Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device, and relates to the field of communication. The method comprises: a first network element sending a first request message to a perception service control function network element, the first request message being used for indicating a request to obtain first perception data; and the perception service control function network element sends a first control message to the second network element, wherein the first control message is used for indicating to send the first perception data. And the second network element sends the first sensing data. The first network element may be a data requester or a network open function network element. According to the invention, the sensing capability of the communication system can be utilized to obtain the first sensing data, and the sensing data obtained by the second network element is opened / transmitted to the data requester, so that effective data support is provided for the data requester to realize subsequent sensing services or functions.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In a communication system, a transmitting end can modulate an electromagnetic wave signal so that the electromagnetic wave carries source information. During the propagation process, the electromagnetic wave signal is affected by the wireless environment, that is, the electromagnetic wave signal is environmentally modulated and thus also carries environmental information. By analyzing the electromagnetic wave signal, a receiving end can not only obtain the carried source information, but also extract sensing information reflecting the characteristics of the propagation environment, which makes integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) possible.

[0003] Utilizing the sensing ability of a communication system to provide sensing data to a consumer (or user) of the sensing data can provide effective data support for the consumer to utilize the sensing data to implement various functions and services. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can utilize the sensing ability of a communication system to open / transmit sensing data in the communication system to a data requester.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method, which is applied to a sensing service control function (SSCF) network element. The method includes: receiving a first request message from a first network element, where the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data; and sending a first control message to a second network element, where the first control message is used to indicate sending the first sensing data.

[0006] Exemplarily, the method described in the first aspect can be applied to an SSCF network element. For example, the method is executed by a communication device deploying or hosting the SSCF network element, or by a device (such as a chip or software module) in the communication device deploying or hosting the SSCF network element.

[0007] In a possible scenario, the first network element may be a data requester of sensing data, such as a third-party entity or a network function (NF) network element inside the network.

[0008] In another possible scenario, the first network element may also be another core network element communicating with the data requester of sensing data, such as a network exposure function (NEF) network element. A data requester (such as a third-party entity) may send a request message to the NEF network element to request to obtain first sensing data. After receiving the request message from the data requester, the NEF network element may send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The implementation of the first network element in this application is not limited.

[0009] In a possible scenario, the second network element may be a Sensing Data Processing Function (SDPF) network element, and the first sensing data may refer to the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0010] In another possible scenario, the second network element may be an Access Network (RAN) network element serving as a receiving sensing entity, and the first sensing data may refer to the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element.

[0011] In a possible design, the above-mentioned first network element may be a data requester for sensing data, and the second network element may directly send the first sensing data to the first network element.

[0012] In another possible design, the above-mentioned first network element may be a NEF network element, and the second network element may send the first sensing data to a third-party entity through the NEF network element.

[0013] This communication method can utilize the sensing capabilities of the communication system to obtain the first sensing data, and open / transmit the sensing data obtained by the second network element (receiving sensing entity or SDPF network element) to data requesters such as third-party entities or NF network elements, providing effective data support for the data requesters to implement subsequent sensing services or functions. Among them, opening / transmitting the sensing data to a third-party entity through the NEF network element can improve data transmission security.

[0014] Optionally, in the design where the second network element directly sends the first sensing data to the first network element, and / or, when the first network element is a NEF network element, in the design where the second network element sends the first sensing data to a third-party entity through the NEF network element, the first control message is specifically used to instruct to send the first sensing data to the first network element.

[0015] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first topic, and the first topic is used to subscribe to the first sensing data from a Data Communication Proxy (DCP) network element; the first topic is the publishing topic of the first sensing data in the data communication proxy network element, and the first sensing data comes from the second network element.

[0016] Optionally, the first response message may be an "Nsscf_SensingService_Response" interface message.

[0017] In this design, the second network element can send the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity, and the first network element can be a NEF network element or a data requester (such as a third-party entity). For example, the second network element can send the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to the first topic. That is, the first sensing data is published in the DCP network element according to the first topic. The first network element can obtain the first sensing data from the DCP network element according to the first topic. The first topic can be sent by the SSCF network element to the first network element.

[0018] In this design, when opening or transmitting sensing data to a data requester (such as a third-party entity), the DCP network element can be used to improve the data transmission efficiency. In addition, the DCP network element can support multiple transmission protocols to meet the requirements of different service scenarios.

[0019] Optionally, in the design where the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element, the first control message is specifically used to instruct to publish the first sensing data to the data communication proxy network element according to the first topic.

[0020] The second network element can know that it needs to publish the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to the first topic according to the indication of the first control message.

[0021] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first data access address; the first data access address is provided by the second network element and is used to obtain the first sensing data.

[0022] In this design, the first network element can be a NEF network element or a third-party entity. The second network element can provide the first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity. The third-party entity can obtain the first data access address. The third-party entity can actively obtain the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address. Exemplarily, the third-party entity can flexibly select the timing of actively obtaining the first sensing data according to requirements. For example, the third-party entity can select an appropriate timing to send a first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume that cannot bear the traffic.

[0023] In another possible design, the method further includes: sending a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first data access address; the first data access address is provided by the user plane function (UPF) network element and is used to obtain the first sensing data, and the first sensing data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element.

[0024] In this design, the first network element can be a NEF network element or a third-party entity. The UPF network element can provide a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity. The third-party entity can obtain the first data access address. The third-party entity can actively obtain the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address. Exemplarily, the third-party entity can flexibly select the timing of actively obtaining the first sensing data according to requirements. For example, the third-party entity can select an appropriate timing to send a first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume and inability to bear the traffic.

[0025] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the second network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data. Or rather, the first control message can specifically indicate that the second network element provides a data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data.

[0026] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the user plane function network element.

[0027] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element, the method may further include: sending a second control message to the user plane function network element, and the second control message is used to indicate using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data. Or rather, the second control message can specifically indicate that the UPF network element provides a data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data.

[0028] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element, the method may further include: receiving a second control response message from the user plane function network element, and the second control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0029] Exemplarily, the first data access address can be sent by the UPF network element to the SSCF network element.

[0030] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the second network element, the method may further include: receiving a first control response message from the second network element, and the first control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0031] Exemplarily, the first data access address can be sent by the second network element to the SSCF network element.

[0032] In a possible design, the first request message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity, and the first control message is further used to indicate the first data push address; the first data push address is used for a second network element to send first sensing data.

[0033] In this design, the first network element may be a NEF network element or a third-party entity. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity. The third-party entity may provide the first data push address, and the second network element may send the first sensing data to the first data push address to implement sending the first sensing data to the third-party entity. The third-party entity may passively receive the first sensing data from the second network element by using the first data push address.

[0034] In another possible design, the first request message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity, and the first control message is further used to indicate the first data push address. The first data push address is used for a user plane function network element to send first sensing data, and the first sensing data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element.

[0035] In this design, the first network element may be a NEF network element or a third-party entity. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity. The third-party entity may provide the first data push address, and the UPF network element may send the first sensing data to the first data push address to implement sending the first sensing data to the third-party entity. The third-party entity may passively receive the first sensing data sent by the UPF network element by using the first data push address, and the first sensing data in the UPF network element comes from the second network element.

[0036] Optionally, in the design where the third-party entity provides the first data push address and the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first data push address, the first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first sensing data, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the first data push address.

[0037] Optionally, in the design where the third-party entity provides the first data push address and the UPF network element sends the first sensing data to the first data push address, the first data push address is used for the UPF network element to send the first sensing data, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the UPF network element.

[0038] Optionally, in the design where the above-mentioned third-party entity provides the first data push address and the UPF network element sends the first sensing data to the first data push address, the method may further include: sending a second control message to the user plane function network element, where the second control message is used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the first data push address. Alternatively, the second network element may also indicate to the UPF network element to send the first sensing data to the first data push address.

[0039] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message is used to indicate obtaining the first sensing data from the Analysis and Data Repository Function (ADRF) network element, and the first sensing data in the Analysis and Data Repository Function network element comes from the second network element.

[0040] In this design, the first network element may be an NF network element inside the network. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as a receiving sensing entity. The second network element may store the first sensing data in the ADRF network element, and the NF network element obtains the first sensing data from the ADRF network element.

[0041] Optionally, in the design where the above-mentioned second network element stores the first sensing data in the ADRF network element and the NF network element obtains the first sensing data from the ADRF network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the Analysis and Data Repository Function network element. The second network element may, according to the indication of the first control message, know that it needs to send the first sensing data to the ADFR network element.

[0042] Optionally, in the design where the above-mentioned second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element or the DCP network element, or in the design where the first data access address is provided by the second network element or the UPF network element, or in the design where the third-party entity provides the first data push address and the second network element or the UPF network element sends the first sensing data to the first data push address, the first network element may be a Network Exposure Function network element or a third-party entity.

[0043] Optionally, in the design where the above-mentioned second network element stores the first sensing data in the ADRF network element and the NF network element obtains the first sensing data from the ADRF network element, the first network element may be a network function network element.

[0044] Optionally, in any of the above designs, the second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0045] Optionally, the above first request message may include one or more of the following sensing information: sensed user ID, sensed service type, sensed area, security requirements, sensed accuracy requirements, event reporting duration, reporting interval, maximum sampling interval, start time, end time, priority, etc. The sensed user ID may indicate the identity information of the data requester (e.g., a third-party entity), such as the identifier of the third-party entity.

[0046] Optionally, the first request message may be an "Nsscf_SensingService_Request" interface message.

[0047] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the method described in the above first aspect. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the above first aspect, such as a receiving unit, a sending unit, etc.

[0048] Exemplarily, the communication device may be applied to a sensing service control function network element. For example, the communication device may be a communication device deploying or hosting an SSCF network element, or may be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in a communication device deploying or hosting an SSCF network element.

[0049] The receiving unit is configured to receive a first request message from a first network element, where the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data.

[0050] The sending unit is configured to send a first control message to a second network element, where the first control message is used to indicate sending the first sensing data.

[0051] In a possible design, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the first sensing data to the first network element, where the first network element is a data requester (e.g., a third-party entity) or an NEF network element, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the first network element.

[0052] In a possible design, the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element through a DCP network element. The sending unit is further configured to send a first response message to the first network element. The first response message is used to indicate a first topic, and the first topic is used to subscribe to the first sensing data from a data communication proxy (DCP) network element; the first topic is the publishing topic of the first sensing data in the data communication proxy network element, and the first sensing data comes from the second network element.

[0053] Optionally, in the design where the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element through a DCP network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate publishing the first sensing data to the data communication proxy network element according to the first topic.

[0054] In a possible design, the second network element may provide a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensed data. The sending unit is further configured to send a first response message to the first network element. The first response message is used to indicate the first data access address; the first data access address is provided by the second network element and is used to obtain the first sensed data.

[0055] In another possible design, the UPF network element may provide a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensed data. The sending unit is further configured to send a first response message to the first network element. The first response message is used to indicate the first data access address; the first data access address is provided by the user plane function (UPF) network element and is used to obtain the first sensed data, and the first sensed data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element.

[0056] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the second network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensed data. Or rather, the first control message may specifically indicate that the second network element provides a data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensed data.

[0057] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensed data to the user plane function network element.

[0058] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element, the sending unit is further configured to send a second control message to the user plane function network element. The second control message is used to indicate using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensed data. Or rather, the second control message may specifically indicate that the UPF network element provides a data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensed data.

[0059] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second control response message from the user plane function network element, and the second control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0060] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the second network element, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a first control response message from the second network element, and the first control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0061] In a possible design, the first request message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity, and the first control message is further used to indicate the first data push address; the first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first sensed data.

[0062] In another possible design, the first request message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity, and the first control message is further used to indicate the first data push address. The first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send first perception data, and the first perception data in the user plane function network element comes from a second network element.

[0063] Optionally, in the design where the third-party entity provides the first data push address and the second network element sends the first perception data to the first data push address, the first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first perception data, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first perception data to the first data push address.

[0064] Optionally, in the design where the third-party entity provides the first data push address and the UPF network element sends the first perception data to the first data push address, the first data push address is used for the UPF network element to send the first perception data, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first perception data to the UPF network element.

[0065] Optionally, in the design where the third-party entity provides the first data push address and the UPF network element sends the first perception data to the first data push address, the sending unit is further used to send a second control message to the user plane function network element. The second control message is used to indicate sending the first perception data to the first data push address. Alternatively, the second network element may also be used to indicate to the UPF network element to send the first perception data to the first data push address.

[0066] In a possible design, the first network element may be an NF network element inside the network. The second network element may store the first perception data in the ADRF network element, and the NF network element obtains the first perception data from the ADRF network element.

[0067] The sending unit is further used to send a first response message to the first network element. The first response message is used to indicate obtaining the first perception data from the Analytics Data Repository Function (ADRF) network element, and the first perception data in the Analytics Data Repository Function network element comes from the second network element.

[0068] Optionally, in the design where the second network element stores the first perception data in the ADRF network element and the NF network element obtains the first perception data from the ADRF network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first perception data to the Analytics Data Repository Function network element. The second network element may, according to the indication of the first control message, be aware that it is necessary to send the first perception data to the ADFR network element.

[0069] Optionally, in the design where the second network element sends the first perception data to the first network element or the DCP network element, or in the design where the first data access address is provided by the second network element or the UPF network element, or in the design where a third-party entity provides the first data push address and the second network element or the UPF network element sends the first perception data to the first data push address, the first network element may be a network exposure function network element or a third-party entity.

[0070] Optionally, in the design where the second network element stores the first perception data in the ADRF network element and the NF network element obtains the first perception data from the ADRF network element, the first network element may be a network function network element.

[0071] Optionally, in any of the above designs, the second network element is an access network element or a perception data processing function network element.

[0072] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, cause the device to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0073] In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0074] Exemplarily, in the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0075] The communication devices described in the above second aspect to the fourth aspect may be communication devices deploying or hosting the SSCF network element, or may be devices in communication devices deploying or hosting the SSCF network element.

[0076] In a fifth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions, or referred to as instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions run in a communication device or a device built in a communication device, the communication device implements the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0077] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the above second aspect to the fifth aspect can refer to the beneficial effects in the first aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0078] Sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a second network element. The method includes: receiving a first control message from a perception service control function network element, where the first control message is used to indicate sending first perception data. Sending the first perception data.

[0079] Exemplarily, the method described in the sixth aspect can be applied to a second network element. For example, the method is executed by a communication device deploying or hosting the second network element, or by a device (such as a chip or a software module) in the communication device deploying or hosting the second network element.

[0080] In a possible scenario, the second network element may be a perception data processing function (SDPF) network element, and the first perception data may refer to the perception data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0081] In another possible scenario, the second network element may be an access network (RAN) network element serving as a receiving perception entity, and the first perception data may refer to the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element.

[0082] In a possible design, the sending of the first perception data may include: sending the first perception data to a first network element.

[0083] In a possible scenario, the first network element may be a data requester of perception data, such as a third-party entity or a network function (NF) network element inside the network. The second network element may directly send the first perception data to the first network element.

[0084] In another possible scenario, the first network element may also be another core network element communicating with the data requester of perception data, such as a network exposure function (NEF) network element. The data requester (such as a third-party entity) may send a request message to the NEF network element to request to obtain the first perception data. After receiving the request message from the data requester, the NEF network element may send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The second network element may send the first perception data to the third-party entity through the NEF network element.

[0085] The present application does not limit the implementation of the first network element and the second network element.

[0086] This communication method can utilize the perception ability of the communication system to obtain the first perception data, and open / transmit the perception data obtained by the second network element (receiving perception entity or SDPF network element) to data requesters such as third-party entities or NF network elements, providing effective data support for the data requesters to implement subsequent perception services or functions. Among them, opening / transmitting the perception data to the third-party entity through the NEF network element can improve the security of data transmission.

[0087] Optionally, in the design where the second network element directly sends the first sensing data to the first network element, and / or, when the first network element is a NEF network element, in the design where the second network element sends the first sensing data to a third-party entity through the NEF network element, the first control message is specifically used to instruct to send the first sensing data to the first network element.

[0088] In a possible design, the sending of the first sensing data includes: sending the first sensing data to a data communication proxy network element according to a first topic.

[0089] In this design, the second network element can send the first sensing data to the first network element through a DCP network element. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity, and the first network element can be a NEF network element or a data requester (such as a third-party entity). For example, the second network element can send the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to a first topic. That is, the first sensing data is published in the DCP network element according to the first topic. The first network element can obtain the first sensing data from the DCP network element according to the first topic. The first topic can be sent by the SSCF network element to the first network element.

[0090] In this design, when opening or transmitting sensing data to a data requester (such as a third-party entity), the DCP network element can be used to improve data transmission efficiency. In addition, the DCP network element can support multiple transmission protocols to meet the requirements of different service scenarios.

[0091] Optionally, in the design where the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element, the first control message is specifically used to instruct to publish the first sensing data to the data communication proxy network element according to the first topic.

[0092] The second network element can know, according to the indication of the first control message, that it needs to publish the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to the first topic.

[0093] In a possible design, the sending of the first sensing data includes: using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data, and the first data access address is provided by the second network element.

[0094] In this design, the second network element can provide the first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity. The third-party entity can obtain the first data access address. The third-party entity can actively obtain the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address. Exemplarily, the third-party entity can flexibly select the timing of actively obtaining the first sensing data according to its needs. For example, the third-party entity can select an appropriate timing to send a first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume that cannot withstand the traffic.

[0095] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by a second network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate using the first data access address as the interface for obtaining the first perception data. Or rather, the first control message can specifically indicate that the second network element provides the data access address as the interface for obtaining the first perception data.

[0096] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by a second network element, the method may further include: sending a first control response message to the perception service control function network element, where the first control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0097] Exemplarily, the first data access address can be sent by the second network element to the SSCF network element.

[0098] In another possible design, the sending of the first perception data includes: sending the first perception data to the user plane function network element.

[0099] In this design, the second network element can send the first perception data to the UPF network element. The UPF network element can provide the first data access address as the interface for accessing the first perception data. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as the receiving perception entity. A third party entity can obtain the first data access address. The third party entity can actively obtain the first perception data by accessing the first data access address. Exemplarily, the third party entity can flexibly select the timing for actively obtaining the first perception data according to requirements. For example, the third party entity can select an appropriate timing to send the first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume that cannot bear the traffic.

[0100] Or, in this design, the second network element can send the first perception data to the UPF network element. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as the receiving perception entity. The third party entity can provide the first data push address, and the UPF network element can send the first perception data to the first data push address to achieve sending the first perception data to the third party entity. The third party entity can passively receive the first perception data sent by the UPF network element using the first data push address, and the first perception data in the UPF network element comes from the second network element.

[0101] Optionally, in the design where the above first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first perception data to the user plane function network element.

[0102] In one possible design, the sending of the first perception data to the user plane function network element includes: sending the first perception data to the user plane function network element through a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTPU) tunnel.

[0103] Optionally, in the design where the above second network element sends the first perception data to the UPF network element and the third-party entity provides the first data push address, and the UPF network element sends the first perception data to the first data push address, the first control message is further used to indicate the first data push address provided by the third-party entity. The data packet of the first perception data sent by the second network element to the user plane function network element is encapsulated with the first data push address, and the first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send the first perception data.

[0104] In a possible design, the first control message is further used to indicate the first data push address provided by the third-party entity. The sending of the first perception data includes: sending the first perception data to the first data push address.

[0105] In this design, the second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving perception entity. The third-party entity can provide the first data push address, and the second network element can send the first perception data to the first data push address to achieve sending the first perception data to the third-party entity. The third-party entity can passively receive the first perception data from the second network element using the first data push address.

[0106] Optionally, in the design where the above third-party entity provides the first data push address and the second network element sends the first perception data to the first data push address, the first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first perception data, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first perception data to the first data push address.

[0107] In a possible design, the sending of the first perception data includes: sending the first perception data to the data analysis repository function network element.

[0108] In this design, the second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving perception entity. The second network element can store the first perception data in the ADRF network element, and the NF network element obtains the first perception data from the ADRF network element.

[0109] Optionally, in the design where the above second network element stores the first perception data in the ADRF network element and the NF network element obtains the first perception data from the ADRF network element, the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first perception data to the data analysis repository function network element. The second network element can, according to the indication of the first control message, know that it needs to send the first perception data to the ADFR network element.

[0110] Optionally, the above first network element is a network exposure function network element or a third-party entity.

[0111] Optionally, the above second network element is an access network element or a perception data processing function network element.

[0112] Optionally, when the second network element is an SDPF network element, the sensing data in the SDPF network element comes from the RAN network element serving as the receiving sensing entity. The RAN network element serving as the receiving sensing entity may send the sensing data to the SDPF network element. The sensing data received by the SDPF network element may be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element.

[0113] In a possible design, when the RAN network element serving as the receiving sensing entity sends the sensing data to the SDPF network element, it may also send the sensing data to the SDPF network element in the form of topic publishing and subscribing through the DCP network element.

[0114] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the method described in the sixth aspect above. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the sixth aspect above. For example, a receiving unit, a sending unit, etc.

[0115] Exemplarily, the communication device may be applied to the second network element. For example, the communication device may be a communication device deploying or carrying the second network element, or may be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in the communication device deploying or carrying the second network element.

[0116] The receiving unit is configured to receive a first control message from a sensing service control function network element, where the first control message is used to indicate sending first sensing data.

[0117] The sending unit is configured to send the first sensing data.

[0118] In a possible design, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the first sensing data to the first network element.

[0119] Optionally, the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the first network element.

[0120] In a possible design, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the first sensing data to the data communication proxy network element according to a first topic.

[0121] Optionally, the first control message is specifically used to indicate publishing the first sensing data to the data communication proxy network element according to a first topic.

[0122] In a possible design, the sending unit is specifically configured to use a first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data, and the first data access address is provided by the second network element.

[0123] Optionally, the first control message is specifically used to indicate using the first data access address as the interface for obtaining the first sensing data. Or rather, the first control message can specifically instruct the second network element to provide a data access address as the interface for obtaining the first sensing data.

[0124] Optionally, in the design where the above-mentioned first data access address is provided by the second network element, the sending unit is further configured to send a first control response message to the sensing service control function network element, and the first control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0125] In another possible design, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the first sensing data to the user plane function network element.

[0126] Optionally, the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the user plane function network element.

[0127] In one possible design, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the first sensing data to the user plane function network element through a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane (GTPU) tunnel.

[0128] Optionally, the first control message is further used to indicate the first data push address provided by a third-party entity. The data packet of the first sensing data sent by the second network element to the user plane function network element is encapsulated with the first data push address, and the first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send the first sensing data.

[0129] In one possible design, the first control message is further used to indicate the first data push address provided by a third-party entity. The sending unit is specifically configured to send the first sensing data to the first data push address.

[0130] Optionally, the first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first sensing data, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the first data push address.

[0131] In one possible design, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the first sensing data to the data analysis and storage repository function network element.

[0132] Optionally, the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the data analysis and storage repository function network element.

[0133] Optionally, the above-mentioned first network element is a network exposure function network element or a third-party entity.

[0134] Optionally, the above-mentioned second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0135] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, causing the device to perform the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0136] In a ninth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and perform the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0137] Exemplarily, in the eighth aspect and the ninth aspect, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0138] The communication device described in the above seventh aspect to the ninth aspect may be a communication device that deploys or hosts the second network element, or may be a device in a communication device that deploys or hosts the second network element.

[0139] In a tenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions, or referred to as instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, causing the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in a communication device or a device built into a communication device, causing the communication device to implement the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0140] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the above seventh aspect to the tenth aspect can refer to the beneficial effects in the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, which will not be elaborated here.

[0141] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a first network element, and the method includes: sending a first request message to a perception service control function network element, where the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first perception data. Receiving the first perception data from a second network element.

[0142] Exemplarily, the method described in the eleventh aspect can be applied to the first network element. For example, the method is executed by a communication device that deploys or hosts the first network element, or by a device (such as a chip or a software module) in a communication device that deploys or hosts the first network element.

[0143] In a possible scenario, the first network element may be a data requester for perception data, such as a third-party entity or a network function (NF) network element inside the network.

[0144] In another possible scenario, the first network element may also be other core network elements communicating with the data requester of the perception data, such as a Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element. The data requester (such as a third-party entity) may send a request message to the NEF network element to request the acquisition of the first perception data. After receiving the request message from the data requester, the NEF network element may send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The implementation of the first network element in this application is not limited.

[0145] In one possible scenario, the second network element may be a Sense Data Processing Function (SDPF) network element, and the first perception data may refer to the perception data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0146] In another possible scenario, the second network element may be an Access Network (RAN) network element acting as a receiving perception entity, and the first perception data may refer to the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element.

[0147] This communication method can utilize the perception capability of the communication system to obtain the first perception data, and open / transfer the perception data obtained by the second network element (receiving perception entity or SDPF network element) to data requesters such as third-party entities or NF network elements, providing effective data support for the data requesters to implement subsequent perception services or functions. Among them, open / transferring the perception data to the third-party entity through the NEF network element can improve the security of data transmission.

[0148] In one possible design, the method further includes: receiving a first response message from a Perception Service Control Function network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first topic. Sending a subscription request message to a Data Communication Proxy network element, where the subscription request message is used to indicate the first topic and to subscribe to the first perception data from the Data Communication Proxy network element. Receiving a subscription response message from the Data Communication Proxy network element. The receiving the first perception data from the second network element includes: receiving the first perception data sent by the Data Communication Proxy network element, where the first perception data comes from the second network element.

[0149] In this design, the second network element may send the first perception data to the first network element through the DCP network element. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving perception entity, and the first network element may be a NEF network element or a data requester (such as a third-party entity). For example, the second network element may send the first perception data to the DCP network element according to the first topic. That is, the first perception data is published in the DCP network element according to the first topic. The first network element may obtain the first perception data from the DCP network element according to the first topic. The first topic may be sent by the SSCF network element to the first network element.

[0150] In this design, when opening or transmitting sensing data to a data requester (such as a third-party entity), the DCP network element can be utilized to improve the data transmission efficiency. Additionally, the DCP network element can support multiple transmission protocols to meet the requirements of different service scenarios.

[0151] Optionally, the first network element is a network exposure function network element or a third-party entity. When the first network element is a network exposure function network element, the method further includes: sending first sensing data to a third-party entity.

[0152] In a possible design, the first network element is a third-party entity, and the method further includes: receiving a first response message from a sensing service control function network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first data access address provided by a second network element or a user plane function network element. According to the first data access address, sending a first access request for requesting to obtain first sensing data. The receiving of the first sensing data from the second network element includes: receiving a first access response message that includes the first sensing data from the second network element.

[0153] In this design, the first network element can be a third-party entity. The second network element can provide a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as a receiving sensing entity. The third-party entity can obtain the first data access address. The third-party entity can actively obtain the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address. Exemplarily, the third-party entity can flexibly select the timing for actively obtaining the first sensing data according to requirements. For example, the third-party entity can select an appropriate timing to send the first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume that cannot be borne by the traffic.

[0154] Alternatively, in this design, the first network element can be a third-party entity. The UPF network element can provide a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as a receiving sensing entity. The third-party entity can obtain the first data access address. The third-party entity can actively obtain the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address. Exemplarily, the third-party entity can flexibly select the timing for actively obtaining the first sensing data according to requirements. For example, the third-party entity can select an appropriate timing to send the first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume that cannot be borne by the traffic.

[0155] In a possible design, the first network element is a third-party entity, and the first request message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by the third-party entity; the first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first sensing data; or, the first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send the first sensing data, and the first sensing data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element. The receiving of the first sensing data from the second network element includes: receiving the first sensing data from the first data push address.

[0156] In this design, the first network element may be a third-party entity. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as a receiving sensing entity. The third-party entity may provide a first data push address, and the second network element may send the first sensing data to the first data push address to implement sending the first sensing data to the third-party entity. The third-party entity may passively receive the first sensing data from the second network element using the first data push address.

[0157] Or, in this design, the first network element may be a third-party entity. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as a receiving sensing entity. The third-party entity may provide a first data push address, and the UPF network element may send the first sensing data to the first data push address to implement sending the first sensing data to the third-party entity. The third-party entity may passively receive the first sensing data sent by the UPF network element using the first data push address, and the first sensing data in the UPF network element comes from the second network element.

[0158] In a possible design, the first network element is a network function network element, and the method further includes: receiving a first response message from a sensing service control function network element, where the first response message is used to indicate obtaining first sensing data from a data analysis and storage repository function network element. Sending a sensing data request message to the data analysis and storage repository function network element, where the sensing data request message is used to request to obtain the first sensing data. The receiving of the first sensing data from the second network element includes: receiving a sensing data response message from the data analysis and storage repository function network element, where the sensing data response message includes the first sensing data. The first sensing data in the data analysis and storage repository function network element comes from the second network element.

[0159] In this design, the first network element may be an NF network element inside the network. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as a receiving sensing entity. The second network element may store the first sensing data in the ADRF network element, and the NF network element obtains the first sensing data from the ADRF network element.

[0160] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0161] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the method described in the eleventh aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the eleventh aspect above. For example, a sending unit, a receiving unit, etc.

[0162] Exemplarily, the communication device can be applied to a first network element. For example, the communication device can be a communication device that deploys or hosts the first network element, or can be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in the communication device that deploys or hosts the first network element.

[0163] Among them, the sending unit is used to send a first request message to the sensing service control function network element, and the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data.

[0164] The receiving unit is used to receive first sensing data from a second network element.

[0165] In a possible design, the receiving unit is further used to receive a first response message from the sensing service control function network element, and the first response message is used to indicate a first topic. The sending unit is further used to send a subscription request message to the data communication proxy network element, and the subscription request message is used to indicate the first topic and to subscribe to the first sensing data from the data communication proxy network element. The receiving unit is further used to receive a subscription response message from the data communication proxy network element. Specifically, the receiving unit is used to receive the first sensing data sent by the data communication proxy network element, and the first sensing data comes from the second network element.

[0166] Optionally, the first network element is a network exposure function network element or a third-party entity. When the first network element is a network exposure function network element, the sending unit is further used to send the first sensing data to the third-party entity.

[0167] In a possible design, the first network element is a third-party entity, and the receiving unit is further used to receive a first response message from the sensing service control function network element, and the first response message is used to indicate a first data access address, and the first data access address is provided by the second network element or the user plane function network element. The sending unit is further used to send a first access request according to the first data access address, and the first access request is used to request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0168] Specifically, the receiving unit is used to receive a first access response message, and the first access response message includes the first sensing data, and the first sensing data comes from the second network element.

[0169] In a possible design, the first network element is a third-party entity, and the first request message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by the third-party entity; the first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first perception data; or, the first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send the first perception data, and the first perception data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element.

[0170] The receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the first perception data from the first data push address.

[0171] In a possible design, the first network element is a network function network element, and the receiving unit is further configured to receive a first response message from the perception service control function network element, where the first response message is used to indicate obtaining the first perception data from the data analysis and storage repository function network element. The sending unit is further configured to send a perception data request message to the data analysis and storage repository function network element, where the perception data request message is used to request to obtain the first perception data.

[0172] The receiving unit is specifically configured to receive a perception data response message from the data analysis and storage repository function network element, where the perception data response message includes the first perception data. The first perception data in the data analysis and storage repository function network element comes from the second network element.

[0173] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a perception data processing function network element.

[0174] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, causing the device to execute the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0175] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0176] Exemplarily, in the thirteenth aspect and the fourteenth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0177] The communication device described in the above twelfth aspect to the fourteenth aspect may be a communication device on which the first network element is deployed or carried, or may be a device in a communication device on which the first network element is deployed or carried.

[0178] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions, or simply instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in a communication device or a device (such as a chip) built into the communication device, the communication device implements the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0179] It can be understood that for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the twelfth aspect to the fifteenth aspect provided above, reference can be made to the beneficial effects in the eleventh aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0180] In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a network exposure function network element. The method includes: sending a first request message to a sensing service control function network element, where the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data. Receiving a first response message from the sensing service control function network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first data access address, and the first data access address is provided by a second network element or a user plane function network element and is used to obtain the first sensing data. Sending the first data access address to a third party entity.

[0181] Exemplarily, the method described in the sixteenth aspect can be applied to a NEF network element. For example, the method is executed by a communication device that deploys or hosts the NEF network element, or by a device (such as a chip or a software module) in the communication device that deploys or hosts the NEF network element.

[0182] In a possible scenario, the second network element may be a sensing data processing function (SDPF) network element, and the first sensing data may refer to the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0183] In another possible scenario, the second network element may be an access network (RAN) network element that serves as a receiving sensing entity, and the first sensing data may refer to the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element.

[0184] In this communication method, the first network element may be a NEF network element. The second network element may provide the first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element that serves as a receiving sensing entity. The third party entity may obtain the first data access address. The third party entity may actively obtain the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address. Exemplarily, the third party entity may flexibly select the timing of actively obtaining the first sensing data according to requirements. For example, the third party entity may select an appropriate timing to send the first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume that cannot withstand the traffic.

[0185] Alternatively, in this communication method, the first network element may be a NEF network element. The UPF network element may provide a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as a receiving sensing entity. A third-party entity may obtain the first data access address. The third-party entity may actively obtain the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address. Exemplarily, the third-party entity may flexibly select the timing of actively obtaining the first sensing data according to requirements. For example, the third-party entity may select an appropriate timing to send a first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume and unbearable traffic.

[0186] This communication method can utilize the sensing capability of the communication system to obtain the first sensing data, and open / transmit the sensing data obtained by the second network element (receiving sensing entity or SDPF network element) to data requesters such as third-party entities or NF network elements, providing effective data support for the data requesters to implement subsequent sensing services or functions.

[0187] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0188] In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the method described in the sixteenth aspect above. The function may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the sixteenth aspect above. For example, a sending unit, a receiving unit, etc.

[0189] Exemplarily, this communication device may be applied to a NEF network element. For example, this communication device may be a communication device deploying or carrying a NEF network element, or may be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in a communication device deploying or carrying a NEF network element.

[0190] Among them, the sending unit is used to send a first request message to a sensing service control function network element, and the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0191] The receiving unit is used to receive a first response message from the sensing service control function network element, and the first response message is used to indicate the first data access address, which is provided by the second network element or the user plane function network element and is used to obtain the first sensing data.

[0192] The sending unit is further used to send the first data access address to a third-party entity.

[0193] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0194] In an eighteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, cause the device to perform the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0195] In a nineteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and perform the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0196] Exemplarily, in the eighteenth aspect and the nineteenth aspect, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0197] The communication devices described in the above seventeenth aspect to nineteenth aspect may be communication devices deploying or hosting the NEF network element, or may be devices (such as chips or software modules) in the communication devices deploying or hosting the NEF network element.

[0198] In a twentieth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions, or referred to as instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions run in a communication device or a device (such as a chip) built in the communication device, the communication device implements the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0199] It can be understood that for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the above seventeenth aspect to twentieth aspect, reference can be made to the beneficial effects in the sixteenth aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0200] In a twenty-first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a network exposure function network element. The method includes: sending a first request message to a perception service control function network element, where the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first perception data and is used to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity. The first data push address is used for a second network element to send the first perception data; or the first data push address is used for a user plane function network element to send the first perception data, and the first perception data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element.

[0201] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving a first response message from the perception service control function. The first response message is used to confirm receipt of the first data push address.

[0202] Exemplarily, the method described in the twenty-first aspect can be applied to the NEF network element. For example, the method is executed by a communication device that deploys or hosts the NEF network element, or by a device (such as a chip or software module) in the communication device that deploys or hosts the NEF network element.

[0203] In a possible scenario, the second network element may be a sensing data processing function (SDPF) network element, and the first sensing data may refer to the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0204] In another possible scenario, the second network element may be an access network (RAN) network element serving as a receiving sensing entity, and the first sensing data may refer to the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element.

[0205] In this communication method, the first network element may be a NEF network element. A third-party entity may provide a first data push address, and the second network element may send the first sensing data to the first data push address to send the first sensing data to the third-party entity. The third-party entity may passively receive the first sensing data from the second network element using the first data push address.

[0206] Alternatively, in this communication method, the first network element may be a NEF network element. A third-party entity may provide a first data push address, and the UPF network element may send the first sensing data to the first data push address to send the first sensing data to the third-party entity. The third-party entity may passively receive the first sensing data sent by the UPF network element using the first data push address, and the first sensing data in the UPF network element comes from the second network element.

[0207] This communication method can utilize the sensing capabilities of the communication system to obtain the first sensing data, and open / transmit the sensing data obtained by the second network element (receiving sensing entity or SDPF network element) to data requesters such as third-party entities or NF network elements, providing effective data support for the data requesters to implement subsequent sensing services or functions.

[0208] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0209] In the twenty-second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, and the device has the function of implementing the method described in the above twenty-first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the above twenty-first aspect, such as a sending unit, a receiving unit, etc.

[0210] Exemplarily, the communication device can be applied to the NEF network element. For example, the communication device can be a communication device that deploys or hosts the NEF network element, or can be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in the communication device that deploys or hosts the NEF network element.

[0211] Wherein, a sending unit is configured to send a first request message to a perception service control function network element. The first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first perception data and to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity. The first data push address is used for a second network element to send the first perception data; or, the first data push address is used for a user plane function network element to send the first perception data, and the first perception data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element.

[0212] A receiving unit is configured to receive a first response message from the perception service control function. The first response message is used to confirm receipt of the first data push address. Wherein, the receiving unit can be an optional module.

[0213] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a perception data processing function network element.

[0214] In a twenty-third aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory. When the computer instructions are executed, the device is caused to execute the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0215] In a twenty-fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0216] Exemplarily, in the twenty-third aspect and the twenty-fourth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0217] The communication devices described in the above twenty-second aspect to twenty-fourth aspect can be communication devices that deploy or host the NEF network element, or can be devices (such as chips or software modules) in the communication devices that deploy or host the NEF network element.

[0218] In a twenty-fifth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions, or referred to as instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions run in a communication device or a device built into the communication device, the communication device is caused to implement the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0219] Understandably, for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the 22nd to 25th aspects provided above, reference can be made to the beneficial effects in the 21st aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0220] In a 26th aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a user plane function network element. The method includes: receiving first perception data from a second network element. Using a first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first perception data, where the first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element. Alternatively, sending the first perception data to a first data push address provided by a third party entity.

[0221] Exemplarily, the method described in the 21st aspect can be applied to a UPF network element. For example, the method is executed by a communication device deploying or hosting the UPF network element, or by a device (such as a chip or software module) in the communication device deploying or hosting the UPF network element.

[0222] In this communication method, the UPF network element can provide a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first perception data. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as a receiving perception entity. The third party entity can obtain the first data access address. The third party entity can actively obtain the first perception data by accessing the first data access address. Exemplarily, the third party entity can flexibly select the timing for actively obtaining the first perception data according to requirements. For example, the third party entity can select an appropriate timing to send a first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume that cannot bear the traffic.

[0223] Alternatively, in this communication method, the third party entity can provide a first data push address, and the UPF network element can send the first perception data to the first data push address to implement sending the first perception data to the third party entity. The third party entity can passively receive the first perception data sent by the UPF network element using the first data push address, and the first perception data in the UPF network element comes from the second network element.

[0224] This communication method can utilize the perception ability of the communication system to obtain the first perception data, and open / transmit the perception data obtained by the second network element (receiving perception entity or SDPF network element) to data requesters such as third party entities or NF network elements, providing effective data support for the data requesters to implement subsequent perception services or functions.

[0225] In a possible design, the receiving the first perception data from the second network element includes: receiving the first perception data from the second network element through a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane Tunnel.

[0226] In a possible design, the data packet of the received first sensing data is encapsulated with the first data push address.

[0227] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a second control message from a sensing service control function network element, where the second control message is used to indicate using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data.

[0228] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending a second control response message to the sensing service control function network element, where the second control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0229] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a second control message from a sensing service control function network element, where the second control message is used to indicate sending the first sensing data to the first data push address provided to a third-party entity.

[0230] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0231] In a twenty-seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, and the device has a function of implementing the method described in the above twenty-sixth aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the above twenty-sixth aspect, for example, a receiving unit, a sending unit, etc.

[0232] Exemplarily, the communication device can be applied to a UPF network element. For example, the communication device can be a communication device deploying or carrying a UPF network element, or can be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in a communication device deploying or carrying a UPF network element.

[0233] Among them, the receiving unit is used to receive the first sensing data from the second network element.

[0234] The sending unit is used to use the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data, where the first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element. Or, it is used to send the first sensing data to the first data push address provided to a third-party entity.

[0235] In a possible design, the receiving unit is specifically used to receive the first sensing data from the second network element through a General Packet Radio Service Tunnel Protocol - user plane tunnel.

[0236] In a possible design, the data packet of the received first sensing data is encapsulated with the first data push address.

[0237] In a possible design, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second control message from a perception service control function network element, where the second control message is used to indicate using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first perception data.

[0238] In a possible design, the sending unit is further configured to send a second control response message to the perception service control function network element, where the second control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0239] In a possible design, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second control message from a perception service control function network element, where the second control message is used to indicate sending the first perception data to a first data push address provided to a third-party entity.

[0240] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a perception data processing function network element.

[0241] In a twenty-eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, causing the device to execute the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0242] In a twenty-ninth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0243] Exemplarily, in the twenty-eighth aspect and the twenty-ninth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0244] The communication devices described in the above twenty-seventh aspect to twenty-ninth aspect may be communication devices deploying or carrying a UPF network element, or may be devices (such as chips or software modules) in communication devices deploying or carrying a UPF network element.

[0245] In a thirtieth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions, or referred to as instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, causing the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions run in a communication device or a device built in a communication device, causing the communication device to implement the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0246] Understandably, for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the 27th to 30th aspects provided above, reference can be made to the beneficial effects in the 26th aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0247] In a 31st aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a data communication proxy network element. The method includes: receiving a subscription request message from a first network element, where the subscription request message is used to indicate a first topic and to subscribe to first perception data from the data communication proxy network element; sending a subscription response message to the first network element; receiving first perception data from a second network element, where the first perception data is published according to the first topic; and sending the first perception data to the first network element.

[0248] Exemplarily, the method described in the 31st aspect can be applied to a DCP network element. For example, the method is executed by a communication device deploying or hosting the DCP network element, or by a device (such as a chip or a software module) in the communication device deploying or hosting the DCP network element.

[0249] In a possible scenario, the first network element can be a data requester of perception data, such as a third-party entity or a network function (NF) network element inside the network.

[0250] In another possible scenario, the first network element can also be another core network element communicating with the data requester of perception data, such as a network exposure function (NEF) network element. The data requester (such as a third-party entity) can send a request message to the NEF network element to request to obtain the first perception data. After receiving the request message from the data requester, the NEF network element can send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The present application does not limit the implementation of the first network element.

[0251] In a possible scenario, the second network element can be a perception data processing function (SDPF) network element, and the first perception data can refer to the perception data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0252] In another possible scenario, the second network element can be an access network (RAN) network element serving as a perception receiving entity, and the first perception data can refer to the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element.

[0253] In this communication method, the second network element can send the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity, and the first network element can be a NEF network element or a data requester (such as a third-party entity). For example, the second network element can send the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to the first topic. That is, the first sensing data is published in the DCP network element according to the first topic. The first network element can obtain the first sensing data from the DCP network element according to the first topic. The first topic can be sent by the SSCF network element to the first network element.

[0254] In this communication method, when opening or transmitting sensing data to a data requester (such as a third-party entity), the DCP network element can be utilized to improve the data transmission efficiency. Additionally, the DCP network element can support multiple transmission protocols to meet the requirements of different service scenarios.

[0255] This communication method can utilize the sensing capabilities of the communication system to obtain the first sensing data, and open / transmit the sensing data obtained by the second network element (receiving sensing entity or SDPF network element) to data requesters such as third-party entities or NF network elements, providing effective data support for the data requesters to implement subsequent sensing services or functions. Among them, opening / transmitting the sensing data to a third-party entity through the NEF network element can improve the data transmission security.

[0256] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0257] In a thirty-second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, and this device has the function of implementing the method described in the above thirty-first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the above thirty-first aspect. For example, a receiving unit, a sending unit, etc.

[0258] Exemplarily, this communication device can be applied to the DCP network element. For example, this communication device can be a communication device deploying or carrying the DCP network element, or can be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in a communication device deploying or carrying the DCP network element.

[0259] Among them, the receiving unit is used to receive a subscription request message from the first network element. The subscription request message is used to indicate the first topic and is used to subscribe to the first sensing data from the data communication proxy network element. The sending unit is used to send a subscription response message to the first network element.

[0260] The receiving unit is further used to receive the first sensing data from the second network element, and the first sensing data is published according to the first topic.

[0261] A sending unit, configured to send the first sensing data to the first network element.

[0262] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0263] In a thirty-third aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor, configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, cause the device to execute the method described in the thirty-first aspect or any possible design of the thirty-first aspect.

[0264] In a thirty-fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in the thirty-first aspect or any possible design of the thirty-first aspect.

[0265] Exemplarily, in the thirty-third aspect and the thirty-fourth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the thirty-first aspect or any possible design of the thirty-first aspect.

[0266] The communication device described in the above thirty-second aspect to thirty-fourth aspect may be a communication device deploying or carrying a DCP network element, or may be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in a communication device deploying or carrying a DCP network element.

[0267] In a thirty-fifth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions, or referred to as instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, cause the method described in the thirty-first aspect or any possible design of the thirty-first aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions run in a communication device or a device built in the communication device, cause the communication device to implement the method described in the thirty-first aspect or any possible design of the thirty-first aspect.

[0268] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the above thirty-second aspect to thirty-fifth aspect can refer to the beneficial effects in the thirty-first aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0269] In a thirty-sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a data analysis repository function network element, and the method includes: receiving first sensing data from a second network element; receiving a sensing data request message from a first network element, where the sensing data request message is used to request to obtain the first sensing data; and sending a sensing data response message to the first network element, where the sensing data response message includes the first sensing data.

[0270] Exemplarily, the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect can be applied to an ADRF network element. For example, the method is executed by a communication device that deploys or hosts the ADRF network element, or by a device (such as a chip or software module) in the communication device that deploys or hosts the ADRF network element.

[0271] In a possible scenario, the first network element can be a data requester for sensed data, such as a third-party entity or a network function (NF) network element within the network.

[0272] In another possible scenario, the first network element can also be another core network element that communicates with the data requester for sensed data, such as a Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element. The data requester (such as a third-party entity) can send a request message to the NEF network element to request the acquisition of the first sensed data. After receiving the request message from the data requester, the NEF network element can send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The implementation of the first network element in this application is not limited.

[0273] In a possible scenario, the second network element can be a Sensed Data Processing Function (SDPF) network element, and the first sensed data can refer to the sensed data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0274] In another possible scenario, the second network element can be an Access Network (RAN) network element serving as a sensing entity, and the first sensed data can refer to the original sensed data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensed data processed by the RAN network element.

[0275] Exemplarily, in this communication method, the first network element can be an NF network element within the network. The second network element can store the first sensed data in the ADRF network element, and the NF network element can obtain the first sensed data from the ADRF network element.

[0276] This communication method can utilize the sensing capabilities of the communication system to obtain the first sensed data, and open / transfer the sensed data obtained by the second network element (the sensing entity or the SDPF network element) to data requesters such as third-party entities or NF network elements, providing effective data support for the data requesters to implement subsequent sensing services or functions. Among them, opening / transferring the sensed data to a third-party entity through the NEF network element can improve data transmission security.

[0277] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a sensed data processing function network element.

[0278] In a thirty-seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device having the functions of implementing the method described in the above thirty-sixth aspect. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the above thirty-sixth aspect. For example, a receiving unit, a sending unit, etc.

[0279] Exemplarily, the communication device can be applied to an ADRF network element. For example, the communication device can be a communication device deploying or carrying the ADRF network element, or can be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in the communication device deploying or carrying the ADRF network element.

[0280] Among them, the receiving unit is used to receive first sensing data from a second network element.

[0281] The receiving unit is further used to receive a sensing data request message from a first network element, and the sensing data request message is used to request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0282] The sending unit is used to send a sensing data response message to the first network element, and the sensing data response message includes the first sensing data.

[0283] Optionally, the second network element is an access network element or a sensing data processing function network element.

[0284] In a thirty-eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, the device is caused to execute the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the thirty-sixth aspect.

[0285] In a thirty-ninth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, and the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the thirty-sixth aspect.

[0286] Exemplarily, in the eighth aspect and the ninth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the thirty-sixth aspect.

[0287] The communication devices described in the above thirty-seventh aspect to thirty-ninth aspect can be a communication device deploying or carrying the ADRF network element, or can be a device (such as a chip or a software module) in the communication device deploying or carrying the ADRF network element.

[0288] In a fortieth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions, or referred to as instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the thirty-sixth aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions run in a communication device or a device built into the communication device, the communication device implements the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the thirty-sixth aspect.

[0289] It can be understood that for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the above-provided thirty-seventh aspect to fortieth aspect, reference can be made to the beneficial effects in the thirty-sixth aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0290] In a forty-first aspect, the present application provides a communication device, including: a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit can be used to transmit and receive information, or to communicate with other network elements. The processing unit can be used to process data. The device can implement the method described in the first aspect and any of its possible designs, or the method described in the sixth aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the eleventh aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the sixteenth aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the twenty-first aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the thirty-first aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect and any of its possible designs, through the transceiver unit and the processing unit.

[0291] In a forty-second aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product, which can implement the method described in the first aspect and any of its possible designs when executed; or the method described in the sixth aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the eleventh aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the sixteenth aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the twenty-first aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the thirty-first aspect and any of its possible designs; or the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect and any of its possible designs.

[0292] In a forty-third aspect, the present application further provides a chip system, which includes one or more interface circuits and one or more processors; the interface circuits and the processors are interconnected by lines; the processors receive and execute computer instructions from the memory of the electronic device through the interface circuits to implement the method described in the first aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the sixth aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the eleventh aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the sixteenth aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the twenty-first aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the thirty-first aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect and any one of its possible designs.

[0293] In a forty-fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication system, which includes one or more of the following network elements: the SSCF network element described in the first aspect, the second network element described in the sixth aspect, the first network element described in the eleventh aspect (or the NEF network element described in the sixteenth aspect or the twenty-first aspect), the UPF network element described in the twenty-sixth aspect, the DCP network element described in the thirty-first aspect, and the ADRF network element described in the thirty-sixth aspect. The foregoing network elements cooperate to implement the methods mentioned in the first aspect to the fortieth aspect. For example, each network element executes the steps described in the corresponding foregoing aspect.

[0294] In a forty-fifth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, which can be used to implement the method described in the first aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the sixth aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the eleventh aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the sixteenth aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the twenty-first aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the thirty-first aspect and any one of its possible designs; or the method described in the thirty-sixth aspect and any one of its possible designs.

[0295] It can be understood that for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the forty-first aspect to the forty-fifth aspect provided above, reference can be made to the beneficial effects described in the first aspect to the fortieth aspect, which will not be elaborated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0296] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0297] Figure 2Shows a schematic diagram of the perception scenario provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0298] Figure 3 Shows a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0299] Figure 4 Shows a schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0300] Figure 5 Shows another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0301] Figure 6 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0302] Figure 7 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0303] Figure 8 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0304] Figure 9 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0305] Figure 10 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0306] Figure 11 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0307] Figure 12 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0308] Figure 13 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0309] Figure 14 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0310] Figure 15 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0311] Figure 16 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0312] Figure 17 Shows yet another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0313] Figure 18 Shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0314] Figure 19 Shows a schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0315] Figure 20 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0316] Figure 21 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0317] Figure 22 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0318] Figure 23 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0319] Figure 24 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0320] Figure 25 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0321] Figure 26 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0322] Sensing is a process of collecting, processing the collected data, and generating sensing results. For example, by collecting data to judge the distance, shape, type, etc. of surrounding obstacles, and for another example, by collecting data to judge the breathing frequency, heartbeat, etc. of the monitored object. Among them, the collected data can be data collected by sensors or data collected by wireless signals. The process of collecting data by wireless signals for sensing is also called wireless sensing.

[0323] Both wireless sensing and wireless communication are based on the theory of electromagnetic waves. In a communication system, the transmitting end can modulate the electromagnetic wave signal so that the electromagnetic wave carries the information of the information source. During the propagation process, the electromagnetic wave signal is affected by the wireless environment, that is, the electromagnetic wave signal is modulated by the environment and thus also carries the environmental information. By analyzing the electromagnetic wave signal, the receiving end can not only obtain the information of the information source carried by it, but also extract the sensing information reflecting the characteristics of the propagation environment, which makes integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) possible. ISAC can also be called joint communications and sensing (JCAS) or communication-sensing integration. Compared with the system where sensing and communication are separated, ISAC has a series of advantages, such as cost savings, reduced device size, lower power consumption, improved frequency efficiency, and reduced mutual interference between communication and sensing, etc.

[0324] Utilizing the sensing ability of the communication system to provide sensing data for the consumers (or called users or requesters) of the sensing data can provide effective data support for the consumers to utilize the sensing data to achieve various functions and services.

[0325] Under this background art, the present application provides a communication method that can utilize the sensing ability of the communication system to open / transmit the sensing data in the communication system to the data requester.

[0326] Among them, the data requester refers to the object or entity that requests or consumes the sensing data, or is described as the consumer or user of the sensing service. The data requester can also be called the data consumer, data user, data consumer side, sensing subscriber, sensing subscription party, etc., and the present application does not limit this name.

[0327] In some possible scenarios, the data requester can be a third-party entity, for example, a server, a terminal device, a data processing system, etc.

[0328] Exemplarily, in the embodiments of the present application, one or more services and functions such as high-precision positioning and tracking, synchronous imaging, map construction and positioning, human sensory enhancement, gesture and action recognition, etc. can be realized by using the sensing data. The third-party entity can be a server, a system, a device, etc. for realizing the foregoing services and functions, such as a positioning system, an autonomous driving system, etc.

[0329] In some other possible scenarios, the data requester can also be a network function (NF) network element or entity inside the network. For example, an application function (AF) network element or entity, a data network (DN), etc.

[0330] This application does not limit the specific type of the data requester.

[0331] Exemplarily, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of this application. The communication method provided by this application can be applied to Figure 1 the communication system shown.

[0332] As Figure 1 shown, the communication system may include: a radio access network (RAN) network element 110, a sensing service control function (SSCF) network element 120, a sensing data process function (SDPF) network element 130, and a first network element 140.

[0333] Among them, the RAN network element 110 can be used to obtain sensing data. The RAN network element 110 can be a network element in the access network (also known as the radio access network), such as an access network device. The RAN network element 110 can also be referred to as a RAN node (or device).

[0334] In a possible scenario, the RAN network element 110 can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, an access network device in a mobile switching center non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, that is, it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or a satellite, etc. The RAN network element 110 can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The RAN network element 110 can also be a device that serves as a base station function in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, drone communication, or machine communication. Optionally, the RAN network element 110 can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an in-vehicle device, etc. For example, the RAN network element 110 in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0335] All or part of the functions of the RAN network element 110 in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The RAN network element 110 in this application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN network element 110.

[0336] In another possible scenario, the function of obtaining sensing data is achieved through the cooperation of multiple RAN network elements 110, and different RAN network elements 110 implement partial functions respectively. For example, the RAN network element 110 can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the RAN network element 110 can be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be classified as a network device in the access network RAN, or the CU can be classified as a network device in the core network CN, which is not restricted here.

[0337] 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 RAN (O-RAN or ORAN) system, the CU can also be called an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be called an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be called an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be called an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be called an O-RU. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0338] Exemplarily, the sensing data obtained by the above RAN network element 110 can be collected by a sensing entity (SE). A sensing entity is a logical entity, which can also be referred to as a logical sensing entity. In a sensing scenario, sensing entities are divided into sensing entities that send sensing signals (such as Tx) and sensing entities that receive sensing signals (such as Rx), and the sensing signal can be the aforementioned electromagnetic wave signal. The sensing entity that sends the sensing signal can be called a transmitting sensing entity or a first sensing entity, and the sensing entity that receives the sensing signal can be called a receiving sensing entity or a second sensing entity. The sensing data is carried in the sensing signals that the second sensing entity can receive. In some scenarios, a sensing entity can simultaneously act as a first sensing entity and a second sensing entity, that is, a sensing entity can simultaneously have the functions of sending and receiving sensing signals.

[0339] The aforementioned sensing entities (including the first sensing entity and the second sensing entity) can be deployed on network devices or terminal devices. That is to say, network devices and / or terminal devices with sensing capabilities can act as sensing entities, or sensing entities can include network devices and / or terminal devices with sensing capabilities. Different sensing entities can form different sensing scenarios.

[0340] For example, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a sensing scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 2 shown, based on the type of sensing entity, the sensing scenario can include Figure 2 the six types shown in (a) to (f) in.

[0341] Figure 2 In scenario 1 shown in (a) in, a network device (such as a base station) can act as a sensing entity that sends a sensing signal and a sensing entity that receives a sensing signal. That is, the network device can simultaneously act as the transmitting end (Tx) and the receiving end (Rx) of the sensing signal. The sensing signal sent by the network device reaches a target object (such as a vehicle, a person, other objects, etc., Figure 2 taking a vehicle as an example in), and after the sensing signal is reflected by the target object, the network device can receive the sensing signal, and then can process the sensing signal to obtain a sensing result, such as sensing data.

[0342] Figure 2In scenario 2 shown in (b), a network device (such as base station 1) can serve as the sensing entity that sends the sensing signal, and another network device (such as base station 2) can serve as the sensing entity that receives the sensing signal. The transmitting end (Tx) and receiving end (Rx) of the sensing signal can be different network devices. The sensing signal sent by network device 1 reaches the target object, and after being reflected by the target object, network device 2 can receive the sensing signal and then process the sensing signal to obtain a sensing result, such as sensing data.

[0343] Figure 1 The sensing scenarios shown in (a) and (b) can be referred to as network-device-based sensing scenarios, or BS-to-BS sensing scenarios.

[0344] Figure 2 In scenario 3 shown in (c), a network device (such as a base station) can serve as the sensing entity that sends the sensing signal, and a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) can serve as the sensing entity that receives the sensing signal. The transmitting end (Tx) of the sensing signal can be the network device, and the receiving end (Rx) can be the terminal device. The sensing signal sent by the network device reaches the target object, and after being reflected by the target object, the terminal device can receive the sensing signal and then process the sensing signal to obtain a sensing result, such as sensing data.

[0345] Figure 2 In scenario 4 shown in (d), a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) can serve as the sensing entity that sends the sensing signal, and a network device (such as a base station) can serve as the sensing entity that receives the sensing signal. The transmitting end (Tx) of the sensing signal can be the terminal device, and the receiving end (Rx) can be the network device. The sensing signal sent by the terminal device reaches the target object, and after being reflected by the target object, the network device can receive the sensing signal and then process the sensing signal to obtain a sensing result, such as sensing data.

[0346] Figure 2 The sensing scenarios shown in (c) and (d) can be referred to as network-device-and-terminal-device-based sensing scenarios. Or, scenario 3 can be called a BS-to-UE sensing scenario, and scenario 4 can be called a UE-to-BS sensing scenario.

[0347] Figure 2In scenario 5 shown in (e) herein, a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) can serve as a sensing entity that sends a sensing signal and a sensing entity that receives a sensing signal. That is, the terminal device can simultaneously serve as the transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) of the sensing signal. The sensing signal sent by the terminal device reaches the target object. After the sensing signal is reflected by the target object, the terminal device can receive the sensing signal and then process the sensing signal to obtain a sensing result, such as sensing data.

[0348] Figure 2 In scenario 6 shown in (f) herein, one terminal device (such as mobile phone 1) can serve as a sensing entity that sends a sensing signal, and another terminal device (such as mobile phone 2) can serve as a sensing entity that receives a sensing signal. The transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) of the sensing signal can be different terminal devices. The sensing signal sent by terminal device 1 reaches the target object. After the sensing signal is reflected by the target object, terminal device 2 can receive the sensing signal and then process the sensing signal to obtain a sensing result, such as sensing data.

[0349] Figure 2 The sensing scenarios shown in (e) and (f) can be referred to as terminal device-based sensing scenarios, or UE-to-UE sensing scenarios.

[0350] The sensing signal sent by the above transmitter can be referred to as the first sensing signal, and the sensing signal received by the receiver can be referred to as the second sensing signal. The information carried by the second sensing signal is more than that carried by the first sensing signal. For example, the second sensing signal can carry source information and environmental information. In the above Figure 2 shown scenario, the RAN network element 110 can serve as the receiver of the sensing signal to obtain sensing data, or the RAN network element 110 can communicate with the receiver of the sensing signal to obtain sensing data, which is not limited herein.

[0351] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the network device may refer to the implementation of the above RAN network element 110. The terminal device may also be referred to as a user equipment. In some examples, the terminal device may be a wireless terminal. A wireless terminal may be a device that provides voice and / or other service data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. For example, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a pad, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a cellular phone, a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal in a 5G or 6G mobile communication system, or a terminal in a future evolved network, etc.

[0352] It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific product forms of the terminal device and the network device.

[0353] Figure 1 The SSCF network element 120 and the SDPF network element 130 shown in [figure] can be core network function modules. The SSCF network element 120 is used to implement the control plane function of the sensing service, for example, to receive the sensing capability information of the sensing entity and to orchestrate the sensing service based on the sensing capability information of the sensing entity. The sensing service is also referred to as the sensing service. The SDPF network element 130 is used to implement the data plane function of the sensing service, for example, to process the sensing data of the sensing service to obtain the sensing result of the sensing service.

[0354] The SSCF network element 120 and the SDPF network element 130 can be integrated together, deployed separately, or deployed together with other core network function modules. After the control plane function of the sensing service and the data plane function of the sensing service are deployed independently of each other, the number of control plane function entities and data plane function entities can be flexibly configured and adjusted according to resources and service conditions; secondly, an attack on the data plane will not affect the control plane, which can improve the reliability and security of the sensing service.

[0355] The above-mentioned orchestrating sensing service may include selecting a sending sensing entity and a receiving sensing entity according to the sensing capability information of the sensing entity.

[0356] Exemplarily, the sensing capability information of the sensing entity: device identifier, role identifier, device type, geographical location information, sensing processing capability, supported sensing service types.

[0357] Among them, the device identifier is used to uniquely identify the sensing entity. For example, if the first sensing entity is a terminal device, the device identifier can be an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), a Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI), a Media Access Control (MAC) address, etc. For another example, if the first sensing entity is a network device, the device identifier can be a cell identifier and / or a Tracking Area Identity (TAI), etc., and the cell identifier can be a Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) for example.

[0358] The role identifier is used to indicate that the sensing entity is a sending sensing entity and / or a receiving sensing entity.

[0359] The device type is used to indicate that the sensing entity is a network device or a terminal device. Optionally, if it is a network device, the device type can also indicate that the network device is a base station, a CU or a DU, etc.; if it is a terminal device, the device type can also indicate that the terminal device is a UE, an Internet of Things device, a flight device or a VR device, etc.

[0360] The geographical location information can be used to indicate one or more of the following: the geographical location where the sensing entity is currently located, the geographical location range that the sensing entity can sense. Geographical location, such as latitude and longitude information, Global Positioning System (GPS) location information, etc.

[0361] The perception processing capability is used to indicate that the perception entity has one or more of the layer 1 (L1) perception capability, layer 2 (L2) perception capability, and layer 3 (L3) perception capability.

[0362] Among them, the L1 perception processing capability is used to perceive the raw data, and the raw data refers to the basic information of the perception signal, such as amplitude, phase, and the perception signal is one or more of the information such as the I-channel signal or the Q-channel signal.

[0363] The L2 perception processing capability is used to perceive the measurement data, and the measurement data refers to the data obtained by processing the raw data and used to characterize the measurement dimension, which may include but is not limited to one or more of the following information: the time delay of the sampling point, the reception angle of the perception signal, the signal strength of the perception signal, Doppler (i.e., the frequency offset of the perception signal), the position of the target object, the speed of the target object, etc.; among them, the sampling point refers to the signal value at some specific moments or positions selected during the discretization process of the continuous signal in the signal processing process.

[0364] The L3 perception processing capability is used to process the perception data to obtain the perception result. The perception data can be the raw data and / or the measurement data, and the perception result may include but is not limited to one or more of the following information: the distance between the perception entity and the target object, the speed of the target object, the position of the target object, the angle between the perception entity and the target object, the moving path of the target object, the breathing frequency of the target object, the heartbeat of the target object, etc.

[0365] The supported perception service types are used to indicate the perception service types that the perception entity can provide, which may include but is not limited to one or more of the following types: environmental type, monitoring type, imaging type, positioning type, etc. The environmental type may include but is not limited to one or more of the following: environmental temperature, environmental humidity, air quality, weather conditions, crowd density, traffic flow density, air pressure, etc. The monitoring type may include but is not limited to one or more of the following monitors: mobile monitoring, intrusion monitoring, fall monitoring, health monitoring, etc. Mobile monitoring may include but is not limited to one or more of the following: distance monitoring, position monitoring, moving speed monitoring, moving path monitoring, etc. Health monitoring may include but is not limited to one or more of the following information: breathing frequency, heartbeat, etc. The imaging type may include but is not limited to one or more of the following: medical imaging, 3D map imaging, 3D map construction, building imaging, body temperature imaging, etc.

[0366] The above processing of the perception data may include processing the raw perception data received or measured by the receiving perception entity to obtain the processed perception data.

[0367] Optionally, the SSCF network element 120 may also be referred to as a sensing control entity, or a sensing service control network element, or a sensing control network element, etc. The SDPF network element 130 may also be referred to as a sensing processing entity, or a sensing data processing network element, or a sensing processing network element, etc.

[0368] The names of the SSCF network element 120 and the SDPF network element 130 mentioned in this application are only for illustration and do not constitute a limitation. With the development of communication technology and sensing technology, these two modules may adopt other names.

[0369] Figure 1 The first network element 140 shown in [figure] may be a data requester, such as a third-party entity or an NF network element. Alternatively, the first network element 140 may also be other network elements in the communication system that interact with the data requester (such as a third-party entity), such as a network exposure function (NEF) network element. The NEF network element may also be referred to as a network service presentation function network element.

[0370] When the first network element 140 is a third-party entity or an NF network element, the first network element 140 may directly interact with the RAN network element 110, the SSCF network element 120, the SDPF network element 130, etc. to obtain sensing data.

[0371] When the first network element 140 is an NEF network element, the data requester (such as a third-party entity) may interact with the RAN network element 110, the SSCF network element 120, the SDPF network element 130, etc. through the NEF network element to obtain sensing data. For example, the sensing data may be opened to the data requester through the NEF network element.

[0372] Optionally, Figure 1The communication system shown may include, but is not limited to: narrow band-internet of things (NB-IoT) system, global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, enhanced data rate for GSM evolution (EDGE) system, wide band code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) 2000 system, time division-synchronization code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) system, long term evolution (LTE) system, 5G mobile communication system and next-generation 5G mobile communication system, enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) and Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC), long range (LoRa) system or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system, or future 6G communication system or other evolved communication systems, etc. This application does not limit the type of communication system to which the communication method can be applied.

[0373] Exemplarily, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided by an embodiment of this application is shown. The communication device may be the above-mentioned network device or terminal device. The network device may be the aforementioned sensing entity or the device deploying the sensing entity, or may also be any network element involved in the embodiments of this application or the device carrying / deploying the network element. For example, access network element, SSCF network element, SDPF network element, first network element, third-party entity, NF network element, etc.

[0374] As Figure 3 shown, the communication device may include: at least one processor 31, a memory 32, a communication interface 33, and a bus 34.

[0375] The processor 31 is the control center of the communication device, which can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 31 can be a central processing unit (CPU), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or can also be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0376] Among them, the processor 31 can execute various functions of the communication device by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 32 and invoking data stored in the memory 32. For example, when the communication device is a certain network element involved in the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application or the device carrying the network element, it can execute the steps performed by the network element in the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application. Such as the steps performed by an access network element, or an SSCF network element, or an SDPF network element, or a first network element, or a third-party entity, or an NF network element, etc.

[0377] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 31 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 3 the CPU0 and CPU1 shown in

[0378] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device may include multiple processors, such as Figure 3 the processor 31 and the processor 35 shown in

[0379] The memory 32 can store software programs of method steps executed by the communication device and be controlled and executed by the processor 31. The memory 32 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0380] The memory 32 can exist independently and be connected to the processor 31 through the bus 34. Alternatively, the memory 32 can also be integrated with the processor 31, which is not limited herein.

[0381] The communication interface 33 uses any device such as a transceiver to communicate with other devices or communication networks. The communication interface 33 can include an Ethernet interface, a radio access network (RAN) interface, a wireless local area networks (WLAN) interface, etc. The communication interface 33 can include a receiving unit to implement the receiving function and a transmitting unit to implement the transmitting function.

[0382] The bus 34 can be an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. This bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of convenience of representation, Figure 3 only a thick line is used to represent it in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0383] Although attached Figure 3The bus 34 is used in [description], but it can be understood that the bus can also be replaced by other forms of connection relationships, not limited to the bus itself.

[0384] Optionally, any network element involved in the embodiments of the present application, or the device carrying / deploying the network element, for example, access network element, SSCF network element, SDPF network element, first network element, third-party entity, NF network element, etc., may also include more or fewer components than those shown, which is not limited herein. Figure 3 as shown, and this is not restricted here.

[0385] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be exemplarily described below. The processing described as being performed by a single execution entity may also be divided and performed by multiple execution entities, and these execution entities may be logically and / or physically separated. It should also be understood that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0386] It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used for distinguishing descriptions and are not used for specifically limiting a certain feature. That is, the first or the second may include more content rather than being limited to a specific concept. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates 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. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects. At least one means one or more; multiple means two or more. The embodiments of the present application may perform fewer steps than all the steps, or more steps, without limitation. "At least one of the following" or its similar expressions are used to represent any combination of the items listed. For example, at least one of A, B, and (or) C may represent the following situations: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, B and C exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, and A, B, and C exist simultaneously, where A, B, and C may be single or multiple.

[0387] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention application.

[0388] Exemplarily, in each of the processes described below in this application, the steps executed by each network element (such as the first network element, the second network element, the SSCF network element, etc.) can specifically be executed by the communication device that bears / deploys the network element, or a device (for example, a software module or a chip) built into the communication device that bears / deploys the network element. The communication device can be a network device or a terminal device.

[0389] Figure 4 The flowchart shows the communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. As Figure 4 shown, the communication method can include S401-S403.

[0390] S401. The first network element sends a first request message to the SSCF network element. The first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data.

[0391] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element can receive the first request message from the first network element.

[0392] In a possible scenario, the first network element can be a data requester for sensing data, such as a third-party entity or an NF network element inside the network. The meanings of the third-party entity and the NF network element can be referred to as described in the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0393] In this scenario, the first network element can send a first request message to the SSCF network element to request the SSCF network element to perform sensing task orchestration, so as to provide sensing data to the first network element through the following second network element. The sensing data requested to be obtained by the first request message can be referred to as first sensing data.

[0394] Exemplarily, taking the first network element as a third-party entity as an example, the third-party entity can also be referred to as an entity that requests sensing services. The first request message can also be referred to as a sensing service request message or other names. In some implementation manners, the first request message can be used to indicate a request to obtain the sensing result of a first sensing service, and the sensing result of the first sensing service is referred to as first sensing data. The first request message can include one or more of the following information: the identifier of the third-party entity, the area information of the first sensing service, the sensing service type of the first sensing service, the sensing requirement information of the first sensing service, etc. The foregoing information included in the first request message can indicate the sensing service requested by the third-party entity. Among them, the identifier of the third-party entity is used to identify the third-party entity.

[0395] In some other implementation manners, a third-party entity may subscribe to a sensing service from an SSCF network element in advance. The sensing service identifier of the sensing service subscribed by the third-party entity may be carried or indicated in the first request message. The sensing service identifier is used to indicate a request to obtain the sensing result of the sensing service subscribed by the third-party entity. For example, the third-party entity subscribes to a first sensing service from the SSCF network element, and the sensing service identifier of the first sensing service is carried in the first request message, which is used to indicate a request to obtain the sensing result of the first sensing service. The sensing result of the first sensing service is referred to as first sensing data. In this implementation manner, the third-party entity may also be referred to as a sensing subscription end.

[0396] Optionally, the sensing service identifier that may be carried in the first request message may be generated by the SSCF and fed back to the third-party entity, so that the third-party entity can request the corresponding sensing service.

[0397] In another possible scenario, the first network element may also be another core network element that communicates with the data requester of the sensing data, such as a NEF network element. The data requester (such as a third-party entity) may send a request message to the NEF network element to request to obtain the first sensing data. After receiving the request message from the data requester, the NEF network element may send a first request message to the SSCF network element. This application does not limit the implementation of the first network element.

[0398] After receiving the first request message, the SSCF network element may execute S402.

[0399] S402. The SSCF network element sends a first control message to the second network element. The first control message is used to indicate the sending of the first sensing data.

[0400] Correspondingly, the second network element may receive the first control message from the SSCF network element.

[0401] The second network element may send the first sensing data in response to the first control message. For example, execute S403.

[0402] S403. The second network element sends the first sensing data.

[0403] Exemplarily, taking the sensing result of the first sensing service as the first sensing data as an example, after receiving the first request message, the SSCF network element can send control messages (or referred to as sensing control messages) to the sending sensing entity and the receiving sensing entity respectively, so as to trigger the sending sensing entity and the receiving sensing entity to perform sensing tasks and obtain sensing data. For example, the SSCF network element can send a control message to the sending sensing entity to instruct the sending entity to send a sensing signal, and send a control message to the receiving sensing entity to instruct the receiving sensing entity to receive the sensing signal. The sensing data is carried in the sensing signal received by the receiving sensing entity. The receiving sensing entity can determine the sensing data according to the received sensing signal, and this sensing data can be called the original sensing data.

[0404] In one implementation manner, the receiving sensing entity can send the original sensing data to the SDPF network element, and the SDPF network element can process the original sensing data to obtain the processed sensing data. The SSCF network element can also send a control message to the SDPF network element to instruct the SDPF network element to process the sensing data sent by the receiving sensing entity, such as specifically instructing the SDPF network element to perform L2 sensing processing and / or L3 sensing processing on the received sensing data.

[0405] In another implementation manner, the receiving sensing entity can also have the ability to process the original sensing data. After obtaining the original sensing data, the receiving sensing entity can process the original sensing data, such as performing L2 sensing processing and / or L3 sensing processing, to obtain the processed sensing data. The receiving sensing entity can send the processed sensing data to the SDPF network element, and the SDPF network element can further process the processed sensing data sent by the receiving sensing entity, such as fusing the processed sensing data sent by different receiving sensing entities or performing L3 sensing processing, to obtain the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element. The SSCF network element can also send a control message to the SDPF network element to instruct the SDPF network element to process the sensing data sent by the receiving sensing entity, such as specifically instructing the SDPF network element to fuse or perform L3 sensing processing on the received sensing data.

[0406] Optionally, the SSCF network element can select the sending sensing entity and the receiving sensing entity according to the information carried in the first request message (see the explanation in S401 for the information content), and the sensing capability information of each sensing entity. The sending sensing entity selected by the SSCF network element can be one or more, and the receiving sensing entity can also be one or more.

[0407] Exemplarily, the first request message may carry a sensing service identifier, which is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data corresponding to a first sensing service. The SSCF network element may determine a sending sensing entity and a receiving sensing entity associated with the first sensing service according to the sensing service identifier. For example, the SSCF network element may obtain the sensing service type, regional information, and sensing requirement information of the first sensing service subscribed by the data requester according to the first sensing service identifier, and allocate a task ID for the first sensing service based on this information. Alternatively, the SSCF network element may allocate a task ID for the first sensing service according to the sensing service type, regional information, and sensing requirement information of the first sensing service carried in the first sensing service request message. Optionally, the task IDs of different sensing services are different. The SSCF network element may control the sending sensing entity, receiving sensing entity, SDPF network element, etc. to execute sensing tasks to obtain sensing data.

[0408] For example, a third-party entity requests the first sensing service in area 1. The type of the requested first sensing service is mobile monitoring. The requirement information indicates that the error of the positioning accuracy of the first sensing service is within 10 cm. The current longitude and latitude information of sensing entity a and sensing entity b is within the range of area 1. The role identifier of sensing entity a is the sending sensing entity, and the role identifier of sensing entity b is the receiving sensing entity. Both sensing entity a and sensing entity b can support the monitoring of mobile information of mobile targets. Then the SSCF network element may select sensing entity a as the sending sensing entity for processing the first sensing service and select sensing entity b as the receiving sensing entity for processing the first sensing service.

[0409] Optionally, as an alternative embodiment, the sending sensing entity and the receiving sensing entity may be the same. For example, sensing entity 1 can both send sensing signals as the sending sensing entity and receive sensing signals as the receiving sensing entity.

[0410] In a possible scenario, the second network element described in S402 and S403 above may be an SDPF network element, the first control message may be a control message sent by the SSCF network element to the SDPF network element, and the first sensing data may refer to the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0411] In another possible scenario, the second network element described in S402 and S403 above may be a RAN network element serving as the receiving sensing entity. The first control message may be a control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element, and the first sensing data may refer to the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element.

[0412] In a possible design, the above-mentioned first network element may be a data requester for sensing data. For example, if the first network element is a third-party entity or an NF network element within the network, the second network element may directly send the first sensing data to the first network element. The above S403 may include: the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element.

[0413] For example, taking the first network element as a third-party entity and the second network element as an SDPF network element as an example, Figure 5 Another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 5 shown, the communication method may include S501 - S505.

[0414] S501. The third-party entity sends a request message 1 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0415] The request message 1 may be the above-mentioned first request message.

[0416] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element may receive the request message 1 from the third-party entity.

[0417] S502. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the SDPF network element, and the control message 1 is used to indicate sending the first sensing data.

[0418] The control message 1 may be the above-mentioned first control message.

[0419] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element may receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0420] S503. The SSCF network element sends a control message 2 to the RAN network element, and the control message 2 is used to indicate receiving the sensing signal.

[0421] The control message 2 may be the control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element as the receiving sensing entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending the control message to the sending sensing entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0422] Correspondingly, the RAN network element may receive the control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0423] The order of S502 and S503 is not limited.

[0424] S504. The RAN network element sends the sensing data to the SDPF network element.

[0425] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element may receive the sensing data and process it to obtain the processed sensing data.

[0426] As described above, the perception data received by the SDPF network element can be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element. In this article, an example is given where the perception data received by the SDPF network element can be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element for illustration.

[0427] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed perception data, S505 can be executed.

[0428] S505. The SDPF network element sends the processed perception data to a third-party entity.

[0429] Correspondingly, the third-party entity receives the processed perception data.

[0430] In S505, the SDPF network element sending the processed perception data to the third-party entity is the above-mentioned first perception data.

[0431] For another example, taking the first network element as the third-party entity and the second network element as the RAN network element serving as the receiving perception entity as an example, Figure 6 Another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 6 shown, the communication method may include S601 - S603.

[0432] S601. The third-party entity sends a request message 1 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first perception data.

[0433] The request message 1 can be the above-mentioned first request message.

[0434] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element can receive the request message 1 from the third-party entity.

[0435] S602. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the RAN network element, and the control message 1 is used to indicate receiving a perception signal and sending the first perception data.

[0436] The control message 1 can be the above-mentioned first control message. For example, the control message 1 can be the control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element serving as the receiving perception entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending a control message to the sending perception entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0437] Correspondingly, the RAN network element can receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0438] Optionally, the SSCF network element can also send a control message to the SDPF network element to instruct the SDPF network element to process the perception data.

[0439] S603. The RAN network element sends the perception data to the third-party entity.

[0440] Accordingly, the third-party entity receives the perception data.

[0441] The perception data sent by the RAN network element to the third-party entity is the above-mentioned first perception data. The first perception data can be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element.

[0442] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, as the step of the RAN network element, which is the receiving perception entity, interacting with the third-party entity or other network elements, it can also be implemented by another intermediate RAN network element. For example, the RAN1 network element sends perception data to the RAN2 network element, and the RAN2 network element sends the perception data to the third-party entity. The RAN1 network element serves as the receiving perception entity, which is not limited herein.

[0443] In another possible design, the above-mentioned first network element can be a NEF network element. The third-party entity can send a request message to the NEF network element, requesting to obtain the first perception data. After receiving the request message from the data requester, the NEF network element can send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The above S403 may include: the second network element sends the first perception data to the NEF network element. The method may further include: the NEF network element sends the first perception data to the third-party entity. That is, the second network element can send the first perception data to the third-party entity through the NEF network element.

[0444] For example, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the SDPF network element as an example, Figure 7 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, the communication method may include S701-S707.

[0445] S701. The third-party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first perception data.

[0446] Accordingly, the NEF network element can receive the request message 1 from the third-party entity.

[0447] Exemplarily, the request message 1 may include one or more of the following perception information: perception user ID, perception service type, perception area, security requirement, perception accuracy requirement, event reporting duration, reporting interval, maximum sampling interval, start time, end time, priority, etc. The perception user ID can indicate the identity information of the third-party entity, such as the identifier of the third-party entity.

[0448] Optionally, the request message 1 may be a NEF event open subscription interface message. For example, the event open subscription interface may be described as "Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe". In one implementation, one or more fields may be added to the "Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe" interface, and the added fields may be used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data, such as to indicate various sensing information included in the above request message 1. In another implementation, one or more existing fields in the "Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe" interface may be modified or extended, and the modified or extended fields may be used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data. This application does not limit the implementation manner of the request message 1.

[0449] S702. The NEF network element sends a request message 2 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 2 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0450] The request message 2 may be the above first request message.

[0451] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element may receive the request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0452] Exemplarily, the request message 2 may also include various sensing information included in the above request message 1 to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data. In other words, the NEF network element may forward the sensing service request sent by the third-party entity to the SSCF network element.

[0453] Optionally, the request message 2 may be an "Nsscf_SensingService_Request" interface message.

[0454] Optionally, after receiving the request message 2, the SSCF network element may return a response message to the NEF network element, such as the response message 2. The response message 2 may be an "Nsscf_SensingService_Response" interface message. The response message 2 may be used to indicate an acknowledgment of receiving the request message 2 or other functions.

[0455] S703. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the SDPF network element, and the control message 1 is used to indicate sending the first sensing data.

[0456] The control message 1 may be the above first control message.

[0457] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element may receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0458] S704. The SSCF network element sends control message 2 to the RAN network element, and control message 2 is used to indicate the reception of the sensing signal.

[0459] Control message 2 can be the control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element that serves as the receiving sensing entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending the control message to the sending sensing entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0460] Correspondingly, the RAN network element can receive control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0461] The order of S703 and S704 is not restricted.

[0462] S705. The RAN network element sends the sensing data to the SDPF network element.

[0463] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element can receive the sensing data and process it to obtain the processed sensing data.

[0464] As described above, the sensing data received by the SDPF network element can be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element. In this article, an example is given where the sensing data received by the SDPF network element can be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element.

[0465] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed sensing data, it can execute S706.

[0466] S706. The SDPF network element sends the processed sensing data to the NEF network element.

[0467] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the processed sensing data.

[0468] S707. The NEF network element sends the processed sensing data to a third-party entity.

[0469] Correspondingly, the third-party entity receives the processed sensing data.

[0470] In S706 and S707, the processed sensing data sent by the SDPF network element to the third-party entity through the NEF network element is the above-mentioned first sensing data.

[0471] Exemplarily, the NEF network element can send an event exposure notification interface message to the third-party entity, and the first sensing data can be included in the event exposure notification interface message. For example, the event exposure notification interface can be the "Nnef_EventExposure_Notify" interface.

[0472] For another example, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the RAN network element that serves as the receiving sensing entity as an example, Figure 8Another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 8 shown, the communication method may include S801 - S805.

[0473] S801. The third - party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0474] Correspondingly, the NEF network element may receive the request message 1 from the third - party entity.

[0475] S802. The NEF network element sends a request message 2 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 2 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0476] The request message 2 may be the above - mentioned first request message.

[0477] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element may receive the request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0478] S801 - S802 may refer to that described in S701 - S702 and will not be elaborated herein.

[0479] S803. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the RAN network element, and the control message 1 is used to indicate receiving the sensing signal and sending the first sensing data.

[0480] The control message 1 may be the above - mentioned first control message. For example, the control message 1 may be the control message sent by the above - mentioned SSCF network element to the RAN network element as the receiving sensing entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending a control message to the sending sensing entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated.

[0481] Correspondingly, the RAN network element may receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0482] Optionally, the SSCF network element may also send a control message to the SDPF network element, instructing the SDPF network element to process the sensing data.

[0483] S804. The RAN network element sends the sensing data to the NEF network element.

[0484] Correspondingly, the NEF network element may receive the sensing data.

[0485] S805. The NEF network element sends the sensing data to the third - party entity.

[0486] Correspondingly, the third - party entity receives the sensing data.

[0487] S805 may refer to that described in S707 above and will not be elaborated herein.

[0488] In S804 and S805, the sensing data sent by the RAN network element to the third-party entity through the NEF network element is the above-mentioned first sensing data. The first sensing data can be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element.

[0489] In the above-mentioned communication method, the sensing ability of the communication system can be utilized to obtain the first sensing data, and the sensing data obtained by the second network element (receiving sensing entity or SDPF network element) can be opened / transmitted to data requesters such as third-party entities or NF network elements, providing effective data support for the data requesters to implement subsequent sensing services or functions. Among them, opening / transmitting the sensing data to the third-party entity through the NEF network element can improve the security of data transmission.

[0490] Optionally, in the embodiment where the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element as described above, the first control message received by the second network element can specifically be used to instruct the second network element to send the first sensing data to the first network element. The second network element can know that it needs to send the first sensing data to the first network element according to the indication of the first control message.

[0491] Optionally, in some embodiments, the second network element can also send the first sensing data to the first network element through a data communication proxy (DCP) network element. The second network element can be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity, and the first network element can be a NEF network element or a data requester (such as a third-party entity). Or rather, the second network element can publish the first sensing data to the DCP network element, and the first network element can subscribe to the first sensing data from the DCP network element to obtain the first sensing data.

[0492] Among them, DCP is only an example of a name, and DCP can also be replaced by other names. Devices with the same function as DCP can be regarded as DCP, and this application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0493] The DCP can be deployed as an independent network element in the 3GPP network, or can be co-located with network elements or devices in the 3GPP network. Optionally, the DCP can be deployed in the access network or in the core network, and this application does not make any limitations on the implementation of the DCP network element.

[0494] When the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element, the second network element can act as a data producer to send the first sensing data to the DCP. For example, the first sensing data is published in the DCP network element in the form of topic publish. The first network element can act as a data consumer to subscribe to and pull data from the DCP network element. For example, the first sensing data can be obtained in the form of topic subscribe.

[0495] Optionally, the DCP network element can support multiple transmission protocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Quick UDP Internet Connection (QUIC) protocol, or other transmission protocols. The DCP network element can include an adaptor and a distributed message queue (DMQ) to support efficient data distribution. Among them, the adaptor can complete the adaptation of the transmission protocol of the client (such as the data producer or data consumer) (such as TCP, UDP, QUIC transmission protocols, etc.), interact directly with the client, and distribute the requests of the client to the processing threads. The DMQ can complete the message exchange function and distribute the messages published by the data producer to the corresponding data consumers. DCP supports the concept of a data consumer group, that is, for the same message, it can only be consumed by one data consumer belonging to the same data consumer group, but can be consumed by different data consumer groups at the same time.

[0496] It should be understood that when the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element, the above S403 may include: the second network element sends the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to the first topic. That is, the first sensing data is published in the DCP network element according to the first topic. The method may further include: the first network element obtains the first sensing data from the DCP network element according to the first topic. Among them, the first topic may be sent by the SSCF network element to the first network element.

[0497] Taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the third party entity obtaining the first sensing data through the NEF network element as an example, the process of the second network element sending the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element will be exemplarily described below. The situation where the first network element is the third party entity is similar, and the difference is that the third party entity directly interacts with the SSCF network element and the DCP network element without passing through the NEF network element, which will not be elaborated here.

[0498] For example, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the SDPF network element as an example, Figure 9 Another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 9 shown, the communication method may include S901 - S911.

[0499] S901. A third - party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain first perception data.

[0500] Correspondingly, the NEF network element can receive the request message 1 from the third - party entity.

[0501] S902. The NEF network element sends a request message 2 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 2 is used to indicate a request to obtain first perception data.

[0502] The request message 2 may be the above - mentioned first request message.

[0503] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element can receive the request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0504] S903. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the SDPF network element, and the control message 1 is used to indicate sending first perception data.

[0505] The control message 1 may be the above - mentioned first control message.

[0506] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element can receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0507] S904. The SSCF network element sends a control message 2 to the RAN network element, and the control message 2 is used to indicate receiving a perception signal.

[0508] The control message 2 may be the control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element as the receiving perception entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending a control message to the sending perception entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0509] Correspondingly, the RAN network element can receive the control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0510] S901 - S904 can refer to the above - mentioned S701 - S704 and will not be elaborated further.

[0511] S905. The SSCF network element sends a response message 1 to the NEF network element, and the response message 1 is used to indicate topic 1, and topic 1 is used to subscribe to first perception data from the DCP network element.

[0512] The response message 1 may be a response message to the request message 2.

[0513] The topic 1 is the topic for the publication of the first sensing data in the DCP network element. The first sensing data comes from the SDPF network element. For details, please refer to the following steps.

[0514] Exemplarily, the response message 1 can be the "Nsscf_SensingService_Response" interface message described above.

[0515] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the response message 1.

[0516] The order of S903 - S905 is not restricted.

[0517] S906. The RAN network element sends the sensing data to the SDPF network element.

[0518] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element can receive the sensing data and process it to obtain the processed sensing data.

[0519] As described above, the sensing data received by the SDPF network element can be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element. In this article, an example is given where the sensing data received by the SDPF network element is the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element.

[0520] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed sensing data, it can execute S909.

[0521] S907. The NEF network element sends a subscription request message 1 to the DCP network element. The subscription request message 1 is used to indicate the topic 1 to subscribe to the first sensing data from the DCP network element.

[0522] Correspondingly, the DCP network element receives the subscription request message 1.

[0523] After the DCP network element receives the subscription request message 1, it can execute the following S908.

[0524] S908. The DCP network element sends a subscription response message 1 to the NEF network element.

[0525] Optionally, the subscription response message 1 is used to indicate the confirmation of receiving the subscription request message 1.

[0526] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the subscription response message 1.

[0527] S909. The SDPF network element sends the first sensing data to the DCP network element. The publication topic of the first sensing data in the DCP network element is the topic 1.

[0528] Or rather, the SDPF network element sends the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to the topic 1. Among them, the first sensing data refers to the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0529] Accordingly, the DCP network element receives the first sensed data published according to Topic 1.

[0530] S910. The DCP network element sends the first sensed data to the NEF network element.

[0531] Exemplarily, the DCP network element has received the above-mentioned subscription request message 1. After receiving the first sensed data, the DCP network element may send the first sensed data to the NEF network element.

[0532] Accordingly, the NEF network element receives the first sensed data.

[0533] S911. The NEF network element sends the first sensed data to a third-party entity.

[0534] Accordingly, the third-party entity receives the first sensed data.

[0535] Optionally, Figure 9 In the shown process, the control message 1 sent by the SSCF network element to the SDPF network element in S903 may instruct the SDPF network element to send the first sensed data to the DCP network element after a certain time delay, so that the sensed data subscription process can be completed between the NEF network element and the DCP network element. When the DCP network element receives the first sensed data, it can normally send the first sensed data to the NEF network element without discarding the data. Or, the control message 2 sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element in S904 may instruct the RAN network element to send the sensed data to the SDPF network element after a certain time delay, so that the sensed data subscription process can be completed between the NEF network element and the DCP network element. When the DCP network element receives the first sensed data, it can normally send the first sensed data to the NEF network element without discarding the data.

[0536] Alternatively, the timing of the SSCF network element sending the control message 1 to the SDPF network element in S903, and / or the timing of the SSCF network element sending the control message 2 to the RAN network element in S904, may be after the SSCF network element sends the response message 1 to the NEF network element in S905, so that the sensed data subscription process can be completed in time between the NEF network element and the DCP network element. When the DCP network element receives the first sensed data, it can normally send the first sensed data to the NEF network element without discarding the data.

[0537] This application does not limit the execution order of the above steps.

[0538] Figure 9 In the shown process, the SDPF network element may publish the first sensed data to the DCP network element, and the NEF network element may subscribe to obtain the first sensed data from the DCP network element.

[0539] For another example, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the RAN network element as an example, Figure 10 Another flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 10 shown, the communication method may include S1001 - S1009.

[0540] S1001. A third - party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data.

[0541] Correspondingly, the NEF network element can receive the request message 1 from the third - party entity.

[0542] S1002. The NEF network element sends a request message 2 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 2 is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data.

[0543] The request message 2 may be the above - mentioned first request message.

[0544] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element can receive the request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0545] S1001 - S1002 can refer to the above - mentioned S701 - S702 and will not be elaborated here.

[0546] S1003. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the RAN network element, and the control message 1 is used to indicate receiving a sensing signal and sending first sensing data.

[0547] The control message 1 may be the above - mentioned first control message. For example, the control message 1 may be the control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element as the receiving sensing entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending a control message to the sending sensing entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated.

[0548] Correspondingly, the RAN network element can receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0549] Optionally, the SSCF network element may also send a control message to the SDPF network element, instructing the SDPF network element to process sensing data.

[0550] S1004. The SSCF network element sends a response message 1 to the NEF network element, and the response message 1 is used to indicate a topic 1, and the topic 1 is used to subscribe to the first sensing data from the DCP network element.

[0551] The topic 1 is the publishing topic of the first sensing data in the DCP network element, and the first sensing data comes from the SDPF network element. For details, see the following steps.

[0552] Exemplarily, the response message 1 can be the "Nsscf_SensingService_Response" interface message described above.

[0553] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the response message 1.

[0554] The order of S1003 and S1004 is not restricted.

[0555] S1005. The NEF network element sends a subscription request message 1 to the DCP network element. The subscription request message 1 is used to indicate Topic 1 to subscribe to the first sensing data from the DCP network element.

[0556] Correspondingly, the DCP network element receives the subscription request message 1.

[0557] After receiving the subscription request message 1, the DCP network element may execute S1006 below.

[0558] S1006. The DCP network element sends a subscription response message 1 to the NEF network element.

[0559] Optionally, the subscription response message 1 is used to indicate the confirmation of receiving the subscription request message 1.

[0560] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the subscription response message 1.

[0561] S1007. The RAN network element sends the first sensing data to the DCP network element. The publishing topic of the first sensing data in the DCP network element is Topic 1.

[0562] Or rather, the RAN network element sends the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to Topic 1. Among them, the first sensing data refers to the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element.

[0563] Correspondingly, the DCP network element receives the first sensing data published according to Topic 1.

[0564] S1008. The DCP network element sends the first sensing data to the NEF network element.

[0565] Exemplarily, the DCP network element has received the above-mentioned subscription request message 1. After receiving the first sensing data, the DCP network element may send the first sensing data to the NEF network element.

[0566] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the first sensing data.

[0567] S1009. The NEF network element sends the first sensing data to a third-party entity.

[0568] Correspondingly, the third-party entity receives the first sensing data.

[0569] Optionally, Figure 10 In the shown process, in S1003, the control message 1 sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element can instruct the RAN network element to send the sensing data to the DCP network element after a certain time delay, so that the sensing data subscription process (such as S1005 - S1006) can be completed in time between the NEF network element and the DCP network element. When the DCP network element receives the first sensing data, it can normally send the first sensing data to the NEF network element without discarding the data.

[0570] Alternatively, the timing when the SSCF network element sends the control message 1 to the RAN network element in S1003 can be after the SSCF network element sends the response message 1 to the NEF network element in S1004, so that the sensing data subscription process can be completed in time between the NEF network element and the DCP network element. When the DCP network element receives the first sensing data, it can normally send the first sensing data to the NEF network element without discarding the data.

[0571] This application does not limit the execution order of the above steps.

[0572] Figure 10 In the shown process, as the receiving sensing entity, the RAN network element can publish the first sensing data to the DCP network element, and the NEF network element can subscribe to obtain the first sensing data from the DCP network element.

[0573] Combined with Figure 9 and Figure 10 It can be seen from the shown process that in the embodiment of this application, the second network element (RAN network element or SDPF network element) can send the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element. Or rather, the second network element can publish the first sensing data to the DCP network element, and the first network element can subscribe to obtain the first sensing data from the DCP network element.

[0574] For example, in this communication method, the SSCF network element may send a first response message to the first network element, and the first network element may receive the first response message. The first response message is used to indicate a first topic, and the first topic is used to subscribe to first sensing data from the DCP network element. The first topic is the publishing topic of the first sensing data in the DCP network element, and the first sensing data comes from the second network element. The second network element sending the first sensing data may mean that the second network element sends the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to the first topic. The DCP network element may receive the first sensing data from the second network element, and the first sensing data is published according to the first topic. After receiving the first response message, the first network element may send a subscription request message to the DCP network element, and the DCP network element may receive the subscription request message. The subscription request message is used to indicate the first topic and to subscribe to the first sensing data from the DCP network element. After receiving the subscription request message, the DCP network element may send a subscription response message to the first network element and send a subscription response message to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the subscription response message. The first network element receiving the first sensing data from the second network element may include: the first network element receiving the first sensing data sent by the DCP network element, and the first sensing data comes from the second network element.

[0575] Exemplarily, in the above Figure 9 shown process, the first response message may be response message 1 sent by the SSCF network element to the NEF network element, the first topic may be topic 1, the subscription request message may be subscription request message 1 sent by the NEF network element to the DCP network element, and the subscription response message may be subscription response message 1 sent by the DCP network element to the NEF network element.

[0576] In the above embodiment where the second network element (RAN network element or SDPF network element) sends the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element, when opening or transmitting sensing data to a data requester (such as a third-party entity), the DCP network element can be used to improve the data transmission efficiency. In addition, the DCP network element can support multiple transmission protocols to meet the requirements of different service scenarios.

[0577] Optionally, in the above embodiment where the second network element sends the first sensing data to the first network element through the DCP network element, the first control message received by the second network element may specifically be used to instruct the second network element to publish the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to the first topic. The second network element may, according to the indication of the first control message, know that it needs to publish the first sensing data to the DCP network element according to the first topic.

[0578] Exemplarily, the first control message may carry or indicate the first topic. For example, it may include a field that indicates the first topic.

[0579] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, when the RAN network element serving as the receiving perception entity sends perception data to the SDPF network element, it may also send the perception data to the SDPF network element in the form of topic publishing and subscribing through the DCP network element, which will not be elaborated here.

[0580] Optionally, in some other embodiments, when the first network element is an NF network element inside the network (i.e., internal data opening of the network), the second network element may also store / send the first perception data to the analytics data repository function (ADRF) network element, and the NF network element obtains the first perception data from the ADRF network element. The second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as the receiving perception entity.

[0581] For example, in this communication method, the SSCF network element may send a first response message to the first network element, and the first network element may receive the first response message. The first response message is used to indicate obtaining the first perception data from the ADRF network element, and the first perception data in the ADRF network element comes from the second network element. The second network element sending the first perception data may mean that the second network element sends the first perception data to the ADRF network element. The ADRF network element may receive the first perception data from the second network element. After receiving the first response message, the first network element may send a perception data request message to the ADRF network element, and the ADRF network element may receive the perception data request message. The perception data request message is used to request to obtain the first perception data. After receiving the perception data request message, the ADRF network element may send a perception data response message to the first network element, and the first network element may receive the perception data response message. The perception data response message includes the first perception data. In other words, the first network element receiving the first perception data from the second network element may include: receiving the perception data response message from the ADRF network element, and the perception data response message includes the first perception data. The first perception data in the ADRF network element comes from the second network element.

[0582] Among them, the first network element may be an NF network element inside the network.

[0583] Next, an exemplary description will be given of the process in which the second network element stores the first perception data in the ADRF network element and the NF network element obtains the first perception data from the ADRF network element.

[0584] For example, taking the second network element as an SDPF network element as an example, Figure 11 Another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. As Figure 11 shown, this communication method may include S1101 - S1108.

[0585] The NF network element sends request message 1 to the SSCF network element. Request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data.

[0586] Request message 1 may be the above-mentioned first request message.

[0587] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element may receive request message 1 from the NF network element.

[0588] S1102. The SSCF network element sends control message 1 to the SDPF network element. Control message 1 is used to indicate the transmission of first sensing data.

[0589] Control message 1 may be the above-mentioned first control message.

[0590] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element may receive control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0591] S1103. The SSCF network element sends control message 2 to the RAN network element. Control message 2 is used to indicate the reception of sensing signals.

[0592] Control message 2 may be the control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element as the receiving sensing entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending control messages to the sending sensing entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0593] Correspondingly, the RAN network element may receive control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0594] S1101 - S1103 may refer to the above-mentioned S501 - S503 and will not be elaborated further.

[0595] S1104. The SSCF network element sends response message 1 to the NF network element. Response message 1 is used to indicate obtaining first sensing data from the ADRF network element.

[0596] Correspondingly, the NF network element receives response message 1. Response message 1 may be a response message to request message 1. This response message 1 may be referred to as the above-mentioned first response message.

[0597] The execution order of S1102 - S1104 is not restricted. For example, S1104 may be executed before S1102 and S1103.

[0598] S1105. The RAN network element sends sensing data to the SDPF network element.

[0599] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element may receive the sensing data and process it to obtain the processed sensing data.

[0600] As described above, the perception data received by the SDPF network element can be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element. In this article, an example is given where the perception data received by the SDPF network element can be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element.

[0601] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed perception data, it can execute S1106.

[0602] S1106. The SDPF network element sends the first perception data to the ADFR network element.

[0603] Among them, the first perception data refers to the perception data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0604] Correspondingly, the ADFR network element receives and stores the first perception data.

[0605] Exemplarily, the SDPF network element can send a data management storage request interface message to the ADFR network element, and this message includes the first perception data. For example, the data management storage request interface can be the "Nadrf_DataManagement_StorageRequest" interface.

[0606] Optionally, the ADFR network element can return a response message to the SDPF network element to indicate that it has received the first perception data. For example, this response message can be the "Nadrf_DataManagement_StorageResponse" interface message.

[0607] The NF network element can execute S1107 according to the indication of the response message 1 sent by the SSCF network element.

[0608] S1107. The NF network element sends request message 2 to the ADFR network element, and request message 2 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first perception data.

[0609] Correspondingly, the ADFR network element receives request message 2. Request message 2 can be referred to as the above-mentioned perception data request message.

[0610] Exemplarily, request message 2 can be a data management extraction request interface message. For example, the data management extraction request interface can be the "Nadrf_DataManagement_RetrievalRequest" interface.

[0611] Optionally, request message 2 can include a newly added field, and this field is used to indicate obtaining the first perception data. Or, request message 2 can also include a field obtained by modifying or expanding an existing field to indicate obtaining the first perception data.

[0612] After the ADRF network element receives the request message 2, it can execute the following S1108 and return the first sensing data to the NF network element.

[0613] Optionally, S1107 may also be executed before S1105, S1106, etc. This application does not limit the execution order of S1107. For example, after the NF network element receives the response message 1 from the SSCF network element and knows that it can obtain the first sensing data from the ADRF network element, it can execute S1107. If the first sensing data has not been received in the ADRF network element at this time, the ADRF network element can return an empty result to the NF network element.

[0614] S1108. The ADRF network element sends a response message 2 to the NF network element, and the response message 2 includes the first sensing data.

[0615] Correspondingly, the NF network element receives the response message 2 and thus receives the first sensing data.

[0616] The response message 2 can be the above-mentioned sensing data response message.

[0617] Exemplarily, the response message 2 can be a data management extraction response interface message. For example, the data management extraction response interface can be the "Nadrf_DataManagement_RetrievalResponse" interface.

[0618] Figure 11 In the shown process, the SDPF network element can store the first sensing data in the ADRF network element, and the NF network element obtains the first sensing data from the ADRF network element.

[0619] Again, for example, taking the second network element as the RAN network element as an example, Figure 12 shows another schematic flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiment of this application. As Figure 12 shown, the communication method can include S1201 - S1206.

[0620] S1201. The NF network element sends a request message 1 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0621] The request message 1 can be the above-mentioned first request message.

[0622] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element can receive the request message 1 from the NF network element.

[0623] S1202. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the RAN network element, and the control message 1 is used to indicate receiving the sensing signal and sending the first sensing data.

[0624] The control message 1 may be the first control message described above. The control message 1 may be a control message sent by the above SSCF network element to the RAN network element acting as the receiving perception entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending a control message to the sending perception entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0625] Accordingly, the RAN network element may receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0626] S1201 - S1202 may refer to S601 - S602 described above and will not be elaborated further.

[0627] S1203. The SSCF network element sends a response message 1 to the NF network element. The response message 1 is used to indicate obtaining the first perception data from the ADRF network element.

[0628] Accordingly, the NF network element receives the response message 1. The response message 1 may be a response message to the request message 1. This response message 1 may be referred to as the first response message described above.

[0629] The execution order of S1202 and S1203 is not restricted. For example, S1203 may be executed before S1202.

[0630] S1204. The RAN network element sends the first perception data to the ADFR network element.

[0631] Accordingly, the ADFR network element receives and stores the first perception data.

[0632] As described above, the first perception data may be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element.

[0633] Exemplarily, the RAN network element may send a data management storage request interface message to the ADFR network element, and this message includes the first perception data. For example, the data management storage request interface may be the "Nadrf_DataManagement_StorageRequest" interface.

[0634] Optionally, the ADFR network element may return a response message to the RAN network element to indicate confirmation of receiving the first perception data. For example, this response message may be the "Nadrf_DataManagement_StorageResponse" interface message.

[0635] The NF network element may execute S1205 according to the indication of the response message 1 sent by the SSCF network element.

[0636] S1205. The NF network element sends a request message 2 to the ADFR network element. The request message 2 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first perception data.

[0637] Accordingly, the ADRF network element receives request message 2. Request message 2 may be referred to as the above-mentioned perception data request message.

[0638] Exemplarily, request message 2 may be a data management extraction request interface message. For example, the data management extraction request interface may be the "Nadrf_DataManagement_RetrievalRequest" interface.

[0639] Optionally, request message 2 may include a newly added field for indicating the acquisition of the first perception data. Alternatively, request message 2 may also include a modified or extended field of an existing field to indicate the acquisition of the first perception data.

[0640] After receiving request message 2, the ADRF network element may execute the following S1206 to return the first perception data to the NF network element.

[0641] Optionally, S1205 may also be executed before S1204, and the present application does not limit the execution order of S1205. For example, after receiving response message 1 from the SSCF network element and knowing that the first perception data can be obtained from the ADRF network element, the NF network element may execute S1205. If the ADRF network element has not received the first perception data at this time, the ADRF network element may return an empty result to the NF network element.

[0642] S1206. The ADRF network element sends response message 2 to the NF network element, and response message 2 includes the first perception data.

[0643] Accordingly, the NF network element receives response message 2 and thus receives the first perception data.

[0644] Response message 2 may be the above-mentioned perception data response message.

[0645] Exemplarily, response message 2 may be a data management extraction response interface message. For example, the data management extraction response interface may be the "Nadrf_DataManagement_RetrievalResponse" interface.

[0646] Figure 12 In the shown process, the RAN network element as the receiving perception entity may store the first perception data in the ADRF network element, and the NF network element obtains the first perception data from the ADRF network element.

[0647] Optionally, in the embodiment where the second network element stores the first perception data in the ADRF network element as described above and the NF network element obtains the first perception data from the ADRF network element, the first control message received by the second network element can be specifically used to instruct the second network element to send the first perception data to the ADFR network element. The second network element can, according to the indication of the first control message, know that it needs to send the first perception data to the ADFR network element.

[0648] Optionally, in some other embodiments, the second network element can also provide a data access address. The second network element can use the data access address provided by the second network element as an interface for obtaining the first perception data. The SSCF network element can send the data access address provided by the second network element to the first network element to send the first perception data to the data requester. For example, when the first network element is the NEF network element, the first network element can send the data access address provided by the second network element to a third-party entity, and the third-party entity can access the data access address provided by the second network element to obtain the first perception data. Or, when the first network element is a third-party entity, the third-party entity can directly access the data access address provided by the second network element to obtain the first perception data. Among them, the second network element can be the SDPF network element or the RAN network element serving as the receiving perception entity.

[0649] For example, the data access address provided by the second network element can be called the first data access address. In this communication method, the SSCF network element can send a first response message to the first network element, and the first network element can receive the first response message. The first response message is used to indicate the first data access address. The first data access address is provided by the second network element and is used to obtain the first perception data. The second network element sending the first perception data can include: using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first perception data.

[0650] When the first network element is the NEF network element, it can send the first data access address to a third-party entity. The third-party entity can, according to the first data access address, send a first access request, and the first access request is used to request to obtain the first perception data. The second network element can receive the first access request. After receiving the first access request, the second network element can return a first access response message to the third-party entity. The first access response message includes the first perception data. The third-party entity can receive the first access response message to receive the first perception data from the second network element.

[0651] When the first network element is a third-party entity, the third-party entity can directly obtain the first data access address according to the first response message sent by the SSCF network element, and send a first access request according to the first data access address. The first access request is used to request to obtain the first sensing data. The second network element can receive the first access request. After receiving the first access request, the second network element can return a first access response message to the third-party entity. The first access response message includes the first sensing data. The third-party entity can receive the first access response message to receive the first sensing data from the second network element.

[0652] Optionally, the first data access address can be sent by the second network element to the SSCF network element. For example, after receiving the first control message from the SSCF, the second network element can send a first control response message to the SSCF network element, and the first control response message is used to indicate the first data access address. The SSCF network element can receive the first control response message. After obtaining the first data access address, the SSCF network element can send a first response message to the first network element.

[0653] Alternatively, the first data access address can also be pre-obtained by the SSCF network element. For example, address interfaces corresponding to different sensing services can be configured or predefined in the SSCF network element, and these address interfaces are all address interfaces provided by the SDPF network element, that is, the first data access address provided by the SDPF network element can be configured or predefined in the SSCF network element. This application does not limit the manner in which the SSCF network element obtains the first data access address.

[0654] Next, taking the first network element as the NEF network element, the second network element as the SDPF network element, and the third-party entity sending a sensing service request to the SSCF network element through the NEF network element as an example, the process in which the second network element provides the first data access address and the third-party entity accesses the first data access address to obtain the first sensing data will be described by way of example. The situation where the first network element is a third-party entity is similar, and the difference is that the third-party entity does not interact with the SSCF network element through the NEF network element, which will not be elaborated here.

[0655] Exemplarily, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the SDPF network element as an example, Figure 13 Another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 13 shown, the communication method may include S1301-S1310.

[0656] S1301. The third-party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0657] Correspondingly, the NEF network element can receive the request message 1 from the third-party entity.

[0658] The NEF network element sends request message 2 to the SSCF network element, and request message 2 is used to indicate a request to obtain first perception data.

[0659] Request message 2 may be the above-mentioned first request message.

[0660] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element may receive request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0661] S1303. The SSCF network element sends control message 1 to the SDPF network element, and control message 1 is used to indicate the sending of first perception data.

[0662] Control message 1 may be the above-mentioned first control message.

[0663] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element may receive control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0664] Optionally, the SDPF network element may return a response message, such as a first control response message, to the SSCF network element, and this response message is used to indicate the first data access address provided by the SDPF network element.

[0665] S1304. The SSCF network element sends control message 2 to the RAN network element, and control message 2 is used to indicate the reception of a perception signal.

[0666] Control message 2 may be the control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element as the receiving perception entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending a control message to the sending perception entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0667] Correspondingly, the RAN network element may receive control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0668] S1301 - S1304 may refer to the above S701 - S704 and will not be elaborated further.

[0669] S1305. The SSCF network element sends response message 1 to the NEF network element, and response message 1 is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0670] Response message 1 may be a response message to request message 2. In this embodiment, response message 1 may be referred to as the first response message. The first data access address is provided by the SDPF network element.

[0671] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives response message 1.

[0672] The execution order of S1303 - S1305 is not limited.

[0673] S1306. The RAN network element sends perception data to the SDPF network element.

[0674] Accordingly, the SDPF network element can receive the perception data and process it to obtain the processed perception data.

[0675] As described above, the perception data received by the SDPF network element can be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element. In this article, an example is given where the perception data received by the SDPF network element can be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element.

[0676] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed perception data, it can execute S1307.

[0677] S1307. The SDPF network element uses the first data access address as the interface for obtaining the first perception data.

[0678] Among them, the first perception data refers to the perception data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0679] S1308. The NEF network element sends the first data access address to the third-party entity.

[0680] Accordingly, the third-party entity receives the first data access address.

[0681] Optionally, S1308 may also be executed before S1306, S1307, etc. This application does not limit the execution order of S1308. For example, after the NEF network element receives the response message 1 from the SSCF network element and knows the first data access address, it can execute S1308 and send the first data access address to the third-party entity.

[0682] Exemplarily, the first data access address can be sent in the response message sent by the NEF network element to the third-party entity, and this response message can be the response message to the request message 1.

[0683] S1309. The third-party entity sends a first access request according to the first data access address.

[0684] The first access request is used to request to obtain the first perception data.

[0685] For example, the third-party entity can access the first data access address to obtain the first perception data.

[0686] Accordingly, the SDPF network element receives the first data access request.

[0687] S1310. The SDPF network element sends a first access response message to the third-party entity, and the first access response message includes the first perception data.

[0688] Accordingly, the third-party entity receives the first access response message and thus receives the first perception data.

[0689] Figure 13 In the process shown, the SDPF network element can provide a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first perception data, and a third-party entity can actively obtain the first perception data by accessing the first data access address.

[0690] Optionally, the second network element is a RAN network element serving as a receiving perception entity, Figure 13 The case where the second network element shown is a SDPF network element is similar, with the difference that the first data access address is provided by the RAN network element, and the first perception data can be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element. For details, please refer to the relevant embodiments in which the second network element is a RAN network element, which will not be repeated here.

[0691] It should be noted that when the third-party entity accesses the first data access address, if the first perception data is not yet ready, the second network element (such as the SDPF network element) can return a special error code to the third-party entity. Alternatively, the third-party entity can be instructed to send the first access request again after a certain period of time to obtain the first perception data.

[0692] In the embodiment in which the second network element provides the first data access address as an interface for accessing the first perception data, and the third-party entity actively obtains the first perception data by accessing the first data access address, the third-party entity can flexibly choose the time to actively obtain the first perception data according to the demand. For example, the third-party entity can choose the appropriate time to send the first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid the data volume being too large and unable to bear the traffic.

[0693] Optionally, in the embodiment where the second network element described above provides a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first perception data, and the third-party entity actively obtains the first perception data by accessing the first data access address, the first control message sent by the SSCF network element to the second network element can be specifically used to instruct the first data access address to be used as an interface for obtaining the first perception data. In other words, the first control message can specifically instruct the second network element to provide a data access address as an interface for obtaining the first perception data.

[0694] Optionally, in some embodiments, the second network element may also transmit the first sensing data to a user plane function (UPF) network element. The UPF network element may provide a data access address, and the UPF network element may use the data access address provided by the UPF network element as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data. The SSCF network element may send the data access address provided by the UPF network element to the first network element to send the first sensing data to the data requester. For example, when the first network element is a NEF network element, the first network element may send the data access address provided by the UPF network element to a third-party entity, and the third-party entity may access the data access address provided by the UPF network element to obtain the first sensing data. Or, when the first network element is a third-party entity, the third-party entity may directly access the data access address provided by the UPF network element to obtain the first sensing data. Among them, the second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element acting as a receiving sensing entity.

[0695] For example, the data access address provided by the UPF network element may be referred to as the first data access address. In this communication method, the SSCF network element may send a first response message to the first network element, and the first network element may receive the first response message. The first response message is used to indicate the first data access address. The first data access address is provided by the UPF network element and is used to obtain the first sensing data. The second network element sending the first sensing data may include: sending the first sensing data to the UPF network element. The UPF network element may receive the first sensing data from the second network element. After receiving the first sensing data, the UPF network element may use the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data.

[0696] When the first network element is a NEF network element, it may send the first data access address to a third-party entity. The third-party entity may send a first access request according to the first data access address. The first access request is used to request to obtain the first sensing data. The UPF network element may receive the first access request. After receiving the first access request, the UPF may return a first access response message to the third-party entity. The first access response message includes the first sensing data. The third-party entity may receive the first access response message to receive the first sensing data.

[0697] When the first network element is a third-party entity, the third-party entity may directly obtain the first data access address according to the first response message sent by the SSCF network element and send a first access request according to the first data access address. The first access request is used to request to obtain the first sensing data. The UPF network element may receive the first access request. After receiving the first access request, the UPF network element may return a first access response message to the third-party entity. The first access response message includes the first sensing data. The third-party entity may receive the first access response message to receive the first sensing data.

[0698] Optionally, the SSCF network element may also send a control message to the UPF network element, such as a second control message, to instruct the UPF network element to send the first sensing data. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the second control message, and the second control message is used to instruct the sending of the first sensing data.

[0699] Optionally, the first data access address may be sent by the UPF network element to the SSCF network element. For example, after the UPF network element receives the second control message from the SSCF, it may send a second control response message to the SSCF network element, and the second control response message is used to indicate the first data access address provided by the UPF network element. The SSCF network element may receive the second control response message. After obtaining the first data access address, the SSCF network element may send a first response message to the first network element.

[0700] Alternatively, the first data access address may also be obtained by the SSCF network element in advance. For example, the address interfaces corresponding to different sensing services may be configured or predefined in the SSCF network element, and these address interfaces are all the address interfaces provided by the UPF network element, that is, the first data access address provided by the UPF network element may be configured or predefined in the SSCF network element. This application does not limit the manner in which the SSCF network element obtains the first data access address.

[0701] Taking the first network element as the NEF network element, the second network element as the SDPF network element, and the third party entity sending a sensing service request to the SSCF network element through the NEF network element as an example, the process of the UPF network element providing the first data access address and the third party entity accessing the first data access address to obtain the first sensing data is exemplarily described below. The case where the first network element is the third party entity is similar, and the difference is that the third party entity does not interact with the SSCF network element through the NEF network element, which will not be elaborated here.

[0702] Exemplarily, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the SDPF network element as an example, Figure 14 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 14 shown, the communication method may include S1401-S1412.

[0703] S1401. The third party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0704] Correspondingly, the NEF network element may receive the request message 1 from the third party entity.

[0705] S1402. The NEF network element sends a request message 2 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 2 is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0706] The request message 2 can be the first request message mentioned above.

[0707] Accordingly, the SSCF network element can receive the request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0708] S1403. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the SDPF network element. The control message 1 is used to indicate the transmission of the first sensing data.

[0709] The control message 1 can be the first control message mentioned above.

[0710] Accordingly, the SDPF network element can receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0711] S1404. The SSCF network element sends a control message 2 to the RAN network element. The control message 2 is used to indicate the reception of the sensing signal.

[0712] The control message 2 can be the control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element as the receiving sensing entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending a control message to the sending sensing entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0713] Accordingly, the RAN network element can receive the control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0714] S1401 - S1404 can refer to S701 - S704 mentioned above and will not be elaborated further.

[0715] S1405. The SSCF network element sends a control message 3 to the UPF network element. The control message 3 is used to indicate the transmission of the first sensing data.

[0716] The control message 3 can be the second control message mentioned above.

[0717] Accordingly, the UPF network element can receive the control message 3 from the SSCF network element.

[0718] Optionally, the UPF network element can return a response message to the SSCF network element, such as a second control response message. This response message is used to indicate the first data access address provided by the UPF network element.

[0719] S1406. The SSCF network element sends a response message 1 to the NEF network element. The response message 1 is used to indicate the first data access address.

[0720] The response message 1 can be a response message to the request message 2. In this embodiment, the response message 1 can be referred to as the first response message. The first data access address is provided by the UPF network element.

[0721] Accordingly, the NEF network element receives the response message 1.

[0722] The execution order of S1403 - S1406 is not restricted.

[0723] S1407. The RAN network element sends the sensing data to the SDPF network element.

[0724] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element can receive the sensing data and process it to obtain the processed sensing data.

[0725] As described above, the sensing data received by the SDPF network element can be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element. In this article, the case where the sensing data received by the SDPF network element can be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element is taken as an example for illustration.

[0726] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed sensing data, it can execute S1408.

[0727] S1408. The SDPF network element sends the first sensing data to the UPF network element.

[0728] Among them, the first sensing data refers to the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0729] Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the first sensing data.

[0730] S1409. The UPF network element uses the first data access address as the interface for obtaining the first sensing data.

[0731] S1410. The NEF network element sends the first data access address to the third - party entity.

[0732] Correspondingly, the third - party entity receives the first data access address.

[0733] Optionally, S1410 may also be executed before S1407, S1408, S1409, etc. The present application does not restrict the execution order of S1410. For example, after the NEF network element receives the response message 1 from the SSCF network element and knows the first data access address, it can execute S1410 to send the first data access address to the third - party entity.

[0734] S1411. The third - party entity sends a first access request according to the first data access address.

[0735] The first access request is used to request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0736] For example, the third - party entity can access the first data access address to obtain the first sensing data.

[0737] Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the first data access request.

[0738] The UPF network element sends a first access response message to a third-party entity, and the first access response message includes first sensing data.

[0739] Correspondingly, the third-party entity receives the first access response message, thereby receiving the first sensing data.

[0740] Figure 14 In the shown process, the UPF network element can provide a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data, and the third-party entity can actively obtain the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address.

[0741] Optionally, when the second network element is the RAN network element serving as the receiving sensing entity, it is Figure 14 similar to the case where the second network element shown is the SDPF network element. The difference is that the first sensing data in the UPF network element comes from the RAN network element, or rather, the RAN network element sends the first sensing data to the UPF network element, and the first sensing data can be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensed data processed by the RAN network element. For details, reference can be made to the relevant embodiments where the second network element is the RAN network element described above, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0742] It should be noted that when the third-party entity accesses the first data access address, if the first sensing data is not yet ready, the UPF network element can return a special error code to the third-party entity. Or, it can also instruct the third-party entity to send the first access request again after a certain time interval to obtain the first sensing data.

[0743] In the above embodiments where the UPF network element provides the first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data, and the third-party entity actively obtains the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address, the third-party entity can flexibly select the timing of actively obtaining the first sensing data according to requirements. For example, the third-party entity can select an appropriate timing to send the first access request according to its own traffic conditions to avoid excessive data volume and being unable to bear the traffic.

[0744] Optionally, in the above embodiments where the UPF network element provides the first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data, and the third-party entity actively obtains the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address, the first control message sent by the SSCF network element to the second network element can specifically be used to instruct to send the first sensing data to the UPF network element. The second control message sent by the SSCF network element to the UPF network element can specifically be used to instruct to use the first data access address as the interface for obtaining the first sensing data. Or rather, the second control message can specifically instruct the UPF network element to provide a data access address as the interface for obtaining the first sensing data.

[0745] In a possible design, in the embodiment where the above-mentioned UPF network element provides a first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensed data, and a third-party entity actively obtains the first sensed data by accessing the first data access address, when the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) sends the first sensed data to the UPF network element, it can send the first sensed data to the UPF network element through a general packet radio service tunneling protocol - user plane (GTPU) tunnel. Accordingly, the UPF network element receives the first sensed data through the GTPU tunnel. Among them, the general packet radio service is abbreviated as GPRS.

[0746] Exemplarily, the GTPU tunnel protocol uses two layers of encapsulation addresses, namely an inner encapsulation address and an outer encapsulation address. The inner encapsulation address refers to the source IP address and the destination IP address of the user data packet, which can be used to identify the true source and destination of the user data packet. The outer encapsulation address refers to the source IP address and the destination IP address used during the GTPU tunnel transmission, which can be used to identify the source and destination of the GTPU tunnel.

[0747] In this embodiment, the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) can encapsulate the first sensed data to obtain a data packet of the first sensed data. In the inner encapsulation address, the source IP address can be the IP address of the second network element, and the destination IP address can be the IP address of the UPF network element. In the outer encapsulation address, the source IP address can also be the IP address of the second network element, and the destination IP address can also be the IP address of the UPF network element. The second network element can send the data packet of the first sensed data to the UPF network element through the GTPU tunnel.

[0748] It should be understood that before the second network element sends the first sensed data to the UPF network element through the GTPU tunnel, a GTPU tunnel needs to be established in advance between the second network element and the UPF network element. In some implementation manners, the second network element can send a GTPU tunnel establishment request message to the UPF network element after receiving the first control message from the SSCF network element, and the UPF network element can return a GTPU tunnel establishment response message to the second network element, thereby establishing a GTPU tunnel between the two. Alternatively, the UPF network element can also send a GTPU tunnel establishment request message to the second network element after receiving the second control message from the SSCF network element, and the second network element can return a GTPU tunnel establishment response message to the UPF network element, thereby establishing a GTPU tunnel between the two. Or, the GTPU tunnel can also be established in advance. This application does not limit the establishment timing and establishment manner of the GTPU tunnel.

[0749] Exemplarily, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the SDPF network element as an example, Figure 15 Another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 15 shown, the communication method may include S1501 - S1515.

[0750] S1501. A third - party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data.

[0751] Correspondingly, the NEF network element can receive the request message 1 from the third - party entity.

[0752] S1502. The NEF network element sends a request message 2 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 2 is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data.

[0753] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element can receive the request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0754] S1503. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the SDPF network element, and the control message 1 is used to indicate sending first sensing data.

[0755] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element can receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0756] S1504. The SSCF network element sends a control message 2 to the RAN network element, and the control message 2 is used to indicate receiving a sensing signal.

[0757] Correspondingly, the RAN network element can receive the control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0758] S1505. The SSCF network element sends a control message 3 to the UPF network element, and the control message 3 is used to indicate sending first sensing data.

[0759] Correspondingly, the UPF network element can receive the control message 3 from the SSCF network element.

[0760] S1506. The SSCF network element sends a response message 1 to the NEF network element, and the response message 1 is used to indicate a first data access address.

[0761] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the response message 1.

[0762] S1501 - S1506 can refer to the above - mentioned S1401 - S1406 and will not be elaborated herein.

[0763] S1507. The SDPF network element sends a GTPU tunnel establishment request message to the UPF network element, and the GTPU tunnel establishment request message is used to indicate a request to establish a GTPU tunnel.

[0764] Accordingly, the UPF network element receives a GTPU tunnel establishment request message.

[0765] S1508. The UPF network element sends a GTPU tunnel establishment response message to the SDPF network element, and the GTPU tunnel establishment response message is used to indicate the confirmation of the establishment of the GTPU tunnel.

[0766] Accordingly, the SDPF network element receives the GTPU tunnel establishment response message.

[0767] It should be understood that S1507 - S1508 can be executed at any time before S1510 in Figure 15 There is no restriction on the execution time of S1507 - S1508 (and the execution order compared with other steps).

[0768] S1509. The RAN network element sends sensing data to the SDPF network element.

[0769] Accordingly, the SDPF network element can receive the sensing data and process it to obtain the processed sensing data.

[0770] S1509 can be referred to as described in S1407 and will not be elaborated here.

[0771] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed sensing data, it can execute S1510.

[0772] S1510. The SDPF network element encapsulates the first sensing data to obtain a data packet of the first sensing data.

[0773] Among them, the first sensing data refers to the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element. The inner encapsulation address and outer encapsulation address of the first sensing data can be referred to the above description and will not be elaborated here.

[0774] S1511. The SDPF network element sends the data packet of the first sensing data to the UPF network element.

[0775] Accordingly, the UPF network element receives the data packet of the first sensing data.

[0776] After the UPF network element receives the data packet of the first sensing data, it can parse the data packet to obtain the first sensing data.

[0777] S1512. The UPF network element uses the first data access address as the interface for obtaining the first sensing data.

[0778] S1513. The NEF network element sends the first data access address to a third - party entity.

[0779] Accordingly, the third - party entity receives the first data access address.

[0780] S1514. A third-party entity sends a first access request according to the first data access address.

[0781] The first access request is used to request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0782] Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the first data access request.

[0783] S1515. The UPF network element sends a first access response message to the third-party entity, and the first access response message includes the first sensing data.

[0784] Correspondingly, the third-party entity receives the first access response message, and thus receives the first sensing data.

[0785] S1512 - S1515 can refer to the above S1409 - S1412 and will not be elaborated here.

[0786] Figure 15 In the shown process, a GTPU tunnel can be established between the SDPF network element and the UPF network element. The SDPF network element can send the first sensing data to the UPF network element through the GTPU tunnel. The UPF network element can provide the first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data. The third-party entity can actively obtain the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address.

[0787] The above introduces two solutions in which the second network element or the UPF network element provides the first data access address as an interface for accessing the first sensing data, and the third-party entity actively obtains the first sensing data by accessing the first data access address.

[0788] Optionally, in some other embodiments, when the data requester (such as a third-party entity) sends a sensing service request, it can provide a data push address, and this data push address can be sent to the SSCF network element. The SSCF network element can send the data push address provided by the data requester to the second network element. The second network element can send the first sensing data to this data push address to implement sending the first sensing data to the data requester. For example, when the first network element is the NEF network element, the third-party entity can send the data push address provided by the third-party entity to the first network element, and the first network element can send the data push address provided by the third-party entity to the SSCF network element. Or, when the first network element is the third-party entity, the third-party entity can directly send the data push address provided by the third-party entity to the SSCF network element. Among them, the second network element can be the SDPF network element or the RAN network element serving as the receiving sensing entity.

[0789] For example, the data push address provided by a third-party entity may be referred to as the first data push address. In this communication method, when the first network element is the NEF network element, the third-party entity may send a sensing service request (or a second request message) to the NEF network element, and the sensing service request carries or indicates the first data push address. The NEF network element may receive the sensing service request and send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data and indicates or carries the first data push address. The SSCF network element may receive the first request message and send a first control message to the second network element. The first control message is used to indicate sending the first sensing data and is used to indicate the first data push address. The first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first sensing data. The second network element may receive the first control message. For the second network element to send the first sensing data, it may include: the second network element sending the first sensing data to the first data push address. The third-party entity may receive the first sensing data from the first data push address to receive the first sensing data from the second network element.

[0790] When the first network element is a third-party entity, the third-party entity may directly send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data and indicates or carries the first data push address. The SSCF network element may receive the first request message and send a first control message to the second network element. The first control message is used to indicate sending the first sensing data and is used to indicate the first data push address. The first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first sensing data. The second network element may receive the first control message. For the second network element to send the first sensing data, it may include: the second network element sending the first sensing data to the first data push address. The third-party entity may receive the first sensing data from the first data push address to receive the first sensing data from the second network element.

[0791] Optionally, the first data push address may also be pre-configured or sent to the SSCF network element and the second network element through other messages. For example, address interfaces corresponding to different sensing services may be configured or predefined in the SSCF network element or the second network element. These address interfaces are all address interfaces provided by the third-party entity, that is, the first data push address provided by the third-party entity may be configured or predefined in the SSCF network element or the second network element. This application does not limit the manner in which the SSCF network element and the second network element obtain the first data push address.

[0792] Taking the first network element as the NEF network element, the second network element as the SDPF network element, and the third party entity sending a perception service request to the SSCF network element through the NEF network element as an example, the process of the third party entity providing the first data push address and the second network element sending the first perception data to the first data push address to implement sending the first perception data to the third party entity is exemplarily described. The case where the first network element is the third party entity is similar, and the difference is that the third party entity does not interact with the SSCF network element through the NEF network element, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0793] Exemplarily, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the SDPF network element as an example, Figure 16 Another flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 16 shown, the communication method may include S1601 - S1607.

[0794] S1601. The third party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element. The request message 1 is used to indicate the first data push address and request to obtain the first perception data.

[0795] The request message 1 may be referred to as the second request message, and the first data push address is provided by the third party entity.

[0796] Correspondingly, the NEF network element may receive the request message 1 from the third party entity.

[0797] S1602. The NEF network element sends a request message 2 to the SSCF network element. The request message 2 is used to indicate the first data push address and request to obtain the first perception data.

[0798] The request message 2 may be the above - mentioned first request message.

[0799] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element may receive the request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0800] S1603. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the SDPF network element. The control message 1 is used to indicate the first data push address and send the first perception data.

[0801] The control message 1 may be the above - mentioned first control message.

[0802] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element may receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0803] Optionally, the SDPF network element may return a response message to the SSCF network element.

[0804] S1604. The SSCF network element sends a control message 2 to the RAN network element. The control message 2 is used to indicate receiving the perception signal.

[0805] The control message 2 may be a control message sent by the above-mentioned SSCF network element to the RAN network element serving as the receiving perception entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending a control message to the sending perception entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0806] Correspondingly, the RAN network element may receive the control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0807] S1601-S1604 may refer to the above-mentioned S701-S704. The difference is that in the steps described in S1601-S1603, the message indicates or carries the first data push address for the SDPF network element to send the first perception data. The rest of the similar or identical parts will not be elaborated further.

[0808] S1605. The SSCF network element sends a response message 1 to the NEF network element.

[0809] The response message 1 may be a response message to the request message 2. In this embodiment, the response message 1 may be referred to as the first response message. The corresponding message 1 may be used to indicate the confirmation of receiving the first data push address. Similarly, the NEF network element may send a response message to a third-party entity to indicate the confirmation of receiving the first data push address. S1605 may also not be executed, and there is no limitation here.

[0810] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives the response message 1.

[0811] The execution order of S1603-S1605 is not limited.

[0812] S1606. The RAN network element sends perception data to the SDPF network element.

[0813] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element may receive the perception data and process it to obtain the processed perception data.

[0814] As described above, the perception data received by the SDPF network element may be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element. Here, an example is given where the perception data received by the SDPF network element is the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element.

[0815] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed perception data, it may execute S1607.

[0816] S1607. The SDPF network element sends the first perception data to the first data push address.

[0817] Among them, the first perception data refers to the perception data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0818] Accordingly, a third-party entity can receive the first perception data from the first data push address to receive the first perception data from the SDPF network element.

[0819] Figure 16 In the shown process, the third-party entity can provide the first data push address as the interface for the SDPF network element to send the first perception data. The SDPF network element can send the first perception data to the first data push address. The third-party entity can receive the first perception data from the first data push address. That is, the third-party entity can passively receive the first perception data.

[0820] Optionally, in the case where the second network element is the RAN network element acting as the receiving perception entity, it is Figure 16 similar to the case where the second network element shown is the SDPF network element. The difference is that the RAN network element sends the first perception data to the first data push address, and the first perception data can be the original perception data obtained by the RAN network element or the perception data processed by the RAN network element. Specifically, reference can be made to the relevant embodiments where the second network element is the RAN network element described above, and details are not repeated here.

[0821] In the above embodiments where the third-party entity provides the first data push address and the second network element sends the first perception data to the third-party entity by sending the first perception data to the first data push address, the third-party entity can passively receive the first perception data from the second network element using the first data push address.

[0822] Optionally, in the above embodiments where the third-party entity provides the first data push address and the second network element sends the first perception data to the third-party entity by sending the first perception data to the first data push address, the first control message sent by the SSCF network element to the second network element can specifically be used to instruct to send the first perception data to the first data push address.

[0823] Optionally, in some embodiments, when the data requester (e.g., a third-party entity) sends a sensing service request, it may provide a data push address, which can be sent to the SSCF network element. The SSCF network element may send the data push address provided by the data requester to the UPF network element. The second network element may transmit the first sensing data to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element may send the first sensing data to the data push address to send the first sensing data to the data requester. For example, when the first network element is the NEF network element, the third-party entity may send the data push address provided by the third-party entity to the first network element, and the first network element may send the data push address provided by the third-party entity to the SSCF network element. Alternatively, when the first network element is the third-party entity, the third-party entity may directly send the data push address provided by the third-party entity to the SSCF network element. Wherein, the second network element may be an SDPF network element or a RAN network element serving as a receiving sensing entity.

[0824] For example, the data push address provided by the third-party entity may be referred to as the first data push address. In this communication method, when the first network element is the NEF network element, the third-party entity may send a sensing service request (or referred to as a second request message) to the NEF network element, and the sensing service request carries or indicates the first data push address. The NEF network element may receive the sensing service request and send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data and indicates or carries the first data push address. The first data push address is used for the UPF network element to send the first sensing data. The SSCF network element may receive the first request message and send a first control message to the second network element. The first control message is used to indicate the transmission of the first sensing data. The second network element may receive the first control message. The second network element sending the first sensing data may include: the second network element sending the first sensing data to the UPF network element. The UPF network element may receive the first sensing data and send the first sensing data to the first data push address. The third-party entity may receive the first sensing data from the first data push address.

[0825] When the first network element is the third-party entity, the third-party entity may directly send a first request message to the SSCF network element. The first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain the first sensing data and indicates or carries the first data push address. The first data push address is used for the UPF network element to send the first sensing data. The SSCF network element may receive the first request message and send a first control message to the second network element. The first control message is used to indicate the transmission of the first sensing data. The second network element may receive the first control message. The second network element sending the first sensing data may include: the second network element sending the first sensing data to the UPF network element. The UPF network element may receive the first sensing data and send the first sensing data to the first data push address. The third-party entity may receive the first sensing data from the first data push address.

[0826] Optionally, the SSCF network element may also send a control message to the UPF network element, such as a second control message, to instruct the UPF network element to send the first sensing data. Accordingly, the UPF network element receives the second control message, and the second control message is used to instruct the sending of the first sensing data.

[0827] In one implementation, after the SSCF network element sends the first data push address to the second network element, the second network element may send it to the UPF network element. For example, the first control message may also be used to indicate the first data push address. The first data push address may be carried or indicated in the data packet of the first sensing data sent by the second network element to the UPF network element, so that the UPF network element can obtain the first data push address.

[0828] In another implementation, the first data push address may be directly sent by the SSCF network element to the UPF network element. For example, the communication method may further include: the SSCF network element sends a second control message to the UPF network element, and the second control message may indicate or carry the first data push address. The UPF network element may receive the second control message to obtain the first data push address.

[0829] Optionally, the second control message may not indicate or carry the first data push address, and the first data push address may also be sent to the UPF network element through pre-configuration, or other means or other messages. For example, the address interfaces corresponding to different sensing services may be configured or predefined in the SSCF network element, the second network element, or the UPF network element. The address interfaces are all address interfaces provided by a third-party entity, that is, the first data push address provided by the third-party entity may be configured or predefined in the SSCF network element, the second network element, or the UPF network element. The present application does not limit the implementation manner for the UPF network element to obtain the first data push address.

[0830] Taking the first network element as the NEF network element, the second network element as the SDPF network element, and the third-party entity sending a sensing service request to the SSCF network element through the NEF network element as an example, the process of the third-party entity providing the first data push address and the UPF network element sending the first sensing data to the first data push address to implement sending the first sensing data to the third-party entity will be exemplarily described below. The case where the first network element is the third-party entity is similar, and the difference is that the third-party entity does not interact with the SSCF network element through the NEF network element, which will not be elaborated.

[0831] Exemplarily, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the SDPF network element as an example, Figure 17 Another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 17 shown, the communication method may include S1701-S1709.

[0832] S1701. The third-party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element. The request message 1 is used to indicate the first data push address and request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0833] The request message 1 can be referred to as the second request message, and the first data push address is provided by the third-party entity.

[0834] Correspondingly, the NEF network element can receive the request message 1 from the third-party entity.

[0835] S1702. The NEF network element sends a request message 2 to the SSCF network element. The request message 2 is used to indicate the first data push address and request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0836] The request message 2 can be the above-mentioned first request message.

[0837] Correspondingly, the SSCF network element can receive the request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0838] S1703. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the SDPF network element. The control message 1 is used to indicate the first data push address and send the first sensing data.

[0839] The control message 1 can be the above-mentioned first control message.

[0840] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element can receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0841] Optionally, the SDPF network element can return a response message to the SSCF network element.

[0842] S1704. The SSCF network element sends a control message 2 to the RAN network element. The control message 2 is used to indicate receiving the sensing signal.

[0843] The control message 2 can be the control message sent by the SSCF network element to the RAN network element as the receiving sensing entity. The process of the SSCF network element sending a control message to the sending sensing entity is omitted here and will not be elaborated further.

[0844] Correspondingly, the RAN network element can receive the control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0845] S1701 - S1704 can refer to the above-mentioned S701 - S704. The difference is that in the steps described in S1701 - S1703, the message indicates or carries the first data push address for the UPF network element to send the first sensing data, and the remaining similar or identical parts will not be elaborated further.

[0846] S1705. The SSCF network element sends control message 3 to the UPF network element. Control message 3 is used to indicate the transmission of the first sensing data.

[0847] Control message 3 may be the above-mentioned second control message.

[0848] Correspondingly, the UPF network element can receive control message 3 from the SSCF network element.

[0849] Optionally, the UPF network element can return a response message to the SSCF network element, such as the second control response message.

[0850] S1706. The SSCF network element sends response message 1 to the NEF network element.

[0851] Response message 1 may be a response message to request message 2. In this embodiment, response message 1 may be referred to as the first response message. Response message 1 can be used to indicate the confirmation of the receipt of the first data push address. Similarly, the NEF network element can send a response message to a third-party entity to indicate the confirmation of the receipt of the first data push address. S1706 may also not be executed, which is not limited herein.

[0852] Correspondingly, the NEF network element receives response message 1.

[0853] The execution order of S1703 - S1706 is not limited.

[0854] S1707. The RAN network element sends sensing data to the SDPF network element.

[0855] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element can receive the sensing data and process it to obtain the processed sensing data.

[0856] As described above, the sensing data received by the SDPF network element can be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the sensing data processed by the RAN network element. In this article, an example is given where the sensing data received by the SDPF network element is the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element.

[0857] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed sensing data, it can execute S1708.

[0858] S1708. The SDPF network element sends the first sensing data to the UPF network element. The data packet of the first sensing data carries the first data push address.

[0859] Among them, the first sensing data refers to the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element.

[0860] Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the first sensing data.

[0861] The UPF network element sends the first sensing data to the first data push address.

[0862] Correspondingly, the third-party entity can receive the first sensing data from the first data push address.

[0863] Figure 17 In the process shown, the third-party entity can provide the first data push address as the interface for the UPF network element to send the first sensing data. The SDPF network element can send the first sensing data to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element can send the first sensing data to the first data push address. The third-party entity can receive the first sensing data from the first data push address. That is, the third-party entity can passively receive the first sensing data.

[0864] Optionally, in the case where the second network element is the RAN network element serving as the receiving sensing entity, Figure 17 it is similar to the case where the second network element is the SDPF network element shown. The difference is that the RAN network element sends the first sensing data to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element sends the first sensing data to the first data push address. And the first sensing data can be the original sensing data obtained by the RAN network element or the processed sensing data of the RAN network element. Specifically, reference can be made to the relevant embodiments where the second network element is the RAN network element described above, and details are not elaborated here.

[0865] In the above embodiments where the third-party entity provides the first data push address, and the UPF network element sends the first sensing data to the third-party entity by sending the first sensing data to the first data push address, the third-party entity can passively receive the first sensing data sent by the UPF network element using the first data push address, and the first sensing data in the UPF network element comes from the second network element.

[0866] Optionally, in the above embodiments where the third-party entity provides the first data push address, and the UPF network element sends the first sensing data to the third-party entity by sending the first sensing data to the first data push address, the first control message sent by the SSCF network element to the second network element can be specifically used to instruct to send the first sensing data to the UPF network element. The second control message sent by the SSCF network element to the UPF network element can be specifically used to instruct to send the first sensing data to the first data push address, or alternatively, the second network element can also instruct the UPF network element to send the first sensing data to the first data push address.

[0867] Optionally, similar to the embodiment where the UPF network element described above provides the first data access address as an interface for a third-party entity to access the first sensing data, in a possible design, in the embodiment where the third-party entity described above provides the first data push address and the UPF network element sends the first sensing data to the first data push address, when the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) sends the first sensing data to the UPF network element, it can send the first sensing data to the UPF network element through a GTPU tunnel. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the first sensing data through the GTPU tunnel.

[0868] In this embodiment, the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) can encapsulate the first sensing data to obtain a data packet of the first sensing data. In the inner-layer encapsulation address, the source IP address can be the IP address of the second network element, and the destination IP address can be the first data push address provided by the third-party entity. In the outer-layer encapsulation address, the source IP address can be the IP address of the second network element, and the destination IP address can be the IP address of the UPF network element. The second network element can send the data packet of the first sensing data to the UPF network element through the GTPU tunnel. The UPF network element can parse the data packet of the first sensing data to obtain the first sensing data and the first data push address, and send the first sensing data to the first data push address. In other words, the second network element can indicate the UPF network element to send the first sensing data to the first data push address by encapsulating the first data push address in the data packet of the first sensing data.

[0869] It should also be understood that before the second network element sends the first sensing data to the UPF network element through the GTPU tunnel, a GTPU tunnel needs to be established in advance between the second network element and the UPF network element. The process of establishing the GTPU tunnel can be referred to in the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0870] Exemplarily, taking the first network element as the NEF network element and the second network element as the SDPF network element as an example, Figure 18 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 18 shown, the communication method may include S1801-S1812.

[0871] S1801. The third-party entity sends a request message 1 to the NEF network element, and the request message 1 is used to indicate the first data push address and request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0872] Correspondingly, the NEF network element can receive the request message 1 from the third-party entity.

[0873] S1802. The NEF network element sends a request message 2 to the SSCF network element, and the request message 2 is used to indicate the first data push address and request to obtain the first sensing data.

[0874] Accordingly, the SSCF network element can receive the request message 2 from the NEF network element.

[0875] S1803. The SSCF network element sends a control message 1 to the SDPF network element, and the control message 1 is used to indicate the first data push address and send the first sensing data.

[0876] Accordingly, the SDPF network element can receive the control message 1 from the SSCF network element.

[0877] S1804. The SSCF network element sends a control message 2 to the RAN network element, and the control message 2 is used to indicate receiving the sensing signal.

[0878] Accordingly, the RAN network element can receive the control message 2 from the SSCF network element.

[0879] S1805. The SSCF network element sends a control message 3 to the UPF network element, and the control message 3 is used to indicate sending the first sensing data.

[0880] Accordingly, the UPF network element can receive the control message 3 from the SSCF network element.

[0881] S1806. The SSCF network element sends a response message 1 to the NEF network element.

[0882] Accordingly, the NEF network element receives the response message 1.

[0883] S1801 - S1806 can refer to the above S1701 - S1706 and will not be elaborated here.

[0884] S1807. The SDPF network element sends a GTPU tunnel establishment request message to the UPF network element, and the GTPU tunnel establishment request message is used to indicate a request to establish a GTPU tunnel.

[0885] Accordingly, the UPF network element receives the GTPU tunnel establishment request message.

[0886] S1808. The UPF network element sends a GTPU tunnel establishment response message to the SDPF network element, and the GTPU tunnel establishment response message is used to indicate confirmation of establishing the GTPU tunnel.

[0887] Accordingly, the SDPF network element receives the GTPU tunnel establishment response message.

[0888] It should be understood that S1807 - S1808 can be executed at any time before S1810 in Figure 18 and there is no restriction on the execution time of S1807 - S1808 (and the execution order compared to other steps).

[0889] In S1809, the RAN network element sends sensing data to the SDPF network element.

[0890] Correspondingly, the SDPF network element can receive the sensing data and process it to obtain the processed sensing data.

[0891] S1809 can refer to what is described in S1807 and will not be elaborated here.

[0892] After the SDPF network element obtains the processed sensing data, it can execute S1810.

[0893] In S1810, the SDPF network element encapsulates the first sensing data to obtain a data packet of the first sensing data.

[0894] Among them, the first sensing data refers to the sensing data processed by the SDPF network element. The inner encapsulation address and outer encapsulation address of the first sensing data can refer to what is described above and will not be elaborated here.

[0895] In S1811, the SDPF network element sends the data packet of the first sensing data to the UPF network element.

[0896] Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the data packet of the first sensing data.

[0897] After the UPF network element receives the data packet of the first sensing data, it can parse the data packet to obtain the first sensing data and the first data push address.

[0898] In S1812, the UPF network element sends the first sensing data to the first data push address.

[0899] Correspondingly, the third-party entity can receive the first sensing data from the first data push address.

[0900] Figure 18 In the shown process, a GTPU tunnel can be established between the SDPF network element and the UPF network element, and the SDPF network element can send the first sensing data to the UPF network element through the GTPU tunnel. The third-party entity can provide the first data push address as the interface for the UPF network element to send the first sensing data, and the UPF network element can send the first sensing data to the first data push address. The third-party entity can receive the first sensing data from the first data push address. That is, the third-party entity can passively receive the first sensing data.

[0901] It should be understood that in each of the above-described embodiments of the present application, the manner in which the data requester obtains the sensing data can be applicable to any data requester. The relevant descriptions of the above-described NF network elements, third-party entities, etc. are only examples, and for any of the above-described open sensing data methods, the present application does not limit the specific form or type of the data requester.

[0902] For example, the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) can also store the first sensing data in the ADRF network element, and a third-party entity can obtain the first sensing data from the ADRF network element. For example, the second network element can transmit the first sensing data to the ADRF network element, and the NEF network element can obtain the first sensing data from the ADRF network element. The NEF network element can transmit the obtained first sensing data to a third-party entity.

[0903] For another example, the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) can also provide a first data access address, and an NF network element inside the network can access the first data access address to obtain the first sensing data. Alternatively, the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) can also transmit the first sensing data to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element can provide a first data access address, and an NF network element inside the network can access the first data access address to obtain the first sensing data.

[0904] For another example, an NF network element inside the network can also provide a first data push address. The second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) can send the first sensing data to the NF network element through the first data push address. Alternatively, the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) can also transmit the first sensing data to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element can send the first sensing data to the NF network element through the first data push address.

[0905] As described in the foregoing embodiments, the manner in which the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) transmits sensing data to the data requester can be indicated by the SSCF network element through a first control message.

[0906] Optionally, in some embodiments, a transmission policy can be configured in the SSCF network element, and the SSCF network element can determine, according to the configured transmission policy, the manner in which the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) transmits sensing data to the data requester. For example, the transmission policy can be: when the data requester sends a data push address, it indicates that the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) or the UPF network element sends sensing data to the data push address. When the data requester does not send a data push address, it indicates that the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) or the UPF network element provides a data access address to send sensing data to the data requester, or the second network element transmits sensing data through a DCP network element, etc.

[0907] Alternatively, the transmission policy may also be related to services. For example, the data requester may request sensing data for different sensing services. For different sensing services, the same or different transmission methods may be configured. For example, for sensing service 1, the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) or a UPF network element provides a data access address to send the sensing data to the data requester. For sensing service 2, the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) transmits the sensing data through a DCP network element, etc.

[0908] Or, in some other embodiments, the transmission policy may also be directly configured in the second network element, and the second network element may directly transmit the sensing data according to the transmission policy. This application does not limit the transmission policy and the configuration method.

[0909] Optionally, in some embodiments, the data requester may independently select the method for obtaining the sensing data. For example, the sensing service request (such as the first request message described above) sent by the data requester may carry or indicate the result response method. This result response method specifies the method by which the data requester expects the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) to transmit the sensing data to the data requester.

[0910] For example, when the result response method includes a data push address, it means that the data requester expects the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) or a UPF network element to send the sensing data to the data requester through the data push address. For another example, the result response method may indicate that it is expected that the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) or a UPF network element provides a data access address, and the data requester can obtain the sensing data through the data access address.

[0911] Similarly, when the data requester independently selects the method for obtaining the sensing data, for different sensing services, the same or different sensing data transmission methods may also be selected.

[0912] In other words, the first request message described in the above embodiments may also include a result response method. For example, the result response method may be a field. The result response method is used to indicate the expected sensing data transmission method, and the sensing data transmission method may be as described in the foregoing embodiments. For example, the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) transmits the sensing data to the data requester through a first data access address, or a UPF network element transmits the sensing data to the data requester through a first data access address, or the second network element (such as an SDPF network element or a RAN network element) sends the sensing data to a first data push address, or a UPF network element sends the sensing data to a first data push address, or the second network element transmits the sensing data through a DCP network element, etc.

[0913] Optionally, in the above-described embodiments, when any two network elements (taking network element 1 and network element 2 as an example) interact, after network element 1 sends a request message or a control message to network element 2, network element 2 can return a response message to network element 1. This response message may carry other information or may not carry information, and is only used for confirmation of receipt. This application will not elaborate on such response messages one by one.

[0914] Optionally, for each of the messages mentioned in the embodiments of this application, such as the first control message, the first request message, the first response message, etc., their names may also be other descriptions, and each message may be implemented through the same or different interfaces. For example, when implementing each message, an existing interface between interacting network elements or a new interface may be used. This application places no restrictions on the names and implementation methods of each message.

[0915] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the SSCF network element can be mounted on the SBI bus through a service-based interface (SBI) to communicate with other core network function modules. The SDPF network element can be mounted on the SBI bus through the SBI to communicate with other core network function modules, or can also communicate through a separate interface, such as communicating with other SDPF network elements through a separate interface, or communicating with the SSCF network element through a separate interface.

[0916] In a possible networking architecture, the RAN network element is connected to the SSCF network element through the access and mobility management function (AMF), the RAN network element is connected to the SDPF network element through the user plane function (UPF), the SDPF network element is mounted on the SBI bus through the SBI, and the SSCF network element is mounted on the SBI bus through the SBI. The RAN network element can perform control plane communication with the SSCF network element through the AMF network element, and the RAN network element can perform data plane communication with the SDPF network element through the UPF network element.

[0917] In another possible networking architecture, the RAN network element can be directly connected to the SSCF network element, the RAN network element is connected to the SDPF network element through the UPF network element, the SDPF network element is mounted on the SBI bus through the SBI interface, and the SSCF network element is not mounted on the SBI bus. The RAN network element can directly perform control plane communication with the SSCF network element, and the RAN network element can perform data plane communication with the SDPF network element through the UPF network element.

[0918] In yet another possible networking architecture, the RAN network element is connected to the SSCF network element through the AMF network element. The RAN network element is connected to the SDPF network element through the UPF network element. The SDPF network element is not mounted on the SBI bus, and the SSCF network element is mounted on the SBI bus through the SBI. The RAN network element can perform control plane communication with the SSCF network element through the AMF network element, and the RAN network element can perform data plane communication with the SDPF network element through the UPF network element.

[0919] In yet another possible networking architecture, the RAN network element can be directly connected to the SSCF network element. The RAN network element is connected to the SDPF network element through the UPF network element. The SDPF network element is not mounted on the SBI bus, and the SSCF network element is not mounted on the SBI bus. The RAN network element can directly perform control plane communication with the SSCF network element, and the RAN network element can perform data plane communication with the SDPF network element through the UPF network element.

[0920] In yet another possible networking architecture, the RAN network element is connected to the SSCF network element through the AMF network element. The RAN network element can be directly connected to the SDPF network element. The SDPF network element is mounted on the SBI bus through the SBI, and the SSCF network element is mounted on the SBI bus through the SBI. The RAN network element can perform control plane communication with the SSCF network element through the AMF network element, and the RAN network element can directly perform data plane communication with the SDPF network element.

[0921] In yet another possible networking architecture, the RAN network element can be directly connected to the SSCF network element. The RAN network element can be directly connected to the SDPF network element. The SDPF network element is mounted on the SBI bus through the SBI, and the SSCF network element is not mounted on the SBI bus. The RAN network element can directly perform control plane communication with the SSCF network element, and the RAN network element can directly perform data plane communication with the SDPF.

[0922] In yet another possible networking architecture, the RAN network element is connected to the SSCF network element through the AMF network element. The RAN network element can be directly connected to the SDPF network element. The SDPF network element is not mounted on the SBI bus, and the SSCF network element is mounted on the SBI bus through the SBI. The RAN network element can perform control plane communication with the SSCF network element through the AMF network element, and the RAN network element can directly perform data plane communication with the SDPF network element.

[0923] In yet another possible networking architecture, the RAN network element can be directly connected to the SSCF network element. The RAN network element can be directly connected to the SDPF network element. The SDPF network element is not mounted on the SBI bus, and the SSCF network element is not mounted on the SBI bus. The RAN network element can directly perform control plane communication with the SSCF network element, and the RAN network element can directly perform data plane communication with the SDPF network element.

[0924] As described above, in the embodiments of the present application, the RAN network element can directly communicate with the SSCF network element on the control plane, or communicate with the SSCF network element on the control plane through the AMF network element. The SDPF network element can be mounted on the SBI bus or not mounted on the SBI bus. The RAN network element can directly communicate with the SDPF network element on the data plane, or communicate with the SDPF network element on the data plane through the UPF network element. Among them, the control plane communication refers to the transmission of control plane messages, such as the control messages in the embodiments of the present application; the data plane communication refers to the transmission of sensed data and / or sensing results. The interactions between network elements such as the RAN network element, UPF network element, SSCF network element, and SDPF network element in the foregoing embodiments of the present application can be implemented based on any of the above possible networking architectures, and the present application does not limit this.

[0925] Optionally, the SSCF network element and the SDPF network element can be independently upgraded and maintained so that the network can flexibly deploy and manage core network function entities. In actual implementation, the number of SDPF network elements can also be increased or decreased according to actual requirements.

[0926] Based on what is described in the above embodiments, the embodiment...

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a perception service control function network element, and the method includes: Receiving a first request message from a first network element, where the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first perception data; Sending a first control message to a second network element, where the first control message is used to indicate sending the first perception data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first perception data to the first network element.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Sending a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first topic, and the first topic is used to subscribe to the first perception data from a data communication proxy network element; The first topic is a publishing topic of the first perception data in the data communication proxy network element, and the first perception data comes from the second network element.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first control message is specifically used to indicate publishing the first perception data to the data communication proxy network element according to the first topic.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Sending a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first data access address; The first data access address is provided by the second network element and is used to obtain the first perception data; Alternatively, the first data access address is provided by a user plane function network element and is used to obtain the first perception data, and the first perception data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The first data access address is provided by the second network element, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first perception data; Alternatively, the first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first perception data to the user plane function network element.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element, and the method further includes: Sending a second control message to the user plane function network element, where the second control message is used to indicate using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first perception data.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving a second control response message from the user plane function network element, where the second control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

9. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first data access address is provided by the second network element, and the method further includes: Receiving a first control response message from the second network element, where the first control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first request message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity, and the first control message is further used to indicate the first data push address; The first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first perception data; Alternatively, the first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send the first perception data, and the first perception data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first perception data, and the first control message is specifically used to indicate sending the first perception data to the first data push address.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send the first perception data, and the first control message is specifically used to instruct to send the first perception data to the user plane function network element.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein The method further includes: Sending a second control message to the user plane function network element, where the second control message is used to instruct to send the first perception data to the first data push address.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further includes: Sending a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message is used to instruct to obtain the first perception data from the data analysis and storage repository function network element, and the first perception data in the data analysis and storage repository function network element comes from the second network element.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first control message is specifically used to instruct to send the first perception data to the data analysis and storage repository function network element.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The first network element is a network exposure function network element or a third-party entity.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1, 14, and 15, characterized in that The first network element is a network function network element.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a second network element, and the method includes: Receiving a first control message from a perception service control function network element, where the first control message is used to instruct to send first perception data; Sending the first perception data.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The sending of the first perception data includes: Sending the first perception data to a first network element.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The first control message is specifically used to instruct to send the first perception data to the first network element.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein The sending of the first perception data includes: Sending the first perception data to a data communication proxy network element according to a first topic.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The first control message is specifically used to instruct to send the first perception data to the data communication proxy network element according to a first topic.

23. The method according to claim 18, wherein The sending of the first perception data includes: Using a first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first perception data, where the first data access address is provided by the second network element.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The first control message is specifically used to instruct to use the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first perception data.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending a first control response message to the perception service control function network element, where the first control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

26. The method according to claim 18, wherein The sending of the first perception data includes: Sending the first perception data to a user plane function network element.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein The first control message is specifically used to instruct to send the first perception data to the user plane function network element.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that, The sending of the first perception data to the user plane function network element includes: Sending the first perception data to the user plane function network element through a General Packet Radio Service Tunnel Protocol - User Plane Tunnel.

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 - 28, characterized in that, The first control message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity; The data packet of the first perception data sent to the user plane function network element is encapsulated with the first data push address, and the first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send the first perception data.

30. The method according to claim 18, wherein The first control message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity, and the sending of the first perception data includes: Sending the first perception data to the first data push address.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein The first control message is specifically used to instruct to send the first perception data to the first data push address.

32. The method according to claim 18, wherein The sending of the first perception data includes: Sending the first perception data to a data analysis and storage repository functional network element.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein The first control message is specifically used to instruct to send the first perception data to the data analysis and storage repository functional network element.

34. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The first network element is a network exposure function network element or a third-party entity.

35. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first network element, and the method includes: Sending a first request message to a perception service control functional network element, where the first request message is used to instruct to request to obtain first perception data; Receiving the first perception data from a second network element.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein, The method further includes: Receiving a first response message from the perception service control functional network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first topic; Sending a subscription request message to a data communication proxy network element, where the subscription request message is used to indicate the first topic and to subscribe to the first perception data from the data communication proxy network element; Receiving a subscription response message from the data communication proxy network element; The receiving of the first perception data from the second network element includes: Receiving the first perception data sent by the data communication proxy network element.

37. The method according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that, The first network element is a network exposure function network element or a third-party entity; When the first network element is the network exposure function network element, the method further includes: Sending the first perception data to a third-party entity.

38. The method according to claim 35, wherein When the first network element is a third-party entity, the method further includes: Receiving a first response message from the perception service control functional network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first data access address provided by the second network element or a user plane function network element; Sending a first access request according to the first data access address, where the first access request is used to request to obtain the first perception data; The receiving of the first perception data from the second network element includes: Receiving a first access response message, where the first access response message includes the first perception data from the second network element.

39. The method according to claim 35, wherein When the first network element is a third-party entity, the first request message is further used to indicate a first data push address provided by the third-party entity; The first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first perception data; Alternatively, the first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send the first perception data, where the first perception data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element; The receiving of the first perception data from the second network element includes: Receiving the first perception data from the first data push address.

40. The method according to claim 35, wherein When the first network element is a network function network element, the method further includes: Receiving a first response message from the perception service control functional network element, where the first response message is used to indicate to obtain the first perception data from a data analysis and storage repository functional network element; Sending a perception data request message to the data analysis and storage repository functional network element, where the perception data request message is used to request to obtain the first perception data; Receiving the first sensing data from a second network element includes: Receiving a sensing data response message from the data analysis and storage repository function network element, where the sensing data response message includes the first sensing data, and the first sensing data in the data analysis and storage repository function network element comes from the second network element.

41. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network exposure function network element, and the method includes: Sending a first request message to a sensing service control function network element, where the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data; Receiving a first response message from the sensing service control function network element, where the first response message is used to indicate a first data access address provided by a second network element or a user plane function network element for obtaining the first sensing data; Sending the first data access address to a third-party entity.

42. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network exposure function network element, and the method includes: Sending a first request message to a sensing service control function network element, where the first request message is used to indicate a request to obtain first sensing data and is used to indicate a first data push address provided by a third-party entity; The first data push address is used for the second network element to send the first sensing data; Alternatively, the first data push address is used for the user plane function network element to send the first sensing data, and the first sensing data in the user plane function network element comes from the second network element.

43. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a user plane function network element, and the method includes: Receiving first sensing data from a second network element; Using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data, where the first data access address is provided by the user plane function network element; Alternatively, sending the first sensing data to a first data push address provided by a third-party entity.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein Receiving the first sensing data from a second network element includes: Receiving the first sensing data from the second network element through a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol - User Plane Tunnel.

45. The method according to claim 43 or 44, characterized in that, The data packet of the received first sensing data is encapsulated with the first data push address.

46. The method according to claim 43 or 44, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving a second control message from the sensing service control function network element, where the second control message is used to indicate using the first data access address as an interface for obtaining the first sensing data.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein The method further includes: Sending a second control response message to the sensing service control function network element, where the second control response message is used to indicate the first data access address.

48. The method according to claim 43 or 44, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving a second control message from the sensing service control function network element, where the second control message is used to indicate sending the first sensing data to a first data push address provided by a third-party entity.

49. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a data communication proxy network element, and the method includes: Receiving a subscription request message from a first network element, where the subscription request message is used to indicate a first topic and is used to subscribe to first sensing data from the data communication proxy network element; Sending a subscription response message to the first network element; Receiving first sensing data from a second network element, where the first sensing data is published according to the first topic; Sending the first sensing data to the first network element.

50. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a data analysis repository function network element, and the method includes: Receiving first perception data from a second network element; Receiving a perception data request message from a first network element, where the perception data request message is used to request to obtain the first perception data; Sending a perception data response message to the first network element, where the perception data response message includes the first perception data.

51. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 50, characterized in that, The second network element is an access network element or a perception data processing function network element.

52. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-51.

53. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: a processor configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-51.

54. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when run, cause the method according to any one of claims 1-51 to be implemented.

55. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1-51 is implemented.

56. A chip system, characterized in that, The chip system includes one or more interface circuits and one or more processors; The interface circuit and the processor are interconnected by a line; The processor receives and executes computer instructions from the memory of the electronic device through the interface circuit to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-51.

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