensing capabilities;

[0122] The sensing function network element receives a third response message from the first session management function network element, and the third response message includes at least one of the sensing quality description information or the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel.

[0123] Among them, the first session management function network element refers to an SMF with sensing capabilities (such as sensing-SMF), and this sensing-SMF is used to generate sensing quality description information and configure the corresponding transmission.

[0124] (1) The sensing quality description information is used to indicate the QoS information corresponding to the transmission channel for transmitting sensing data, and is also referred to as QoS description information (QoS profile). For example, the sensing quality description information may include at least one of the following: service quality level (such as 5QI), allocation and retention priority (ARP), guaranteed bit rate (GBR), or maximum bit rate (MBR), etc. Optionally, the sensing quality description information and the sensing service requirement information may be two independent information elements (IEs), or may be one information element. For example, the sensing service requirement information can be reflected by the sensing quality description information, or vice versa.

[0125] (2) The first session management function network element configuring the corresponding transmission means that a UPF with sensing capabilities (such as Sensing-UPF) obtains the configuration information for configuring the Sensing-UPF according to the QoS information corresponding to the transmission channel for transmitting sensing data. Among them, the Sensing-UPF is used to forward the sensing data of the uplink transmission. For example, the first session management function network element configuring the corresponding transmission specifically includes configuring information such as packet detection rule (PDR), forwarding action rule (FAR), and QoS enforcement rule (QER).

[0126] After the first session management function network element is configured, it can send a third response message to the sensing function network element, so as to provide at least one of sensing quality description information or identification information of the sensing data transmission channel to the sensing function network element. Among them, the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel is used to indicate the address information of the next hop for transmitting the sensing data. For example, after the terminal collects the sensing data, it can be transmitted to the UPF with sensing function (such as sensing-UPF) through the RAN and / or the AMF, and the sensing-UPF then transmits the sensing data to the sensing function network element. Then, the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel includes the address information of the next hop (such as sensing-UPF) for transmitting the sensing data. Optionally, the representation forms of the address information of the sensing UPF and the application function network element are similar. For example, they are represented in the form of IP address and port number information, or in the form of FQDN. This application does not make any limitations. Another example is that after the terminal collects the sensing data, it can be transmitted to the UPF of the PDU session established by the terminal through the RAN, and then the UPF transmits the sensing data to the UPF with sensing function (such as sensing-UPF), and the sensing-UPF then transmits the sensing data to the sensing function network element. In this case, the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel includes the address information of the next hop (such as sensing-UPF) for transmitting the sensing data. Optionally, the representation forms of the address information of the sensing UPF and the application function network element are similar. For example, they are represented in the form of IP address and port number information, or in the form of FQDN. This application does not make any limitations.

[0127] S102. The sensing function network element determines the sensing service information based on the first request message.

[0128] S103. The application function network element stores at least one of the sensing service area information, the sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element.

[0129] Among them, the sensing service information includes at least one of the sensing service requirement information, the address information of the application function network element, the list information of the authorized terminals, the sensing quality description information, the identification information of the sensing service, or the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel. Optionally, the sensing service information can also be referred to as the sensing context information, which is used to describe the sensing service and its related configurations. Among them, the descriptions of the sensing service requirement information, the address information of the application function network element, the list information of the authorized terminals, the sensing quality description information, or the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel can refer to the corresponding descriptions in S101, and will not be elaborated here.

[0130] Optionally, after the sensing function network element determines the sensing service information, it can store the sensing service information.

[0131] Exemplarily, storing at least one of the perceived service area information, perceived service demand information, or the address information of the application function network element by the application function network element may refer to the application function network element storing at least one of the perceived service area information, perceived service demand information, or the address information of the application function network element in a specific memory, or may refer to the application function network element obtaining at least one of the service area information, perceived service demand information, or the address information of the application function network element and being able to use the above information in subsequent processes. This application does not make any restrictions on this.

[0132] It can be understood that through the interaction and information generation of the above steps by the sensing function network element, application function network element, and other related network elements (such as sensing-SMF, sensing-UPF, etc.), the sensing function can be realized in the operator network. The detailed process of specifically realizing the sensing function in combination with other related network elements or terminals will be specifically introduced below.

[0133] 2. Example 1: Realize the sensing function in the operator network through the interaction of the application layer and reusing the PDU session establishment / modification process.

[0134] For example, Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic flowchart of a method for realizing the sensing function in the operator network through the interaction of the application layer and reusing the PDU session establishment / modification process provided by this application. This method can be realized through the interaction among the terminal, access network device, access and mobility management function network element, user plane function network element, session management function network element, sensing function network element, and application function network element. This method includes the following steps:

[0135] S201. The application function network element sends a first request message to the sensing function network element; correspondingly, the sensing function network element receives the first request message.

[0136] Among them, the specific implementation method of S201 can refer to the corresponding description in S101. For example, the first request message is used to request the SF to establish a sensing service, and the first request message includes at least one of the perceived service area information, perceived service demand information, or the address information of the application function network element, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0137] Optionally, if the first request message is used to request the establishment of a sensing service, the application function network element further requests the SF to allocate an identifier for the sensing service through a second request message. Before S201, the following steps are further included:

[0138] (1) The application function network element sends a second request message to the sensing function network element;

[0139] (2) The sensing function network element generates the identifier information of the sensing service;

[0140] (3) The sensing function network element sends a second response message to the application function network element.

[0141] For example, the second request message includes the address information of the application function network element. The identification information of the sensing service and the second response message can both refer to the corresponding examples described in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be elaborated here.

[0142] Optionally, the above steps do not require the NEF to participate in the process by force. When there is no NEF network element, the functions of the NEF do not need to be implemented at this time, and the AF directly sends a second request message to the SF. At this time, the AF can be located in the trust domain. Or, when there is a NEF network element, the AF sends a second request message to the SF through the NEF.

[0143] S202, the sensing function network element sends a third request message to the first session management function network element; correspondingly, the first session management function network element receives the third request message.

[0144] For example, the SF selects the corresponding first session management function network element (such as Sensing-SMF) according to the sensing service area information; specifically, for example, the SF can send the sensing service area information to the NRF (Network Repository Function) network element, and the NRF selects the first session management function network element that can support the sensing service area corresponding to the sensing service area information according to the stored network element description (NFProfile) information of the Sensing-SMF, and then sends a third request message to the first session management function network element to request the first session management function network element to generate sensing quality description information and configure the corresponding transmission.

[0145] Optionally, the sensing function network element and the first session management function network element can be separate network elements respectively, or two functional modules of one network element. For example, when the sensing function network element and the first session management function network element are separate network elements respectively, the sensing function network element and the first session management function network element interact according to the description of, for example, S202. Another example is that when the sensing function network element and the first session management function network element are two functional modules of one network element, the interaction between the sensing function network element and the first session management function network element is internal logic (such as S202 is internal logic), and the external interface can be uniformly replaced by the sensing function network element. In this implementation, step S202 can be optional.

[0146] S203, the first session management function network element generates sensing quality description information and configures the corresponding transmission.

[0147] For example, after receiving the third request message, the first session management function network element generates perception quality description information (such as 5QI, ARP, GBR, MBR, etc.). Optionally, the first session management function network element allocates the address of the next hop for uplink transmission of perception data, such as the address of Sensing-UPF. Optionally, the first session management function network element obtains the configuration information for configuring Sensing-UPF (such as PDR, FAR, QER, etc.) according to the perception quality description information.

[0148] Optionally, when the first session management function network element configures the corresponding transmission, the following process is further included: The first session management function network element sends an N4x establishment / N4x modification request message to the first user plane function network element (such as sensing-UPF), and the request message includes the configuration information for configuring Sensing-UPF. Based on the request message, the first user plane function network element configures the corresponding rules (such as configuring rules such as PDR, FAR, QER, etc.). The first user plane function network element sends an N4x establishment / N4x modification response message to the first session management function network element, and the response message indicates that the configuration of Sensing-UPF is completed.

[0149] Optionally, the perception function network element, the first session management function network element, and the first user plane function network element can be independent network elements respectively, or can be three functional modules of a network element. For example, when the perception function network element, the first session management function network element, and the first user plane function network element are independent network elements respectively, the first session management function network element and the first user plane function network element interact according to the description such as S203; for another example, when the perception function network element, the first session management function network element, and the first user plane function network element are three functional modules of a network element, the interaction between the first session management function network element and the first user plane function network element is internal logic (such as S203 is internal logic), and the external interface can be uniformly replaced by the perception function network element. In this implementation, step S203 can be replaced by: The perception function network element generates perception quality description information and configures the corresponding transmission, and then the perception function network element generates quality description information.

[0150] S204, the first session management function network element sends a third response message to the perception function network element; correspondingly, the perception function network element receives the third response message.

[0151] Among them, the third response message includes at least one of the perception quality description information or the identification information of the perception data transmission channel. The specific implementation can refer to the corresponding description above and will not be elaborated here.

[0152] Step S204 is an optional step. For example, when the first session management function network element and the sensing function network element are two functional modules of the same network element, their interaction is internal logic (for example, S204 is internal logic).

[0153] S205. The sensing function network element determines sensing service information based on the first request message.

[0154] For example, the sensing function network element stores sensing service information, which includes at least one of sensing service requirement information, the address information of the application function network element, the list information of authorized terminals, sensing quality description information, the identification information of the sensing service, or the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel. The specific implementation can refer to the corresponding description above and will not be elaborated here.

[0155] Optionally, the execution order of S205 and S202 is not limited.

[0156] S206. The application function network element sends a first notification message to the terminal; correspondingly, the terminal receives the first notification message.

[0157] Among them, the first notification message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element. The specific implementation can refer to the description of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element and will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the first notification message further includes the address information of the first user plane function network element (such as sensing-UPF), or the address information of the sensing function network element. The specific implementation manner of the address information of sensing-UPF and / or the address information of the sensing function network element can refer to the implementation manner of the address information of the sensing function network element. For example, it is implemented in the form of a combination of an IP address and a port number, or in the form of FQDN information. This application does not make any limitations.

[0158] Optionally, when the application function network element sends the first notification message to the terminal, it can specifically be that the application function network element sends the first notification message to the terminal through the access and mobility management function network element and the access network device. Exemplarily, there are the following sending methods:

[0159] Transmission Method 1: The application function network element directly or through the NEF network element sends a second notification message to the gateway mobile location centre (GMLC) network element. The second notification message contains the first information. The first information includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element. Optionally, the first information may further include at least one of the address information of the first user plane function network element (such as sensing-UPF), the address information of the sensing function network element, or the identification information of the UE (such as GPSI or SUPI). Thereafter, the GMLC network element sends a third notification message to the AMF network element, and the third notification message contains the first information; for example, the third notification message may be a Provide Location Information Request (Namf_Sensing_ProvideSensingInfo Request) message. The AMF network element sends a fourth notification message to the SF network element, and the fourth notification message contains the first information; for example, the fourth notification message may be a Determine Sensing Request (Nsf_Sensing_DetermineSensingRequest) message. The SF network element sends a fifth notification message to the AMF network element, and the fifth notification message contains the first information; for example, the fifth notification message may be a N1N2 Message Transfer Request (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer Request) message. The AMF network element sends a sixth notification message to the UE through the base station, and the sixth notification message contains the first information; for example, the sixth notification message may be a Downlink Non-Access Stratum Transport (DL NAS TRANSPORT) message.

[0160] Transmission Method 2: The application function network element directly sends a seventh notification message to the SF network element or through the NEF network element to the SF network element, and the seventh notification message may contain the first information. Thereafter, optionally, the SF network element determines the AMF network element that provides access services for the UE according to the identification information of the UE (such as GPSI or SUPI) in the first information (for example, the SF obtains the identification information of the AMF network element by querying the UDM). Optionally, the SF network element sends an eighth notification message to the AMF, and the eighth notification message contains the first information. The AMF network element sends a ninth notification message to the UE through the base station, and the ninth notification message contains the first information; for example, the ninth notification message may be a DL NAS TRANSPORT message.

[0161] Optionally, after receiving the first notification message sent by the application function network element, the terminal can directly send sensing data to the sensing function network element through the PDU session of the UE, or send sensing data to the sensing function network element through a control plane message (such as an uplink non-access stratum (NAS) message). However, both methods require the terminal to reuse the PDU session establishment / modification process to send a request to the network for authentication and resource establishment. The steps of the terminal reusing the PDU session establishment / modification process are described below.

[0162] S207, the terminal sends a seventh request message to the second session management function network element; correspondingly, the second session management function network element receives the seventh request message.

[0163] Among them, the second session management function network element is used to manage the PDU session of the terminal corresponding to the identification information of the terminal. Different from the sensing-SMF, the second session management function network element can be called the UE-SMF. For example, the seventh request message can be an uplink NAS transport message (such as a UL NAS transport message), and the uplink NAS transport message contains a session management (N1 session management, N1SM) message of the N1 interface (such as including a PDU session modification request, or a PDU session establishment request, etc.). Among them, the seventh request message includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the terminal, the identification information of the sensing service, or the address information of the sensing function network element, etc. The identification information of the terminal can be, for example, a globally unique temporary UE identity (GUTI), GPSI, a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), a subscription concealed identifier (SUCI), an application layer ID, etc.; the identification information of the sensing service is, for example, a sensing ID; the address information of the sensing function network element is, for example, a combination of an IP address and a port number or a sensing ID, etc.

[0164] Optionally, after receiving the seventh request message, the second session management function network element may search for the sensing function network element corresponding to the identification information of the sensing service based on the identification information of the sensing service. For example, the UE-SMF sends the identification information of the sensing service to the UDM or NRF network element. The UDM or NRF network element determines the corresponding sensing function network element according to the identification information of the sensing service and sends the information of the sensing function network element to the UE-SMF. Among them, the information of the sensing function network element is, for example, the address information of the sensing function network element (which can be represented by an IP address or FQDN), or the list information of the sensing function network element (such as represented as an SF ID candidate list). Another example is that if the uplink NAS transport message sent by the UE contains the address information of the sensing function network element, the UE-SMF can directly determine the corresponding sensing function network element.

[0165] S208. The second session management function network element sends a fourth request message to the sensing function network element; correspondingly, the sensing function network element receives the fourth request message.

[0166] Exemplarily, the fourth request message may be a sensing service request message, and the fourth request message is used to request to obtain sensing service information. Among them, the fourth request message includes the identification information of the sensing service and / or the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element. The terminal associated with the second session management function network element refers to that the second session management function network element can manage the PDU session of the terminal. Optionally, the identification information of the terminal may be, for example, GUTI, SUPI, SUCI, GPSI, application layer ID, etc. Optionally, the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element may be obtained by the second session management function network element interacting with other network elements in the network (such as the UDM network element).

[0167] Exemplarily, if the second session management function network element has recorded the sensing service information corresponding to the identification information of the available sensing service, for example, for the same identification information of the sensing service, the sensing function network element has already sent the sensing service information to the second session management function network element, then the second session management function network element may, in step S208, not send the fourth request message to the sensing function network element, but only determine that the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data, or determine that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data, and does not execute steps S209a, S209b, and step S210, but directly jumps to step S211.

[0168] Exemplarily, the fourth request message may include at least one of the following: the identification information of the terminal, the identification information of the sensing service, etc.

[0169] Optionally, the second session management function network element may further determine that the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data, or determine that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data. Specifically, when the terminal requests to establish a PDU session, for example, when the second session management function network element receives a PDU session creation context request (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContextRequest), or when the second session management function network element receives the message of S207, the second session management network element obtains the identification information of the sensing services for which the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data from the UDM. It should be noted that the identification information of the sensing services may be a list of the identification information of the sensing services. The second session management function network element determines whether the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data according to the identification information of the sensing services for which the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data. For example, the second session management function network element compares the identification information of the sensing services from the terminal with the list of the identification information of the sensing services for which the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data obtained from the UDM, and checks whether the list includes the identification information of the sensing services from the terminal; if it includes, it means that the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data; if it does not include, it means that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data. Optionally, the UDM may obtain the list of the identification information of the sensing services for which the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data in the following manner: The UDM obtains the list information of the authorized terminals from the AF side or through pre-configuration. For example, the AF may carry the list of authorized terminal identifiers through the eighth request message. Specifically, the AF may provide the correspondence between the identification information of the sensing services and the list of authorized UEs to the UDM through the NEF in the parameter provisioning process. The second session management function network element obtains the list of the identification information of the sensing services for which the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data from the UDM. Optionally, the UDM may internally convert the list of the authorized terminal identifiers corresponding to the identification information of the sensing services into the list of the identification information of the sensing services for which a specific terminal is authorized to collect sensing data.

[0170] In S209a, the sensing function network element compares the identification information of the terminal with the list information of the authorized terminals to determine that the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data.

[0171] In S209b, the sensing function network element compares the identification information of the terminal with the list information of the authorized terminals to determine that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data.

[0172] Optionally, the fourth request message may also request the sensing function network element to perform authentication processing on the UE. For example, the sensing function network element's authentication processing on the terminal specifically includes the following process:

[0173] (1) The SF obtains the identification information of the terminal from the UE-SMF;

[0174] (2) The SF obtains the list information of authorized terminals from the AF side or through pre-configuration. For example, the AF can carry the authorized UE list in the first request message. Alternatively, the AF can provide the list information of authorized terminals to the SF through other steps; for example, the AF can, through the parameter provisioning process, provide the correspondence between the identifier information of the sensing service and the list of authorized terminal identifiers to the UDM through the NEF, and then the SF obtains the list of authorized terminal identifiers corresponding to the identifier information of the sensing service from the UDM.

[0175] (3) The SF compares the UE identifier with the list information of authorized terminals to determine whether the UE corresponding to the UE identifier is authorized to collect sensing data. For example, if the UE-SMF provides the GUTI of the UE, then the SF can query the corresponding GPSI from the UDM and determine whether the terminal is authenticated based on the GPSI information in the list information of authorized terminals. If the authentication is passed, the SF will continue with the subsequent process; otherwise, the SF can feedback a failure message to the UE-SMF and include a cause value (for example, including that the GPSI of the terminal does not belong to the GPSI information in the list information of authorized terminals). For example, after S209b, the sensing function network element sends the first indication information to the second session management network element, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data.

[0176] It can be understood that S209a and S209b are two results of the sensing function network element to determine whether the terminal is authenticated, and only one of the steps is executed in the specific implementation.

[0177] Optionally, if the list information of authorized terminals is included in the first request message, the operation of the sensing function network element to authenticate the UE can be not performed.

[0178] It should be noted that S209a or S209b is an optional step. For example, when in S208, the second session management network element needs to determine whether the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data, the steps of S209a or S209b do not need to be executed.

[0179] S210, the sensing function network element sends the fourth response message to the second session management function network element; correspondingly, the second session management function network element receives the fourth response message.

[0180] Among them, the fourth response message includes sensing service information. For example, the sensing service information includes at least one of sensing service requirement information, the address information of the application function network element, the list information of authorized terminals, sensing quality description information, the identifier information of the sensing service, or the identifier information of the sensing data transmission channel. The specific implementation can refer to the corresponding description above and will not be elaborated here.

[0181] S211, the second session management function network element determines at least one of the perception quality description information or the identification information of the perception data transmission channel based on the perception service information.

[0182] For example, the second session management function network element determines the description information of the QoS flow for transmitting perception data (such as QoS Profile), the destination address of the next hop for uplink transmission of perception data (for example, the address information of the first user plane function network element for perception data processing or data transmission), etc. Among them, the destination address of the next hop of the second user plane function network element can be the channel identification (tunnel ID) information of a certain transmission channel (TEID, IP address, etc.).

[0183] Exemplarily, if the second session management function network element already has the perception quality description information corresponding to the identification information of the available perception service locally, or the identification information of the perception data transmission channel (for example, for the perception service information corresponding to the identification information of the same perception service, the second session management function has already generated the perception quality description information or the identification information of the perception data transmission channel), then the second session management function can directly use the perception quality description information corresponding to these available perception service identification information, or the identification information of the perception data transmission channel.

[0184] S212, the second session management function network element sends an N4 configuration message to the second user plane function network element; correspondingly, the second user plane function network element receives the N4 configuration message.

[0185] Exemplarily, the N4 configuration message may include the destination address of the next hop.

[0186] S213, the second user plane function network element sends a configuration completion message to the second session management function network element; correspondingly, the second session management function network element receives the configuration completion message.

[0187] Among them, different from sensing-UPF, the second user plane function network element can be called UE-UPF. This N4 configuration message can be implemented through the N4 session modification process (i.e., N4 session modification request). This N4 configuration message may include at least one of the following: the destination address of the next hop of the second user plane function network element, or the configuration information of UE-UPF (such as PDR, FAR, QER, etc. information). Among them, the destination address of the next hop of the second user plane function network element can be the channel identification (tunnel ID) information of a certain transmission channel (TEID, IP address, etc.).

[0188] S214, the second session management function network element sends at least one of the sensing service information, the sensing quality description information, or the identification information of the sensing service to the terminal.

[0189] Specifically, the second session management function network element can send one or more of the sensing service information, the sensing quality description information, and the identification information of the sensing service to the terminal through the access and mobility management function network element and the access network device.

[0190] Optionally, the following steps are further included:

[0191] S215, the second session management function network element sends at least one of the sensing service information, the sensing quality description information, or the identification information of the sensing service to the access network device.

[0192] Optionally, the sensing quality description information sent by the second session management function network element to the access network device can be in the same form as the sensing quality description information sent by the second session management function network element to the terminal, or in a different form (for example, the sensing quality description information sent by the second session management function network element to the terminal is a QoS rule, and the sensing quality description information sent by the second session management function network element to the access network device is a QoS Profile).

[0193] Exemplarily, the second session function network element sends the information sent to the access network device (for example, at least one of the sensing service information, the sensing quality description information, or the identification information of the sensing service), and the information sent to the terminal (for example, at least one of the sensing service information, the sensing quality description information, or the identification information of the sensing service) to the AMF network element through the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message. The AMF encapsulates the information sent to the access network device and the information sent to the terminal in the N2 and N1 information respectively, and sends them to the access network device through the DLNAS Transport message. The access network device provides the N1 information to the terminal through the RRC message.

[0194] Thereafter, exemplarily, there are two ways for the terminal to send sensing data:

[0195] S216a, the terminal sends sensing data through the PDU session of the terminal.

[0196] For example, the UE encapsulates the sensing data in a specified IP data packet. Exemplarily, the destination address of the IP data packet may be the address information of the sensing function network element, or the address information of the Sensing-UPF, or the address information of the second user plane function network element, and finally sends it to the sensing function network element through the user plane, so as to realize directly sending the sensing data to the sensing function network element. Optionally, the PDU session of the terminal may be the PDU session that the terminal has established and interacted with the AF, or the PDU session that the terminal re-establishes with the AF, which is not limited in this application.

[0197] S216b, the terminal sends the sensing data through the NAS message.

[0198] In this Example 1, a setup process for a sensing service based on the terminal for sensing is designed. Specifically, the setup process is based on the terminal for sensing, and through the interaction of the application layer and the reuse of the PDU session establishment / modification process. Through this process, the sensing service requirements from the AF can be implemented by the network system in a way of sensing based on the terminal.

[0199] 3. Example 2: Implement the sensing function in the operator network through the interaction of the network layer and the reuse of the PDU session establishment / modification process.

[0200] For example, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a process for implementing the sensing function in the operator network through the interaction of the network layer and the reuse of the PDU session establishment / modification process provided by this application. This method can be implemented through the interaction between the terminal, the access network device, the access and mobility management function network element, the user plane function network element, the session management function network element, the sensing function network element, the application function network element, and the policy control function network element. This method includes the following steps:

[0201] S301, the application function network element sends a first request message to the sensing function network element; correspondingly, the sensing function network element receives the first request message.

[0202] S302, the sensing function network element sends a third request message to the first session management function network element; correspondingly, the first session management function network element receives the third request message.

[0203] S303, the first session management function network element generates sensing quality description information and configures the corresponding transmission.

[0204] S304, the first session management function network element sends a third response message to the sensing function network element; correspondingly, the sensing function network element receives the third response message.

[0205] S305, the sensing function network element determines the sensing service information based on the first request message.

[0206] Among them, the specific implementation manners of S301 - S305 can refer to the corresponding descriptions in S201 - S205, which will not be elaborated here.

[0207] S306, the application function network element sends a sixth request message to the policy control function network element; correspondingly, the policy control function network element receives the sixth request message.

[0208] Among them, the sixth request message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the list of terminals authorized to perform sensing. For example, the identification information of the sensing service includes a sensing ID, which is used to represent a specific sensing service (within the operator). Optionally, the identification information of the sensing service can be represented by a combination of the operator identification and the sensing service identification. For example, both the operator identification and the sensing service identification can be represented by one or more fields, and each field can be represented by binary, octal, decimal, or hexadecimal numbers. The identification information of the terminal (UE ID) can be GPSI, or it can be MSISDN, or it can be external group identification information (such as external group ID), or it can be the IP address information corresponding to the PDU session of the UE.

[0209] S307, the policy control function network element sends a policy update message to the second session management function network element; correspondingly, the second session management function network element receives the policy update message.

[0210] Among them, the policy update message is used to indicate the update of the policy related to the PDU session. For example, the policy update message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the identification information of the terminal.

[0211] S308, the second session management function network element sends the identification information of the sensing service to the terminal; correspondingly, the terminal receives the identification information of the sensing service.

[0212] For example, the second session management function network element sends the identification information of the sensing service to the terminal corresponding to the identification information of the terminal based on the policy update message.

[0213] S309, the terminal sends a seventh request message to the second session management network element; correspondingly, the second session management function network element receives the seventh request message.

[0214] S310, the second session management function network element sends a fourth request message to the sensing function network element; correspondingly, the sensing function network element receives the fourth request message.

[0215] S311a, the sensing function network element compares the identification information of the terminal with the list information of the authorized terminals to determine that the terminal is authorized to collect sensing data.

[0216] In S311b, the sensing function network element compares the identification information of the terminal with the list information of authorized terminals to determine that the terminal is not authorized to collect sensing data.

[0217] In S312, the sensing function network element sends a fourth response message to the second session management function network element; correspondingly, the second session management function network element receives the fourth response message.

[0218] In S313, the second session management function network element determines at least one of the sensing quality description information and the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel based on the sensing service information.

[0219] In S314, the second session management function network element sends an N4 configuration message to the second user plane function network element; correspondingly, the second user plane function network element receives the N4 configuration message.

[0220] In S315, the second user plane function network element sends a configuration completion message to the second session management function network element; correspondingly, the second session management function network element receives the configuration completion message.

[0221] In S316, the second session management function network element sends at least one of the sensing service information, the sensing quality description information, and the identification information of the sensing service to the terminal.

[0222] Optionally, the following steps are further included:

[0223] In S317, the second session management function network element sends at least one of the sensing service information, the sensing quality description information, and the identification information of the sensing service to the access network device.

[0224] Thereafter, exemplarily, there are two ways for the terminal to send sensing data:

[0225] In S318a, the terminal sends sensing data through the PDU session of the terminal.

[0226] In S318b, the terminal sends sensing data through NAS messages.

[0227] Among them, the specific implementation manners of S309 - S318b can refer to the corresponding descriptions in S207 - S216b, which will not be elaborated here.

[0228] In this second example, a setup process for a sensing service based on the terminal for sensing is designed. Specifically, this setup process is based on the terminal for sensing and realizes the interaction through the network layer and reuses the PDU session establishment / modification process. Through this process, the sensing service requirements from the AF can be implemented by the network system in a way of sensing based on the terminal.

[0229] It is understandable that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the base station and the terminal include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0230] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a possible communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the perception function network element or application function network element or terminal or session management function network element in the above method embodiment, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiment.

[0231] like Figure 6 As shown, the communication device 600 includes a processing unit 610 and a transceiver unit 620. The communication device 600 is used to implement the above Figures 3 to 5 The method embodiment shown in the figure is a function of a sensing function network element or an application function network element or a terminal or a session management function network element. Optionally, the transceiver unit 620 may also be referred to as a communication unit. Optionally, the transceiver unit includes a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit is used to send a signal, and the receiving unit is used to receive a signal.

[0232] For example, when the communication device 600 is used to implement Figures 3 to 5 In the method embodiment shown, when the function of the perception function network element is: the transceiver unit 620 is used to receive a first request message from the application function network element, and the first request message includes at least one of the perception service area information, the perception service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element. The processing unit 610 is used to determine the perception service information based on the first request message, and the perception service information includes at least one of the perception service requirement information, the address information of the application function network element, the list information of the authorized terminal, the perception quality description information, the identification information of the perception service, or the identification information of the perception data transmission channel.

[0233] For another example, when the communication device 600 is used to implement Figures 3 to 5 In the method embodiment shown, when the function of the application function network element is applied: the transceiver unit 620 is used to send a first request message to the perception function network element, and the first request message includes at least one of the perception service area information, the perception service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element. The processing unit 610 is used to store at least one of the perception service area information, the perception service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element.

[0234] For another example, when the communication device 600 is used to implementFigures 3 to 5 When implementing the functions of the terminal in the method embodiments shown: The transceiver unit 620 is used to receive a first notification message from an application function network element, where the first notification message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element. The transceiver unit 620 is also used to send sensing data.

[0235] Also, for example, when the communication device 600 is used to implement Figures 3 to 5 When implementing the functions of the session management function network element in the method embodiments shown: The transceiver unit 620 is used to send a fourth request message to the sensing function network element, where the fourth request message includes the identification information of the sensing service and the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element. The transceiver unit 620 is also used to receive a fourth response message from the sensing function network element, where the fourth response message includes sensing service information.

[0236] For a more detailed description of the above processing unit 610 and transceiver unit 620, reference can be made to the description in the invention content and Figures 3 to 5 the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown, which will not be elaborated here.

[0237] As Figure 7 shown, the communication device 700 includes a processor 710 and an interface circuit 720. The processor 710 and the interface circuit 720 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 720 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include a memory 730, which is used to store instructions executed by the processor 710 or store input data required for the processor 710 to run instructions or store data generated after the processor 710 runs instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 720 can also be understood as a part of the processor 710, and in this case, the communication device 700 includes the processor 710.

[0238] When the communication device 700 is used to implement Figures 3 to 5 the method shown, the processor 710 is used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 610, and the interface circuit 720 is used to implement the functions of the above transceiver unit 620. Optionally, when the communication device 700 is used to implement Figures 3 to 5 the method shown, the implementation manners of the processor 710 and the interface circuit 720 refer to the corresponding descriptions in the invention content and the method embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0239] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a sensing function network element, the chip implements the functions of the sensing function network element in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information from other network elements, which can be understood as the information is first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the sensing function network element, and then sent to the chip by these modules. The chip sends information to other network elements, which can be understood as the information is first sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the sensing function network element, and then sent to other network elements by these modules.

[0240] When the above communication device is a chip applied to an application function network element, the chip implements the functions of the application function network element in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information from other network elements, which can be understood as the information is first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the application function network element, and then sent to the chip by these modules. The chip sends information to other network elements, which can be understood as the information is sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the application function network element, and then sent to other network elements by these modules.

[0241] When the above communication device is a chip of a terminal, the chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information from other network elements, which can be understood as the information is first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal, and then sent to the chip by these modules. The chip sends information to other network elements, which can be understood as the information is sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal, and then sent to other network elements by these modules.

[0242] When the above communication device is a chip of a session management function network element, the chip implements the functions of the session management function network element in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information from other network elements, which can be understood as the information is first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the session management function network element, and then sent to the chip by these modules. The chip sends information to other network elements, which can be understood as the information is sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the session management function network element, and then sent to other network elements by these modules.

[0243] In this application, when entity A sends information to entity B, it can be sent directly from A to B, or A can send it indirectly to B via other entities. Similarly, when entity B receives information from entity A, entity B can directly receive the information sent by entity A, or entity B can indirectly receive the information sent by entity A through other entities. Here, entity A and B can be a sensing function network element, an application function network element, a terminal, or a session management function network element, or can be a module within a sensing function network element, an application function network element, a terminal, or a session management function network element. The sending and receiving of information can be information interaction between a sensing function network element, an application function network element, a terminal, or a session management function network element. For example, information interaction between a terminal and an application function network element; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between two terminals; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between different modules within a device. For example, information interaction between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal.

[0244] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0245] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well-known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a base station or a terminal.

[0246] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in the form of a computer program product in whole or in part. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are executed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instructions can 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 program or instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired or wireless manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile types of storage media.

[0247] In various embodiments of the present application, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be cross-referenced. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0248] It can be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The magnitudes of the serial numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The sensing function network element receives a first request message from the application function network element, where the first request message includes at least one of sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element; Based on the first request message, the sensing function network element determines sensing service information, where the sensing service information includes at least one of the sensing service requirement information, the address information of the application function network element, the list information of authorized terminals, sensing quality description information, the identification information of the sensing service, or the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before the sensing function network element receives the first request message from the application function network element, the method further includes: The sensing function network element receives a second request message from the application function network element, where the second request message is used to request the identification information of the sensing service; The sensing function network element generates the identification information of the sensing service, and the identification information of the sensing service is used to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service; The sensing function network element sends a second response message to the application function network element, where the second response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After the sensing function network element receives the first request message from the application function network element, the method further includes: Based on the first request message, the sensing function network element generates the identification information of the sensing service, and the identification information of the sensing service is used to identify the sensing service or the sensing session corresponding to the sensing service; The sensing function network element sends a first response message to the application function network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The sensing function network element sends a third request message to the first session management function network element, where the third request message is used to request the first session management function network element to generate sensing quality description information and configure the corresponding transmission, and the first session management function network element is determined based on the sensing service area information; the first session management function network element has a sensing function; The sensing function network element receives a third response message from the first session management function network element, where the third response message includes at least one of the sensing quality description information or the identification information of the sensing data transmission channel.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The sensing function network element receives a fourth request message from the second session management function network element, where the fourth request message includes the identification information of the sensing service and the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element; The sensing function network element sends a fourth response message to the second session management function network element, where the fourth response message includes the sensing service information.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first request message further includes the list information of authorized terminals.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The sensing function network element performs an authentication process on the terminal based on the identification information of the terminal associated with the second session management function network element and the list information of authorized terminals.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The application function network element sends a first request message to the sensing function network element, where the first request message includes at least one of sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element; The application function network element stores at least one of the sensing service area information, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the application function network element.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Before the application function network element sends the first request message to the sensing function network element, the method further includes: The application function network element sends a second request message to the sensing function network element, where the second request message is used to request the identification information of the sensing service; The application function network element receives a second response message from the sensing function network element, where the second response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The application function network element sends a fifth request message to the network exposure function network element, where the fifth request message includes the list information of authorized terminals.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The application function network element sends a first notification message to the terminal, where the first notification message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein The method further includes: The application function network element sends a sixth request message to the policy control function network element, where the sixth request message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the list of terminals authorized to perform end-side sensing.

13. A communication method, wherein The method includes: The terminal receives a first notification message from the application function network element, where the first notification message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service or the address information of the sensing function network element; The terminal sends sensing data.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The terminal sending the sensing data includes: The terminal sends the sensing data to the sensing function network element through a first session used for interacting with the application function network element.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein The method further includes: The terminal sends a seventh request message to the second session management network element, where the seventh request message includes at least one of the identification information of the terminal, the identification information of the sensing service, or the address information of the sensing function network element; The terminal receives a seventh response message, where the seventh response message includes at least one of the identification information of the sensing service, sensing service requirement information, or the address information of the sensing function network element.

16. A communication device, wherein It includes a communication unit and a processing unit, and the communication unit and the processing unit are used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or claims 8 to 12 or claims 13 - 15.

17. A communication device, wherein It includes a processor and an interface circuit, where the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or claims 8 to 12 or claims 13 - 15 through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7 or claims 8 to 12 or claims 13 - 15 is implemented.

19. A chip system, wherein The chip system includes a processor and an interface, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program, so that the chip system implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7 or claims 8 to 12 or claims 13 - 15.

20. A computer program product, wherein It includes instructions, and when the instructions run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7 or claims 8 to 12 or claims 13 - 15.

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