Communication method and communication device

Abstract

A communication method and a communication device, the method comprising: a first network element obtaining first configuration information and sending the first configuration information; wherein the first configuration information is used for indicating a use rule of a first signaling between the terminal device and the first network function, the first signaling is associated with a first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device. According to the technical scheme, the terminal equipment and the first network function can obtain the first service by interacting the first signaling, and flexible and light network service deployment and updating can be provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] The mobile network system establishes a transmission channel for users, enabling fast and reliable transmission of data packets of various different services between users and a data network (DN), and providing users with ubiquitous access services. With the rapid development of communication technologies, the mobile network can further provide additional functions such as computing, sensing, data processing, etc.

[0003] In the architecture of the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication network, non-access stratum (NAS) signaling includes: mobility management (MM), session management (SM), short message service (SMS), UE policy, location service (LCS), etc. signaling, and different NAS signaling corresponds to different services. Among them, when a user equipment (UE) and a network function (NF) perform NAS signaling interaction, signaling forwarding is performed through an access and mobility management function (AMF) to meet user service requirements.

[0004] However, with the increasing frequency of network function updates and iterations, the existing standardized implementation methods are not conducive to the flexible deployment and update of network services. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can provide flexible and lightweight network service deployment and update.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first network element (such as a NAS control function (NACF)), or can also be executed by a chip, circuit, or logic module of the first network element. The present application does not make any limitations in this regard. For ease of description, the following takes the execution by the first network element as an example for illustration.

[0007] The method includes: obtaining first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to indicate the usage rule of a first signaling between a terminal device and a first network function, the first signaling is associated with a first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device; and sending the first configuration information.

[0008] Exemplarily, the first signaling includes NAS signaling (or NAS message) and / or control plane signaling.

[0009] Exemplarily, the first service may be a service provided by the current 5G network, such as protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment / update service, registration service, positioning service, access service, etc., or may be a new service that the network may provide, such as sensing service, computing service, data service, artificial intelligence (AI) service, cloud terminal service, data compression service, AI model training service, data caching service, format conversion service, or virtual user service, etc.

[0010] According to the above solution, by defining the usage rule of the first signaling and opening the first signaling as a service for the terminal device to use, the terminal device and the first network function can perform interaction of the first signaling, that is, the terminal device can flexibly use the first signaling to obtain the first service provided by the first network function, especially various new service types that the network may provide, such as additional functions like AI service, computing power service, or sensing service. The network allows flexible definition and service orchestration of the first network function, so that the network functions and services within the network can be quickly implemented and applied, ensuring the user experience.

[0011] In some implementation manners, the first signaling is used to implement one or more of the following: controlling the first service; synchronizing the state of the first service; or transmitting data of the first service.

[0012] Exemplarily, the first signaling is used to control the first service, including: the first service can be requested through the first signaling, or a request to change the first service parameter, or a request to release the first service, etc. The first signaling is used to synchronize the state of the first service, including: the first service can be activated through the first signaling, or suspended, or the state of the terminal device can be updated, etc. The first signaling is used to transmit data of the first service, including that data related to the first service can be transmitted through the first signaling.

[0013] Based on the above solution, by defining the function of the first signaling, different service requests of users can be satisfied, ensuring the user experience.

[0014] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving a first request message for requesting first configuration information, the first request message including information about a first network function and / or information about a first service; sending a first response message for indicating the configuration result of the first configuration information.

[0015] Based on the above solution, the first network function can generate or obtain first configuration information based on the first request message from a service requester (such as Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) / Network Control Function (NCF) / Task Control Function (TCF) / Application Function (AF)), so that subsequent terminal devices can flexibly use the first signaling to obtain the first service from the first network function, realize the definability of the transmission of the first signaling, ensure that network functions and services in the network can be quickly implemented and applied, and improve the user experience.

[0016] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving a first request message for requesting first configuration information, the first request message including information about a first network function and / or information about a first service; sending the first configuration information, including: sending a first response message, the first response message including the first configuration information.

[0017] Based on the above solution, the first network function can generate or obtain first configuration information based on the first request message from a service requester (such as OAM / NCF / TCF / AF), and send the first configuration information to other nodes, so that subsequent terminal devices can flexibly interact with the first network function using the first signaling, and then obtain the first service from the first network function, realize the definability of the transmission of the first signaling, ensure that network functions and services in the network can be quickly implemented and applied, and improve the user experience.

[0018] In some implementations, sending the first configuration information includes: sending second information to a database, the second information being used to store or update the first configuration information.

[0019] Based on the above scheme, the database can obtain the first configuration information through the first information. Assuming that the network function (such as the policy control function (PCF) responsible for terminal device policy control, the AMF responsible for terminal device mobility management, etc.) sends a subscription service update notification request to the database, then after receiving the second information, the database can send the first configuration information to the network function, or, when the subsequent terminal device is online or the policy of the terminal device is updated, the database can send the second configuration information in the first configuration information to the terminal device through AMF / PCF, or, when the subsequent terminal device initiates a request for the first service through the first signaling, the forwarding node or processing node in the network can obtain the third configuration information in the first configuration information from the database, and then determine the forwarding logic and usage rules of the first signaling to ensure that the terminal device obtains the first service in a timely manner.

[0020] In some implementations, the first request message also includes one or more of the following: an identifier of the terminal device; a format of the first signaling; a service identifier associated with the first signaling; a service type associated with the first signaling; content of the first signaling; an identifier of the first signaling; forwarding logic of the first signaling; a priority of the first signaling; or information and / or application information of the service requester that is allowed to use the first signaling.

[0021] In some implementations, before obtaining the first configuration information, the method also includes: determining, based on the first information, that the terminal device supports the use of the first service; wherein the first information includes one or more of the following: capability information of the terminal device, the capability information of the terminal device indicating that the terminal device supports the use of the first signaling to obtain the first service, and / or indicating that the terminal device supports the use of the first signaling to obtain the first service; an identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the terminal device being associated with the capability information of the terminal device; contract information of the terminal device, the contract information indicating that the network authorizes the terminal device to use the first service, and / or indicating that the network authorizes the terminal device to use the first signaling to obtain the first service; or, policy information, the policy information indicating that the terminal device is allowed to use the first service, and / or indicating that the terminal device is allowed to use the first signaling to obtain the first service.

[0022] Based on the above scheme, the first network element can first determine whether the terminal device supports the use of the first service before obtaining the first configuration information, and if it is determined that the terminal device supports the use of the first service, obtain and send the first configuration information, so that the terminal device can flexibly use the first signaling to obtain the first service from the first network function.

[0023] In some implementations, the first configuration information includes second configuration information and third configuration information, and sending the first configuration information includes: sending the second configuration information to the terminal device; and / or sending the third configuration information to the first network function.

[0024] It should be understood that the terminal device may send a service request message based on the second configuration information to obtain the first service, and the first network function may determine whether to provide the first service based on the third configuration information, that is, determine the usage rule of the first signaling through the first configuration information, so that the first signaling can be flexibly used between the terminal device and the first network function, and the first service can be obtained, thereby enabling the network functions and services in the network to be quickly implemented and applied, and ensuring the user experience.

[0025] In some implementation manners, the second configuration information includes one or more of the following: the format of the first signaling; the content of the first signaling; the priority of the first service; the name of the first signaling; the identifier of the first signaling; or, other parameters associated with the first service.

[0026] In some implementation manners, the third configuration information includes one or more of the following: the identifier of the first service; information of the application allowed to use the first service and / or information of the service requester; the forwarding logic of the first signaling; the identifier of the first signaling; or, network information, allowing the terminal device to use the first service within the network indicated by the network information.

[0027] In some implementation manners, the method further includes: sending indication information to the terminal device, where the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the first session, and the fourth configuration information is used to indicate information for the terminal device to perform software update.

[0028] Based on the above solution, by sending the indication information, the terminal device can be made to determine that it needs to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information based on the first session, that is, obtain the usage rule of the first signaling and / or the information for software update, and then based on the obtained second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information, the first signaling can be flexibly sent to the first network function and the first service can be obtained, thereby enabling the network functions and services in the network to be quickly implemented and applied, and ensuring the user experience.

[0029] In some implementation manners, sending the second configuration information to the terminal device includes: sending policy update information to the terminal device, where the policy update information includes the second configuration information; or, receiving a second request message from a user plane network element, where the second request message is used to request to obtain the second configuration information; and sending a second response message to the user plane network element, where the second response message includes the second configuration information.

[0030] Based on the above solution, the second configuration information is carried in the policy update information, or the second configuration information is sent to the terminal device as the policy update information, that is, the second configuration information is sent to the terminal device by means of policy update, so that the terminal device and the first network function can flexibly use the first signaling and obtain the first service, thereby enabling the network functions and services in the network to be quickly deployed and applied, and ensuring the user experience.

[0031] In some implementation manners, the method further includes: receiving a third request message from a user plane network element, where the third request message is used to request to obtain fourth configuration information; sending a third response message to the user plane network element, where the third response message includes the fourth configuration information. The fourth configuration information is used to indicate information for the terminal device to perform software update.

[0032] The third request message may carry one or more of the following: information of a first application, an identifier of a first service, an identifier of a first signaling, an identifier of a terminal device, or an identifier and / or address information of a first network element.

[0033] Based on the above solution, a request is initiated by the user plane network element in a session manner, and the first network element feeds back the fourth configuration information to the user plane network element according to the received third request message, which is convenient for the subsequent terminal device to complete software upgrade or update to obtain the second configuration information.

[0034] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. This method may be executed by a second network element (such as NCF or TCF or OAM), or may also be executed by a chip, circuit or logic module of the second network element. This application does not make any limitation in this regard. For ease of description, the following takes the execution by the second network element as an example for illustration.

[0035] The method includes: sending a first request message, where the first request message is used to request first configuration information, the first request message includes information of a first network function and / or information of a first service, the first configuration information is used to indicate a usage rule of a first signaling between the terminal device and the first network function, the first signaling is associated with the first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device; receiving a first response message, where the first response message is used to indicate a configuration result of the first configuration information; and / or, the first response message includes the first configuration information.

[0036] According to the above solution, the second network element, as a control plane function network element, can trigger the sending of a first request message to the first network element, enabling the first network element to configure the first configuration information. That is, the second network element or other network elements (such as a processing node or a forwarding node) can obtain the usage rules of the first signaling from the first network element to support the invocation of the first service, ensuring that the terminal device can flexibly use the first signaling to obtain the first service from the first network function. In particular, for various service types that the network may provide, such as additional functions like AI services, computing power services, or sensing services, it can ensure that the network functions and services within the network can be quickly implemented and applied, guaranteeing the user experience.

[0037] In some implementation manners, before sending the first request message, the method further includes: deploying a first network function within the network.

[0038] In some implementation manners, deploying the first network function within the network includes: receiving a fourth request message, where the fourth request message is used by an application function or an operator management function to request the deployment of the first network function within the network; sending a fourth response message, where the fourth response message is used to indicate the deployment result of the first network function.

[0039] In some implementation manners, the first response message includes the first configuration information, and the method further includes: sending third information to a database, where the third information is used to store or update the first configuration information.

[0040] In some implementation manners, the first configuration information includes second configuration information and third configuration information, and the method further includes: sending the second configuration information to a terminal device; and / or, sending the third configuration information to the first network function.

[0041] In some implementation manners, the second configuration information includes one or more of the following: the format of the first signaling; the content of the first signaling; the priority of the first service; the name of the first signaling; or, other parameters associated with the first service.

[0042] In some implementation manners, the third configuration information includes one or more of the following: the identifier of the first service; information about the application that is allowed to use the first service and / or information about the service requester; the forwarding logic of the first signaling; the identifier of the first signaling; or, network information that allows the terminal device to use the first service within the network indicated by the network information.

[0043] In some implementation manners, the method further includes: sending indication information to a terminal device, where the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through a first session, and the fourth configuration information is information used to indicate the terminal device to perform software update.

[0044] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending policy update information to the terminal device, where the policy update information includes second configuration information; or, receiving a second request message from the user plane network element, where the second request message is used to request to obtain the second configuration information; and sending a second response message to the user plane network element, where the second response message includes the second configuration information.

[0045] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving a third request message from the user plane network element, where the third request message is used to request to obtain fourth configuration information; and sending a third response message to the user plane network element, where the third response message includes the fourth configuration information.

[0046] In some implementations, the first request message further includes one or more of the following: an identifier of the terminal device; a format of the first signaling; a service identifier associated with the first signaling; a service type associated with the first signaling; content of the first signaling; an identifier of the first signaling; a forwarding logic of the first signaling; a priority of the first signaling; or, information of a service requester and / or application information that allows the use of the first signaling.

[0047] The beneficial effects of the second aspect and certain implementations of the second aspect can be correspondingly referred to the description related to the first aspect, and will not be elaborated here.

[0048] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a terminal device, or can also be executed by a chip, circuit or logic module of the terminal device. This application does not make a limitation in this regard. For the sake of description, the following takes the execution by the terminal device as an example for illustration.

[0049] The method includes: receiving second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to indicate a usage rule of a first signaling between the terminal device and a first network function, the first signaling is associated with a first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device; and sending the first signaling according to the second configuration information, where the first signaling is used for the terminal device to obtain the first service.

[0050] According to the above solution, the terminal device can determine the usage rule of the first signaling by receiving the second configuration information. Furthermore, the terminal device can flexibly use the first signaling to perform signaling interaction with the first network function to obtain the first service. Especially for various service types that the network may provide, such as additional functions like AI services, computing power services, or sensing services, it can enable the network functions and services in the network to be quickly applied, ensuring the user experience.

[0051] In some implementations, before receiving the second configuration information, the method further includes: sending capability information, where the capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports using the first signaling to obtain the first service based on the second configuration information.

[0052] In some implementations, the capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device supports opening the first signaling for use by the first application.

[0053] That is to say, the terminal device can flexibly process the first signaling according to the obtained second configuration information, and / or flexibly encapsulate the content of the first signaling based on the second configuration information. At the same time, the terminal device supports opening the first signaling for use by the first application, indicating that after obtaining the capability information, the first network element can determine that the first application can use the signaling service of the first service based on the information of the first application provided by the terminal device. By flexibly defining the capability information to expand the function of the first signaling, that is, supporting the terminal device to obtain the first service by sending the first signaling, also supporting the first application to use the first signaling, or supporting the first application to transmit the first signaling, or supporting the first application to transmit the data packet of the first service through the first signaling, the first signaling can be flexibly used to obtain the first service.

[0054] In some implementations, the second configuration information includes one or more of the following: the format of the first signaling; the content of the first signaling; the priority of the first service; the name of the first signaling; the identifier of the first signaling; or other parameters associated with the first NAS service.

[0055] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the first session, and the second configuration information is used to indicate information for the terminal device to perform software update.

[0056] In some implementations, the method further includes: obtaining session parameters, where the session parameters are used to establish the first session; sending a session establishment request message according to the session parameters, where the session establishment request message is used to request to establish the first session; receiving a session establishment response message, where the session establishment response message is used to indicate the establishment result of the first session.

[0057] In some implementations, receiving the second configuration information includes: sending a fifth request message to the user plane network element through the first session, where the fifth request message is used to request to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information; receiving a fifth response message from the user plane network element through the first session, where the fifth response message includes the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information.

[0058] In some implementations, the method further includes: obtaining first node information, where the first node information indicates the sending node of the second configuration information; sending a sixth request message to the user plane network element through the first session, where the sixth request message is used to request to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information, and the sixth request message includes the first node information; receiving a sixth response message from the user plane network element through the first session, where the sixth response message includes the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information.

[0059] In some implementations, the sixth request message further includes information about the first service.

[0060] In some implementations, receiving second configuration information includes: receiving policy update information, where the policy update information includes the second configuration information.

[0061] The beneficial effects of the above-mentioned third aspect and some implementations can be correspondingly referred to the description related to the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0062] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a forwarding node (such as a radio access node or an AMF or an SCP), or can also be executed by a chip, circuit, or logic module of the forwarding node. This application does not make any limitations in this regard. For the sake of convenience in description, the following will take the execution by the forwarding node as an example for illustration.

[0063] The method includes: receiving a first signaling, where the first signaling is used for a terminal device to obtain a first service; obtaining a forwarding logic of the first signaling, where the forwarding logic of the first signaling includes information about a first network function, and the first network function supports processing the first signaling; and sending the first signaling to the first network function according to the forwarding logic of the first signaling.

[0064] This application does not limit the number of network functions (which can be referred to as processing nodes) for processing the first service. Optionally, if there are multiple processing nodes, the forwarding logic of the first signaling further includes information about a second network function, and the second network function supports processing the first signaling. For example, if the first network function executes the first part of the first service and the second network function executes the second part of the first service, after the forwarding node forwards the first signaling to the first network function, the first network function executes the first part of the first service, and then the second network function executes the second part of the first service.

[0065] In some implementations, obtaining the forwarding logic of the first signaling includes: receiving the forwarding logic of the first signaling from a first network element, where the first network element supports the first service.

[0066] In some implementations, obtaining the forwarding logic of the first signaling includes: sending a query message to a network storage function, where the query message is used to obtain information about the first network function.

[0067] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. This communication device can be used for a first network element and can include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect. These modules or units can be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0068] In some implementations, the apparatus includes: a processing unit configured to obtain first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to indicate the usage rules of a first signaling between a terminal device and a first network function, the first signaling is associated with a first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device; and a transceiver unit configured to send the first configuration information.

[0069] The transceiver unit may perform the receiving and sending processes in the foregoing first aspect and its possible implementations, and the processing unit may perform other processes in the foregoing first aspect and its possible implementations except for receiving and sending.

[0070] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus may be used for a second network element and may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect. The modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0071] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the apparatus includes: a transceiver unit configured to send a first request message, where the first request message is used to request the first configuration information, the first request message includes information about the first network function and / or information about the first service, the first configuration information is used to indicate the usage rules of a first signaling between a terminal device and a first network function, the first signaling is associated with the first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device; the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first response message, where the first response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first configuration information; and / or, the first response message includes the first configuration information.

[0072] The transceiver unit may perform the receiving and sending processes in the foregoing second aspect and its possible implementations. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a processing unit, and the processing unit may perform other processes in the foregoing second aspect and its possible implementations except for receiving and sending.

[0073] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus may be used for a terminal device and may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect. The modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0074] In some implementations of the seventh aspect, the apparatus includes: a transceiver unit configured to receive second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to indicate the usage rules of a first signaling between a terminal device and a first network function, the first signaling is associated with a first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device; the transceiver unit is further configured to send the first signaling according to the second configuration information, and the first signaling is used for the terminal device to obtain the first service.

[0075] The transceiver unit can perform the reception and transmission processes in the foregoing third aspect and its possible implementations. Optionally, the device further includes a processing unit, which can perform other processes in the foregoing third aspect and its possible implementations except for reception and transmission.

[0076] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device can be used for a terminal device and may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect. The module or unit can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0077] In certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the device includes: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a first signaling, where the first signaling is used for the terminal device to obtain a first service; a processing unit, configured to obtain a forwarding logic of the first signaling, where the forwarding logic of the first signaling includes information about a first network function, and the first network function supports processing the first signaling; and the transceiver unit, further configured to send the first signaling to the first network function according to the forwarding logic of the first signaling.

[0078] The transceiver unit can perform the reception and transmission processes in the foregoing fourth aspect and its possible implementations. Optionally, the device further includes a processing unit, which can perform other processes in the foregoing fourth aspect and its possible implementations except for reception and transmission.

[0079] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, including at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to cause the communication device to execute the method in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, or any possible implementation manner of these aspects, by executing a computer program or instruction, and / or by a logic circuit.

[0080] In certain implementations, the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory, and the at least one memory stores the above computer program or instruction. Optionally, the communication device further includes the above at least one memory. Optionally, the at least one processor and the at least one memory are integrated together.

[0081] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive information and / or data to be processed and send the information and / or data to be processed to the processor. The processor is configured to process the information and / or data to be processed, so that a communication device installed with the chip executes the method in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, or any possible implementation manner of these aspects.

[0082] In an eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which computer instructions are stored. When the computer instructions run on a computer, the methods in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, or any possible implementation manner of these aspects are implemented.

[0083] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the methods in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, or any possible implementation manner of these aspects are implemented.

[0084] In a thirteenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, which includes the communication devices described in any one or more of the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, or the eighth aspect.

[0085] Optionally, the communication system may further include the communication device described in the seventh aspect.

[0086] Among them, for the technical effects of the technical solutions in the fifth aspect to the thirteenth aspect, reference may be made to the descriptions of the corresponding technical effects in the first aspect to the fourth aspect, and details will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0087] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0088] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process of the first communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0089] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process of the second communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0090] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process of the third communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0091] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process of the fourth communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0092] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process of the fifth communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0093] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the protocol stack provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0094] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the first communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0095] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the second communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0096] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0097] The technical solutions provided by the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: the fourth-generation (4G) communication system, such as the long-term evolution (LTE) communication system, the 5G communication system, such as 5G new radio (NR), 5G Core Network (5GC), or various communication systems evolved after 5G, such as the sixth-generation (6G) communication system, etc. The technical solutions provided by the present application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and the Internet of Things (IoT) communication system or other communication systems.

[0098] In a communication system, the part operated by an operator can be called a public land mobile network (PLMN), or can also be called an operator network, etc. The PLMN is a network established and operated for the purpose of providing land mobile communication services to the public, and is mainly a public network in which a mobile network operator (MNO) provides mobile broadband access services to users. The PLMN described in the embodiments of the present application can specifically be a network that meets the requirements of the 3GPP standard, abbreviated as a 3GPP network. The 3GPP network generally includes, but is not limited to, a 5G mobile communication network, a 4G mobile communication network, and other communication systems evolved after 5G, such as a 6G mobile communication network, etc.

[0099] For ease of description, the PLMN or the 5G network will be used as an example in the embodiments of the present application for illustration.

[0100] Figure 1 FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture 100 applicable to the embodiments of the present application, taking the 5G network architecture based on the service-based architecture (SBA) in the non-roaming scenario defined in the 3GPP standardization process as an example. As Figure 1As shown, the network architecture may include a terminal device part, a data network (DN) part, and a public land mobile network (PLMN) part of the operator network. Among them, the PLMN part of the operator network may include, but is not limited to, a (radio) access network ((R)AN) 120 and a core network (CN) part.

[0101] The functions of the network elements of each part are briefly described below.

[0102] The terminal device part may include UE 110. The UE 110 in this application is a device with wireless transceiver functions and can communicate with one or more core network (CN) devices via an access network device (or also referred to as an access device) in the (wireless) access network (R)AN 120. The UE 110 may also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. The terminal device 110 may also be a device for providing voice and / or data connectivity to users, or may also be an Internet of Things device. For example, the UE 110 includes a handheld device with wireless communication functions, a computing device, or other devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a drone device, or a terminal in the Internet of Things or vehicle-to-everything network, any form of terminal in a 5G network and future networks, a relay user equipment, or a terminal in a future evolved 6G network, etc. Currently, the UE 110 may be: a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a palmtop computer, a mobile Internet device (MID), a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses, etc.), a vehicle-mounted device (such as a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed train, etc.), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (such as a refrigerator, a TV, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.), a smart robot, a robotic arm, a workshop device, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, a flying device (such as a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. The UE 110 may also be a vehicle device, such as a vehicle device, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted chip, an on-board unit (OBU), or a telematics box (T-BOX) of a vehicle-to-everything network terminal. The UE 110 may also be other devices with terminal functions. For example, the UE 110 may also be a device that serves as a terminal function in D2D communication. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type or category of the terminal device.The UE 110 can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on a ship, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as on an airplane, a balloon, a satellite, etc.).

[0103] (R)AN 120 may include one or more access network elements or access network devices (which may also be referred to as network devices). That is to say, the network device is a node in (R)AN 120 and may also be referred to as a RAN node (or device). The interface between the access network device and the terminal device may be the Uu interface (or also referred to as the air interface, that is, the messages exchanged between the access network device and the terminal device may be referred to as air interface messages). Of course, in future communications, the interface name may remain unchanged or may be replaced by other names, and this application does not limit this. (R)AN 120 is a device that provides wireless communication functions for the UE 110 and can be a node or device that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. One or more (R)AN 120 may be included in this network architecture 100, and multiple (R)AN 120 may be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. (R)AN 120 can be regarded as a sub-network of the operator network and is an implementation system between the service node in the operator network and the UE 110. For example, the UE 110 can be connected to the service node of the operator network through (R)AN 120 to obtain the services provided by the service node.

[0104] In a possible scenario, the (R)AN 120 includes, but is not limited to: the next generation node base station (gNB) in a 5G system, the evolved Node B (eNode B) in Long Term Evolution (LTE), a home base station (e.g., home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a small cell device, a mobile switching center, or the next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, or an access point (AP) in a WiFi system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a network device in a mobile switching center non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, i.e., it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or a satellite, and at this time the satellite can support the functions of the (R)AN 120. In addition, the (R)AN 120 can also be deployed on land, such as outdoors; or, it can also be deployed on water, such as on a ship, etc. The (R)AN 120 can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The (R)AN 120 can also be a device that serves as a base station function in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, drone communication, or machine communication. Optionally, the network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an in-vehicle device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0105] In another possible scenario, multiple (R)ANs 120 cooperate to assist a terminal in achieving wireless access, and different (R)ANs 120 respectively implement partial functions of a base station. For example, (R)AN 120 can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately provided, or can also be included in the same network element, such as in a BBU. The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that (R)AN 120 can be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be classified as a network device in the radio access network RAN, or the CU can be classified as a network device in the core network CN, which is not limited herein.

[0106] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the radio access network can also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture. In the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0107] The CN part may include but is not limited to the following network functions NF: User Plane Function (UPF) 130, Network Exposure Function (NEF) 131, Network Function Repository Function (NRF) 132, Policy Control Function PCF 133, Unified Data Management Function (UDM) 134, Application Function AF 135, Authentication Server Function (AUSF) 136, Access and Mobility Management Function AMF 137, Session Management Function (SMF) 138.

[0108] The Data Network DN 140, which can also be referred to as a Packet Data Network (PDN), is usually a network located outside the operator's network, such as a third-party network.

[0109] The NF functions included in the CN are further briefly described below.

[0110] 1. The UPF 130 is a user plane function provided by the operator and is the user plane function for communication between the operator's network and the DN 140. The UPF 130 network functions include user plane-related functions such as packet routing and transmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, Quality of Service (QoS) processing, uplink packet detection, and downlink packet storage.

[0111] 2. The NEF 131 is a control plane function provided by the operator, mainly enabling third parties to use the services provided by the network, supporting network openness of its capabilities, event and data analysis, security provisioning information from external applications to the PLMN, and conversion of information exchanged inside and outside the PLMN.

[0112] 3. The NRF 132 is a control plane function provided by the operator and can be used to maintain real-time information on network functions and services in the network.

[0113] 4. The PCF 133 is a control plane function provided by the operator, mainly supporting the provision of a unified policy framework to control network behavior, providing policy rules to control layer network functions, and at the same time being responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions. Exemplarily, the PCF 133 can be divided into two PCFs with different functions, namely UE-PCF and SM-PCF.

[0114] 5. UDM 134 is a control plane function provided by the operator, responsible for storing information such as the subscriber permanent identifier (SUPI), generic public subscriber identifier (GPSI), and credentials of subscribed users in the operator's network. Among them, the SUPI will be encrypted first during transmission, and the encrypted SUPI is called the subscription concealed identifier (SUCI). The information stored by the UDM network function 134 can be used for the authentication and authorization of the UE 110 to access the operator's network. Among them, the subscribed users of the above operator's network can specifically be users who use the services provided by the operator's network. The credentials of the above subscribed users can be long-term keys stored in the mobile phone chip card or small files stored with information related to the encryption of the mobile phone chip card, etc., for authentication and / or authorization. It should be noted that information related to verification / authentication, authorization, such as permanent identifiers, credentials, security contexts, authentication data, and tokens, is not distinguished or restricted for the sake of convenience of description in the embodiments of the present application.

[0115] 6. AF 135 is a control plane function provided by the operator, mainly providing corresponding services by interacting with other NFs in the PLMN, such as providing roaming UE visited network selection information, guiding the routing of data streams, and accessing the NEF 131, etc.

[0116] 7. AUSF 136 is a control plane function provided by the operator, usually used for primary authentication, that is, the authentication between the UE 110 (subscribed user) and the operator's network.

[0117] 8. AMF 137 is a control plane network function provided by the operator's network, responsible for the access control and mobility management of the UE 110 to access the operator's network, such as including functions such as mobile status management, assigning user temporary identity identifiers, authenticating and authorizing users, etc.

[0118] 9. The SMF 138 is a control plane network function provided by the operator network, responsible for managing the PDU sessions of the UE 110 (including the establishment, modification, and release of sessions), for the selection and reselection of user plane functions, the allocation of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses for terminal devices, QoS control, etc. Among them, a PDU session is a channel for transmitting PDUs, and the terminal device and the DN 140 transmit PDUs to each other through the PDU session. The establishment, maintenance, deletion, etc. of the PDU session are the responsibilities of the SMF 138. The SMF 138 includes session management (such as session establishment, modification, and release, including the maintenance of tunnels between the user plane function UPF 130 and the (R)AN 120), the selection and control of the UPF network function 130, the selection of service and session continuity (SSC) modes, roaming, and other session-related functions.

[0119] It should be understood that the above network elements or NFs can be physical entities in hardware devices, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a shared platform (such as a cloud platform). Simply put, an NF can be implemented by hardware or by software. In addition, the hardware (or software) that implements all the functions of an NF can be one or multiple.

[0120] It should be understood that Figure 1 The AMF, SMF, UPF, NEF, AUSF, NRF, PCF, UDM, etc. shown in can be understood as network elements in the core network for implementing different functions. These network elements can be combined into network slices as needed. They can be independent devices or integrated into the same device to implement different functions. The present application does not limit the specific forms of the above network elements.

[0121] It should also be understood that the above naming is only defined for the convenience of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation to the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of using other naming in 5G networks and future other networks. For example, in 6G networks, some or all of the above network elements may continue to use the terms in 5G, or other names may be used.

[0122] It should also be understood that Figure 1 In , Nnef, Nnrf, Npcf, Nudm, Nausf, Namf, Nsmf, Naf, N1, N2, N3, N4, N6, N9 are interface sequence numbers. Exemplarily, the meanings of the above interface sequence numbers can be referred to the meanings defined in the 3GPP standard protocol. The present application does not limit the meanings of the above interface sequence numbers. In addition, Figure 1The interface names between the various network functions in [it] are merely examples. In specific implementations, the interface names of this system architecture may also be other names, and this application does not limit this.

[0123] Currently, the mobile network can provide connection services. When the NAS signaling interaction between the UE and the NF is defined in a standardized manner, it needs to be forwarded through the AMF to meet the user service requirements. With the development of communication technologies, additional services such as computing, sensing, data processing, etc. can be further provided. However, updating the NAS signaling in the existing standardized manner is not conducive to the update and deployment of additional services because the standardization cycle is generally relatively long, and the content of the NAS signaling corresponding to the additional services may not be standardized. For example, AI transference recognition through text or voice, using AI technology to convert the user's text or voice requests into service requests readable by the network, etc. may not be defined in a unified standardized format.

[0124] To solve the above technical problems, this application first adds a task control function, a network control function, and a NAS control function on the basis of the current network architecture, specifically as Figure 1 shown.

[0125] Next, the newly added network functions (or network elements) will be briefly described respectively.

[0126] 1. The task control function TCF 139 can be a control plane function provided by the operator. As the control anchor of the task, the TCF can perform the orchestration control of the NF service after receiving service requests from external network elements or the internal operator management plane, that is, flexibly orchestrate the execution order of different NF services and the network resource control required for the task, so that the NF supports requesting the first service through the first signaling (for example, NAS signaling and / or control signaling). For example, the TCF can schedule and combine services such as connection, computing, data, and algorithms related to the first service to achieve corresponding tasks (such as model training, sensing, etc.).

[0127] 2. The network control function NCF 141 can be a control plane function provided by the operator. The NCF can perform the deployment, activation, or capability update of the NF based on requests from external network elements or operator management network elements, so that the NF supports the services requested through NAS signaling.

[0128] 3. The NAS control function NACF 142 can be a control plane function provided by the operator. The main services provided include, but are not limited to: generating or obtaining NAS configuration information (that is, the first configuration information in this application) based on configuration requests from external network elements or internal network elements, and sending the NAS configuration information to the terminal device or other network elements to support other network elements in invoking services.

[0129] It should be understood that the naming of the newly added network element is only defined for the convenience of distinguishing different functions, and should not impose any limitation on this application. This application does not exclude the possibility of using other names in other networks. For example, the NAS control function refers to opening the NAS signaling as a service for use by terminal devices, application servers, or network devices (or network elements). In the future, it may also be called the signaling service control function, etc. In this case, the "NAS configuration information" may also be called the "signaling service configuration information", etc. This application does not limit its name.

[0130] Based on the above newly added network element, this application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can provide flexible and lightweight network service deployment and update to meet the service requirements of users.

[0131] In this application, the network function can be understood as the network element used to implement different functions in the network. Therefore, unless otherwise emphasized, the network function and the network element can be replaced. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the first network element may represent the NACF, the second network element may represent the OAM, the NCF, or the TCF, and the first network function represents the processing node that executes the first service. Optionally, this application does not limit the number of processing nodes. For example, the processing node further includes the second network function.

[0132] The following will describe in detail the communication method provided by the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments provided by this application can be applied to any communication scenario where the sending end device and the receiving end device communicate. For example, it can be applied to the Figure 1 communication system shown above. This application proposes the following Figures 2 to 5 method. It should be understood that Figures 2 to 5 the method embodiments shown above can be combined with each other, Figures 2 to 5 and the steps in the method embodiments shown above can be referenced to each other. In the embodiments of this application, Figures 3 to 5 the method embodiments shown above can be regarded as possible implementation manners for implementing the Figure 2 functions of the method embodiments shown above. Figure 3 This mainly gives an example of the generation and sending method of the NAS configuration information. Figure 4 This mainly describes the sending of the NAS configuration information through a session manner, as well as the software upgrade or installation and use of the terminal device. Figure 5 This mainly describes the forwarding logic for the forwarding node to identify and obtain the NAS service.

[0133] Figure 2 is the flowchart of the communication method 200 provided by the embodiments of this application. As Figure 2 shown, this method flow can be performed by the first network element (for example, Figure 1 the NACF shown above), the second network element (for example, the OAM, or,Figure 1 the NCF and TCF shown, a terminal device (e.g., Figure 1 the UE shown), a forwarding node (e.g., a Service Communication Proxy (SCP), or Figure 1 the RAN and AMF shown) executes, or is executed by a module and / or device (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit, etc.) with corresponding functions installed in the first network element, the second network element, and the terminal device. This application does not make any limitations. For the sake of convenience in description, the following will use the first network element, the second network element, and the terminal device as the execution entities for explanation. The method includes the following multiple steps.

[0134] S210, the first network element obtains first configuration information.

[0135] Among them, the first configuration information is used to indicate the usage rules of the first signaling between the terminal device and the first network function. The first signaling is associated with the first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device.

[0136] Exemplarily, the first signaling may be a NAS signaling (or NAS message) and / or a control plane signaling.

[0137] In this application, the first service may be a service provided by the current 5G network, such as a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment / update service, a registration service, a positioning service, an access service, etc., or may also be a new service that the network may provide, such as a sensing service, a computing service, a data service, an artificial intelligence (AI) service, a cloud terminal service, a data compression service, an AI model training service, a data caching service, a format conversion service, or a virtual user service, etc. Optionally, the first service in this application may be referred to as a network service, or a network function service, or a NAS service, and may be represented by NF Service or Service.

[0138] It should be noted that for the sake of convenience in description, this application uses the first network function as the processing node for executing the first service. Optionally, there may be one or more forwarding nodes for forwarding the first signaling between the terminal device and the first network function. Optionally, the network function (i.e., the processing node) providing the first service for the terminal device may also include a second network function. This application does not limit the number of processing nodes for executing the first service.

[0139] Optionally, the first network function may support one or more first services, and this application does not make any limitations in this regard. Additionally, the first service may also be provided by one or more network functions. For example, the first network function supports the first part of the first service, and the second network function supports the second part of the first service, that is, the first network function and the second network function, as the processing nodes of the first service, jointly provide the first service.

[0140] In this application, the first configuration information includes one or more of the following:

[0141] (1) Information of the first service;

[0142] Exemplarily, the information of the first service includes at least one of the following: the identifier or name of the first service (such as Service ID / name), the address information of the first service (such as IP address, MAC (Media Access Control) address, etc.), the full qualified domain name (FQDN) of the first service, or the application programming interface (API). For example, when the first service is a PDU session establishment / modification service, the information of the first service can be PDU session establishment / modification service; when the first service is a registration service, the information of the first service can be registration service.

[0143] (2) Information of the application (APP) that supports using the first service and / or information of the service requester;

[0144] Exemplarily, the information of the application includes the APP ID and / or the APP address. The service requester can be a terminal device, a third-party application server AF, a network function NF, or other network elements, etc. The information of the service requester can include at least one of the following: the identifier of the service requester (such as NF ID, UE ID, or AF ID, etc.), the address of the service requester (such as the NF address), or the type of the service requester (such as the NF type), etc.

[0145] (3) The forwarding logic of the first signaling;

[0146] Exemplarily, the forwarding logic of the first signaling includes at least one of the following: the routing information of the first signaling (or the transmission path information), the information of the first network function (for example, the identifier or name of the first network function (such as NF ID / name), the address information of the first network function, or the type of the first network function (such as NF type).

[0147] Optionally, if there are multiple processing nodes for the first service, the forwarding logic of the first signaling further includes information about the second network function (e.g., the identifier or name of the second network function (such as NF ID / name), the address information of the second network function, or the type of the second network function (such as NF type), etc.). For example, assume that the network functions processing the first service include the first network function NF1 and the second network function NF2, that is, NF1 and NF2 jointly provide the first service for the terminal device. Then the forwarding logic of the first signaling can be that the forwarding node first forwards the first signaling to NF1, and after NF1 executes the first service (the first part), it then forwards the first signaling to NF2, and NF2 executes the first service (the second part).

[0148] (4) Network information, which allows the terminal device to use the first service within the network indicated by the network information. Or rather, after the terminal device accesses the network indicated by the network information, it can use the first service.

[0149] Exemplarily, the network information may include at least one of the following: Network ID, PLMN ID, slice identifier, sub-network identifier, or non-public network (NPN) identifier, etc.

[0150] (5) The format of the first signaling;

[0151] Exemplarily, the format of the first signaling may adopt a packet structure or a protocol layer design. The format of the first signaling is used to indicate the content of the first signaling, such as how the parameters carried in the service request message are presented. For example, the parameters carried in the service request message are sent in the form of a string in a specific format.

[0152] (6) The content of the first signaling;

[0153] Exemplarily, the content of the first signaling may include: the service request message name and / or specific parameters. Among them, the service request message name is used to indicate that the terminal device requests the network function to provide the first service, and the specific parameters represent the parameters used by the network function to provide the first service for the terminal device.

[0154] For example, if the first signaling is used to request the first service Service 1, then the first signaling can be Service_1_request message(Parameter 1, Parameter 2,...), where the service request message name is Service_1_request message, and the specific parameters are (Parameter 1, Parameter 2,...).

[0155] In one implementation, the format and content of the first signaling may be generated by the first network element (e.g., NACF) based on the information provided by the service requester, and / or the specific parameters may be provided by the AF, OAM, TCF, or NCF.

[0156] When multiple network functions (e.g., the first network function NF1 and the second network function NF2) are involved in processing the first service requested by the terminal device, it may be necessary to construct a multi-layer first signaling. For example, if Service 1 needs to be processed by NF1 and NF2 in sequence, then the first signaling needs to carry the service request message name and specific parameters of NF1, as well as the service request message name and specific parameters of NF2. At the same time, if the call order between NF1 and NF2 is involved, optionally, the call order can be carried in the first signaling. For example, the service request message name and specific parameters of NF2 can be included in the message of NF1, NF1_Service request message(Parameter 1,{NF2_Service request message(Parameter 2)}), which means that after NF1 processes the NF1_Service request message, it sends the NF2_Servicerequest message(Parameter 2) to NF2, and NF2 continues to execute the first service.

[0157] Optionally, the content and / or format of the first signaling can be placed in a container or information body and forwarded by the first network element.

[0158] (7) The priority of the first service;

[0159] It should be noted that there may be a certain correspondence between the priority level and the priority value. For example, the higher the priority level, the lower the corresponding priority value, or the lower the priority level, the lower the corresponding priority value. Taking the case where the higher the priority level, the lower the corresponding priority value as an example, the priority value range can be an integer from 1 to 8 or an integer from 0 to 7. If the priority value range is 1 to 8, when the priority value is 1, it represents the highest level of priority. For example, assuming that the priority of the first service is higher than that of other services, the priority value corresponding to the first service can be 1, and the priority values corresponding to other services can be 3.

[0160] The following briefly describes the first signaling and the first service, as well as the priority of the first signaling and the priority of the first service.

[0161] In one example, the first signaling is only used for the first service, that is, the terminal device only uses the first signaling to obtain the first service, then the priority of the first signaling (or the transmission priority of the first signaling) is the same as the priority of the first service.

[0162] In another example, the first signaling can be used for multiple services, and these multiple services include the first service. Then the terminal device can request to obtain multiple services by sending the first signaling, and the priorities corresponding to these multiple services can be different. Or, different terminal devices request different services. When the first signaling is called simultaneously, the priority of the terminal device calling the first signaling can be determined according to the priorities of different services. At this time, it can be understood that the priority of the first signaling is the priority of the first service it carries, or when multiple services need to use the first signaling for transmission, the priority of the service determines the priority of sending the first signaling. For example, the priority of the computing power service is higher than the priority of the sensing service. When the terminal device requests to obtain the computing power service and the sensing service through the first signaling, it can first send the first signaling to request to obtain the computing power service, and then send the first signaling to request to obtain the sensing service, etc.

[0163] (8) The name of the first signaling;

[0164] Exemplarily, the name of the first signaling can include the following implementation manners:

[0165] (a) A specific NAS name, such as XX NAS, can use this NAS name (such as XX NAS) as the name of the first signaling or as the name of the NAS container.

[0166] (b) A specific information element (IE), and this IE can be carried in the first signaling.

[0167] (c) A specific flag bit, such as a section of characters in the packet header carrying the first signaling.

[0168] (d) The identifier of the first signaling, such as NAS ID, or NAS Session ID, etc.

[0169] (9) Other parameters associated with the first service.

[0170] Exemplarily, the other parameters can include at least one of the following: geographical location information for using the first service, time window information for using the first service, radio access technology (RAT) interface information for using the first service, QoS parameters required for using the first service, etc.

[0171] (10) Routing Information

[0172] Exemplarily, the routing information includes a routing layer identifier (e.g., NAS routing layer ID) for indicating the identifier and / or address information of a processing node (e.g., the first network function and / or the second network function). For example, for a first service, the first network function may execute a first part of the first service after receiving a first signaling, and continue to forward the first signaling to the second network function according to the routing information, and the second network function continues to execute a second part of the first service, that is, the first network function and the second network function jointly provide the first service for the terminal device.

[0173] In this application, the routing information can be used to determine the forwarding logic of the first signaling. The specific implementation can refer to the relevant description below and will not be elaborated here first.

[0174] It should be understood that based on at least one of the above parameters (1)-(10), the usage rule or method of the first signaling can be determined. For example, if the first configuration information includes the identifier of the first service (such as AI Service ID), it indicates that the terminal device can request the AI service from the first network function through the first signaling; for another example, if the first configuration information includes the identifier of the first service (such as AI Service ID) and network information (such as PLMN ID), it indicates that the terminal device can request the AI service from the first network function through the first signaling only when accessing this PLMN.

[0175] In this application, the association between the first signaling and the first service can be understood as: the first signaling is used for the terminal device to obtain the first service, or in other words, the first service can be obtained through the first signaling. Among them, the first signaling can be used to implement one or more of the following:

[0176] (1) Control the first service;

[0177] Exemplarily, controlling the first service through the first signaling includes: requesting the first service through the first signaling, or requesting to change the first service parameters, or requesting to release the first service, etc.

[0178] (2) Synchronize the state of the first service;

[0179] Exemplarily, synchronizing the state of the first service through the first signaling includes: activating the first service through the first signaling, or suspending the first service, or updating the state of the terminal device, etc.

[0180] (3) Transmit the data of the first service;

[0181] Exemplarily, transmit the data related to the first service through the first signaling.

[0182] Next, an example of the first network element obtaining the first configuration information in step S210 above will be described.

[0183] In one example, the first network element generates the first configuration information.

[0184] In another implementation, other network elements generate the first configuration information and send the first configuration information to the first network element. Optionally, the first network element sends a request message to other network elements to request the acquisition of the first configuration information. Exemplarily, the other network elements may be OAM, or AF, or PCF. For example, OAM sends the first configuration information to the first network element through the management plane function, PCF carries the first configuration information in the policy information or configures the first configuration information as a policy for the first network element, and AF provides the APP information supporting the use of the first service in the first configuration information to the first network element, such as APP ID and / or the address information of the APP, etc.

[0185] In one implementation, before step S210 is executed, the method further includes: the first network element determines whether the terminal device supports the first service, and / or, the first network element determines whether the terminal device supports obtaining the first service using the first signaling. It should be understood that this application is based on the terminal device supporting the first service, and / or, the terminal device supporting obtaining the first service using the first signaling. That is, only when the first network element determines that the terminal device supports the first service, and / or, determines that the terminal device supports obtaining the first service using the first signaling, the first network element generates or obtains the first configuration information; if the first network element determines that the terminal device does not support the first service, or determines that the terminal device does not support obtaining the first service using the first signaling, the first network element may refuse to execute step S210.

[0186] In one example, the first network element determines that the terminal device supports the first service according to the first information, and / or, the first network element determines that the terminal device supports obtaining the first service using the first signaling according to the first information.

[0187] Exemplarily, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0188] (1) The capability information of the terminal device;

[0189] For example, the capability information of the terminal device is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the first service, and / or, the capability information of the terminal device is used to indicate that the terminal device supports obtaining the first service using the first signaling. Optionally, the capability information of the terminal device may be actively reported by the terminal device or queried by the first network element from a database (DB) or UDM.

[0190] (2) The identifier of the terminal device;

[0191] For example, the identifier of the terminal device is associated with the capability information of the terminal device. Based on the identifier of the terminal device, the first network element can determine the capability information of the terminal device, and further determine that the terminal device supports the first service, and / or determine that the terminal device supports obtaining the first service by using the first signaling.

[0192] (3) Subscription information of the terminal device;

[0193] For example, the subscription information is used to indicate that the network authorizes the terminal device to use the first service, and / or the subscription information is used to indicate that the network authorizes the terminal device to obtain the first service by using the first signaling. Optionally, the first network element can obtain the subscription information from the UDM or the Unified Data Repository (UDR).

[0194] (4) Policy information;

[0195] For example, the policy information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use the first service, and / or the policy information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to obtain the first service by using the first signaling. Optionally, the first network element can obtain the policy information from the PCF.

[0196] That is to say, based on one or more of the above-mentioned capability information of the terminal device, the identifier of the terminal device, the subscription information of the terminal device, or the policy information, the first network element can determine that the terminal device supports the first service, and / or determine that the terminal device supports obtaining the first service by using the first signaling.

[0197] In one implementation, before performing step S210, the method further includes step S220.

[0198] S220. The second network element or the application function sends a first request message to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element or the application function receives the first request message from the second network element. The first request message is used to request the first configuration information.

[0199] Exemplarily, the first request message includes information about the first network function and / or information about the first service. For specific interpretations, reference can be made to the above relevant descriptions.

[0200] Optionally, the first request message further includes one or more of the following:

[0201] (1) The identifier of the terminal device, such as UE ID / name, subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), or Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI), etc.;

[0202] (2) Format of the first signaling;

[0203] (3) Content of the first signaling;

[0204] (4) Forwarding logic of the first signaling;

[0205] (5) Priority of the first signaling;

[0206] (6) Information on service request methods and / or application information allowing the use of the first signaling;

[0207] (7) First information, for example, including at least one of terminal device capability information, terminal device subscription information, and policy information;

[0208] (8) Identification of the first signaling;

[0209] Exemplarily, the identification of the first signaling can be NAS ID, or NAS Session ID, etc., which can be generated by the service requester (such as UE, NF), or can be generated by the first network element.

[0210] (9) Service identification associated with the first signaling;

[0211] Exemplarily, the service identification associated with the first signaling can be Service ID / name, which can be generated by the service requester (such as UE, NF). In this application, the service associated with the first signaling can be the first service.

[0212] It should be understood that NAS ID, or NAS Session ID is used to identify the first signaling, and Service ID / name is used to identify the first service using the first signaling. For example, the terminal device can use NAS Service ID_1 to transmit control messages and / or data of AIService_1, etc.

[0213] (10) Service type associated with the first signaling;

[0214] Exemplarily, the service type associated with the first signaling can be connection service, sensing service, or AI service, etc.

[0215] Among them, the specific interpretations of the above parameters (2)-(7) can refer to the above relevant descriptions.

[0216] S230, the first network element sends a first response message to the second network element or the application function. Correspondingly, the second network element or the application function receives the response message from the first network element.

[0217] Among them, the first response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first configuration information, such as configuration success or configuration failure.

[0218] It should be understood that the technical solution of this application is carried out when the first configuration information is successfully configured. Optionally, if the configuration of the first configuration information fails, the first response message may carry a failure reason value to indicate that the configuration of the first configuration information fails.

[0219] In one implementation manner, before performing step S220, the method further includes: the second network element deploys a first network function (i.e., a processing node) in the network so that the first network function supports the first service. If the network functions supporting the first service further include a second network function, the second network element also needs to deploy the second network function in the network.

[0220] In the first example, the second network element receives a fourth request message from an application function or an operator management function, and the fourth request message is used to request the deployment of the first network function in the network. Correspondingly, the second network element sends a fourth response message to the application function or the operator management function, and the fourth response message is used to indicate the deployment result of the first network function. For example, the deployment is successful or the deployment fails. It should be understood that the technical solution of this application is based on the successful deployment of the first network function. Optionally, if the deployment of the first network function fails, the fourth response message may carry a reason value to indicate that the deployment of the first network function fails, such as the first network function is overloaded and insufficient to support the first service, or the first network function does not have the ability to provide the first service, or the network connection fails, etc.

[0221] In the second example, the operator management function (such as OAM) independently triggers the deployment of the first network function in the network.

[0222] Next, an example is given for the second network element to deploy the first network function in the network.

[0223] Exemplarily, the second network element adds a first network function in the network. For example, the operator management plane may initiate a deployment request for a network function to the second network element (such as NCF) to support certain additional features (i.e., the first service), and the NCF deploys the relevant network functions in the network, such as adding a first network function, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device. For another example, the operator management plane may deploy the network functions in the network, that is, add a first network function that supports the first service.

[0224] Exemplarily, the second network element updates the first network function in the network. For example, the operator management plane may initiate a deployment request for the first network function to the second network element (such as the NCF), and the NCF updates the first network function in the network. For another example, the operator management plane may update the first network function in the network so that the first network function supports certain additional features, that is, allows the first network function to provide the first service and provide differentiated exclusive services based on different users. For yet another example, the application function or the operator management function initiates an AI service or task execution request to the second network element (such as the TCF). When executing the AI service or task, the TCF may call the connection-related NF, computing-related NF, data-related NF, etc. to execute collaboratively to implement the AI service or task (such as model training, perception, etc.). Therefore, for different AI services or tasks, different first signaling may need to be transmitted.

[0225] Exemplarily, an external network element (such as the AF) may request the second network element to deploy the AF mirror inside the network. For example, the AF may directly initiate a request for mirror deployment or customization function to the second network element (such as the NCF or OAM), or the AF may also initiate a request for mirror deployment or customization function to the second network element through the NEF. In this implementation manner, the network provides an open function for the first service of the external third-party application, such as allowing the AF to deploy a mirror or customize network functions inside the network, so that the terminal device can perform signaling interaction with the AF mirror or customized function inside the network, that is, the interaction between the terminal device and the AF is completed inside the core network without passing through the DN connection, reducing the data forwarding and processing delay.

[0226] In one implementation manner, after performing the above step S210, the method further includes: the first network element sends the first configuration information. For example, the first network element may send the first configuration information to a forwarding node (such as RAN, AMF, or SCP, which is used to forward the first signaling between the terminal device and the first network function), the application function AF, or the second network element, the database DB, etc.

[0227] Exemplarily, if the first configuration information includes the second configuration information and the third configuration information, the first network element may send the second configuration information to the terminal device and send the third configuration information to the processing node (such as the first network function and / or the second network function).

[0228] For example, the second configuration information includes one or more of the following: the format of the first signaling, the content of the first signaling, the priority of the first service, the name of the first signaling, the identifier of the first signaling, or other parameters associated with the first service. For specific interpretations, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions in the above step S210.

[0229] For another example, the third configuration information includes one or more of the following: information about the first service, information about the application allowed to use the first service and / or information about the service requester, forwarding logic of the first signaling, network information, an identifier of the first signaling, or routing information. For specific explanations, please refer to the relevant description of the above step S210.

[0230] In a first example, the first network element may send first configuration information to the application function and / or the second network element, and the first configuration information may be carried in the first response message of step S230.

[0231] Optionally, the application function and / or the second network element may store the first configuration information in the DB, for example, the application function and / or the second network element may send the third information to the DB for storing or updating the first configuration information; or, the application function and / or the second network element may send the second configuration information to the terminal device as the policy update information of the terminal device through the PCF; or, the application function and / or the second network element may send the second configuration information to the terminal device through other NFs such as the AMF; or, the application function and / or the second network element may send the second configuration information to the terminal device through the base station. Optionally, the application function and / or the second network element may send the third configuration information to the forwarding node and / or the processing node.

[0232] In the second example, the first network element can send second information to the database DB for storing or updating the first configuration information, wherein the second information includes the first configuration information. Assuming that the NF (such as the PCF responsible for terminal device policy control, the AMF responsible for terminal device mobility management, etc.) sends a subscription service update notification request to the DB, the DB sends the first configuration information to the NF. When the subsequent terminal device is online or the policy of the terminal device is updated, the DB can send the second configuration information to the terminal device through the AMF / PCF, or when the subsequent terminal device initiates a request for the first service through the first signaling, the forwarding node or processing node in the network can obtain the second configuration information from the DB, and then determine the forwarding logic and usage rules of the first signaling.

[0233] In the third example, the first network element may send second configuration information to the terminal device, for details, see the following step S240.

[0234] S240, the first network element sends second configuration information to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second configuration information from the first network element.

[0235] In the first example, the first network element may send the second configuration information to the database DB and / or the second network element, and DB and / or the second network element send the second configuration information in a policy update message (such as UE policy) to the AMF / PCF / RAN, and then the AMF / PCF / RAN forwards it to the terminal device.

[0236] In the second example, the first network element may forward the second configuration information to the terminal device through the AMF / PCF / RAN. For example, the first network element sends a policy update message including the second configuration information to the terminal device through the AMF / PCF / RAN.

[0237] In the third example, the terminal device sends a fifth request message (corresponding to the newly established first session below) or a sixth request message (corresponding to an existing session) to the user plane network element through the first session, for requesting to obtain the second configuration information. Then, the user plane network element sends a second request message to the first network element or the second network element. Correspondingly, the first network element or the second network element sends a second response message to the user plane network element, and the second response message includes the second configuration information. Then, the user plane network element sends the second configuration information to the terminal device through the first session.

[0238] It should be noted that the first session in the embodiments of the present application is associated with the first service, or in other words, the first session corresponds to the first service. It can be understood that: the first session is used for the terminal device to obtain the second configuration information through the user plane network element, and further determine the format and / or content of the first signaling according to the second configuration information. Subsequently, the first signaling can be sent to obtain the first service. Optionally, if there is already a session between the terminal device and the user plane network element, the terminal device can also use the existing session to send a request for obtaining the second configuration information to the user plane network element. Here, the existing session may not be associated with the first service. That is to say, the terminal device can obtain the second configuration information through the newly established first session bound to the first service, or can also obtain the second configuration information through other existing sessions. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0239] In the fourth example, the first network element may send the third configuration information to a processing node (such as the first network function and the second network function) and / or a forwarding node (such as the RAN, AMF or SCP). Among them, the specific implementation manner of the first network element sending the third configuration information to the first network function can be seen in the following step S250.

[0240] S250, the first network element sends the third configuration information to the first network function and / or the forwarding node. Correspondingly, the first network function and / or the forwarding node receive the third configuration information from the first network element.

[0241] Optionally, if there is no forwarding node in the method 200, that is, the terminal device does not need to be forwarded by a forwarding node when sending the first signaling to request the first service, that is, the terminal device can directly send the first signaling to the first network function, the first network element may not perform the step of sending the third configuration information to the forwarding node in the above step S250.

[0242] Optionally, if there is a forwarding node in the method 200, that is, the terminal device needs to be forwarded by a forwarding node when sending the first signaling to request the first service, the first network element sends the third configuration information to the processing node and the forwarding node. In this case, if the first network element only sends the third configuration information to the first network function, the forwarding node may request the third configuration information from the first network element or the database DB or the second network element (such as NCF or TCF or OAM) or the application function; if the first network element only sends the third configuration information to the forwarding node, the first network function may request the third configuration information from the first network element or the database DB or the second network element (such as NCF or TCF or OAM) or the application function. That is, in this case, both the processing node and the forwarding node obtain the third configuration information to ensure the transmission of the first signaling and the terminal device can obtain the first service in a timely manner.

[0243] Optionally, before the first network element sends the third configuration information to the processing node and / or the forwarding node, the processing node and / or the forwarding node may send a configuration information request to the first network element to obtain the third configuration information. That is, the first network element may independently send the third configuration information to the processing node and / or the forwarding node, or may send the third configuration information to the processing node and / or the forwarding node based on the configuration information request.

[0244] It should be noted that the present application does not limit the execution order of the above steps S240 and S250.

[0245] In one implementation, before the terminal device obtains the second configuration information, the method further includes: the terminal device reports capability information.

[0246] Exemplarily, the terminal device may report the capability information to the network in a registration request message, or a service request message, or other messages, and this application does not limit this. For example, the terminal device sends a registration request message to the AMF and carries the capability information in the registration request message. The AMF queries the subscription information of the terminal device from the UDM to confirm that the terminal device has the capability to use the first signaling to obtain the first service. Then, the AMF may record the capability information of the terminal device in the context of the terminal device. At the same time, the AMF may also send the authorization information of the first service to the RAN, so that the RAN can forward the first signaling for requesting the first service for the terminal device. Optionally, the terminal device may send the capability information to any one or more devices among the RAN, SMF, PCF, DB, NF, the first network element, or the second network element, and this application does not limit this.

[0247] Exemplarily, the capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports using the first signaling to obtain the first service based on the second configuration information, that is, the terminal device can use the first signaling to request to obtain the first service. It should be understood that the first service here means that the terminal device can flexibly process the first signaling based on the second configuration information (for example, mark the first signaling with a specific NAS packet header, or mark the first signaling with a specific signaling identifier), and / or flexibly encapsulate the content of the first signaling based on the second configuration information. For example, the network side may open the NAS service of the terminal device for the AI service. For example, the terminal device may carry AI semantic data in the first signaling, and then the AI semantic parsing function on the network side escapes the content in the first signaling and provides the AI service for the terminal device.

[0248] Exemplarily, the capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device supports opening the first signaling for use by the first application (such as an APP), which can be regarded as the second service supported by the terminal device. Or rather, the second service can be understood as: transmitting the first signaling, or transmitting the data packet of the first service through the first signaling. Optionally, the terminal device sends the information of the first application to the network side, such as the APP ID and / or the APP address, and the network side can confirm that the first application can use the signaling service of the first service based on the information of the first application provided by the terminal device.

[0249] In one implementation manner, the method further includes: the network side sends indication information through the control plane to indicate that the terminal device obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the first session.

[0250] Exemplarily, the terminal device may receive indication information from a first network element, a second network element, an Application Function (AF) or an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). The indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device obtains second configuration information and / or fourth configuration information through a first session, where the fourth configuration information is used to indicate information for the terminal device to perform software update or chip upgrade.

[0251] The information for software update may be information for the terminal device to update software or download software, such as APP ID or APP address information. It can be understood that if the terminal device can obtain the second configuration information only after software update (or software installation) or chip upgrade, or in other words, the terminal device can request to obtain the first service through the first signaling only after software update (or software installation) or chip upgrade, then the terminal device needs to obtain the fourth configuration information, complete software upgrade or chip upgrade according to the fourth configuration information, and then obtain the second configuration information through the upgraded or updated software. In this case, software update or chip upgrade can be regarded as part of the process for the terminal device to obtain the second configuration information. Or rather, before obtaining the second configuration information, the terminal device obtains the fourth configuration information and completes software update or chip upgrade according to the fourth configuration information.

[0252] Optionally, the indication information may be carried in the policy update message sent to the terminal device in step S240.

[0253] In the first example, the first session may be a session newly established by the terminal device according to the session parameters corresponding to the second configuration parameters. The session parameters include at least one of the following: slice information, session type, or data network name (DNN), and the session parameters are used to establish the first session.

[0254] Exemplarily, the terminal device obtains the session parameters, and sends a session establishment request message to the Session Management Function (SMF) according to the session parameters. The session establishment request message is used to request to establish the first session. Correspondingly, the SMF sends session configuration information to the User Plane Function (UPF), carrying the first node information (such as information of the first network element, the second network element, or the Application Function), and the first node information is used to indicate the node for distributing the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information. Correspondingly, the UPF can establish the first session with the terminal device based on the session configuration information, and the SMF sends a session establishment response message to the terminal device. The session establishment response message is used to indicate the establishment result of the first session, such as successful establishment or failed establishment. It should be understood that in this implementation manner, the acquisition of the second configuration information is based on the successful establishment of the first session.

[0255] Optionally, the session parameters may be obtained by the terminal device from the network side after reporting the capability information. For example, the terminal device may obtain the session parameters from the SMF. Optionally, any one or more of the AMF, RAN, PCF, DB, NF, the first network element, or the second network element may also obtain the session parameters from the AMF and then send the session parameters to the terminal device. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0256] Optionally, the SMF may determine the first node information based on the session parameters provided by the terminal device. For example, the SMF may provide the session parameters to the PCF, and the PCF may send the first node information to the SMF; or, the SMF may obtain the first node information by querying the NRF, etc.

[0257] Based on this implementation, the terminal device may send a fifth request message to the user plane network element through the first session to request to obtain the fourth configuration information. Then, the user plane network element sends a third request message to the first node (for example, the first network element or the second network element or the application function) to request to obtain the fourth configuration information. Correspondingly, the first node sends a third response message to the user plane network element, and the third response message includes the fourth configuration information. Then, the user plane network element may send the fourth configuration information to the terminal device through the first session.

[0258] Exemplarily, the third request message or the fifth request message may carry one or more of the following: information of the first application (such as APP ID and / or address information of the APP), information of the first service, identifier of the first signaling, identifier of the terminal device, or identifier and / or address information of the first network element, etc. For specific interpretations, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions above.

[0259] In the second example, the first session may be an existing general session.

[0260] Exemplarily, the terminal device obtains the first node information, and the first node information indicates the sending node (such as the application function, the second network element, or the first network element) of the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information. Then, the terminal device sends a sixth request message to the user plane network element through the first session. The sixth request message is used to request to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information, and the sixth request message includes the first node information. Optionally, the sixth request message may further include the information of the first service. Correspondingly, the user plane network element obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information from the first node and sends a sixth response message to the terminal device through the first session. The sixth response message includes the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information.

[0261] In one implementation, the first node information may be obtained by the terminal device from the network side after reporting the capability information. For example, the terminal device may obtain the first node information from any one or more of the SMF, AMF, RAN, PCF, DB, NF, the first network element, the second network element, or the application function network element, and the present application does not limit this. By determining the first node information, the terminal device may subsequently send a request message to the first node to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information.

[0262] Based on the above steps S210 to S250, the terminal device may request the first service from the first network function through the first signaling, that is, perform the following steps S260 - S290.

[0263] S260, the terminal device sends the first signaling to the forwarding node according to the second configuration information.

[0264] Among them, the forwarding node may be the RAN or the AMF or other network elements, and the present application does not limit this.

[0265] Exemplarily, when the second configuration information includes the APP ID, it indicates that the APP can use the first signaling. For example, the APP may generate a data packet and then send it to the lower layer (such as the IP layer or other functional layers), and the lower layer may encapsulate the data packet based on the second configuration information. For example, the data packet is encapsulated in the Payload of the first signaling, and a specific identifier (such as the NAS ID in the second configuration information, or a specific NAS type, such as the NAS Service ID, APP ID, etc.) is carried in the packet header. Then, the terminal device sends the first signaling to the network side. Optionally, if the NAS type of the first signaling can be determined through the packet header of the first signaling, then the NAS Service ID, APP ID, etc. may not be carried in the first signaling either. By performing specific processing or packaging on the first signaling, the subsequent forwarding node and / or processing node can accurately know that the first signaling is used to obtain the first service, and then forward and process the first signaling in a targeted manner, facilitating the terminal device to obtain the first service in a timely manner, and improving the user service experience by flexibly using the first signaling.

[0266] In one implementation, if the first signaling is used for services within the network, the first signaling may not be triggered by the APP, but by the terminal device. For example, there is an application scenario where the user may initiate a service request to the network side in the form of text or voice. For example, the user may input text or voice information through the terminal device, and the terminal device encapsulates the text or voice information as the Payload of the first signaling, and the message header may carry an AI identifier, and sends the message through the first signaling to the network side.

[0267] In one implementation, for the enhancement of existing network services (e.g., session establishment service), additional parameters can be added to the session request message to support the provision of additional services (e.g., computing power service). It should be understood that these additional parameters may not be completed through standardized means. For example, after the terminal device performs software updates or chip upgrades, it can encapsulate and send the first signaling.

[0268] S270, the forwarding node obtains the forwarding logic of the first signaling.

[0269] Exemplarily, the forwarding logic of the first signaling includes information of the first network function, and the first network function supports processing the first signaling. It should be noted that the number of processing nodes for executing the first service in this application is not limited. For example, if there are multiple nodes for executing the first service, the forwarding logic of the first signaling further includes information of the second network function, that is, the second network function and the first network function jointly provide the first service for the terminal device. For example, the first network function supports the first part of the first service, and the second network function supports the second part of the first service.

[0270] In one example, the forwarding node may send a query message to a network storage function (e.g., NRF, DB, UDM, or UDR) to obtain the forwarding logic of the first signaling.

[0271] In another example, after performing step S210, the first network element may actively send the forwarding logic of the first signaling to the forwarding node.

[0272] In yet another example, the forwarding node may send a message to the first network element to request to obtain the forwarding logic of the first signaling. Correspondingly, the first network element sends the forwarding logic of the first signaling to the forwarding node.

[0273] Exemplarily, if the forwarding logic of the first signaling is carried in the third configuration information, the forwarding node can obtain the forwarding logic of the first signaling by obtaining the third configuration information. Among them, the implementation manner for the forwarding node to obtain the third configuration information can refer to the relevant description of step S250 above.

[0274] It should be noted that this application does not limit the execution sequence of the above steps S260 and S270.

[0275] S280, the forwarding node sends the first signaling to the first network function according to the forwarding logic of the first signaling.

[0276] Exemplarily, after obtaining the forwarding logic of the first signaling, the forwarding node may maintain a mapping relationship between the identifier of the first signaling (such as NAS ID or NAS Session ID) and the information of the first network function (such as NF1 ID or the address information of NF1). For example, when the forwarding node receives a message with the identifier of NAS ID (i.e., the first signaling) from the terminal device (or the previous forwarding node), it may determine the corresponding first network function according to this mapping relationship and the NAS ID, and then forward the first signaling to the first network function.

[0277] Optionally, the mapping relationship may be predefined or preconfigured by the network for the forwarding node, or the mapping relationship may be configured for the forwarding node by the network device through signaling. Optionally, the mapping relationship may exist in the form of a table, formula, character, or text, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0278] It should be noted that if there is 1 network function (processing node) that executes the first service, that is, the first network function, then after receiving the first signaling, the forwarding node forwards the first signaling to the first network function according to the information of the first network function carried in the forwarding logic of the first signaling; if there are multiple network functions (processing nodes) that execute the first service, such as the first network function and the second network function, then after receiving the first signaling, the forwarding node forwards the first signaling to the first network function and / or the second network function according to the information of the first network function and the information of the second network function carried in the forwarding logic of the first signaling. Optionally, if the forwarding logic of the first signaling carries the call order of the first network function and the second network function, for example, the call order of the first network function takes precedence over the call order of the second network function, then the forwarding node forwards the first signaling to the first network function.

[0279] S290, the first network function executes the first service.

[0280] In one example, if there is 1 network function (processing node) that executes the first service, that is, the first network function, then after receiving the first signaling, the first network function determines that the terminal device supports using the first service according to the third configuration information, and then the first network function executes the first service.

[0281] In one example, if there are multiple network functions (processing nodes) that execute the first service, such as the first network function and the second network function, after the first network function receives the first signaling, and determines that the terminal device supports using the first service according to the third configuration information, the first network function executes the first part of the first service. Then, the first network function can continue to send the first signaling to the second network function according to the information of the second network function carried in the forwarding logic of the first signaling. Furthermore, the second network function can determine that the terminal device supports using the first service according to the third configuration information, and the second network function continues to execute the second part of the first service. Optionally, after the first network function executes the first part of the first service, it can also continue to send the first signaling to the second network function according to the service request message name and specific parameters carried in the first signaling, or the call order of the first network function and the second network function, and the second network function continues to execute the second part of the first service.

[0282] It should be noted that the above steps S260 - S290 are optional, that is, the action of the terminal device requesting to obtain the first service from the first network function through the first signaling is optional. In addition, this application does not limit the timing for the terminal device to request to obtain the first service through the first signaling. For example, the terminal device can immediately execute the above step S260 after obtaining the first configuration information, or can execute the above step S260 when there is a need to obtain the first service.

[0283] The following combines Figure 7 to illustrate the position of the above routing information in the protocol stack and the specific implementation manner of determining the forwarding logic of the first signaling according to the routing information.

[0284] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the protocol stack provided by an embodiment of this application. As Figure 7 shown, the signaling interaction between the UE and the processing node can be forwarded through the forwarding node, and there can be one or more forwarding nodes, and there can also be one or more processing nodes. Among them, Figure 7 (a) indicates that there is one processing node that provides the first service (for example, processing node 1, that is, the first network function); Figure 7Part (b) of [Figure 0] shows that there are multiple processing nodes providing the first service (for example, processing node 1 and processing node 2, that is, the first network function and the second network function). For example, for the session establishment service (the first service), the UE sends a session establishment request message to the RAN (such as forwarding node #1) through the first signaling, and the RAN sends the session establishment request message to the AMF (such as processing node 1) through the first signaling. Optionally, the RAN can also first forward the first signaling to the SCP (such as forwarding node #2), and the SCP sends the session establishment request message to the AMF (such as processing node 1). Then, the AMF first verifies the session establishment request message, that is, the AMF continues to forward the first signaling to the SMF (such as processing node 2), and then the SMF performs session establishment configuration, that is, multiple processing nodes process the first signaling. In this case, after processing the first signaling, processing node 1 can perform subsequent forwarding based on the routing information carried in the NAS routing layer (for example, the routing information includes the identifier and / or address information of the processing node), that is, forward the first signaling to processing node 2, or processing node 1 can also forward the processed first signaling to the SCP (such as forwarding node #2), and the SCP performs subsequent forwarding based on the processing logic of the first signaling, that is, forward the first signaling to the SMF, etc.

[0285] Optionally, the NAS routing layer is located above L3 of the protocol stack. This application does not limit the specific location of the NAS routing layer. For example, the NAS routing layer can be located between L3 and the NAS Service layer, or the NAS routing layer can also be located below the APP layer. Among them, the APP layer can be used when the NAS Service needs to carry application layer data packets. For example, when the AF deploys processing nodes inside the network, or some data packets can be forwarded to the AF through the signaling plane. The data carried by the APP layer is the data carried in the payload of the NAS Service.

[0286] Optionally, the IP layer is included below the APP layer. If the data of the APP layer needs to be forwarded by the forwarding node to the AF through the DN, or the identity of the UE is identified through the address information, or path selection is performed through the address information (for example, whether to call the first signaling transmission or the PDU session transmission in the lower layer, and this selection logic can be sent to the UE through the second configuration information), etc., then the IP layer can be used. Optionally, the IP layer can also be replaced by other functional layers, such as a function for performing packet splitting on the data carried by the APP layer, or a selection function for determining whether the APP data packet is encapsulated through the first signaling or the user plane session.

[0287] Among them, the specific implementation method of the NAS routing layer for determining the forwarding logic of the first signaling is described as follows.

[0288] In one example, the NAS routing layer may indicate the mapping relationship between the first service type of the terminal device and the processing node information. For example, if the first service types include the AI service type, the computing power service type, and the perception service type, and the corresponding processing nodes are NF1, NF2, and NF3 respectively, then after receiving the first signaling from the terminal device, for example, the first signaling is used to request to obtain the perception service, the forwarding node determines that the corresponding processing node is NF3 according to the mapping relationship and the perception service type, and then the forwarding node forwards the first signaling to NF3. Optionally, in this way, the forwarding logic of the first signaling may be maintained by the forwarding node itself. Optionally, the mapping relationship may be predefined or pre-configured for the forwarding node by the network, or the mapping relationship may be configured for the forwarding node by the network device through signaling. Optionally, the mapping relationship may exist in the form of a table, a formula, characters, or text, etc., and the present application does not limit this.

[0289] In another example, the NAS routing layer may carry routing information. For example, for routing based on an identifier, the routing information includes the ID of the processing node; or, for routing based on an address, the routing information includes the address information of the processing node (such as an IP address, a MAC address, etc.), and the forwarding node performs routing based on the routing information carried by the NAS routing layer. For the terminal device, if the NAS routing layer exists, the NAS routing layer may carry the above routing information; if the NAS routing layer does not exist, the forwarding node needs to obtain the routing information from the NAS Service layer. For example, the forwarding node may determine the type of the first signaling based on the NAS header in the NAS Service layer, and then query the NF information that can process the first signaling from the NRF, and forward the obtained NF information as the routing information. Alternatively, the forwarding node may also obtain the routing information from the first network element (or the second network element or the application function) and forward it.

[0290] According to the above technical solution, the first network element generates the first configuration information and sends the first configuration information to the terminal device or other network elements to support other network elements to call services. The network allows for the flexible definition of network functions and service orchestration. The terminal device and the first network function can obtain the first service by interacting with the first signaling, so as to provide a flexible and lightweight network service deployment or update, ensure that the first network function and the first service can be quickly put into application, and meet the service requirements of users. In addition, a routing layer is added between the end-to-end (i.e., the terminal device and the first network function) to perform routing settings on the transmission of the first signaling, ensuring that the first signaling can be normally transmitted between the terminal device and the first network function.

[0291] Figure 3It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 300 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 3 shown, taking the first network element as NACF, the second network element as OAM / NCF / TCF, and the terminal device as UE as an example for illustration, this method mainly describes the NF deployment or association performed by the network, including the following multiple steps. It should be understood that Figure 3 the method 300 shown can be regarded as a specific implementation of the method shown above Figure 2 . The relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown above Figure 2 also apply to this implementation manner. Figure 3 There Figure 2 may be the same or similar technical means between Figure 2 and Figure 3 . The content already described in the embodiments shown above

[0292] will not be repeated.

[0293] S301, UE capability reporting.

[0294] Exemplarily, the UE may send capability information to the network side (such as any one or more devices among RAN, SMF, PCF, DB, NF, NACF, OAM, TCF, or NCF). Correspondingly, the network side receives the capability information from the UE. Among them, the meaning of the capability information and its reporting method may refer to the relevant descriptions of the above method 200.

[0295] It should be understood that the NF here refers to the NF related to the first service. It can be understood that the NF supports the first service, or the NF supports the invocation of the first service. Among them, the meaning of the first service, the information of the processing node, and the specific implementation manner of the NF deployment or association may refer to the relevant descriptions of the above method 200.

[0296] Exemplarily, OAM / NCF / TCF completes the deployment or orchestration of the NF so that the NF supports the first service. For example, if the first service is a computing service, OAM / NCF / TCF may send a request message to the NF related to the computing service for requesting NF deployment or association. Among them, resource information and / or processing logic and other information may be carried in the request message to indicate that the NF processes the first signaling according to the processing logic on the corresponding resources and provides the first service. Correspondingly, the NF sends a response message to OAM / NCF / TCF to indicate the execution result of NF deployment or association, such as successful execution or failed execution. It should be understood that this application is based on the successful deployment or association of the NF, that is, OAM / NCF / TCF may further request the first configuration information from NACF. Optionally, if the execution fails, the NF may send a cause value to OAM / NCF / TCF to indicate the failure of NF deployment or association.

[0297] It should be noted that the above OAM / NCF / TCF and NACF may be co-located or independently deployed. Optionally, NACF may also be co-located with PCF, and this application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0298] In one implementation manner, before executing step S302, the method further includes step S303, that is, the external AF may request NF deployment or association from the network side.

[0299] S303, the AF sends a request message to OAM / NCF / TCF. Correspondingly, OAM / NCF / TCF receives the request message from the AF.

[0300] Among them, the request message is used to request NF deployment or association.

[0301] S304, OAM / NCF / TCF sends a response message to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the response message from OAM / NCF / TCF.

[0302] Among them, the response message is used to indicate the execution result of NF deployment or association, such as successful execution or failed execution. It should be understood that this application is based on the successful deployment or association of the NF, that is, the AF may further request to obtain the NAS configuration from NACF. Optionally, if the execution fails, OAM / NCF / TCF may send a cause value to the AF to indicate the failure of NF deployment or association.

[0303] Figure 3 In the shown solution, the network side can flexibly deploy or orchestrate the NF within the network, so that the NF can flexibly and easily provide the first service for the UE of the terminal device to meet the service requirements of users.

[0304] Figure 4It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, taking the first network element as NACF, the second network element as OAM / NCF / TCF, and the terminal device as UE as an example for illustration, this method mainly generates first configuration information for the first network element, and sends the second configuration information to the UE and the third configuration information to the processing node NF by means of policy update, including the following multiple steps. It should be understood that Figure 4 the method 400 shown can be regarded as a specific implementation of the method shown above Figure 2 above. The relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown above Figure 2 also apply to this implementation manner. Figures 2 to 4 There may be the same or similar technical means among them. Figures 2 to 3 The content already described in the embodiments shown above Figure 4 will not be elaborated again.

[0305] S401, UE capability reporting. The specific implementation manner and the interpretation of relevant parameters can refer to the relevant description of the above method 200.

[0306] S402, OAM / NCF / TCF sends request message #1 to NACF. Correspondingly, NACF receives request message #1 from OAM / NCF / TCF.

[0307] S403, AF sends request message #2 to NACF. Correspondingly, NACF receives request message #2 from AF.

[0308] Among them, request message #1 or request message #2 is used to request the first configuration information, where the first configuration information includes the second configuration information and the third configuration information. The specific interpretation can refer to the relevant description of the above method 200.

[0309] Based on the above step S402 or S403, NACF can generate the first configuration information according to the request message of the internal or external network element and send down the first configuration information.

[0310] S404, NACF sends the first configuration information to the DB. Correspondingly, the DB receives the first configuration information from NACF.

[0311] Among them, the DB can be UDR, UDM, or Unstructured Data Storage Function (UDSF).

[0312] Optionally, the NACF may also send the third configuration information in the first configuration information to the processing node NF. For the parameters included in the third configuration information, their interpretations, and the specific implementation manners, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions of the above method 200. Alternatively, the NACF may also send the first configuration information to the AF / OAM / NCF / TCF, for example, carried in the response message #1 in step S405 or the response message #2 in step S406.

[0313] In response to step S402 or S403, the method may further include step S405 or S406.

[0314] S405, the NACF sends the response message #1 to the OAM / NCF / TCF. Correspondingly, the OAM / NCF / TCF receives the response message #1 from the NACF.

[0315] S406, the NACF sends the response message #2 to the AF. Correspondingly, the AF receives the response message #2 from the NACF.

[0316] Among them, the response message #1 or the response message #2 is used to indicate the configuration result of the first configuration information, such as configuration success or configuration failure. Optionally, the response message #1 or the response message #2 includes the first configuration information.

[0317] It should be understood that the technical solution of this application is carried out under the condition that the first configuration information is successfully configured. Optionally, if the first configuration information is configured fails, the failure cause value may be carried in the first response message to indicate that the first configuration information is configured fails.

[0318] It should be noted that the above steps S402 and S403 can be executed alternatively. Correspondingly, the steps S405 and S406 can also be executed alternatively. This application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0319] S407, the OAM / NCF / TCF / AF sends the first configuration information to the DB. Correspondingly, the DB receives the first configuration information from the OAM / NCF / TCF / AF.

[0320] It should be noted that the above steps S404 and S407 can be executed alternatively. This application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0321] Based on the above S404 and S407, the DB obtains the first configuration information. Further, the DB may send the second configuration information to the UE and / or send the third configuration information to the processing node NF.

[0322] S408, the DB sends the policy update message #1 to the AMF / PCF. Correspondingly, the AMF / PCF receives the policy update message #1 from the DB.

[0323] At S409, the AMF / PCF sends a policy update message #2 to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the policy update message #2 from the AMF / PCF.

[0324] Among them, the policy update message #1 and the policy update message #2 include second configuration information. Optionally, the policy update message #1 includes first configuration information.

[0325] Exemplarily, after the first configuration information is stored in the DB, the DB can notify the NFs (such as the PCF responsible for UE policy control, and / or the AMF responsible for UE mobility management, etc.) that have subscribed to the service update notification. For example, the PCF / AMF can send a subscription request message to the DB in step S401, so that the DB notifies the AMF / PCF when it determines that the first configuration information (or the second configuration information) is updated. After receiving the updated first configuration information (or second configuration information), the AMF / PCF can send the second configuration information to the UE.

[0326] It should be noted that the above Figure 3 and Figure 4 The methods shown can be implemented independently or in combination, and this application does not make any limitations in this regard. For example, before the NACF generates the first configuration information, the OAM / NCF / TCF in the network completes the deployment or association of the processing node NFs.

[0327] Figure 4 In the solution shown, the NACF can generate or obtain the first configuration information based on the request of the external AF or the internal OAM / NCF / TCF, and distribute the first configuration information, including sending the second configuration information to the UE and sending the third configuration information to the processing node NF, so that the first service-related data can be transmitted between the UE and the processing node through the first signaling, enabling the NF to flexibly and conveniently provide the first service for the UE to meet the user's service requirements.

[0328] It should be understood that the above Figure 4 is to send the second configuration information to the terminal device by means of policy update. The following will be described in combination with Figure 5 to send the second configuration information to the terminal device by means of a session.

[0329] Figure 5 The flowchart of the communication method 500 provided by the embodiments of this application. As Figure 5 shown, taking the first network element as the NACF, the second network element as the OAM / NCF / TCF, and the terminal device as the UE as an example, this method mainly describes how the UE obtains the fourth configuration information through the user plane session method after obtaining the second configuration information to complete software update or chip upgrade, including the following multiple steps. It should be understood that Figure 5The method 500 shown can be regarded as a specific implementation of the method shown above. Figure 2 The relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown above Figure 2 also apply to this implementation. There may be the same or similar technical means Figures 2 to 5 between them. The content already described in the embodiments shown Figures 2 to 4 will not be elaborated again. Figure 5

[0330] S501, UE capability reporting. The specific implementation method and the interpretation of relevant parameters can refer to the relevant description of the method 200 above.

[0331] S502, Complete the deployment of the processing node NF, generate and send the first configuration information.

[0332] Among them, the specific implementation method of NF deployment can refer to the relevant description of the method 300 above, and the specific implementation method of generating and sending the first configuration information can refer to the relevant description of the method 400 above.

[0333] S503, UE obtains session parameters and / or first node information.

[0334] Exemplarily, the UE obtains session parameters and / or first node information from the network side. Among them, the specific interpretation of the session parameters and the first node information can refer to the relevant description of the method 200 above. It should be understood that the first node information here refers to the node information used to send the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information, such as NACF / OAM / NCF / TCF / AF, etc. That is, the UE can request the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information from this first node.

[0335] In this implementation, the UE can obtain the second configuration information based on step S502. Further, the UE needs to complete software update or chip upgrade before it can obtain the first service by sending the first signaling based on the second configuration information.

[0336] Next, in combination with steps S504 - S511, the process of the UE obtaining the fourth configuration information through the first session will be described. Among them, the fourth configuration information is information for instructing the UE to perform software update or chip upgrade (which can be simply referred to as software information).

[0337] In the first example, the UE obtains session parameters in step S503, and the session parameters are used to establish the first session. At this time, the first session is newly established.

[0338] S504, UE receives indication information.

[0339] Exemplarily, the network side (e.g., AMF or NACF or OAM / NCF / TCF or AF) sends indication information to the UE to indicate that the UE obtains the fourth configuration information through the first session, that is, downloads the corresponding software from the network side through this session. Optionally, the UE can also receive software information from the network side, such as NAS Service ID, etc. Optionally, the software information can be sent simultaneously with the indication information or separately. Optionally, the indication information can be sent together with the policy update message in step S502, which is not limited in this application.

[0340] S505, the UE sends a session establishment request message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the session establishment request message from the UE.

[0341] Among them, the session establishment request message includes session parameters, and this session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of the first session. Exemplarily, the session parameters include at least one of the following: DNN, slice information, or session type, etc.

[0342] S506, the SMF obtains node information, and the specific implementation method can refer to the relevant description of the above method 200.

[0343] S507, the SMF sends session configuration information to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the session configuration information from the SMF.

[0344] Among them, the session configuration information includes node information.

[0345] S508, the SMF sends a session establishment response message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the session establishment response message from the SMF.

[0346] Among them, the session establishment response message is used to indicate whether the session establishment is successful or failed.

[0347] Next, the UE can obtain the fourth configuration information through the newly established first session, that is, execute steps S509 - S511.

[0348] S509, the UE sends a request message to the UPF through the first session. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the request message from the UE through the first session. Among them, the request message is used to obtain the fourth configuration information.

[0349] S510, the UPF obtains the fourth configuration information.

[0350] Exemplarily, based on the node information carried in the session configuration information in step S507, the UPF sends a request message to the associated node to obtain the fourth configuration information. Correspondingly, after receiving the request message, the associated node feeds back the fourth configuration information to the UPF.

[0351] S511, The UPF sends the fourth configuration information to the UE via the first session. Correspondingly, the UE receives the fourth configuration information from the UPF via the session.

[0352] In the second example, if the UE obtains node information in step S503, the UE can obtain the fourth configuration information via the first session. The first session can be an existing general first session or the first session newly established in the above steps S505 - S508. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0353] S509, The UE sends a request message to the UPF via the first session. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the request message from the UE via the first session. The request message is used to obtain the fourth configuration information, and the node information obtained in step S503 is carried in the request message.

[0354] S510, The UPF obtains the fourth configuration information.

[0355] Exemplarily, based on the node information carried in the request message or the node information carried in the session configuration information sent by the SMF, the UPF sends a request message to an associated node to obtain the fourth configuration information. Correspondingly, after receiving the request message, the associated node feeds back the fourth configuration information to the UPF.

[0356] S511, The UPF sends the fourth configuration information to the UE via the first session. Correspondingly, the UE receives the fourth configuration information from the UPF via the session.

[0357] Figure 5 In the shown solution, the UE can obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information via the first session, complete software update or chip upgrade, and then can use the first signaling to request the first service from the processing node to meet the service requirements of the user.

[0358] Figure 6 Flow schematic diagram of the communication method 600 provided by the embodiments of this application. As Figure 6 shown, taking the first network element as NACF, the second network element as OAM / NCF / TCF, and the terminal device as UE as an example for illustration. Compared with the above method 500, this method mainly describes how the UE obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the user plane session method and completes software update or chip upgrade, including the following multiple steps. It should be understood that Figure 6 the shown method 600 can be regarded as a specific implementation of the above Figure 2 shown method. The relevant descriptions in the above Figure 2 shown embodiments also apply to this implementation manner. Figures 2 to 6 There may be the same or similar technical means among them. Figures 2 to 5What has been described in the embodiments shown Figure 6 will not be elaborated further.

[0359] S601, UE capability reporting. The specific implementation method and the interpretation of relevant parameters can refer to the relevant description of the above method 200.

[0360] S602, The network side (such as NACF, OAM, TCF, or NCF) completes the deployment of the processing node NF, the generation and sending of the first configuration information.

[0361] Among them, the specific implementation method of NF deployment can refer to the relevant description of the above method 500. The difference is that the UE in this implementation method does not obtain the second configuration information. Therefore, the network side instructs the UE to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the first session.

[0362] S603, The UE obtains session parameters and / or the first node information.

[0363] Among them, the interpretation of the session parameters and / or the first node information, as well as the specific implementation method, can refer to the relevant description of the above method 500.

[0364] In a possible implementation, the UE needs to complete software update or chip upgrade before it can obtain the first service based on the second configuration information by sending the first signaling. That is to say, the UE needs to obtain the fourth configuration information to complete software update or chip upgrade before obtaining the first service through the first signaling, that is, the UE obtains the second configuration information and the fourth configuration information through the user plane session method. Optionally, this application does not limit the execution order of obtaining the second configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0365] In another possible implementation, the UE does not need to complete software update or chip upgrade before obtaining the second configuration information. That is to say, after the UE obtains the second configuration information, it can obtain the first service through the first signaling without obtaining the fourth configuration information. Or, the UE can complete software update or chip upgrade by obtaining the fourth configuration information without obtaining the second configuration information.

[0366] Next, in combination with steps S604 - S611, the process of the UE obtaining the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the first session will be described. Among them, the fourth configuration information is information used to instruct the UE to perform software update or chip upgrade (which can be simply referred to as software information).

[0367] In the first example, the UE obtains session parameters in step S603, and the session parameters are used to establish the first session. At this time, the first session is newly established.

[0368] S604, The UE receives the indication information.

[0369] Exemplarily, the network side (e.g., AMF or NACF or OAM / NCF / TCF or AF) sends indication information to the UE, for indicating the UE to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the first session.

[0370] S605, the UE sends a session establishment request message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the session establishment request message from the UE.

[0371] Wherein, the session establishment request message includes session parameters, and this session establishment request message is used to request to establish the first session. Exemplarily, the session parameters include at least one of the following: DNN, slice information, or session type, etc.

[0372] S606, the SMF obtains node information, and the specific implementation manner can refer to the relevant description of the above method 200.

[0373] S607, the SMF sends session configuration information to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the session configuration information from the SMF.

[0374] Wherein, the session configuration information includes node information.

[0375] S608, the SMF sends a session establishment response message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the session establishment response message from the SMF.

[0376] Wherein, the session establishment response message is used to indicate whether the session establishment is successful or failed.

[0377] Next, the UE can obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the newly established first session, that is, execute steps S609 - S611.

[0378] S609, the UE sends a request message to the UPF through the first session. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the request message from the UE through the first session. Wherein, the request message is used to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information.

[0379] S610, the UPF obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information.

[0380] Exemplarily, the UPF, based on the node information carried in the session configuration information in step S607, sends a request message to the associated node for obtaining the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information. Correspondingly, after receiving the request message, the associated node feeds back the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information to the UPF.

[0381] S611, the UPF sends the fourth configuration information to the UE through the first session. Correspondingly, the UE receives the fourth configuration information from the UPF through the session.

[0382] In the second example, when the UE obtains node information in step S603, the UE can obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the first session. Among them, the first session can be an existing general first session or a first session newly established in the above steps S605 - S608. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0383] S609, the UE sends a request message to the UPF through the first session. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the request message from the UE through the first session. The request message is used to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information, and the node information obtained in step S603 is carried in the request message.

[0384] S610, the UPF obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information.

[0385] Exemplarily, the UPF sends a request message to an associated node based on the node information carried in the request message or based on the node information carried in the session configuration information sent by the SMF, for obtaining the fourth configuration information. Correspondingly, after receiving the request message, the associated node feeds back the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information to the UPF.

[0386] S611, the UPF sends the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information to the UE through the first session. Correspondingly, the UE receives the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information from the UPF through the session.

[0387] Figure 6 In the shown solution, the UE can obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through the first session, complete software update or chip upgrade, and then can use the first signaling to request the first service from the processing node to meet the service requirements of the user.

[0388] As described above in conjunction with Figures 1 to 7 The communication method side embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Next, the communication device side embodiments of this application will be described in conjunction with Figures 8 to 9 The communication device side embodiments will be described in detail. It should be understood that the descriptions of the device embodiments correspond to those of the method embodiments. Therefore, for the parts not described in detail, reference can be made to the previous method embodiments.

[0389] Figure 8 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a communication device 800 provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8As shown in the figure, the communication device 800 includes a processing module 801 and a communication module 802. The communication device 800 can be a first network element (such as NACF), or a communication device applied to the first network element or used in combination with the first network element and capable of implementing the methods executed by the first network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit; or, the communication device 800 can be a second network element (such as NCF or TCF or OAM), or a communication device applied to the second network element or used in combination with the second network element and capable of implementing the methods executed by the second network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit; or, the communication device 800 can be a terminal device (such as UE), or a communication device applied to the terminal device or used in combination with the terminal device and capable of implementing the methods executed by the terminal device, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit; or, the communication device 800 can be a forwarding node (such as RAN or AMF or SCP), or a communication device applied to the forwarding node or used in combination with the forwarding node and capable of implementing the methods executed by the forwarding node, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit;

[0390] Among them, the communication module can also be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a transceiver device, etc. The processing module can also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing unit, or a processing device, etc. Optionally, the communication module is used to perform the sending and receiving operations of the first network element, the second network element, the forwarding node, or the terminal device in the above methods. The devices used to implement the receiving function in the communication module can be regarded as receiving units, and the devices used to implement the sending function in the communication module can be regarded as sending units, that is, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a sending unit.

[0391] When the communication device 800 is applied to the first network element, the processing module 801 can be used to implement the processing function of the first network element in the above embodiments, and the communication module 802 can be used to implement the transceiver function of the first network element in the above embodiments.

[0392] When the communication device 800 is applied to the second network element, the processing module 801 can be used to implement the processing function of the second network element in the above embodiments, and the communication module 802 can be used to implement the transceiver function of the second network element in the above embodiments.

[0393] When the communication device 800 is applied to the forwarding node, the processing module 801 can be used to implement the processing function of the forwarding node in the above embodiments, and the communication module 802 can be used to implement the transceiver function of the forwarding node in the above embodiments.

[0394] When the communication device 800 is applied to the terminal device, the processing module 801 can be used to implement the processing function of the terminal device in the above embodiments, and the communication module 802 can be used to implement the transceiver function of the terminal device in the above embodiments.

[0395] In addition, it should be noted that the foregoing communication module and / or processing module may be implemented by a virtual module. For example, the processing module may be implemented by a software functional unit or a virtual device, and the communication module may be implemented by a software function or a virtual device. Alternatively, the processing module or the communication module may also be implemented by a physical device. For example, if the device is implemented by a chip / circuit (such as an integrated circuit or a logic circuit, etc.). The communication module may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing an input operation (corresponding to the foregoing receiving operation) and an output operation (corresponding to the foregoing sending operation); the processing module is an integrated processor or a microprocessor or a circuit (such as an integrated circuit or a logic circuit, etc.).

[0396] The division of modules in this application is illustrative, merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, in each example of this application, each functional module may be integrated in a processor, or may exist independently physically, or two or more modules may be integrated in one module. The above integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules.

[0397] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of another communication device 900 provided by an embodiment of this application. As Figure 9 shown, optionally, the communication device 900 may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in this application, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0398] The communication device 900 can be used to implement the functions of any network element (such as the first network element, the second network element, the forwarding node, or the terminal device) in the communication system described in the foregoing examples. The communication device 900 may include at least one processor 910. Optionally, the processor 910 is coupled to the memory. The memory may be located inside the device, or the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may also be located outside the device. For example, the communication device 900 may further include at least one memory 920. The memory 920 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data in implementing any of the foregoing examples; the processor 910 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 920 to complete the methods in any of the foregoing examples.

[0399] The communication device 900 may further include a communication interface 930. The communication device 900 can interact with other devices through the communication interface 930. Exemplarily, the communication interface 930 can be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or other types of communication interfaces. When the communication device 900 is a chip-like device or a circuit, the communication interface 930 in the device 900 can also be an input / output circuit, which can input information (or receive information) and output information (or send information). The processor 910 is an integrated processor, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a logic circuit, etc. The processor can determine the output information according to the input information.

[0400] The coupling in this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units, or modules. The processor 910 may cooperate with the memory 920 and the communication interface 930. The specific connection medium between the processor 910, the memory 920, and the communication interface 930 is not limited in this application.

[0401] Optionally, as Figure 9 shown in Figure 9 , the processor 910, the memory 920, and the communication interface 930 are interconnected through a bus 940. Optionally, the bus can include address buses, data buses, control buses, and other types of buses. In addition, for ease of representation,

[0402] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be the following devices or a partial circuit for processing functions in the following devices: a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0403] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM). For example, the RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, the RAM includes the following various forms: static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0404] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, the memory (storage module) may be integrated in the processor.

[0405] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include but not be limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0406] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the first network element, the second network element, the forwarding node, or the terminal device in the above method embodiments are stored.

[0407] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, including instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the methods executed by the first network element, the second network element, the forwarding node, or the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0408] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes the first network element, the second network element, and the forwarding node in the above embodiments. Optionally, the communication system further includes a terminal device.

[0409] For the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the above-provided devices, reference can be made to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0410] To facilitate the understanding of the above embodiments provided in this application, the following explanations are made:

[0411] 1) In this application, without special instructions and logical conflicts, 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 inherent logical relationships.

[0412] 2) In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after. "At least one (item)" or its similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item (item) or multiple items (items). For example, at least one (item) of a, b, and c can represent: a, or, b, or, c, or, a and b, or, a and c, or, b and c, or, a, b, and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple respectively.

[0413] 3) In this application, "first", "second", and various numerical numbers (for example, #1, #2, etc.) are used for distinction for the convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, to distinguish different messages, etc., rather than for describing a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the objects described in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so as to be able to describe the solutions other than the embodiments of this application.

[0414] 4) In this application, descriptions such as "when...", "in the case of...", and "if..." all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, not limiting time, and it is not required that the device must have a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean there are other limitations.

[0415] 5) In this application, "for indicating" can include for direct indication and for indirect indication. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and it does not mean that A must be carried in the indication information.

[0416] The indication methods involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood to cover various methods that can enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately. Moreover, the sending periods and / or sending timings of these sub-informations can be the same or different. This application does not limit, for example, the sending method.

[0417] The "indication information" in the embodiments of this application can be explicit indication, that is, directly indicated by signaling, or obtained according to the parameters indicated by signaling, in combination with other rules or other parameters or through derivation. It can also be implicit indication, that is, obtained according to rules or relationships, or other parameters, or through derivation. This application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0418] 6) In this application, "protocol" can refer to standard protocols in the field of communication. For example, it can include 5G protocols, NR protocols, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not make limitations on this. "Pre-defined" can include pre-definition. For example, protocol definition. "Pre-configuration" can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other ways that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. This application does not limit its implementation method, for example.

[0419] 7) In this application, "communication" can also be described as "data transmission", "information transmission", "data processing", etc. "Transmission" includes "sending" and "receiving".

[0420] In various embodiments of this application, the magnitudes of the sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0421] In this application, on the premise of no logical contradiction, the examples can refer to each other. For example, the methods and / or terms between method embodiments can refer to each other. For example, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments can refer to each other. For example, the functions and / or terms between device examples and method examples can refer to each other.

[0422] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed in this article can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but this implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0423] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and conciseness of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be described herein again.

[0424] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be through some interfaces, and the indirect couplings or communication connections of the devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0425] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0426] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, the functional units can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0427] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art or a part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0428] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application and should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: Obtain first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to indicate the usage rules of a first signaling between a terminal device and a first network function, the first signaling is associated with a first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device; Send the first configuration information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first signaling is used to implement one or more of the following: Control the first service; Synchronize the status of the first service; or, Transmit data of the first service.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a first request message, where the first request message is used to request the first configuration information, and the first request message includes information of the first network function and / or information of the first service; Send a first response message, where the first response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first configuration information, and / or; The sending of the first configuration information includes: Send a first response message, where the first response message includes the first configuration information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The sending of the first configuration information includes: Send second information to a database, where the second information is used to store or update the first configuration information.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The first request message further includes one or more of the following: An identifier of the terminal device; The format of the first signaling; The identifier of the first signaling; A service identifier associated with the first signaling; A service type associated with the first signaling; The content of the first signaling; The forwarding logic of the first signaling; The priority of the first signaling; Or, Information of a service requester and / or application information allowed to use the first signaling.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Before obtaining the first configuration information, the method further includes: Determine that the terminal device supports using the first service according to first information; Wherein, the first information includes one or more of the following: Capability information of the terminal device, where the capability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device supports the first service, and / or indicates that the terminal device supports using the first signaling to obtain the first service; An identifier of the terminal device, where the identifier of the terminal device is associated with the capability information of the terminal device; Subscription information of the terminal device, where the subscription information indicates that the network authorizes the terminal device to use the first service, and / or indicates that the network authorizes the terminal device to use the first signaling to obtain the first service; or, Policy information, where the policy information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use the first service, and / or indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use the first signaling to obtain the first service.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first configuration information includes second configuration information and third configuration information, and the sending of the first configuration information includes: Send the second configuration information to the terminal device; and / or, Send the third configuration information to the first network function.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The second configuration information includes one or more of the following: The format of the first signaling; The content of the first signaling; The priority of the first service; The identifier of the first signaling; The name of the first signaling; Or, Other parameters associated with the first service.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The third configuration information includes one or more of the following: An identifier of the first service; The identifier of the first signaling; Information of the application that allows the use of the first service and / or information of the service requester; The forwarding logic of the first signaling; or, Network information that allows the terminal device to use the first service within the network indicated by the network information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending indication information to the terminal device, where the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through a first session, and the fourth configuration information is information for indicating the terminal device to perform software update.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that The sending the second configuration information to the terminal device includes: Sending policy update information to the terminal device, where the policy update information includes the second configuration information; or, Receiving a second request message from a user plane network element, where the second request message is used to request to obtain the second configuration information; Sending a second response message to the user plane network element, where the second response message includes the second configuration information.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving a third request message from a user plane network element, where the third request message is used to request to obtain the fourth configuration information; Sending a third response message to the user plane network element, where the third response message includes the fourth configuration information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The first signaling includes NAS signaling and / or control plane signaling.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, Includes: Sending a first request message, where the first request message is used to request first configuration information, the first request message includes information of a first network function and / or information of a first service, the first configuration information is used to indicate the usage rules of the first signaling between the terminal device and the first network function, the first signaling is associated with the first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device; Receiving a first response message, where the first response message is used to indicate the configuration result of the first configuration information; and / or, the first response message includes the first configuration information.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, Before the sending the first request message, the method further includes: Deploying the first network function within the network.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The deploying the first network function within the network includes: Receiving a fourth request message, where the fourth request message is used for an application function or an operator management function to request to deploy the first network function within the network; Sending a fourth response message, where the fourth response message is used to indicate the deployment result of the first network function.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The first response message includes the first configuration information, and the method further includes: Sending third information to a database, where the third information is used to store or update the first configuration information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that The first configuration information includes second configuration information and third configuration information, and the method further includes: Sending the second configuration information to the terminal device; and / or, Sending the third configuration information to the first network function.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The method further includes: Sending indication information to the terminal device, where the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device obtains the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information through a first session, and the fourth configuration information is information for indicating the terminal device to perform software update.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, Includes: Receive second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to indicate the usage rule of a first signaling between a terminal device and a first network function, the first signaling is associated with a first service, and the first network function supports providing the first service for the terminal device; Send the first signaling according to the second configuration information, where the first signaling is used for the terminal device to obtain the first service.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein Before receiving the second configuration information, the method further includes: Send capability information, where the capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports using the first signaling to obtain the first service based on the second configuration information.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device supports opening the first signaling for a first application to use.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device obtains the second configuration information and / or fourth configuration information through a first session, and the second configuration information is used to indicate information for the terminal device to perform software update.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The method further includes: Obtain session parameters, where the session parameters are used to establish the first session; Send a session establishment request message according to the session parameters, where the session establishment request message is used to request to establish the first session; Receive a session establishment response message, where the session establishment response message is used to indicate the establishment result of the first session.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The receiving the second configuration information includes: Send a fifth request message to a user plane network element through the first session, where the fifth request message is used to request to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information; Receive a fifth response message from the user plane network element through the first session, where the fifth response message includes the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein The method further includes: Obtain first node information, where the first node information indicates the sending node of the second configuration information; Send a sixth request message to a user plane network element through the first session, where the sixth request message is used to request to obtain the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information, and the sixth request message includes the first node information; Receive a sixth response message from the user plane network element through the first session, where the sixth response message includes the second configuration information and / or the fourth configuration information.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein The sixth request message further includes information about the first service.

28. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 27, characterized in that, The receiving the second configuration information includes: Receive policy update information, where the policy update information includes the second configuration information.

29. A communication method, characterized in that, Includes: Receive a first signaling, where the first signaling is used for a terminal device to obtain a first service; Obtain the forwarding logic of the first signaling, where the forwarding logic of the first signaling includes information about a first network function, and the first network function supports processing the first signaling; Send the first signaling to the first network function according to the forwarding logic of the first signaling.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein Obtaining the forwarding logic of the first signaling includes: Receive the forwarding logic of the first signaling from a first network element, and the first network element supports the first service.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that, The obtaining the forwarding logic of the first signaling includes: Send a query message to the network storage function, where the query message is used to obtain information about the first network function.

32. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising: One or more functional modules, where the one or more functional modules are used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or the one or more functional modules are used to execute the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, or the one or more functional modules are used to execute the method according to any one of claims 20 to 28, or the one or more functional modules are used to execute the method according to any one of claims 29 to 31.

33. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising: A processor, where the processor is coupled to a memory; The processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, or so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 28, or so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 29 to 31.

34. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program is stored, and when the computer program runs on a computer, it causes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 to be executed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19 to be executed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 28 to be executed, or causes the method according to any one of claims 29 to 31 to be executed.

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