Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a communication device, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method is applied to a vehicle-mounted relay VMR device, and comprises the following steps: determining identification information of a first user plane function UPF; and sending a first request message to a first network element, the first request message being used for requesting to establish a first PDU session, the first PDU session being used for establishing an N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF, and the first network element serving the first PDU session. According to the method in the embodiment of the invention, N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR equipment and the first UPF can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Currently, vehicle-mounted relay (VMR) devices have been proposed for vehicle-mounted scenarios. VMR devices are usually deployed on moving vehicles and consist of an access network device and a terminal device. The terminal device can be referred to as a VMR terminal device, and the access network device can be referred to as a VMR access network device.

[0003] Due to the movement of the vehicle, the VMR access network device and the VMR terminal device also have mobility. Usually, the N3 interface between a fixed terrestrial access network device on the ground and the core network UPF can be implemented by deploying optical fibers on the ground. The N3 interface between the mobile VMR access network device and the core network user plane function (UPF) can be carried on the protocol data unit (PDU) session between the VMR terminal device and the core network to achieve wireless backhaul of the N3 interface. In this way, the VMR access network device can provide wireless access for other terminal devices near the vehicle.

[0004] However, how to establish an N3 connection between the VMR terminal device and the core network UPF through a PDU session remains to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can achieve N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a vehicle-mounted relay VMR device. The VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device, and includes:

[0007] Determine the identification information of the first user plane function UPF;

[0008] Send a first request message to a first network element. The first request message is used to request the establishment of a first PDU session, and the first PDU session is used to establish an N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF. The first network element serves the first PDU session.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present application, when the identification information of the first UPF is determined, a first request message for requesting to establish a first PDU session is sent to the first network element. In this way, an N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF can be established through the first PDU session, so that N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF can be realized.

[0010] In some possible implementation manners, the determining the first UPF includes: receiving a first message from a second network element, where the first message is used to indicate the identification information of the first UPF.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present application, the VMR device can determine the identification information of the first UPF according to the first message from the second network element. In this way, the VMR device can be triggered to request to establish a first PDU session according to the identification information of the first UPF, so that N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF can be realized.

[0012] In some possible implementation manners, before receiving the first message from the second network element, the method further includes: sending a second request message to the second network element, where the second request message is used to request to establish an N2 connection between the VMR device and the second network element, and the first message is a response message to the second request message.

[0013] In some possible implementation manners, the second request message further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to trigger the second network element to return the identification information of the first UPF.

[0014] In some possible implementation manners, the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0015] The location information of the VMR device;

[0016] The capability of the VMR device, where the capability is the capability of the VMR device to establish an N3 connection with the UPF using a PDU session;

[0017] The identification information of the UPF that requests to establish an N3 connection through a PDU session.

[0018] In some possible implementation manners, the first request message further includes indication information for indicating that the first PDU session is used to establish N3 wireless backhaul.

[0019] In some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: receiving a second message from the first network element, where the second message is used to indicate that the first PDU session is established.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the second message includes the address information of the VMR device, and the address information of the VMR device is used to send the uplink data of the second terminal device to the first UPF through the N3 radio backhaul, and the second terminal device is currently connected to the VMR device.

[0021] In some possible implementations, the determining the first UPF includes: receiving a third message from a fourth network element, where the third message is used to indicate the identification information of the first UPF, and the first UPF is the UPF associated with the second PDU session established for the second terminal device accessing the VMR device, and the fourth network element serves the second PDU session, and the second terminal device is currently connected to the VMR device.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, the VMR device can determine the identification information of the first UPF according to the third message from the fourth network element. In this way, the VMR device can be triggered to request to establish a first PDU session according to the identification information of the first UPF, so as to enable the N3 radio backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF.

[0023] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: saving a first correspondence between the second PDU session and the first PDU session, where the second PDU session is established by the second terminal device through the VMR device, the second PDU session is associated with the first UPF, and the second terminal device is currently connected to the VMR device.

[0024] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving the uplink data from the second terminal device; determining to transmit the uplink data through the N3 radio backhaul corresponding to the first PDU session according to the uplink data and the first correspondence.

[0025] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: when the UPF associated with the second PDU session established by the second terminal device accessing the VMR device is updated from the first UPF to the second UPF, receiving a fourth message from a fourth network element, where the fourth message is used to indicate the identification information of the second UPF, and the fourth network element serves the second PDU session, and the second terminal device is currently connected to the VMR device; determining that the N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF is updated to the N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF according to the identification information of the second UPF; sending a third request message to the first network element, where the third request message is used to request to modify the first PDU session so as to establish the N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF through the first PDU session.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving a fifth message from a second network element, where the fifth message is used to request the release of the second PDU session; in response to the fifth message, sending a fourth request message to the first network element, where the fourth request message is used to request the release of the first PDU session.

[0027] In some possible implementations, the sending of the fourth request message to the first network element includes: when the N3 tunnel carried by the second PDU session is no longer in use, sending the fourth request message to the first network element.

[0028] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving a sixth message from the first network element, where the sixth message is used to indicate that the first PDU session has been released.

[0029] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a first network element and includes:

[0030] Receiving a first request message from a vehicle-mounted relay (VMR) device, where the first request message is used to request the establishment of a first protocol data unit (PDU) session, and the first PDU session is used to establish an N3 connection between a first user plane function (UPF) and the VMR device, and the VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device;

[0031] Establishing the first PDU session according to the first request message, and the first network element serves the first PDU session.

[0032] In the embodiments of the present application, the first request message is used to request the establishment of the first PDU session. The first network element receives the first request message from the VMR device and establishes the first PDU session according to the first request message. In this way, an N3 connection can be established between the VMR device and the first UPF through the first PDU session, so as to enable N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF.

[0033] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending a second message to the VMR device, where the second message is used to indicate that the establishment of the first PDU session is completed.

[0034] In some possible implementations, the second message includes the address information of the VMR device, and the address information of the VMR device is used to send the uplink data of a second terminal device to the first UPF through N3 wireless backhaul, and the second terminal device is currently accessing the VMR device.

[0035] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: when the UPF associated with the second PDU session established by the second terminal device accessing the VMR device is updated from the first UPF to the second UPF, receiving a third request message from the VMR device, where the third request message is used to request modifying the first PDU session so that the VMR device can establish an N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF through the first PDU session, and the second terminal device is currently accessing the VMR device; modifying the first PDU session according to the third request message.

[0036] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving a fourth request message from the VMR device, where the fourth request message is used to request releasing the first PDU session; in response to the fourth request message, releasing the first PDU session.

[0037] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending a sixth message to the VMR device, where the sixth message is used to indicate that the first PDU session has been released.

[0038] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a second network element and includes:

[0039] Sending a first message to a vehicle-mounted relay VMR device, where the first message is used to indicate identification information of a first user plane function UPF, and the first UPF supports the VMR device to establish an N3 connection through a protocol data unit PDU session, and the VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device.

[0040] In the embodiments of the present application, the first message is used to indicate the identification information of the first UPF. Sending the first message to the VMR device can enable the VMR device to determine the identification information of the first UPF. In this way, it can trigger the VMR device to request to establish a first PDU session according to the identification information of the first UPF, so as to realize the N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF.

[0041] In some possible implementations, before sending the first message to the VMR device, the method further includes: receiving a second request message from the VMR device, where the second request message is used to request establishing an N2 connection between the VMR device and the second network element, and the first message is a response message to the second request message.

[0042] In some possible implementations, the second request message further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to trigger the second network element to return the identification information of the first UPF.

[0043] In some possible implementations, the first indication information includes at least one of the following:

[0044] The location information of the VMR device;

[0045] The capability of the VMR device, where the capability is the ability of the VMR device to establish an N3 connection with the UPF;

[0046] The identification information of the UPF that requests to establish an N3 connection through a PDU session.

[0047] In some possible implementations, before sending the first message to the VMR device, the method further includes: sending a fifth request message to a third network element, where the fifth request message is used to request to query the identification information of a first UPF; receiving a seventh message from the third network element, where the seventh message includes the identification information of the first UPF.

[0048] In some possible implementations, the fifth request message further includes the location information of the VMR device.

[0049] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: saving the second correspondence between the identification information of the VMR device and the first UPF.

[0050] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving a sixth request message from the VMR device, where the sixth request message is used to request to establish a second PDU session, the second PDU session is established by a second terminal device through the VMR device, the second PDU session is associated with the first UPF, and the second terminal device is currently accessing the VMR device; determining the first UPF according to the sixth request message and the second correspondence; sending the identification information of the first UPF to a fourth network element.

[0051] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a third network element and includes:

[0052] Receiving a fifth request message from a second network element, where the fifth request message is used to request to query the identification information of a first UPF;

[0053] Sending a seventh message to the second network element, where the seventh message includes the identification information of the first UPF;

[0054] Wherein, the first UPF supports the VMR device to establish an N3 connection with the first UPF through a protocol data unit (PDU) session, and the VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present application, the seventh message includes identification information of a first UPF. The third network element sends the seventh message to the second network element according to the fifth request message, which helps the second network element indicate the identification information of the first UPF to the VMR device, thereby helping to trigger the VMR device to request to establish a first PDU session according to the identification information of the first UPF, and further helping to implement the N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF.

[0056] In some possible implementation manners, the fifth request message includes location information of the VMR device.

[0057] In some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: receiving capability indication information from a first User Plane Function (UPF), where the capability indication information is used to indicate that the first UPF supports establishing an N3 connection with the VMR device through a PDU session.

[0058] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a module or unit configured to execute the method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner in any of the above aspects.

[0059] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a processor and a memory, the processor is coupled to the memory, the memory is configured to store a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instruction), and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the device is caused to execute the method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner in any of the above aspects.

[0060] In some possible implementation manners, the device further includes a memory coupled to the processor.

[0061] In some possible implementation manners, there is one or more processors, and / or, there is one or more memories.

[0062] In some possible implementation manners, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory is separately provided from the processor.

[0063] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instruction) is stored, and when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner in any of the above aspects.

[0064] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, including: a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instruction), and when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner in any of the above aspects.

[0065] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, including: a processor and a memory, where the memory is used to store a computer program (which may also be referred to as code or instruction), and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that a device or equipment equipped with the chip executes the method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner in any of the above aspects. Description of the Drawings

[0066] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to the present application.

[0067] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of another wireless communication system applicable to the present application.

[0068] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of a network architecture based on a VMR device in the present application.

[0069] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0070] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of the present application.

[0071] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0072] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in another embodiment of the present application.

[0073] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application.

[0074] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0075] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0076] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0077] Figure 12 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0078] Figure 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0079] Figure 14It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by another embodiment of the present application.

[0080] Figure 15 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0081] Figure 16 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0082] Figure 17 It is a schematic structural diagram of a device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0083] 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.

[0084] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B may represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is merely a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Here, A and B may be singular or plural. Also, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "a plurality of" means two or more than two. "At least one (item)" or its similar expression refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c may represent: a, b, c, a - b, a - c, b - c, or a - b - c, where a, b, and c may be single or multiple. Additionally, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different. It should be understood that in the present application, descriptions such as "in... cases", "if...", "when...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0085] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: the 5th generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), etc. The technical solutions provided in the present application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the 6th generation mobile communication system, and also satellite communication systems, and so on.

[0086] The terminal device in the embodiments of this application may refer to user equipment (UE), station, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile terminal (MT), user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc., and this application does not make any limitations in this regard. The terminal device in the embodiments of this application may also be a mobile phone, cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, large screen, in-vehicle device, wearable device, terminal device in a 5G network or terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and this application does not make any limitations in this regard. The terminal device in the embodiments of this application may also be a tablet computer (Pad), laptop computer, palmtop 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, etc., and this application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0087] In some embodiments, the terminal device can be used as a base station. Optionally, the terminal device can act as a scheduling entity to provide sidelink signals between terminal devices in vehicle to everything (V2X) or device to device (D2D), etc. For example, a cellular phone and a vehicle can communicate using the sidelink signals, or a cellular phone and a smart home device can also communicate using the sidelink signals without relaying communication signals through a base station.

[0088] The network device in the embodiments of this application can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects a terminal device to a wireless network, and can also be referred to as a base station. For example, the network device can be a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB), a next-generation Node B (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a transmission reception point (TRP), an access point (AP), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node (AP) in a WiFi system, a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network device in other future evolved communication systems, etc.

[0089] In some embodiments, multiple RAN nodes may cooperate to assist a terminal device in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes may respectively implement some functions of a base station. For example, an RAN node (i.e., the network device in this application) may be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU may be separately provided, or may also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio device or a radio unit, such as included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, the CU may also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU may also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, the CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be referred to as O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the network device.

[0090] In some embodiments, the network device may be fixed or mobile, and this application does not limit this. For example, a helicopter or a drone may be configured as a mobile network device, and one or more cells may move according to the location of the mobile network device. In other examples, a helicopter or a drone may be configured to be a device for communicating with another network device.

[0091] In some embodiments, the network device may be deployed on land or in the air, and this application does not limit this. For example, the network device may be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it may also be deployed on water; it may also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and satellites in the air.

[0092] In the embodiments of the present application, a terminal device or a network device may include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (also referred to as main memory). The operating system may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement service processing through processes. For example, the Linux operating system, the Unix operating system, the Android operating system, the iOS operating system, or the Windows operating system, etc. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, a word processing software, and an instant messaging software. Moreover, in the embodiments of the present application, the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is not particularly limited, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application by running a program recording the code of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0093] In addition, various aspects or features of the present application may be implemented as a method, an apparatus, or an article of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. The term "article of manufacture" used in the present application covers computer programs accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or medium. For example, the computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to: magnetic storage devices (such as hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes, etc.), optical discs (such as compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (such as erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), cards, sticks, or key drives, etc.). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0094] Figure 1 It is an exemplary architecture diagram of the wireless communication system applied in the embodiments of the present application. The wireless communication system 100 is a 5G network architecture based on a service-based architecture. The wireless communication system 100 may include a terminal device, a data network (DN), and an operator part.

[0095] Among them, the operator part may include one or more of the following network elements:

[0096] Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF) network element, Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element, Policy Control Function (PCF) network element, Unified Data Management (UDM) network element, Unified Data Repository (UDR), Network Repository Function (NRF) network element, Application Function (AF) network element, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, Session Management Function (SMF) network element, Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) network element, Service Communication Proxy (SCP) network element, Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF) network element, Radio Access Network (RAN), and User Plane Function (UPF) network element, etc. In the above operator network, the part other than the radio access network can be called the core network part.

[0097] The AF network element is similar to an application server, which interacts with other core network control plane network elements and provides service services. The AF network element can exist for different application services and can be owned by the operator or a trusted third party.

[0098] The PCF network element supports a unified policy framework to manage network behavior and provides policy rules for network entities to implement and execute.

[0099] The UDM network element is responsible for the management of user identification, subscription data, authentication data, and the registration management of the user's service network elements.

[0100] The UPF network element is a module in the core network that processes data, and its main functions are: routing and forwarding data from the base station to the network.

[0101] The AMF network element is responsible for functions such as UE authentication, authorization, registration, mobility management, and connection management.

[0102] The SMF network element is mainly responsible for allocating addresses to terminals and managing each channel between the terminals and the core network.

[0103] It can be understood that Figure 1 An architecture diagram of a communication system to which the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is applicable is exemplarily shown. The communication system to which the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is applicable may include other network elements or network entities, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0104] Figure 2 It is another exemplary architecture diagram of the wireless communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied. The wireless communication system 200 is a 5G network architecture based on a peer-to-peer interface. The main difference between the wireless communication system 200 and the wireless communication system 100 is that the interfaces between the network elements in the wireless communication system 200 are peer-to-peer interfaces rather than service-based interfaces.

[0105] With the development of communication technologies, a mobile relay scenario is introduced in the 3GPP communication system to provide wireless access for terminal devices around the mobile relay. For example, the 3GPP SA2 working group proposed a mobile base station relay (MBSR) based on a vehicle-mounted scenario, and MBSR can also be referred to as a vehicle-mounted relay (VMR).

[0106] The VMR device can be deployed on a moving vehicle. The VMR device may include an access network device (which can be referred to as a VMR-gNB) and a terminal device (which can be referred to as a VMR-UE). The VMR-UE can have the functions of a UE (this UE can refer to a general UE different from the VMR-UE). For example, it can access and connect to the core network through NR.

[0107] Among them, the VMR device can also be referred to as a wireless access and backhauling (WAB) device. The terminal device in the WAB device can be referred to as a WAB-UE, and the access network device in the WAB device can be referred to as a WAB-base station.

[0108] Generally, the N3 interface between a stationary gNB on the ground and the core network UPF can be implemented by deploying optical fibers on the ground. However, the N3 interface between the mobile VMR-gNB and the core network cannot be implemented by optical fibers. If the N3 interface between the VMR-gNB and the core network is carried on top of the protocol data unit (PDU) session between the VMR-UE and the core network to achieve the wireless backhauling of the N3 interface through the PDU session, in this way, the VMR-gNB can provide wireless access for other UEs near the VMR device. Among them, the wireless backhauling of the N3 interface can also be simply referred to as N3 wireless backhauling. The N3 interface between the VMR-gNB and the core network UPF is used to establish the N3 connection between the VMR-gNB and the core network UPF. Therefore, the N3 interface can also be called the N3 connection.

[0109] The following takes the access network device in the VMR device as the VMR-gNB and the terminal device in the VMR device as the VMR-UE as an example for illustration.

[0110] As Figure 3 shown, the UE can access the VMR device (or access the VMR-gNB). The VMR-UE in the VMR device can access the core network through a base station on the ground (which can also be called the donor-gNB) and establish a PDU session with the VMR-UPF. Among them, the VMR-UPF can refer to the anchor UPF for the VMR-UE to establish the PDU session (or the anchor UPF that serves the PDU session established by the VMR-UE). The PDU session established between the VMR-UPF and the VMR-UE can be used to establish the N3 connection between the VMR device and the N3 UPF. The N3 UPF can refer to the UPF that has an N3 connection with the VMR-gNB (or the UPF in the core network accessed by the UE); the N3 message transfer between the VMR-gNB and the N3 UPF can be achieved through the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the VMR-UPF. For example, when the VMR-gNB needs to send an N3 message to the N3 UPF, the VMR-gNB can forward the N3 message to the VMR-UE through the internal interface with the VMR-UE. The VMR-UE can transmit the N3 message as a data packet payload through the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the anchor UPF to the anchor UPF of this PDU session (i.e., the VMR-UPF). This anchor UPF then forwards the data packet payload (or load) to the N3 UPF, thus completing the forwarding of the uplink N3 message.

[0111] As described above, the VMR-UE can establish a PDU session with the VMR-UPF, and this PDU session can be used to carry N3 messages between the VMR-gNB and the N3 UPF, thereby enabling N3 wireless backhaul.

[0112] However, it is currently unclear how to determine which N3 UPF the VMR device establishes an N3 connection with through the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the VMR-UPF; at the same time, after determining the N3 UPF, it is also unclear how to trigger the VMR device to establish a PDU session (i.e., the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the VMR-UPF, which can be used to establish an N3 connection between the VMR device and the N3 UPF) for realizing the N3 connection with the N3 UPF.

[0113] To solve one or more of the above technical problems, this application proposes a communication method and a communication device. The following combines Figure 4 to give a detailed example of the communication method in the embodiments of this application.

[0114] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 The method 400 shown may include steps S410 and S420, specifically as follows:

[0115] S410, the VMR device determines the identification information of the first UPF.

[0116] The VMR device may include a first terminal device (such as the VMR-UE) and an access network device (such as the VMR-gNB).

[0117] The second terminal device can currently access the VMR device through NR technology, and the second terminal device can be a common UE. For example, the second terminal device is a UE that accesses the network through the VMR device.

[0118] The first UPF is the N3 UPF mentioned above. In some embodiments, the first UPF may refer to the UPF in the core network accessed by the second terminal device, or rather, the first UPF may refer to the UPF serving the second terminal device, or rather, the first UPF may refer to the UPF associated with the second PDU session established with the second terminal device accessing the VMR device. Optionally, the first UPF can support the VMR device to establish an N3 connection with the first UPF through a PDU session.

[0119] The identification information of the first UPF may be the address information of the first UPF. For example, the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first UPF.

[0120] In some embodiments, the identifier information of the first UPF may be obtained by a second network element. For example, in S410, the second network element may send a first message to the VMR device.

[0121] The second network element may be a mobility management network element serving the second terminal device, for example, an AMF.

[0122] Wherein, the first message may be used to indicate the identifier information of the first UPF. For example, the first message may be the N2 response message sent by the AMF to the VMR device in subsequent Figure 6 step S607, or, Figure 8 the session establishment request message sent by the AMF to the VMR device in step S810.

[0123] In some embodiments, before the second network element sends the first message to the VMR device, method 400 may include step S402, which is as follows:

[0124] S402, the VMR device sends a second request message to the second network element.

[0125] Wherein, the meaning that the VMR device sends a second request message to the second network element is that the access network device (such as VMR-gNB) in the VMR device sends a second request message to the second network element. The second request message may be used to request the establishment of an N2 connection between the VMR device and the second network element. For example, the second request message may be the N2 request message sent by the VMR-gNB to the AMF in subsequent Figure 6 step S603. In other words, the first message sent by the second network element to the VMR device in the above step S410 may be the response message of the second request message.

[0126] The second request message may include the identifier information of the VMR device. Specifically, the identifier information of the VMR device includes the identifier information of the VMR-gNB. Optionally, it may further include the identifier information of the VMR-UE. It can be understood that in step S402, there are the following several situations for the identifier information of the VMR-gNB:

[0127] Situation 1: The identifier information of the VMR device may include both the identifier information of the VMR-gNB and the identifier information of the VMR-UE;

[0128] Situation 2: The identifier information of the VMR device only includes the identifier information of the VMR-gNB;

[0129] Among them, the identification information of the VMR-gNB may be the VMR-gNB ID. The identification information of the VMR-UE may be the subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of the VMR-UE or the generic public subscription identifier (GPSI), which is not limited in this application.

[0130] Optionally, the second request message may further include first indication information, and the first indication information may be used to trigger the second network element to return the identification information of the first UPF.

[0131] Optionally, the first indication information may include at least one of the following:

[0132] The location information of the VMR device;

[0133] The capability of the VMR device, and this capability may be the capability of the VMR device to establish an N3 connection with the UPF;

[0134] The identification information of the UPF that requests to establish an N3 connection through a PDU session.

[0135] In some embodiments, after the VMR device sends the second request message to the second network element, method 400 may include step S404, which is specifically as follows:

[0136] S404, the second network element may send a fifth request message to the third network element.

[0137] Among them, the fifth request message may be used to request to query the identification information of the first UPF. For example, the fifth request message may be the query request message sent by the AMF to the NRF in subsequent step S604. Figure 6 The query request message sent by the AMF to the NRF in subsequent step S604.

[0138] Optionally, the third network element may be a network storage network element, such as the NRF.

[0139] Optionally, the fifth request message may further include the location information of the VMR device.

[0140] In some embodiments, after the second network element may send the fifth request message to the third network element, method 400 may include step S406, which is specifically as follows:

[0141] S406, the third network element may send a seventh message to the second network element.

[0142] Among them, the seventh message may include the identification information of the first UPF. For example, the seventh message may be the subsequent Figure 6The query response message sent by the NRF to the AMF in step S605.

[0143] In the embodiments of the present application, the third network element sends a seventh message to the second network element, which helps the second network element indicate the identification information of the first UPF to the VMR device, thereby helping to trigger the VMR device to request the establishment of a first PDU session according to the identification information of the first UPF, and further helping to realize the N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF.

[0144] In some embodiments, before receiving the fifth request message sent by the second network element, method 400 may include step S405, which is specifically as follows:

[0145] S405, the third network element may also receive a network element registration request message sent by the first UPF.

[0146] Among them, the network element registration request message may be used to request the registration of the first UPF into the network. For example, the network element registration request message may be the network element registration request message sent by the UPF to the NRF in subsequent step S601. Figure 6 The network element registration request message in step S601.

[0147] Optionally, the network element registration request message may include the identification information of the first UPF and the capability indication information, and the capability indication information may be used to indicate that the first UPF can establish an N3 connection with the VMR device through a PDU session (or it can be said that the first UPF can establish an N3 wireless backhaul with the VMR device through a PDU session).

[0148] In some embodiments, after receiving the seventh message, method 400 may include step S408, which is specifically as follows:

[0149] S408, the second network element may save the second correspondence relationship between the identification information of the VMR device and the identification information of the first UPF.

[0150] Among them, the identification information of the VMR device may be sent by the VMR device to the second network element in the above step S402.

[0151] According to the above description, since there are different situations for the identification information of the VMR device, there are also the following several different situations for the second correspondence relationship between the identification information of the VMR device that the second network element can save and the identification information of the first UPF:

[0152] Case 1: The second correspondence relationship includes the correspondence relationship between the identification information of the VMR-gNB, the identification information of the VMR-UE, and the identification information of the first UPF;

[0153] Case 2: The second correspondence relationship includes the correspondence relationship between the identification information of the VMR-gNB and the identification information of the first UPF;

[0154] Among them, the identification information of the VMR-gNB may be the VMR-gNB ID. The identification information of the VMR-UE may be the Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) of the VMR-UE or the generic public subscription identifier (GPSI), which is not limited in this application.

[0155] In some embodiments, the identification information of the first UPF may also be obtained by the fourth network element. For example, in S410, the fourth network element may send a third message to the VMR device, and the third message may be used to indicate the identification information of the first UPF.

[0156] Among them, the fourth network element may serve the second PDU session, or in other words, the fourth network element may serve the second terminal device. The second PDU session may be a PDU session established for the second terminal device accessing the VMR device. Optionally, the fourth network element may be a session management network element, for example, the SMF.

[0157] S420, the VMR device sends a first request message to the first network element.

[0158] Among them, the first request message may be used to request the establishment of a first PDU session, and the first PDU session may be used to establish an N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF. For example, the first request message may be the session establishment request message sent by the VMR device to the VMR-SMF in the subsequent Figure 6 step S608, or Figure 8 the session establishment request message sent by the VMR device to the VMR-SMF in step S812.

[0159] Specifically, the VMR device sending the first request message to the first network element may refer to: the terminal device (i.e., the VMR-UE) in the VMR device sending the first request message to the first network element. Among them, the first request message also includes the identification information of the first PDU session.

[0160] Optionally, the first network element may serve the first PDU session, or in other words, the first network element may serve the VMR device. Optionally, the first network element may be a session management network element, for example, the SMF.

[0161] The first request message may also include indication information for indicating that the first PDU session is used to establish an N3 radio backhaul.

[0162] In an embodiment of the present application, when the VMR device determines the identification information of the first UPF, the VMR device sends a first request message for requesting to establish a first PDU session to a first network element. In this way, an N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF can be established through the first PDU session, so that the N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF can be realized.

[0163] In some embodiments, after receiving the first request message, method 400 may include step S421, which is specifically as follows:

[0164] S421, the first network element may select a third UPF for the first PDU session. The third UPF is the anchor UPF of the first PDU session (i.e., Figure 3 the VMR-UPF in it), or rather, the third UPF can serve the first PDU session of the VMR device.

[0165] Optionally, the first network element may also allocate address information for the VMR device. Optionally, the address information is the IP address of the terminal device (VMR-UE) in the VMR device.

[0166] In some embodiments, after receiving the first request message, method 400 may include step S422, which is specifically as follows:

[0167] S422, the first network element may send a second message to the VMR device.

[0168] Wherein, the second message may be used to indicate that the establishment of the first PDU session is completed, and the second message may be a response message to the first request message. For example, the second message may be the session establishment response message sent by the VMR-SMF to the VMR device in subsequent Figure 6 step S610, or Figure 8 the session establishment response message sent by the VMR-SMF to the VMR device in step S814. That the first network element may send a second message to the VMR device may mean that the first network element may send a second message to the terminal device (i.e., VMR-UE) in the VMR device.

[0169] Optionally, the second message may include the address information of the VMR device (such as the address information allocated by the first network element for the VMR-UE). Optionally, the address information of the VMR-UE may be used to send the uplink data of the second terminal device to the first UPF through the N3 wireless backhaul.

[0170] Optionally, after receiving the address information, the VMR device (ie, VMR-UE) may use the address information as the source IP address of an uplink N3 general packet radio service (GPRS) user plane part (GTP, GTP-U) tunnel.

[0171] In some embodiments, method 400 may include step S423, which is as follows:

[0172] S423: The VMR device may send a sixth request message to the second network element.

[0173] The sixth request message may be used to request the establishment of a second PDU session. For example, the sixth request message may be used for a subsequent Figure 6 In step S613, the VMR device sends a session establishment request message to the AMF. Specifically, the session establishment request message is sent by the second terminal device to the second network element through the VMR device. In addition, in this step, the VMR also sends the identification information of the VMR device to the second network element. Specifically, the identification information of the VMR device includes the identification information of the VMR-gNB, and optionally, may also include the identification information of the VMR-UE.

[0174] After receiving the sixth request message, the second network element may select a fourth network element for the second terminal device, and the fourth network element may serve the second PDU session of the second terminal.

[0175] Optionally, after the VMR device sends the sixth request message to the second network element, the method 400 may include step S424, which is as follows:

[0176] S424, the second network element may determine the first UPF according to the sixth request message and the second corresponding relationship.

[0177] The second corresponding relationship may refer to the corresponding relationship between the identification information of the VMR device stored locally by the second network element in the above step S408 and the identification information of the first UPF.

[0178] Specifically, the second network element can determine the identifier of the first UPF corresponding to the identifier of the VMR device according to the identifier information of the VMR device received in step S423 and the second corresponding relationship locally stored by the second network element in step S408.

[0179] Optionally, after the second network element determines the first UPF according to the sixth request message and the second corresponding relationship, the method 400 may include step S425, which is specifically as follows:

[0180] S425, the second network element may send the identification information of the first UPF to the fourth network element. The identification information of the first UPF may be used to trigger the fourth network element to establish a second PDU session.

[0181] Optionally, after establishing the second PDU session, the fourth network element may send a session establishment acceptance message to the second network element.

[0182] Optionally, after receiving the session establishment acceptance message, the second network element may send a session establishment request message to the VMR device. The session establishment request message may be a response message to the sixth request message sent by the VMR device to the second network element in step S423 above. The session establishment request message may be used to trigger the VMR device to establish the context of the PDU session. For example, the session establishment request message may be the session establishment request message sent by the AMF to the VMR device in subsequent step S617. Figure 6 The session establishment request message in step S617 below.

[0183] The process of the fourth network element establishing the second PDU session may refer to the prior art. In this process, the fourth network element may send the identification information of the second PDU session and the N3 tunnel information of the second PDU session to the VMR device. The N3 tunnel information of the second PDU session includes the identification information of the first UPF.

[0184] In some embodiments, method 400 may include step S426, specifically as follows:

[0185] S426, the VMR device saves the first correspondence between the second PDU session and the first PDU session.

[0186] The second PDU session is established by the second terminal device through the VMR device. The second PDU session is associated with the first UPF.

[0187] The meaning that the VMR device saves the first correspondence between the second PDU session and the first PDU session may refer to: the VMR device saves the correspondence between the identification information of the second PDU session and the identification information of the first PDU session, or the VMR device saves the correspondence between the N3 tunnel information of the second PDU session and the identification information of the first PDU session. Or, the VMR device saves the correspondence between the identification information of the first UPF associated with the second PDU session and the identification information of the first PDU session.

[0188] In some embodiments, method 400 may include step S427, specifically as follows:

[0189] S427, the VMR device may receive uplink data from the second terminal device.

[0190] Optionally, the method 400 may include step S428, which is as follows:

[0191] S428: The VMR device determines to transmit the uplink data through the N3 wireless backhaul corresponding to the first PDU session according to the uplink data and the first corresponding relationship.

[0192] The specific method by which the VMR device determines to transmit the uplink data through the N3 wireless backhaul corresponding to the first PDU session based on the uplink data and the first corresponding relationship is as follows: after receiving the uplink data, the VMR device can determine the data radio bearer (DRB) that carries the uplink data, and determine that the PDU session corresponding to the DRB is the second PDU session. At this time, according to the first corresponding relationship, it can be determined that the second PDU session corresponds to the first PDU session, and the VMR device can use the N3 wireless backhaul corresponding to the first PDU session to transmit the uplink data.

[0193] At this time, the VMR device can transmit the uplink data to the third UPF. Optionally, after receiving the uplink data, the third UPF can send the uplink data to the first UPF.

[0194] In the present application, there may be a situation where the UPF associated with the second PDU session changes due to the movement of the second terminal device. At this time, the VMR device can initiate a session modification process.

[0195] In some embodiments, the method 400 may include step S430, which is as follows:

[0196] S430, when the UPF associated with the second PDU session established by the second terminal device connected to the VMR device is updated from the first UPF to the second UPF, the fourth network element may send a fourth message to the VMR device.

[0197] The fourth message may be used to indicate the identification information of the second UPF. For example, the fourth message may be a subsequent Figure 10 In step S1001, the SMF sends a session modification request message to the VMR device.

[0198] Optionally, after the fourth network element sends the fourth message to the VMR device, the method 400 may include step S432, which is specifically as follows:

[0199] S432, the VMR device can determine that the N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF needs to be updated according to the identification information of the second UPF, for example, the N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF needs to be updated to the N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF.

[0200] Optionally, after determining that the N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF needs to be updated, method 400 may include step S434, which is as follows:

[0201] S434, the VMR device may send a third request message to the first network element. Among them, the third request message may be used to request modification of the first PDU session to establish an N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF through the first PDU session. For example, the third request message may be the session modification request message sent by the VMR device to the VMR-SMF in subsequent step S1003. Figure 10 In some embodiments, after the VMR device sends the third request message to the first network element, method 400 may include step S436, which is as follows:

[0202] S436, the first network element may modify the first PDU session according to the third request message. For example, the first network element may modify the first PDU session to establish an N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF.

[0203] In this application, if after the second PDU session of the second terminal device is released and the N3 tunnel carried by the second PDU session is no longer used, the VMR device may trigger the release process of the first PDU session.

[0204] In some embodiments, method 400 may include step S440, which is as follows:

[0205] S440, the second network element may send a fifth message to the VMR device.

[0206] Among them, the fifth message may be used to request release of the second PDU session. For example, the fifth message may be the resource release request message sent by the AMF to the VMR device in subsequent step S1206.

[0207] Figure 12

[0208] Optionally, method 400 may include step S442, which is as follows:

[0209]

[0210] S442, in response to the fifth message, the VMR device may send a fourth request message to the first network element. Figure 12

[0211] Among them, the fourth request message may be used to request release of the first PDU session. For example, the fourth request message may be the session release request message sent by the VMR device to the VMR-SMF in subsequent step S1209.

[0211] ​Optionally, the VMR device may determine whether the N3 tunnel carried by the second PDU session is still needed, for example, whether the N3 tunnel is associated with other sessions.

[0212] Optionally, when the N3 tunnel carried by the second PDU session is no longer used, the VMR device may send a fourth request message to the first network element.

[0213] In some embodiments, after receiving the fourth request message, method 400 may include step S444, which is as follows:

[0214] S444, the first network element may release the first PDU session according to the fourth request message.

[0215] Optionally, in response to the fourth request message, the first network element may release the first PDU session.

[0216] In some embodiments, after the first network element releases the first PDU session, method 400 may include step S446, which is as follows:

[0217] S446, the first network element may send a sixth message to the VMR device.

[0218] Wherein, the sixth message may be used to indicate that the first PDU session has been released. For example, the sixth message may be the session release command sent by the VMR-SMF to the VMR device in subsequent step S1211. Figure 12 of step S1211.

[0219] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of the present application. In Figure 5 , UE1 and UE2 access the VMR device and connect to the core network through the VMR device.

[0220] Such as Figure 5 shown, the UPF that establishes the N3 wireless backhaul with the VMR device is fixed and unchanged, that is, there is only one UPF that the VMR device accesses through the N3 wireless backhaul (this UPF has an N3 interface with the VMR device). Then, as long as the UE accesses this VMR device, the UPF associated with the PDU session of this UE is the UPF that the VMR device accesses through the N3 wireless backhaul (that is, the UPF associated with the PDU session of this UE is the UPF that establishes the N3 wireless backhaul with the VMR device through the PDU session), that is Figure 5 in, the UPF associated with the PDU session of UE1 and the UPF associated with the PDU session of UE2 are both the UPF that the VMR device accesses through the N3 wireless backhaul. That is to say, the UPF associated with the PDU session of UE1 and the UPF associated with the PDU session of UE2 and the UPF that establishes the N3 wireless backhaul with the VMR device through the PDU session are the same UPF.

[0221] The following combines Figure 6 , and based on Figure 5 the application scenario shown, the communication method in the embodiments of this application is illustrated by way of example.

[0222] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 In the method shown, the VMR device may include a VMR-gNB and a VMR-UE, and the VMR-SMF is the Figure 4 first network element in the method shown, the AMF is the Figure 4 second network element in the method shown, the NRF is the Figure 4 third network element in the method shown, and the SMF is the Figure 4 fourth network element in the method shown.

[0223] Figure 6 The method 600 shown may include steps S601 to S618, specifically as follows:

[0224] S601, The UPF sends a network element registration request message to the NRF.

[0225] Among them, the registration request message may be an NF registration request message, such as the service operation Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister message.

[0226] The network element registration request message can be used to register the UPF to the network. Among them, the network element registration request message may carry the identification information of the UPF, the service area of the UPF, and the capability indication information. The identification information may be address information. The service area of the UPF may be a list of tracking areas (TAs) that the UPF can serve. Optionally, the capability indication information can be used to indicate that the UPF supports access through N3 wireless backhaul, or in other words, the capability indication information is used to indicate that the UPF supports the establishment of an N3 connection (or N3 interface) between the VMR device and the UPF through a PDU session.

[0227] It should be noted that the UPF executing step S601 is a general reference and does not specifically refer to a specific UPF.

[0228] S602a, The VMR-UE registers to the core network.

[0229] The VMR-UE can register to the core network through the gNB (such as the donor gNB). This registration process can refer to the prior art.

[0230] S602b, The VMR-UE establishes a PDU session.

[0231] The VMR-UE can establish a PDU session for the VMR-gNB to access the AMF, that is, this PDU session can be used to establish an N2 wireless backhaul. It can be understood that this PDU session is used to access the AMF that has an N2 connection with the VMR-gNB (that is, there is an N2 interface between the VMR-gNB and this AMF). In this way, when the VMR-gNB needs to send an uplink N2 message to the AMF, the VMR-gNB can send the uplink N2 message to the AMF through the anchor UPF of this PDU session. When the AMF needs to send a downlink N2 message to the VMR-gNB, the AMF can send the downlink N2 message to the VMR-gNB through the anchor UPF of this PDU session.

[0232] S603, the VMR-gNB sends an N2 request message to the AMF.

[0233] Among them, this N2 request message can be an NG setup request message.

[0234] The VMR-gNB can send an NG setup request message to the AMF through the N2 wireless backhaul. Among them, the NG setup request message can carry the ID of the VMR-gNB and indication information, and this indication information can be used to trigger the AMF to return the identification information of the first UPF.

[0235] Among them, the identification information of the first UPF can be the address information of the first UPF. The first UPF is the UPF through which the VMR-gNB can establish an N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR-gNB and this first UPF through a PDU session, such as the UPF in S601. It can also be understood that the first UPF supports the VMR-gNB to establish an N3 connection with the first UPF through a PDU session. It can also be understood that this first UPF supports the user plane of the VMR-gNB to access the first UPF through a PDU session.

[0236] Optionally, this indication information can be used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0237] 1) The current location information of the VMR device;

[0238] 2) The capabilities of the VMR-UE. For example, this UE has the ability to establish an N3 connection with the UPF using a PDU session;

[0239] 3) The identification information of the UPF that requests to establish an N3 connection through a PDU session.

[0240] S604, the AMF sends a query request message to the NRF.

[0241] Among them, the AMF may send a query request message to the NRF based on the indication information included in step S603.

[0242] The query request message may be a network element discovery request message, and the query request message may be used to request to query the identification information of the first UPF. For example, the AMF may send a network element discovery request message to the NRF. The network element discovery request message may be a service-based operation Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request message.

[0243] Optionally, the network element type may be carried in the query request message, which is used to indicate that the network element requested to be queried by the query request message is a UPF that supports establishing an N3 radio backhaul through a PDU session.

[0244] Optionally, the location information of the VMR device may also be carried in the query request message. Among them, the location information may be represented by a tracking area identity (TAI). Optionally, the location information of the VMR device may be used to indicate that the NRF returns a UPF whose service area includes the location of the VMR device.

[0245] Optionally, the query request message may also carry the capability indication information of the UPF to be discovered, and the capability indication information is used to indicate the capability of the UPF to be discovered to support establishing an N3 connection through a PDU session.

[0246] S605, the NRF sends a query response message to the AMF.

[0247] Among them, the query response message may be a discovery response message, and the identification information of the first UPF may be carried in the discovery response message. Specifically, the NRF returns the identification information of the first UPF according to the query request message.

[0248] Optionally, if the location information of the VMR device is carried in the query request message, then the service area of the first UPF returned by the NRF includes the location of the VMR device.

[0249] For example, the NRF may return a network element discovery response message to the AMF.

[0250] S606, the AMF saves the correspondence between the identification information of the VMR-gNB and the first UPF.

[0251] For example, the AMF may save the correspondence between the ID of the VMR-gNB and the identification information of the first UPF (that is, the VMR-gNB can establish an N3 radio backhaul with the first UPF through a PDU session).

[0252] S607, the AMF sends an N2 response message to the VMR-gNB.

[0253] Among them, the N2 response message can be an NG setup response message.

[0254] Optionally, the N2 response message can be used to indicate the identification information of the first UPF.

[0255] S608a, the VMR device establishes a PDU session.

[0256] Upon receiving the identification information of the first UPF, the VMR device can initiate a session establishment process, and this PDU session is used to access the first UPF.

[0257] For example, the VMR-gNB can trigger the VMR-UE to initiate a session establishment process according to the identification information of the first UPF carried in the N2 response message. For the sake of description, the PDU session established by the VMR device to implement the N3 wireless backhaul with the first UPF can be called the first PDU session, or the PDU session established by the VMR device to access the first UPF through the N3 wireless backhaul can be called the first PDU session.

[0258] S608b, the VMR device sends a session establishment request message to the core network.

[0259] The VMR-UE can send a session establishment request message to the VMR-SMF. This session establishment request message can be used to establish a PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network (such as the VMR-UPF).

[0260] Optionally, the session establishment request message can also carry indication information, where this indication information can be used to indicate that this PDU session (i.e., the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network) is used to establish the N3 wireless backhaul.

[0261] Optionally, the session establishment request message can also carry the identification information of the first UPF, and this identification information of the first UPF is used to assist the core network in establishing the first PDU session.

[0262] In addition, if the PDU session used to establish the N2 wireless backhaul between the VMR-gNB and the AMF is different from the PDU session used to establish the N3 wireless backhaul between the VMR-gNB and the UPF, then in step S608b, the VMR device sends a session establishment request message to the core network. Therefore Figure 6 The steps described are mainly for this scenario.

[0263] If the PDU session used to establish the N2 radio backhaul between the VMR-gNB and the AMF is the same PDU session as the PDU session used to establish the N3 radio backhaul between the VMR-gNB and the UPF, then in step S608b, the VMR device sends a session modification request message to the core network. Optionally, the session modification request message may also carry indication information, where the indication information can be used to indicate that the PDU session modification request (i.e., the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network) is used to establish the N3 radio backhaul.

[0264] Optionally, the session modification request message may also carry the identification information of the first UPF, and the identification information of the first UPF is used to assist the core network in modifying the first PDU session.

[0265] S609, the VMR-SMF selects a UPF for the session.

[0266] The VMR-SMF can select a suitable UPF (i.e., the VMR-UPF) for the session and establish an N4 session. At the same time, the VMR-SMF can also allocate an IP address for the VMR-UE.

[0267] If in step S608b, the session establishment request message carries the identification information of the first UPF, the VMR-SMF can select a suitable UPF (i.e., the VMR-UPF) according to the identification information of the first UPF, so as to ensure that the deployment location of the VMR-UPF is close to the deployment location of the first UPF, thereby shortening the latency required for the VMR-UPF to access the first UPF. Among them, the VMR-UPF is the anchor UPF of the session, and the VMR device can access the first UPF through the VMR-UPF, thereby realizing the N3 radio backhaul between the VMR device and the first UPF.

[0268] S610, the VMR-SMF sends a session establishment response message to the VMR device.

[0269] Among them, the session establishment response message can be an Nsmf_PDU Session_Create SM ContextResponse message, and the session establishment response message can be used to indicate that the PDU session establishment between the VMR-UE and the core network is completed.

[0270] For example, the VMR-SMF can send an Nsmf_PDU Session_Create SM ContextResponse message to the VMR device.

[0271] Optionally, the session establishment response message may also carry the IP address of the VMR-UE.

[0272] S611. The VMR-gNB uses the IP address of the VMR-UE as the source address of the uplink N3 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) User Plane Part of GTP (GTP-U) tunnel.

[0273] After obtaining the IP address of the VMR-UE, the VMR-gNB can use the IP address of the VMR-UE as the source IP address of the uplink N3 GTP-U tunnel.

[0274] S612. The UE sends a session establishment request message to the VMR device.

[0275] The UE can access through the VMR device and initiate a session establishment process through the VMR device. For the sake of convenience of description, the PDU session requested to be established by the UE through the VMR device is called the second PDU session.

[0276] S613. The VMR device sends a session establishment request message to the AMF.

[0277] The VMR device can send the session establishment request message sent by the UE to the AMF.

[0278] S614. The AMF determines the UPF according to the stored corresponding relationship.

[0279] The AMF can determine the identifier of the first UPF (that is, the VMR device can establish an N3 radio backhaul with the first UPF through the PDU session) according to the stored corresponding relationship (such as the corresponding relationship saved in step S606).

[0280] For example, the AMF can determine according to the stored corresponding relationship: the identifier information of the UPF that can establish an N3 radio backhaul with the VMR device, and this UPF is the first UPF.

[0281] S615. The AMF sends the identifier information of the first UPF to the SMF.

[0282] The AMF sends the identifier information of the first UPF to the SMF to trigger the SMF to establish an N4 session.

[0283] Specifically, the SMF uses the first UPF as the UPF of the second PDU session of the UE and sends an N4 session establishment process to the first UPF.

[0284] S616. The SMF sends a session establishment acceptance message to the AMF.

[0285] S617. The AMF sends a session request message to the VMR device.

[0286] Among them, the session establishment request message may be an N2 PDU session request message, and the session request message may be used to trigger the VMR device to establish the context of the session.

[0287] For example, the AMF may send an N2 PDU session establishment request message to the VMR device.

[0288] S618, the VMR device sends a session establishment response message to the UE.

[0289] Among them, the session establishment response message may be a response message to the session establishment request message sent by the UE in the above step S612, and may be used to indicate that the session establishment is completed.

[0290] After the session establishment is completed, the UE may send uplink data through the VMR device (i.e., VMR-gNB); after receiving the uplink data, the VMR device (i.e., VMR-gNB) may perform N3 GTP-U encapsulation on the uplink data of the UE according to the context information of the second PDU session of the UE. Among them, the source IP address of the N3 GTP-U encapsulation is the address of the VMR-gNB, and the destination address is the address of the first UPF. After the uplink data of the UE is subjected to N3 GTP-U encapsulation, the VMR-gNB sends the encapsulated data to the VMR-UE, and the VMR-UE sends the data to the anchor UPF of the first PDU session through the first PDU session. When the anchor UPF of the first PDU session receives the uplink data from the VMR-UE, and determines that the destination address of the uplink data is the address of the first UPF, it further forwards the data to the first UPF.

[0291] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of the present application. In Figure 7 UE1, UE2, and UE3 are connected to the VMR device and connected to the core network through the VMR device.

[0292] Such as Figure 7 As shown, there may be multiple UPFs for the VMR device to establish N3 radio backhaul through the PDU session. When different UEs are connected to the VMR device and establish PDU sessions with different UPFs, it is necessary to determine which UPF the VMR device establishes the N3 radio backhaul with. For example, the UPF associated with the PDU session of UE1 and the UPF associated with the PDU session of UE2 are both UPF1, and the UPF associated with the PDU session of UE3 is UP2. Then the VMR device needs to establish an N3 radio backhaul with UPF1 through PDU session 1 and establish an N3 radio backhaul with UPF2 through PDU session 2.

[0293] The following combinesFigure 8 , an example of the communication method in the embodiments of the present application is given based on the Figure 7 application scenario shown.

[0294] Figure 8 FIG. is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 In the method shown, the VMR device may include a VMR-gNB and a VMR-UE, and the VMR-SMF is the Figure 4 first network element in the method shown, and the AMF is the Figure 4 second network element in the method shown, and the SMF is the Figure 4 fourth network element in the method shown.

[0295] Figure 8 The method 800 shown may include steps S801 to S823, as follows:

[0296] First, the VMR-UE may register with the core network through a registration process. At the same time, the VMR-UE may establish a PDU session for accessing the AMF to complete the establishment of the N2 wireless backhaul (that is, the VMR device may establish an N2 wireless backhaul with the AMF through the PDU session).

[0297] S801, the UE sends a registration request message to the VMR device.

[0298] S802, the VMR device sends a registration request message to the AMF.

[0299] S803, the AMF sends a registration acceptance message to the VMR device.

[0300] S804, the VMR device sends a registration acceptance message to the UE.

[0301] S805, the UE sends a session establishment request message to the VMR device.

[0302] The UE may send a session establishment request message to the AMF through the VMR device. Among them, the AMF may refer to the AMF serving the UE.

[0303] For convenience of description, the PDU session requested by the UE through the VMR device is called the second PDU session.

[0304] S806, the VMR device sends a session establishment request message to the AMF.

[0305] The VMR device may send the session establishment request message to the AMF.

[0306] S807, the AMF sends a session establishment request message to the SMF.

[0307] Among them, the SMF may refer to the SMF serving the UE.

[0308] For example, the AMF may select an SMF for the UE's session and send a session establishment request message to the SMF to trigger the SMF to establish a session.

[0309] S808, the SMF establishes an N4 session.

[0310] The SMF may select a UPF for the UE's session and trigger the N4 session establishment process.

[0311] S809, the SMF sends a session establishment response message to the AMF.

[0312] Among them, the session establishment response message may be a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message.

[0313] For example, the SMF may send a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message to the AMF.

[0314] Among them, the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message may contain N2 SM information. The N2 SM information may include a PDU session identifier and core network tunnel information.

[0315] Optionally, the N2 SM information may contain the identification information of the UPF. The UPF may refer to the UPF selected by the SMF for the UE's session, or rather, the UPF may refer to the UPF serving the UE. Optionally, the identification information may be address information.

[0316] S810, the AMF sends a session request message to the VMR device.

[0317] Among them, the session request message may be an N2 PDU Session Request message. Optionally, the session request message may be used to indicate the identification information of the UPF (such as the UPF selected by the SMF for the UE's session in S809).

[0318] For example, the AMF sends an N2 PDU Session Request message to the VMR device.

[0319] Optionally, the session establishment request message may include N2 SM information. The N2 SM information may carry the PDU session ID and core network tunnel information (such as CN Tunnel Info), and the core network tunnel information may include the N3 tunnel information of the second PDU session.

[0320] S811, the VMR device establishes a PDU session.

[0321] In the case of receiving the identification information of the UPF indicated by the AMF, the VMR device may initiate a session establishment process.

[0322] For example, the VMR-gNB may trigger the VMR-UE to establish a PDU session for N3 radio backhaul according to the identification information of the UPF included in the session request message (such as received in S810).

[0323] For the sake of convenient description, the PDU session established by the VMR device to implement N3 radio backhaul with the first UPF is called the first PDU session, or it can be understood that the PDU session established by the VMR device to access the first UPF through N3 radio backhaul is called the first PDU session.

[0324] S812, the VMR device sends a session establishment request message to the core network.

[0325] The session establishment request message can be used to request the establishment of a PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network (such as VMR-UPF).

[0326] For example, the VMR-UE may send a session establishment request message to the VMR-SMF.

[0327] Optionally, the session establishment request message may include the identification information of the first UPF (such as the UPF selected by the SMF for the UE's session in S809). This first PDU session is used to establish the N3 radio backhaul between the first UPF and the VMR device.

[0328] S813, the VMR-SMF selects a UPF for the session.

[0329] If the session establishment request message in step S812 carries the identification information of the UPF, the VMR-SMF may select a suitable UPF (i.e., VMR-UPF) for the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network according to the identification information of the UPF, so as to ensure that the deployment location of the VMR-UPF is close to the location of the UPF carried in the session establishment request message, thereby shortening the latency required for the VMR-UPF to access this UPF. Among them, the VMR-UPF is the anchor UPF of the first PDU session.

[0330] S814. The VMR-SMF sends a session establishment response message to the VMR device.

[0331] The session establishment response message can be used to indicate that the PDU session establishment between the VMR-UE and the core network is completed. The IP address of the VMR-UE can be carried in the session establishment response message.

[0332] S815. The VMR device saves the correspondence between the second PDU session of the UE and the first PDU session currently established by the VMR device.

[0333] Among them, the first PDU session currently established by the VMR device can refer to the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the VMR-UPF, and the second PDU session of the UE can refer to the PDU session established by the UE through the VMR-gNB with the UPF (this UPF can refer to the UPF serving the UE).

[0334] Optionally, the meaning that the VMR device saves the correspondence between the second PDU session and the first PDU session can refer to: the VMR device saves the correspondence between the identification information of the second PDU session and the identification information of the first PDU session, or the VMR device saves the correspondence between the N3 tunnel information of the second PDU session and the identification information of the first PDU session, or the VMR device saves the correspondence between the identification information of the first UPF associated with the second PDU session and the identification information of the first PDU session.

[0335] Among them, the N3 tunnel information of the second PDU session can be carried in the session request message sent by the AMF to the VMR device in the above step S810.

[0336] S816. The VMR device sends a session establishment response message to the UE.

[0337] The VMR device can send a session establishment response message to the UE, and this session establishment response message can be used to indicate to the UE that the establishment of the second PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network is completed.

[0338] S817. The VMR device sends a session establishment response message to the AMF.

[0339] Among them, the session establishment response message can be an N2 PDU Session Response message, and this session establishment response message can be used to indicate to the AMF that the PDU session establishment between the VMR-UE and the core network is completed.

[0340] For example, the VMR device can send an N2 PDU Session Response message to the AMF.

[0341] Optionally, the session establishment response message may include N2 SM information, and the N2 SM information may carry tunnel information (such as AN Tunnel Info).

[0342] S818. The AMF sends a session update request message to the SMF.

[0343] Among them, the session update request message may be an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message.

[0344] For example, the AMF may send an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message to the SMF.

[0345] S819. The SMF updates the N4 session.

[0346] The SMF may trigger an N4 session update.

[0347] S820. The UE sends uplink data.

[0348] The UE may send uplink data through the VMR device.

[0349] S821. The VMR device performs N3 GTP-U encapsulation on the uplink data.

[0350] Specifically, after receiving the uplink data sent by the UE, the VMR device may determine the data radio bearer (DRB) carrying the uplink data, and determine that the PDU session corresponding to the DRB is the second PDU session. At this time, according to the corresponding relationship, it can be determined that the second PDU session corresponds to the first PDU session, that is, the uplink data is transmitted through the first PDU session. At this time, the VMR device (i.e., VMR-gNB) can perform N3 GTP-U encapsulation on the uplink data of the UE according to the context information of the second PDU session of the UE. Among them, the source IP address of the N3 GTP-U encapsulation is the address of the VMR-gNB, and the destination address is the address of the UPF accessed by the first PDU session (i.e., the first UPF).

[0351] S822. The VMR device sends the uplink data to the VMR-UPF.

[0352] Specifically, after the N3 GTP-U encapsulation of the UE's uplink data, the VMR-gNB sends the encapsulated data to the VMR-UE, and the VMR-UE sends the data to the anchor UPF of the first PDU session (i.e., VMR-UPF) through the first PDU session.

[0353] S823a. The VMR-UPF is addressed to the corresponding UPF according to the address of the first UPF.

[0354] Specifically, after the VMR-UPF receives the uplink data from the VMR-UE, the VMR-UPF determines that the destination address of the uplink data is the address of the first UPF.

[0355] S823b. The VMR-UPF sends the uplink data to the corresponding UPF.

[0356] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of the present application. In Figure 9 , it may occur that the UPF (such as the N3 UPF) to which the second terminal device is connected changes due to the movement of the second terminal device. At this time, the VMR device can initiate a session modification process.

[0357] Such as Figure 9 shown, since UE1 moves, it is necessary to update the connected N3 UPF from UPF1 to UPF2. After the VMR device receives the identification information (such as the address information) of UPF2, it can initiate a session modification process.

[0358] Next, in combination with Figure 10 , based on Figure 9 shown application scenario, the communication method in the embodiment of the present application will be illustrated by examples.

[0359] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 10 In the method shown, the VMR device may include a VMR-gNB and a VMR-UE. The VMR-SMF is the first network element in the method shown in Figure 4 , the AMF is the second network element in the method shown in Figure 4 , and the SMF is the fourth network element in the method shown in Figure 4 .

[0360] Figure 10 The method 1000 shown may include steps S1001 to S1009, specifically as follows:

[0361] As the VMR-gNB moves, the UPF corresponding to the second PDU session established by the UE will change (such as UPF relocation). For example, it changes from the previous UPF to a new UPF. If the VMR device has established an N3 connection with the previous UPF through the first PDU session, then after the UPF changes, the VMR device needs to modify the user plane path of the first PDU session to establish an N3 connection with the new UPF through the first PDU session.

[0362] S1001, the SMF sends a session modification request message to the VMR device (i.e., VMR-gNB).

[0363] Among them, the session modification request message can be an N2 PDU Session modification request message, and this session modification request message can be used to indicate the identification information of the new N3 UPF.

[0364] For example, the SMF can send an N2 PDU Session modification request message to the VMR device. The modification request message can carry N2 SM information, and the N2 SM information can include new core network tunnel information (CN tunnel information).

[0365] Optionally, the N2 SM information can include the identification information (such as address information) of the new UPF. This new UPF can be the second UPF in the above method 400.

[0366] S1002, the VMR device modifies the first PDU session.

[0367] After receiving the identification information of the new N3 UPF, the VMR device can determine that the N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF needs to be updated. For example, it is determined that the N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF needs to be updated to the N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF.

[0368] At this time, the VMR device can trigger a session modification process to modify the modification process of the PDU session for N3 wireless backhaul.

[0369] S1003, the VMR device sends a session modification request message to the VMR-SMF.

[0370] Among them, the session modification request message can be a PDU session modification request message, and this session modification request message can be used to request to modify the first PDU session between the VMR device and the VMR-UPF, so as to realize the N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF through the PDU session.

[0371] For example, the VMR device can send a PDU session modification request message to the VMR-SMF.

[0372] Optionally, the session modification request message can carry the identification information of the PDU session (such as session ID).

[0373] Optionally, the session modification request message can also carry the identification information of the second UPF.

[0374] S1004, the VMR-SMF modifies the current session.

[0375] The VMR-SMF can modify the current PDU session based on the identification information of the second UPF. For example, an uplink classifier (ULCL) / branching point (BP) can be inserted to ensure that an N3 radio backhaul can be established between the VMR device and the second UPF through this PDU session, and the N3 latency between the VMR device and the second UPF is the shortest.

[0376] S1005, the VMR-SMF sends a session modification command to the VMR device.

[0377] Optionally, the session modification command may also carry the address information assigned to the VMR-UE.

[0378] S1006, the VMR device sends the session modification command to the UE.

[0379] The session modification command is used to modify the second PDU session established by the UE through the VMR device.

[0380] S1007, the VMR device sends a session modification response message to the AMF.

[0381] The session modification response message can be an N2 PDU Session Response message.

[0382] For example, the VMR device can send an N2 PDU Session Response message to the AMF.

[0383] Optionally, the session modification response message may carry N2 SM information, and the N2 SM information may carry tunnel information (such as AN Tunnel Info).

[0384] S1008, the AMF sends a session update request message to the SMF.

[0385] The session update request message can be an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message.

[0386] For example, the AMF can send an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message to the SMF.

[0387] S1009, the SMF updates the N4 session.

[0388] The SMF can trigger the N4 session update.

[0389] Figure 11It is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of the present application. In Figure 11 If, after the PDU session of the UE (such as UE1 and / or UE2) is released and the N3 tunnel carried by the PDU session of the VMR-UE is no longer used, the VMR device may trigger the release process of the PDU session for N3 wireless backhaul (i.e., the first PDU session).

[0390] For example Figure 11 As shown, after the PDU sessions of UE1 and UE2 are released and the N3 tunnel carried by the PDU session of the VMR-UE is no longer used, the VMR device may trigger the release process of the PDU session for N3 wireless backhaul.

[0391] Next, in combination with Figure 12 and based on Figure 11 the application scenario shown, the communication method in the embodiment of the present application will be illustrated by way of example.

[0392] Figure 12 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 12 In the method shown, the VMR device may include a VMR-gNB and a VMR-UE. The VMR-SMF is the Figure 4 first network element in the method shown, the AMF is the Figure 4 second network element in the method shown, and the SMF is the Figure 4 fourth network element in the method shown.

[0393] Figure 12 The method 1200 shown may include steps S1201 to S1211, specifically as follows:

[0394] S1201, The UE sends a session release request message through the VMR device.

[0395] Among them, the session release request message may be a UE Requested PDU Session Release message, and this session release request message may be used to request the release of the PDU session between the UE and the core network.

[0396] For example, the UE may send a UE Requested PDU Session Release message to the VMR device.

[0397] S1202, The VMR device sends a session release request message to the AMF.

[0398] For example, the VMR device may send the UE Requested PDU Session Release message to the AMF.

[0399] S1203, the AMF sends a session release request message to the SMF.

[0400] Among them, the session release request message can be an Nsmf_PDUSession_ReleaseSMContext Request message, and this session release request message can be used to request the release of the PDU session between the UE and the core network.

[0401] For example, the AMF can send the Nsmf_PDUSession_ReleaseSMContext Request message to the SMF.

[0402] S1204, the SMF releases the N4 session.

[0403] The SMF can trigger the release of the N4 session.

[0404] S1205, the SMF sends a session release response message to the AMF.

[0405] Among them, the session release response message can be an Nsmf_PDUSession_ReleaseSMContext Response message, and this session release response message can be used to indicate the completion of the release of the PDU session between the UE and the core network.

[0406] For example, the SMF can send the Nsmf_PDUSession_ReleaseSMContext Response message to the AMF.

[0407] S1206, the AMF sends a resource release request message to the VMR device.

[0408] Among them, the resource release request message can be an N2 SM Resource Release request message, and this resource release request message can request the release of the PDU session between the UE and the core network.

[0409] For example, the AMF can send the N2 SM Resource Release request message to the VMR device.

[0410] S1207, the VMR device sends a session release command to the UE.

[0411] Among them, the session release command can be a PDU Session Release Command.

[0412] For example, the VMR device can send a PDU Session Release Command to the UE.

[0413] S1208, the VMR device triggers the session release process.

[0414] The VMR device can determine that if the PDU session between the UE and the core network is released and the N3 tunnel carried by the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network is no longer in use (for example, no other UE has any session associated with this N3 tunnel), the VMR device can trigger the release process to release the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network.

[0415] S1209, the VMR device sends a session release request message to the VMR-SMF.

[0416] Among them, the session release request message can be the UE Requested PDU Session Release message, and this session release request message can be used to request the release of the PDU session between the VMR-UE and the core network.

[0417] For example, the VMR device can send the UE Requested PDU Session Release message to the VMR-SMF.

[0418] S1210, the VMR-SMF releases the N4 session.

[0419] The VMR-SMF can trigger the N4 session release.

[0420] S1211, the VMR-SMF sends a session release command to the VMR device.

[0421] Among them, the session release command can be the PDU Session Release Command.

[0422] The VMR-SMF can send the PDU Session Release Command to the VMR device.

[0423] The above combines Figures 1 to 12 , and details the method embodiments of this application. Below, in combination with Figures 13 to 17 , details the device embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments and the device embodiments correspond to each other. Therefore, for the parts not described in detail, reference can be made to the previous method embodiments.

[0424] Figure 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application. The device 1300 can be used to perform the actions or steps executed by the above VMR device.

[0425] Such as Figure 13As shown, the device 1300 includes a determination unit 1310 and a sending unit 1320, specifically as follows:

[0426] The determination unit 1310 is configured to determine the identification information of the first User Plane Function (UPF).

[0427] The sending unit 1320 is configured to send a first request message to a first network element, where the first request message is used to request the establishment of a first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, and the first PDU session is used to establish an N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF, and the first network element serves the first PDU session.

[0428] Figure 14 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. The device 1400 can be used to perform the actions or steps executed by the above-mentioned first network element.

[0429] As Figure 14 shown, the device 1400 includes a receiving unit 1410 and an establishment unit 1420, specifically as follows:

[0430] The receiving unit 1410 is configured to receive a first request message from a Vehicle-mounted Relay (VMR) device, where the first request message is used to request the establishment of a first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, and the first PDU session is used to establish an N3 connection between a first User Plane Function (UPF) and the VMR device, and the VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device.

[0431] The establishment unit 1420 is configured to establish the first PDU session according to the first request message, and the first network element serves the first PDU session.

[0432] Figure 15 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. The device 1500 can be used to perform the actions or steps executed by the above-mentioned second network element.

[0433] As Figure 15 shown, the device 1500 includes a sending unit 1510, specifically as follows:

[0434] The sending unit 1510 is configured to send a first message to a Vehicle-mounted Relay (VMR) device, where the first message is used to indicate the identification information of a first User Plane Function (UPF), and the first UPF supports the VMR device to establish an N3 connection through a PDU session, and the VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device.

[0435] Figure 16 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. The device 1600 can be used to perform the actions or steps executed by the above-mentioned third network element.

[0436] As shown Figure 16 in the figure, the device 1600 includes a receiving unit 1610 and a transmitting unit 1620, specifically as follows:

[0437] The receiving unit 1610 is configured to receive a fifth request message from a second network element, where the fifth request message is used to request querying identification information of a first UPF;

[0438] The transmitting unit 1620 is configured to send a seventh message to the second network element, where the seventh message includes the identification information of the first UPF;

[0439] Wherein, the first UPF supports establishing an N3 connection between a VMR device and the first UPF through a protocol data unit (PDU) session, and the VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device.

[0440] Figure 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 17 The dashed lines in indicate that the unit or module is optional. The device 1700 can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. The device 1700 can be a chip or a communication device.

[0441] The device 1700 may include one or more processors 1710. The processor 1710 can support the device 1700 to implement the method described in the foregoing method embodiment. The processor 1710 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0442] The device 1700 may further include one or more memories 1720. A program is stored on the memory 1720, and the program can be executed by the processor 1710, so that the processor 1710 executes the method described in the foregoing method embodiment. The memory 1720 can be independent of the processor 1710 or integrated in the processor 1710.

[0443] The apparatus 1700 may further include a transceiver 1730. The processor 1710 may communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1730. For example, the processor 1710 may transmit and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1730.

[0444] It should be noted that for the information interaction, execution process, etc. between the above-mentioned apparatus / units, since they are based on the same concept as the method embodiments of the present application, their specific functions and the technical effects brought thereby can be specifically referred to the method embodiment section, and will not be elaborated here.

[0445] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, only the above division of each functional unit and module is used as an example. In practical applications, the above functions can be allocated to different functional units and modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the apparatus is divided into different functional units or modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. Each functional unit and module in the embodiment can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit. In addition, the specific names of each functional unit and module are only for the convenience of mutual distinction and do not limit the protection scope of the present application. The specific working process of the units and modules in the above system can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0446] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the steps in each of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0447] The embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product. When the computer program product runs on an electronic device (such as a server or a terminal device), the electronic device is enabled to implement the steps in each of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0448] The embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which includes a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that an electronic device (such as a server or a terminal device) installed with the chip executes the steps in each of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0449] When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, to implement all or part of the processes in the above-described embodiment methods of this application, a computer program can be used to instruct the relevant hardware to complete. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the above-described various method embodiments can be implemented. Among them, the computer program includes computer program code, and the computer program code can be in the form of source code, object code, executable file, or some intermediate form, etc. The computer-readable storage medium can at least include: any entity or device that can carry the computer program code to the device / electronic device, recording medium, computer memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrical carrier signal, telecommunication signal, and software distribution medium. For example, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a magnetic disk, or an optical disc, etc. In some jurisdictions, according to legislation and patent practice, the computer-readable storage medium cannot be an electrical carrier signal and a telecommunication signal.

[0450] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the various embodiments have their own emphases. For the parts not detailed or recorded in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0451] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0452] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed device / electronic device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device / electronic device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there can 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 coupling or direct coupling or communication connection to each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection of the device or unit can be in an electrical, mechanical, or other form.

[0453] The unit described as a separation component may or may not be physically separated. The component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, it may be located in one place or may be distributed across 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.

[0454] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present application, and should all be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method is applied to a vehicle-mounted relay VMR device. The VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device, and is characterized in that, Including: Determine the identification information of the first User Plane Function (UPF); Send a first request message to a first network element, where the first request message is used to request the establishment of a first PDU session, and the first PDU session is used to establish an N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF, and the first network element serves the first PDU session.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The determining the first UPF includes: Receive a first message from a second network element, where the first message is used to indicate the identification information of the first UPF.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein Before receiving the first message from the second network element, the method further includes: Send a second request message to the second network element, where the second request message is used to request the establishment of an N2 connection between the VMR device and the second network element, and the first message is a response message to the second request message.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second request message further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to trigger the second network element to return the identification information of the first UPF.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The first indication information includes at least one of the following: The location information of the VMR device; The capability of the VMR device, where the capability is the capability of the VMR device to establish an N3 connection with a UPF using a PDU session; The identification information of the UPF that requests to establish an N3 connection through a PDU session.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first request message further includes indication information for indicating that the first PDU session is used to establish an N3 radio backhaul.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second message from the first network element, where the second message is used to indicate that the first PDU session is established.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The second message includes the address information of the VMR device, and the address information of the VMR device is used to send the uplink data of a second terminal device to the first UPF through an N3 radio backhaul, and the second terminal device is currently connected to the VMR device.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein The determining the first UPF includes: Receive a third message from a fourth network element, where the third message is used to indicate the identification information of the first UPF, and the first UPF is the UPF associated with a second PDU session established for a second terminal device accessing the VMR device, the fourth network element serves the second PDU session, and the second terminal device is currently connected to the VMR device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The method further includes: Save a first correspondence between the second PDU session and the first PDU session, where the second PDU session is established by a second terminal device through the VMR device, the second PDU session is associated with the first UPF, and the second terminal device is currently connected to the VMR device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The method further includes: Receive the uplink data from the second terminal device; Determine to transmit the uplink data through the N3 radio backhaul corresponding to the first PDU session according to the uplink data and the first correspondence.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the UPF associated with the second PDU session established by the second terminal device accessing the VMR device is updated from the first UPF to the second UPF, receive a fourth message from a fourth network element, where the fourth message is used to indicate the identification information of the second UPF, the fourth network element serves the second PDU session, and the second terminal device is currently accessing the VMR device; Determine that the N3 connection between the VMR device and the first UPF is updated to the N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF according to the identification information of the second UPF; Send a third request message to the first network element, where the third request message is used to request to modify the first PDU session so as to establish the N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF through the first PDU session.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a fifth message from a second network element, where the fifth message is used to request to release the second PDU session; In response to the fifth message, send a fourth request message to the first network element, where the fourth request message is used to request to release the first PDU session.

14. A communication method, applied to a first network element, characterized in that, Includes: Receive a first request message from an in-vehicle relay VMR device, where the first request message is used to request to establish a first protocol data unit (PDU) session, and the first PDU session is used to establish an N3 connection between a first user plane function (UPF) and the VMR device, and the VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device; Establish the first PDU session according to the first request message, and the first network element serves the first PDU session.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The method further includes: Send a second message to the VMR device, where the second message is used to indicate that the establishment of the first PDU session is completed.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The second message includes the address information of the VMR device, and the address information of the VMR device is used to send the uplink data of the second terminal device to the first UPF through N3 wireless backhaul, and the second terminal device is currently accessing the VMR device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the UPF associated with the second PDU session established by the second terminal device accessing the VMR device is updated from the first UPF to the second UPF, receive a third request message from the VMR device, where the third request message is used to request to modify the first PDU session so that the VMR device can establish the N3 connection between the VMR device and the second UPF through the first PDU session, and the second terminal device is currently accessing the VMR device; Modify the first PDU session according to the third request message.

18. A communication method, applied to a second network element, characterized in that, Includes: Send a first message to an in-vehicle relay VMR device, where the first message is used to indicate the identification information of a first user plane function (UPF), and the first UPF supports the VMR device to establish an N3 connection with the first UPF through a protocol data unit (PDU) session, and the VMR device includes a first terminal device and an access network device.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein Before the sending the first message to the VMR device, the method further includes: Receive a second request message from the VMR device, where the second request message is used to request the establishment of an N2 connection between the VMR device and the second network element, and the first message is a response message to the second request message.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The second request message further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to trigger the second network element to return the identification information of the first UPF.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein The first indication information includes at least one of the following: The location information of the VMR device; The capabilities of the VMR device, where the capabilities are that the VMR device has the ability to establish an N3 connection with the UPF using a PDU session; The identification information of the UPF that requests to establish an N3 connection through a PDU session.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that, Before sending the first message to the VMR device, the method further includes: Send a fifth request message to a third network element, where the fifth request message is used to request to query the identification information of the first UPF; Receive a seventh message from the third network element, where the seventh message includes the identification information of the first UPF.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein The fifth request message further includes the location information of the VMR device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Save the second correspondence between the identification information of the VMR device and the first UPF.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein The method further includes: Receive a sixth request message from the VMR device, where the sixth request message is used to request the establishment of a second PDU session, and the second PDU session is established by a second terminal device through the VMR device, the second PDU session is associated with the first UPF, and the second terminal device is currently accessing the VMR device; Determine the first UPF according to the sixth request message and the second correspondence; Send the identification information of the first UPF to a fourth network element.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: A module or unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: A processor and a memory, where the processor is coupled to the memory, and the memory is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed by the processor, the device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program is stored on the computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes: A computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

30. A chip, characterized in that, Includes: A processor and a memory, where the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the device or equipment installed with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

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