Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a communication device, which are applied to the field of communication, and can provide first information satisfying constraint information of a terminal group for each device in the terminal group according to the constraint information of the terminal group, thereby improving the efficiency of federal learning of a network auxiliary application layer. The method comprises: receiving a first request message from a first network element, the first request message comprising constraint information of a terminal group, the terminal group comprising one or more terminals, the constraint information of the terminal group being constraint information of one or more parameters of terminal group granularity; determining first information of each terminal in the terminal group according to the first request message, wherein the first information satisfies constraint information of the terminal group; and sending a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message comprises the first information of each terminal.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In New Radio (NR), a network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element can provide a recommendation service. Specifically, the NWDAF can provide different quality of service (QoS) parameters for different terminals. However, since the NWDAF does not consider the differences between the QoS parameters of different terminals, it may not be able to meet the requirements of some scenarios, such as not being able to meet the requirements of the QoS parameters of the terminals participating in application layer federated learning. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can provide first information that meets the constraint information of the terminal group for each device in the terminal group according to the constraint information of the parameters of the terminal group, thereby improving the efficiency of network-assisted application layer federated learning.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a policy management function network element or an application network element, or by a component (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) of the policy management function network element or the application network element, and can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the policy management function network element or the application network element.

[0005] The method includes: receiving a first request message from a first network element, the first request message including constraint information of a terminal group, the terminal group including one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group being constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity; determining first information of each terminal in the terminal group according to the first request message, the first information meeting the constraint information of the terminal group; and sending a first response message to the first network element, the first response message including the first information of each terminal.

[0006] Exemplarily, the one or more parameters may be one or more QoS parameters. Exemplarily, the one or more QoS parameters may include one or more of the following: the maximum packet loss rate, the PDU delay budget (PDB), the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), or the maximum flow bit rate (MFBR).

[0007] According to the method provided in this application, the network data analysis network element can provide first information that meets the constraint information of the terminal group for each device in the terminal group, thereby improving the efficiency of network-assisted application layer federated learning.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the constraint information of the terminal group includes the constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal and / or the constraint information of the same parameters of all terminals in the terminal group.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal includes: the constraint information of the difference between the same parameters of different terminals; and / or, the constraint information of the same parameters of all terminals in the terminal group includes: the constraint information of the sum of the same parameters of all terminals and / or the constraint information that all terminals in the terminal group meet the same requirement.

[0010] For example, the constraint information of the difference between the same parameters of different terminals can indicate one or more of the following: (1) the variance / mean of the maximum packet loss rate in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group is less than the first threshold / second threshold; (2) the variance / mean of the maximum PDB in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group is less than the third threshold / fourth threshold; (3) the variance / mean of the GFBR in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group is less than the fifth threshold / sixth threshold; (4) the variance / mean of the MFBR in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group is less than the seventh threshold / eighth threshold.

[0011] For example, the constraint information of the same parameters of all terminals in the terminal group can indicate one or more of the following: (1) the sum of the maximum GFBR in the QoS parameters of all terminals in the terminal group is less than the ninth threshold; the sum of the maximum flow bit rates in the QoS parameters of all terminals in the terminal group is less than the tenth threshold; the sum of the delays of the PDU sessions in the QoS parameters of all terminals in the terminal group is less than the eleventh threshold; the sum of the bit error rates of the PDU sessions in the QoS parameters of all terminals in the terminal group is less than the twelfth threshold.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first network element is a policy management function network element or an application network element.

[0013] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by the network data analysis network element, or by components of the network data analysis network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), and can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network data analysis network element.

[0014] The method includes: sending a first request message to a network data analysis network element, where the first request message includes constraint information of a terminal group, the terminal group includes one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group is constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity; receiving a first response message from the network data analysis network element, where the first response message includes first information of each terminal in the terminal group, the first information satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group, and the first response message is generated according to the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0015] According to the method provided in this application, the network data analysis network element can provide first information that satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group for each device in the terminal group, thereby improving the efficiency of network-assisted application layer federated learning.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the constraint information of the terminal group includes constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal and / or constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, the constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal includes: constraint information of the difference between the same parameters of different terminals; and / or, the constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group includes: constraint information of the sum of the same parameters of all terminals or constraint information that all terminals meet the same requirement.

[0018] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending the first information of each terminal to a policy control network element. Thus, the policy control network element can obtain the first information of each terminal.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, before sending the first request message to the network data analysis network element, the method further includes: receiving a second request message from an application network element or a visited network session management network element, where the second request message includes the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0020] Regarding the second aspect, reference may specifically be made to the relevant description of the first aspect.

[0021] In a third aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes: a first network element and a network data analysis network element. The first network element is configured to send a first request message to the network data analysis network element, where the first request message includes constraint information of a terminal group, the terminal group includes one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group is constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity; the network data analysis network element is configured to receive the first request message and determine first information of each terminal in the terminal group according to the first request message, where the first information satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group; the network data analysis network element is further configured to send a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes the first information of each terminal.

[0022] The constraint information about the terminal group may refer to the description in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first network element is a policy management function network element. Before the first network element sends the first request message to the network data analysis network element, the method further includes: the first network element receives a second request message from an application network element or a visited network session management network element, where the second request message includes the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first network element is an application network element. The first network element is further configured to: send the first information of each terminal to a policy control network element.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, including modules or units for executing: the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner in the first aspect, and / or, the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner in the second aspect.

[0026] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor, the processor is coupled with a memory, the memory is configured to store a computer program or instruction, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instruction stored in the memory to implement: the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner in the first aspect, and / or, the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner in the second aspect.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the device further includes a memory coupled with the processor.

[0028] In a possible implementation, there is one or more processors, and / or, there is one or more memories.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the memory may be integrated with the processor or separately provided from the processor.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled with the communication interface.

[0031] In one implementation, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0032] In a sixth aspect, a processor is provided, including: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes: the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and / or, the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0033] In a specific implementation process, the above-mentioned processor may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit may be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit may be output to, for example but not limited to, a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times respectively. The present application does not limit the specific implementation manners of the processor and various circuits.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, including: a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instruction), when the computer program is run, it causes the computer to execute: the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and / or, the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0035] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instruction), when the computer program runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute: the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and / or, the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0036] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a communication device installed with the chip executes: the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and / or, the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0037] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes an interface and a processor. The interface is used to send and / or receive signals, such that the processor executes: the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner in the first aspect, and / or, the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner in the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 2 FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a specific process for an NWDAF to recommend QoS parameters based on expected service experience provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 3 FIG. 14 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 4 FIG. 18 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 5 FIG. 22 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 6 FIG. 26 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 7 FIG. 30 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 8 FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 9 FIG. 38 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0048] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. The "and / or" in this application is just a description of the association relationship of the 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. Here, A and B can be singular or plural. Also, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "a plurality of" means two or more than two. "At least one (item)" or its similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural item(s). For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a - b, a - c, b - c, or a - b - c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Additionally, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and roles. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different.

[0049] In the method embodiments of this application, the size of the serial number does not mean the sequence of execution. The execution order 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.

[0050] It can be understood that in this application, descriptions such as "in... case", "if...", "when...", "if... then..." can be used interchangeably. And these descriptions all refer to corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, not limited to time, and do not require a judgment action during implementation, nor do they mean there are other limitations.

[0051] It can be understood that in this application, "greater than or equal to" can be replaced by "greater than", and correspondingly, "less than" can be replaced by "less than or equal to". Or "greater than" can be replaced by "greater than or equal to", and correspondingly, "less than or equal to" can be replaced by "less than".

[0052] It can be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can, in certain scenarios, be implemented independently without relying on other features, such as the current scheme they are based on, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. They can also, in certain scenarios, be combined with other features according to requirements. Correspondingly, the devices given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be elaborated here.

[0053] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between various embodiments can be referred to each other. In various embodiments of this application, as well as in each implementation manner / implementation method / realization method in each embodiment, if there is no special specification and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments, as well as between each implementation manner / implementation method / realization method in each embodiment, are consistent and can be mutually referred to. The technical features in different embodiments, as well as in each implementation manner / implementation method / realization method in each embodiment, can be combined to form new embodiments, implementation manners, implementation methods, or realization methods according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation manners of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of this application.

[0054] The solution provided by this application can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5th Generation (5G), New Radio (NR), or other communication systems or communication scenarios that may emerge with the evolution of technology.

[0055] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system architecture applicable to this application is shown. This system architecture is described from the perspective of service-oriented interfaces, and each network element involved in this system architecture will be described separately below.

[0056] 1. (Radio) Access Network ((R)AN) device 101: It is used to provide network access functions for terminals in a specific area and can use transmission tunnels of different qualities according to the levels of terminals, service requirements, etc.

[0057] The access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next generation base station in a 6th Generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc.; it can also be a module or unit that completes some functions of the base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Here, the CU completes the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also complete the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also complete some or all of the functions of the physical layer. For the specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, reference can be made to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The access network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, and can also be a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the access network device. The access network device and the terminal can be fixed or movable. The access network device and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on the water surface; they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network device and the terminal.

[0058] 2. User plane network element 102: It is used for packet routing and forwarding and quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data, etc.

[0059] Such as Figure 1As shown in the figure, in a 5G communication system, the user plane network element may be a user plane function (UPF) network element, which may include an intermediate user plane function (I-UPF) network element and a PDU Session anchor user plane function (PSA-UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane network element may still be a UPF network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0060] 3. Data Network (DN) 103: It is used to provide a network for transmitting data.

[0061] In future communication systems, the data network may still be a DN, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0062] In a 5G communication system, after a terminal accesses the network, it can establish a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session and access the DN through the PDU session, and can interact with application network elements (such as application servers) deployed in the DN. As Figure 3 shown in the figure, according to the different DNs accessed by the user, the network can select the UPF accessing the DN as the PDU Session Anchor (PSA) according to the network policy, and access the application network element through the N6 interface of the PSA.

[0063] 4. Mobility Management Network Element 104: It is mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc., and can be used to implement other functions except session management in the functions of a Mobility Management Entity (MME), such as lawful interception and access authorization / authentication functions.

[0064] As Figure 1 shown in the figure, in a 5G communication system, the mobility management network element may be an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the mobility management network element may still be an AMF network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0065] 5. Session Management Network Element 105: It is mainly used for session management, allocation and management of the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the terminal, selection of manageable terminal plane functions, termination of the policy control and charging function interfaces, and downlink data notification, etc.

[0066] As Figure 1 shown, in a 5G communication system, the session management network element may be a session management function (SMF) network element, and may include an intermediate session management function (I-SMF) network element and an anchor session management function (A-SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0067] 6. Data management network element 103: It is used to process terminal identification, access authentication, registration, mobility management, etc.

[0068] As Figure 1 shown, in a 5G communication system, the data management network element may be a unified data management (UDM) network element or a unified data repository (UDR) network element. In future communication systems, the data management network element may still be a UDM or UDR network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application. The UDM or UDR network element in the embodiments of this application may refer to a user database and may exist as a single logical repository for storing user data.

[0069] 7. Network exposure function network element 107: It is used to provide customized functions for network exposure.

[0070] As Figure 1 shown, in a 5G communication system, the network exposure function network element may be a network exposure function (NEF) network element. In future communication systems, the network exposure function network element may still be a NEF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application. The 5G communication system may also open the capabilities supported by 5GC to external application network elements through the NEF network element, such as providing small data transfer capabilities, etc.

[0071] 8. Policy control network element 108: It is a unified policy framework for guiding network behavior and provides policy rule information for control plane function network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.).

[0072] In a 4G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element. As Figure 1As shown in the figure, in a 5G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy control function (PCF) network element. In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0073] 9. Network data analysis network element 109: A network element that provides data analysis functions for network functions (NFs) (NFs can also be referred to as network elements) and OAM in the core network. NFs or OAM in the core network can request network data analysis results from the network data analysis network element 109. After receiving the request, the network data analysis network element 109 collects data from relevant network elements and trains an AI model, and finally uses the AI model for data inference and feeds the inference results back to the corresponding network functions or OAM in the core network. According to different functions, the network data analysis network element 109 can be divided into a network data analysis network element that supports training and a network data analysis network element that supports inference. The network data analysis network element that supports training can request AI model information from the network data analysis network element that supports inference for data inference.

[0074] As Figure 1 shown in the figure, in a 5G communication system, the network data analysis network element may be a network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element. In future communication systems, the network data analysis network element may still be a NWDAF network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0075] 10. Application network element 110: The application network element can interact with the 5G system through the application network element, and is used to access the network open function network element or interact with the policy framework for policy control, etc.

[0076] As Figure 1 shown in the figure, in a 5G communication system, the application network element may be an application function (AF) network element. In future communication systems, the application network element may still be an AF network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0077] 11. Network storage function network element 110: It is mainly used for service discovery functions, maintaining NF texts of available NF instances and the services they support.

[0078] As Figure 1As shown, in a 5G communication system, the network storage function network element may be a network repository function (NRF) network element. In future communication systems, the network storage function network element may still be an NRF network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0079] 12. Network management function network element 112: A network element for operation, administration, and maintenance, mainly responsible for the operation, administration, and maintenance of network elements in the core network, and collecting measurements in network elements in the core network, including signaling measurements, data measurements, and general network element measurements, etc. Network elements other than the terminal 113 and the data network network element 103 can communicate with the network management function network element directly or indirectly.

[0080] As Figure 1 shown, in a 5G communication system, the network management function network element may be an operations, administration, and management (OAM) network element. In future communication systems, the network management function network element may still be an OAM network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0081] 13. The terminal 113 can also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., and is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. For example, the terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, palm computer, mobile internet device (MID), wearable device, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the terminal.

[0082] It can be understood that the above network elements or functions can be either network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). One or more services can be divided from the above network elements or functions. Further, there may also be services that exist independently of network functions. In this application, instances of the above functions, or instances of services included in the above functions, or service instances that exist independently of network functions can all be referred to as service instances.

[0083] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application are not limited to the above system architecture and can also be applied to other future communication systems, such as the 6th generation (6G) system architecture. Moreover, the names of the various network elements used in the embodiments of this application may remain functionally the same but change in future communication systems.

[0084] In one design, NWDAF can provide a recommendation service. The basic principles for NWDAF to provide a recommendation service are as follows: (1) NWDAF does not need to understand the internal operation logic and configuration of the NF. (2) NWDAF only provides recommendation results and does not interfere with the operation of the NF. The final decision is made by the NF according to its internal service logic, and only the NF is responsible for the decision result. (3) Before providing recommendation results, NWDAF needs to consider various recommendations it has provided before to avoid conflicts among various recommendations.

[0085] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the specific process for NWDAF to recommend quality of service (QoS) parameters based on the expected service experience. This process includes:

[0086] Step 1, the PCF sends a request to NWDAF, requesting NWDAF to provide the bit rate and latency recommended for scenarios where the mean opinion score (Mos) of the service experience is ≥ 4.

[0087] Step 2, NWDAF collects data from the OAM or other network elements. For example, it collects the reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of the wireless signal from the OAM, and comprehensively analyzes data such as the transmission latency collected from the UPF to obtain the recommended bit rate and latency data.

[0088] Step 3, the NWDAF sends the recommended bit rate and latency to the PCF.

[0089] Step 4, the PCF selects a set of parameters according to the bit rate and latency recommended by the NWDAF received to set the QoS, so that the MOS of the service experience of this service is ≥ 4.

[0090] In Figure 2 In the shown solution, the NWDAF can provide different QoS parameters for different UEs. However, since the NWDAF does not consider the differences between the QoS parameters of different UEs, it may not be able to meet the requirements of some scenarios, such as not being able to meet the requirements of the QoS parameters of the UEs participating in the application layer federated learning.

[0091] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method. In this method, a network data analysis network element, such as the NWDAF, can provide recommended parameters that meet the constraint information for each terminal in the terminal group according to the constraint information of the parameters of the terminal group, so as to better assist the application layer federated learning of the AF.

[0092] The method provided by the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the relevant drawings. It can be understood that in the flowchart provided by the present application, the network element is mainly used as the execution subject to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution subject. For example, other network elements such as the first network element and the network data analysis network element in the flowchart can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the first network element, the network data analysis network element, etc. to implement the method, and can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network element, the network data analysis network element, etc.

[0093] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application. This method 300 may include S310 to S330, and each step will be described below.

[0094] S310, the first network element sends a first request message to the network data analysis network element. Correspondingly, the network data analysis network element receives the first request message.

[0095] Among them, the first request message includes the constraint information of the terminal group. The terminal group includes one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group is the constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity. The first request message is used to request the first information of each terminal in the terminal group, and the first information meets the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0096] Exemplarily, the terminal group may be a group of terminals participating in the application layer federated learning.

[0097] In some embodiments, the constraint information of the terminal group includes the constraint information of QoS parameters, which may specifically include the constraint information of one or more QoS parameters or parameters related to QoS. It should be understood that the constraint information of the terminal group may be or include the constraint information of other types of parameters.

[0098] In the following, the application will be described by taking the constraint information of the terminal group as the constraint information of the QoS parameters of the terminal group as an example. Exemplarily, the QoS parameters may include one or more of the following: the maximum packet loss rate, the PDU delay budget (PDB), the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), or the maximum flow bit rate (MFBR).

[0099] In some embodiments, the constraint information of the QoS parameters of the terminal group may include the constraint information between the same QoS parameters of each terminal in the terminal group and / or the constraint information of the same QoS parameter of all terminals in the terminal group. Exemplarily, the constraint information between the same QoS parameters of each terminal in the terminal group can be understood as: the constraint information between the same QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group. The constraint information of the same QoS parameter of all terminals in the terminal group can be understood as: the constraint information when the same QoS parameters of each terminal in the terminal group are regarded as a whole.

[0100] Exemplarily, the constraint information between the same QoS parameters of each terminal in the terminal group may include: the constraint information of the difference between the same QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group. For example, the difference may be variance and / or mean.

[0101] For example, the constraint information between the same QoS parameters of each terminal in the terminal group may indicate one or more of the following: (1) the variance / mean of the maximum packet loss rate in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group is less than the first threshold / second threshold; (2) the variance / mean of the maximum PDB in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group is less than the third threshold / fourth threshold; (3) the variance / mean of the GFBR in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group is less than the fifth threshold / sixth threshold; (4) the variance / mean of the MFBR in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group is less than the seventh threshold / eighth threshold.

[0102] For example, the variance / mean value of the maximum packet loss rate in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group being less than the first threshold / second threshold can be that the variance or mean value of the maximum packet delay in the QoS parameters of different terminals in the terminal group does not exceed 0.5 ms. Taking the example that the terminal group includes three terminals, namely terminal 1, terminal 2, and terminal 3, the variance or mean value of the maximum packet delay between terminal 1 and terminal 2, between terminal 1 and terminal 3, and between terminal 2 and terminal 3 does not exceed 0.5 ms.

[0103] Exemplarily, the constraint information of all terminals in the terminal group may include: the constraint information of the sum of the same QoS parameter of all terminals in the terminal group, and / or, the constraint information that all terminals in the terminal group meet the same QoS requirement.

[0104] For example, the constraint information of the sum of the same QoS parameter of all terminals in the terminal group may include one or more of the following: (1) the maximum value of GFBR (Max GFBR), value1; (2) the maximum value of MFBR (Max MFBR), value2; (3) the maximum value of PDB (Max PDB), value3; (4) the maximum value of PDU error rate (Max PDU Error Rate), value4.

[0105] Among them, Max GFBR, value1: means that the sum of the maximum GFBR in the QoS parameters of all terminals in the terminal group cannot exceed (for example, be less than) the value indicated by value1.

[0106] Max MFBR, value2: means that the sum of the maximum flow bit rates in the QoS parameters of all terminals in the terminal group cannot exceed the value indicated by value2.

[0107] Max PDB, value3: means that the sum of the delays of PDU sessions in the QoS parameters of all terminals in the terminal group cannot exceed the value indicated by value3.

[0108] Max PDU Error Rate, value4: means that the sum of the error rates of PDU sessions in the QoS parameters of all terminals in the terminal group cannot exceed the value indicated by value4.

[0109] For example, the constraint information that all terminals in the terminal group meet the same QoS requirement may include: the constraint information of the preemption priority of all terminals in the terminal group. For example, if the allocation and retention priority (ARP) preemption priority set in the constraint information of the terminal group is 1, then the ARP of all terminals in the terminal group is 1.

[0110] S320, the network data analysis network element determines first information of each terminal in the terminal group according to the first request message. The first information satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0111] For example, the network data analysis network element can collect the characteristics of the data flow for data transmission between the application network element and the terminal from the application network element, such as the size of the transmitted packet, the transmission start time, and the acceptable longest transmission duration. The network data analysis network element can also collect relevant parameters from other network function network elements in the core network, such as collecting QoS parameters (such as AMBR, ARP, GFBR) subscribed by the terminal from the data management network element (such as UDM). The network data analysis network element can analyze the collected data to generate the first information of each terminal in the terminal group that satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0112] S330, the network data analysis network element sends a first response message to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the first response message.

[0113] Among them, the first response message is a response to the first request message. The first response message includes the first information of each terminal in the terminal group, and the first information of each terminal in the terminal group satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group. For example, taking QoS parameters as an example, the first information may include the values of one or more of the following parameters that satisfy the constraint information of the terminal group: maximum packet loss rate, maximum PDB, GFBR, or MFBR.

[0114] According to the method provided in this application, the network data analysis network element can provide the first information that satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group for each device in the terminal group according to the constraint information of the parameters of the terminal group, thereby improving the efficiency of network-assisted application layer federated learning.

[0115] The possible implementation manners of method 300 are illustrated below. It should be understood that the same terms as those in the above text have the same meanings and can be referred to the above description, and will not be repeated below.

[0116] In some embodiments, the first network element in the above method 300 may be a policy management function network element or an application network element. The following explains these two cases separately.

[0117] I. The first network element is a policy management function network element

[0118] In this case, in one implementation manner, the first request message may be an analysis subscription message, and the first response message may be an analysis notification message. In another implementation manner, the first request message may be a recommendation subscription message, and the first response message may be a recommendation subscription notification message.

[0119] The following separately combinesFigure 4 and Figure 5 The flowchart shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 is used to illustrate the above two implementation manners by way of example. It should be noted that, the PCF, NRF, NWDAF, and AF involved in Figure 4 and Figure 5 are exemplary implementation manners of a policy control network element, a network storage function network element, a network data analysis network element, and an application network element respectively. Those skilled in the art can understand that the PCF, NRF, NWDAF, and AF can be respectively replaced by a policy control network element, a network storage function network element, a network data analysis network element, and an application network element. Additionally,

[0120] Figure 4 FIG. shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method 400 may include S401 to S406, and the following is an explanation of each step.

[0121] S401, the PCF sends a network element discovery request message to the NRF. Correspondingly, the NRF receives the network element discovery request message.

[0122] Among them, the network element discovery request message may instruct the NRF to recommend a NWDAF with recommendation capability or parameter analysis capability. For example, the network element discovery request message may include: target NF = "NWDAF", recommendation capability, area of interest (AOI). Regarding the specific content of target NF, recommendation capability, and AOI, reference can be made to the prior art, and details are not described herein again.

[0123] S402, the NRF sends a network element discovery response message to the PCF according to the network element discovery request message. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the network element discovery response message.

[0124] Among them, the network element discovery response message indicates the NWDAF with recommendation capability or parameter analysis capability returned by the NRF.

[0125] S403, the PCF sends an analysis subscription message to the NWDAF returned by the NRF. Correspondingly, the NWDAF receives the analysis subscription message. For example, the analysis subscription message may be Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe.

[0126] Among them, the analysis subscription message includes the constraint information of the terminal group described above.

[0127] Exemplarily, the analysis subscription message may further include one or more of the following: AnalyticsID, Target of Recommendation Reporting, recommendation flag, optimization goals, constraints per requested parameter.

[0128] Among them, the AnalyticsID refers to the type of analysis requested.

[0129] The Target of Recommendation Reporting refers to the recommendation result of the PCF requesting the QoS parameters of a group of terminals or any terminal.

[0130] The recommendation flag refers to whether to request the NWDAF to give a recommendation result.

[0131] The optimization goals: The PCF (consumer) expects the NWDAF to provide a recommendation result based on this optimization goal, that is, the optimization goal that the recommendation result requested by the PCF can achieve.

[0132] Constraints per requested parameter: Constraint information of the requested parameters.

[0133] Exemplarily, the PCF can obtain the constraint information of the terminal group through the following Method 1 or Method 2.

[0134] Method 1

[0135] The constraint information of the terminal group is obtained by the PCF from the request sent by the AF.

[0136] Specifically, the request sent by the AF is used to request the PCF to set policy parameters for the terminals in the terminal group, and this request may include the constraint information of the terminal group. For example, if the policy parameter is a QoS parameter, the constraint information of the terminal group includes the constraint information of the QoS parameters of the terminal group. The PCF sends an analysis subscription message including the constraint information of the terminal group to the NWDAF according to the received request.

[0137] Method 2

[0138] The constraint information of the terminal group is obtained by the PCF from the request sent by the visited SMF (vSMF).

[0139] Specifically, when the terminal group is a terminal in the home-routed roaming state and the PCF is the home PCF (HPCF), the vSMF sends a request to the HPCF, and the request may include the constraint information of the terminal group. Based on the received request, the HPCF sends an analysis subscription message including the constraint information of the terminal group to the NWDAF.

[0140] S404, the NWDAF collects data from other network elements, such as the AF and / or one or more NFs.

[0141] Regarding this step, reference can be made to the relevant description in method 300, which will not be elaborated here.

[0142] S405, the NWDAF analyzes the collected data according to the constraint information of the terminal group, and generates the first information of each terminal in the terminal group that meets the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0143] In the embodiments of the present application, the first information indicates the recommended parameters provided by the NWDAF, such as Qos parameters.

[0144] S406, the NWDAF sends an analysis notification message to the PCF. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the analysis notification message. For example, the analysis notification message can be Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify.

[0145] Among them, the analysis notification message includes the first information of each terminal in the terminal group. Exemplarily, the first information of each terminal in the terminal group can be represented by recommended QoS parameter combinations.

[0146] According to the method provided in the present application, the NWDAF can provide the first information that meets the constraint information of the terminal group for each terminal in the terminal group according to the constraint information of the terminal group, thereby improving the efficiency of network-assisted application layer federated learning.

[0147] Figure 5 A schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application is shown. The method 500 may include S501 to S506, and each step will be described below.

[0148] S501 to S502, the PCF sends a network element discovery request message to the NRF, and the NRF sends a network element discovery response message to the PCF according to the network element discovery request message.

[0149] Steps S501 to S502 are the same as S401 to S402, and reference can be made to S401 to S402.

[0150] S503. The PCF sends a recommendation subscription message to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives the recommendation subscription message. For example, the recommendation subscription message can be Nnwdaf_Recommendations_Subscribe.

[0151] Among them, the recommendation subscription message includes the constraint information of the terminal group described above.

[0152] Exemplarily, the recommendation subscription message can also include one or more of the following: AnalyticsID, Target of Recommendation Reporting, recommendationflag, optimization goals, constraints per requested parameter. The meanings of the above parameters can be referred to the description in method 400.

[0153] Exemplarily, the way for the PCF to obtain the constraint information of the terminal group can be referred to the description of step S403 in method 400.

[0154] S504 to S505. The NWDAF collects data from other network elements, and analyzes the collected data according to the constraint information of the terminal group, and generates the first information of each terminal in the terminal group that meets the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0155] Steps S504 to S505 are the same as S404 to S405, and can be referred to S404 to S405.

[0156] S506. The NWDAF sends a recommendation subscription notification message to the PCF. Accordingly, the PCF receives the recommendation subscription notification message. For example, the recommendation subscription notification message can be Nnwdaf_Recommendations_Notify.

[0157] Among them, the recommendation subscription notification message includes the first information of each terminal in the terminal group. Exemplarily, the first information of each terminal in the terminal group can be represented by recommendation QoS parameter combinations.

[0158] According to the method provided by the present application, the NWDAF can provide the first information that meets the constraint information of the terminal group for each terminal in the terminal group according to the constraint information of the terminal group, thereby improving the efficiency of network-assisted application layer federated learning.

[0159] II. The first network element is an application network element

[0160] In this case, in one implementation, the first request message may be an analysis subscription message, and the first response message may be an analysis notification message. In another implementation, the first request message may be a recommendation subscription message, and the first response message may be a recommendation subscription notification message.

[0161] The following separately combines Figure 6 and Figure 7 the flowcharts shown in, and gives examples of the above two implementations. It should be noted that Figure 6 and Figure 7 the PCF, NRF, NWDAF, AF, and NEF involved in are an exemplary implementation of the policy control network element, network storage function network element, network data analysis network element, application network element, and network open function network element respectively. Those skilled in the art can understand that the PCF, NRF, NWDAF, AF, and NEF can be respectively replaced by the policy control network element, network storage function network element, network data analysis network element, application network element, and network open function network element. Additionally, Figure 6 and Figure 7 the NF in can be other network elements in the core network other than the PCF, NRF, NWDAF, and NEF.

[0162] Figure 6 FIG. shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method 600 may include S601 to S607, and optionally may further include S608. The following introduces each step of the method 600.

[0163] S601, AF1 sends a network element discovery request message to the NRF. Correspondingly, the NRF receives the network element discovery request message.

[0164] Among them, the network element discovery request message may instruct the NRF to recommend a NWDAF with recommendation capabilities or parameter analysis capabilities. For example, the network element discovery request message may include: target NF = "NWDAF", recommendationcapability, AOI.

[0165] S602, the NRF sends a network element discovery response message to AF1 according to the network element discovery request message. Correspondingly, AF1 receives the network element discovery response message.

[0166] Among them, the network element discovery response message indicates the NWDAF with recommendation capabilities or parameter analysis capabilities returned by the NRF.

[0167] S603, AF1 sends an analysis subscription message to the NWDAF. Correspondingly, the NWDAF receives the analysis subscription message. For example, the analysis subscription message can be Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe.

[0168] Among them, the analysis subscription message includes the constraint information of the terminal group. For the specific content of this analysis subscription message, reference can be made to S403, which will not be elaborated here.

[0169] S604 to S605, the NWDAF collects data from other network elements, and based on the constraint information of the terminal group, analyzes the collected data to generate the first information of each terminal in the terminal group that meets the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0170] Steps S604 to S605 are the same as S404 to S405, and reference can be made to S404 to S405.

[0171] S606, the NWDAF sends an analysis notification message to AF1. Correspondingly, AF1 receives the analysis notification message.

[0172] Among them, the analysis notification message includes the first information of each terminal in the terminal group that meets the constraint information of the terminal group. For the specific content of this analysis notification message, reference can be made to S406, which will not be elaborated here.

[0173] S607, AF1 sends the first information of each terminal in the terminal group obtained to the PCF through the NEF or directly. Correspondingly, the PCF receives the first information of each terminal in the terminal group.

[0174] Exemplarily, AF1 can send the first information of each terminal in the terminal group to the NEF through a session creation / update request message carrying QoS. For example, the session creation / update request message carrying QoS can be Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS_Create / Update Request.

[0175] Optionally, the session creation / update request message carrying QoS can also include the AF ID and the address of the terminal (UEaddress). Among them, the AF ID indicates the identifier of the AF that sends the session creation / update request message carrying QoS, that is, the identifier of AF1. The address of the terminal indicates the public Ip address or the subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) assigned by the UPF to the terminal in the PDU session established between the terminal and AF1.

[0176] Exemplarily, after receiving a session creation / update request message carrying QoS, the NEF may send the first information of each terminal in the terminal group to the PCF through a policy authorization creation / update request message. For example, the policy authorization creation / update request message may be Nnef_PolicyAuthorization_Create / Update Request.

[0177] Optionally, the policy authorization creation / update request message may further include the above-mentioned AF ID and the address of the terminal.

[0178] S608, the PCF sends the determination information to AF1 through the NEF or directly. Accordingly, AF1 receives the confirmation information. Among them, the confirmation information indicates that the PCF has received the first information of each terminal in the terminal group.

[0179] Exemplarily, the PCF may send the confirmation information to the NEF through a policy authorization creation / update response message, such as Nnef_PolicyAuthorization_Create / Update Response.

[0180] Exemplarily, the NEF may send the confirmation information to AF1 through a QoS session creation / update response message, such as Nnef_AFsessionWithQoS_Create / Update Response.

[0181] According to the method provided in this application, the NWDAF may provide the first information that meets the constraint information of the terminal group for each terminal in the terminal group according to the constraint information of the terminal group, thereby improving the efficiency of network-assisted application layer federated learning.

[0182] Figure 7 The schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in this application is shown. The method 700 may include S701 to S707, and optionally may further include S708. The following introduces each step of the method 700.

[0183] S701 to S702, AF1 sends a network element discovery request message to the NRF, and the NRF sends a network element discovery response message to AF1 according to the network element discovery request message.

[0184] Steps S701 to S702 are the same as S601 to S602, and reference may be made to S601 to S602.

[0185] S703, AF1 sends a recommendation subscription message to the NWDAF. Accordingly, the NWDAF receives the recommendation subscription message. For example, the recommendation subscription message may be Nnwdaf_Recommendations_Subscribe.

[0186] For the specific recommended subscription message, reference can be made to S503, which will not be elaborated here.

[0187] In S704 to S705, the NWDAF collects data from other network elements, and analyzes the collected data according to the constraint information of the terminal group to generate the first information of each terminal in the terminal group that meets the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0188] Steps S704 to S706 are the same as S504 to S506, and reference can be made to S504 to S506.

[0189] In S706, the NWDAF sends a recommended subscription notification message to AF1. Correspondingly, AF1 receives the recommended subscription notification message.

[0190] Among them, the recommended subscription notification message includes the first information of each terminal in the terminal group. For the specific recommended subscription notification message, reference can be made to S506, which will not be elaborated here.

[0191] In S707 to S708, AF1 sends the first information of each terminal in the terminal group obtained to the PCF through the NEF or directly, and the PCF sends the determination information to AF1 through the NEF or directly.

[0192] Steps S707 to S708 are the same as S607 to S608, and reference can be made to S607 to S608.

[0193] According to the method provided by the present application, the NWDAF can provide the first information that meets the constraint information of the terminal group for each terminal in the terminal group, thereby improving the efficiency of network-assisted application layer federated learning.

[0194] The method embodiments provided by the present application are described above. The apparatus embodiments provided by the present application will be described below. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, the content not described in detail can refer to the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated here.

[0195] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 8As shown in the figure, the communication device 2000 may include a communication unit 2100 and a processing unit 2200. The communication unit 2100 may implement corresponding communication functions, which may be internal communication of the communication device 2000 or communication between the communication device 2000 and other devices; the processing unit 2200 may implement corresponding processing functions. The communication unit 2100 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication device 2000 may further include a storage unit, which may be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 2200 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the device implements the foregoing method embodiments.

[0196] In a possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the first network element in the foregoing method 300 (for example, the PCF in methods 400 and 500, or the AF1 in methods 600 and 700), and may also be a module or chip of the first network element. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the first network element in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0197] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive a first request message from the first network element, where the first request message includes constraint information of a terminal group, the terminal group includes one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group is constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity; the processing unit 2200 is configured to determine first information of each terminal in the terminal group according to the first request message, where the first information satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group; the communication unit 2100 is further configured to send a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes the first information of each terminal.

[0198] Optionally, the constraint information of the terminal group includes constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal and / or constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group.

[0199] Optionally, the constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal includes: constraint information on the difference between the same parameters of different terminals, and / or, the constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group includes: constraint information on the sum of the same parameters of all terminals and / or constraint information that all terminals in the terminal group meet the same requirement.

[0200] Optionally, the first network element is a policy management function network element or an application network element.

[0201] In another possible design, the communication device 2000 may be a network data analysis network element in the above method 300 (for example, the NWDAF in method 400, method 500, method 600, and method 700), or may also be a module or chip of the network data analysis network element. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the network data analysis network element in the above method embodiments.

[0202] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is configured to send a first request message to the network data analysis network element. The first request message includes constraint information of a terminal group, where the terminal group includes one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group is constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity. The communication unit 2100 is further configured to receive a first response message from the network data analysis network element. The first response message includes first information of each terminal in the terminal group, and the first information satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group. The first response message is generated according to the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0203] Optionally, the constraint information of the terminal group includes constraint information between the same parameters of the terminals and / or constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group.

[0204] Optionally, the constraint information between the same parameters of the terminals includes: constraint information of the difference between the same parameters of different terminals; and / or, the constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group includes: constraint information of the sum of the same parameters of all terminals or constraint information that all terminals meet the same requirement.

[0205] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to: send the first information of each terminal to the policy control network element.

[0206] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is further configured to: receive a second request message from an application network element or a visited network session management network element. The second request message includes the constraint information of the terminal group.

[0207] Regarding the steps or processes performed by each unit in the communication device 2000, reference may specifically be made to the above method embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0208] It should be understood that the communication device 2000 may also be used to execute the steps or processes performed by any other network element (such as NRF, NF, etc.) in the above method embodiments. Reference may specifically be made to the above method embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0209] It should be understood that the "units" in the communication device 2000 can be implemented by hardware, by software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. For example, the "units" can refer to application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuits, processors (such as shared processors, dedicated processors, or group processors, etc.) for executing one or more software or firmware programs, and memories, combined logic circuits, and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. Another example is that the communication unit 2100 can be replaced by a transceiver circuit (for example, which can include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit 2200 can be replaced by a processor or a processing circuit.

[0210] Figure 9 Fig. shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device 3000 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device 3000 can be a first network element or a network data analysis network element, or can be a chip, a chip system, or a processor, etc. that supports the first network element or the network data analysis network element to implement the above method. This device can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiments, and for specific details, reference can be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0211] The device 3000 can include one or more processors 3100, which can also be referred to as processing units and can implement certain control functions. The processor 3100 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control a communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a user chip, a DU, or a CU, etc.), execute software programs, and process data of the software programs.

[0212] In an alternative design, the processor 3100 can also store instructions and / or data, and the instructions and / or data can be run by the processor 3100, so that the device 3000 executes the method described in the above method embodiments.

[0213] In another alternative design, the device 3000 can include a communication interface 3200 for implementing receiving and sending functions. For example, the communication interface 3200 can be a transceiver circuit, an interface, an interface circuit, or a transceiver, etc. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing receiving and sending functions can be separate or integrated together. The above transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver can be used for reading and writing codes / data, or the above transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver can be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0214] Optionally, the apparatus 3000 may include one or more memories 3300 on which instructions may be stored and run on the processor 3100, such that the apparatus 3000 performs the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 3300. Optionally, instructions and / or data may also be stored in the processor 3100. The processor 3100 and the memory 3300 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0215] It should be understood that the apparatus 3000 may also be any other network element involved in the above method embodiments (such as NRF, NF, etc.), or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the implementation of the above method. The apparatus may be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and for details, reference may be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0216] It should be understood that in a possible design, the steps in the method embodiments provided in this application may be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of this application may be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware processor, or executed and completed by a combination of the hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module may be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0217] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps of the above method embodiments may be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The above processor may be a general-purpose processor, 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. It may implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of this application may be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware decoding processor, or executed and completed by a combination of the hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0218] It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can 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 can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as 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). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include but not be limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0219] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, when the computer program code runs on a computer, enabling the computer to execute each step or process performed by any network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0220] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores program code, when the program code runs on a computer, enabling the computer to execute each step or process performed by any network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0221] The present application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface, the interface is used to send and / or receive signals, enabling the processor to execute each step or process performed by any network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0222] The present application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one of a first network element and a network data analysis network element.

[0223] The above-described device embodiments and method embodiments correspond exactly. The corresponding steps are performed by the corresponding modules or units. For example, the communication unit or communication interface performs the steps of receiving or sending in the method embodiments, and other steps except for sending and receiving can be performed by the processing unit or processor.

[0224] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms and English abbreviations are all exemplary examples given for the convenience of description, and should not constitute any limitation to the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0225] The terms "component", "module", "system", etc. used in this specification are used to represent computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. By way of illustration, an application running on a computing device and the computing device can both be components. One or more components can reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and the components can be located on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can be executed from various computer-readable storage media on which various data structures are stored. Components can communicate, for example, through local and / or remote processes according to signals having one or more data packets (such as data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems through signals).

[0226] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or in 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. Skilled artisans can use different methods for each specific application to implement the described functions, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0227] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, devices, and units can be based on the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be described herein again.

[0228] In several embodiments provided by 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. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. 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. The indirect couplings or communication connections of the devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0229] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. 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.

[0230] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, the functional units can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0231] In the above embodiments, the functions of the functional units can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that the computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (for example, a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0232] When the above-mentioned functions are implemented in the form of software functional 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 this 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. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of this application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs.

[0233] As described above, the above are only specific implementation manners of this application, but the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by this application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receiving a first request message from a first network element, where the first request message includes constraint information of a terminal group, the terminal group includes one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group is constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity; Determining first information of each terminal in the terminal group according to the first request message, where the first information satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group; Sending a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes the first information of each terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The constraint information of the terminal group includes constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal and / or constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal includes: constraint information of the difference between the same parameters of different terminals; and / or, the constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group includes: constraint information of the sum of the same parameters of all terminals and / or constraint information that all terminals in the terminal group meet the same requirement.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first network element is a policy management function network element or an application network element.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: Sending a first request message to a network data analysis network element, where the first request message includes constraint information of a terminal group, the terminal group includes one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group is constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity; Receiving a first response message from the network data analysis network element, where the first response message includes the first information of each terminal in the terminal group, the first information satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group, and the first response message is generated according to the constraint information of the terminal group.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The constraint information of the terminal group includes constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal and / or constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal includes: constraint information of the difference between the same parameters of different terminals; and / or, the constraint information of the same parameter of all terminals in the terminal group includes: constraint information of the sum of the same parameters of all terminals or constraint information that all terminals meet the same requirement.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending the first information of each terminal to a policy control network element.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that Before sending the first request message to the network data analysis network element, the method further includes: Receiving a second request message from an application network element or a visited network session management network element, where the second request message includes the constraint information of the terminal group.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, Including: A communication unit, configured to receive a first request message from a first network element, where the first request message includes constraint information of a terminal group, the terminal group includes one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group is constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity; A processing unit, configured to determine first information of each terminal in the terminal group according to the first request message, where the first information satisfies the constraint information of the terminal group; The communication unit is further configured to send a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes the first information of each terminal.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The constraint information of the terminal group includes the constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal and / or the constraint information of the same parameters of all terminals in the terminal group.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal includes the constraint information of the differences between the same parameters of different terminals, and / or the constraint information of the same parameters of all terminals in the terminal group includes the constraint information of the sum of the same parameters of all terminals and / or the constraint information that all terminals in the terminal group meet the same requirement.

13. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The first network element is a policy management function network element or an application network element.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes: A communication unit, configured to send a first request message to a network data analysis network element, where the first request message includes the constraint information of a terminal group, the terminal group includes one or more terminals, and the constraint information of the terminal group is the constraint information of one or more parameters at the terminal group granularity; The communication unit is further configured to receive a first response message from the network data analysis network element, where the first response message includes first information of each terminal in the terminal group, the first information meets the constraint information of the terminal group, and the first response message is generated according to the constraint information of the terminal group.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The constraint information of the terminal group includes the constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal and / or the constraint information of the same parameters of all terminals in the terminal group.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The constraint information between the same parameters of each terminal includes the constraint information of the differences between the same parameters of different terminals; and / or the constraint information of the same parameters of all terminals in the terminal group includes the constraint information of the sum of the same parameters of all terminals or the constraint information that all terminals meet the same requirement.

17. The device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that The communication unit is further configured to: Send the first information of each terminal to a policy control network element.

18. The device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The communication unit is further configured to: Receive a second request message from an application network element or a visited network session management network element, where the second request message includes the constraint information of the terminal group.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, and the memory is used to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1-4 or any one of claims 5-9.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and an interface, and the interface is used to send and / or receive signals, so that the processor executes the method according to any one of claims 1-4 or any one of claims 5-9.

21. A readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program or instruction is executed, the computer executes the method according to any one of claims 1-4 or any one of claims 5-9.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer program instructions, and the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-4 or any one of claims 5-9.

23. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes the device according to any one of claims 10-13 and the device according to any one of claims 14-18.

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