Communication method, device and system

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method, device and system. The method comprises the steps that a first node receives a first message from first access network equipment; the first message comprises at least one piece of first information, the at least one piece of first information comprises information between the first terminal equipment and a first core network, the first core network comprises at least one first network element, the communication system of the first access network equipment is a first communication system, and the communication system of the first core network is a second communication system; the first node sends a second message to a second network element; the second message comprises partial information or all information in the at least one piece of first information, and the second network element belongs to the at least one first network element. According to the embodiment of the invention, the access network equipment can realize communication with the network element of the core network through the first node under the condition that the communication modes of the access network equipment and the core network are different, and the access network equipment can provide the service of accessing the core network for the managed terminal equipment without greatly changing the access network equipment.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the fifth-generation (5 th generation, 5G) communication network, an access network (AN) device may interact with the remaining core network functions in the core network (CN) through an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0003] With the evolution of the core network, there are service function network elements that can be locally deployed. Since the access network device always needs to pass the non-access stratum messages of the terminal device to the service function network element through the AMF, but the AMF in the 5G communication network does not support providing transmission services for the locally deployed service function network element, resulting in the terminal device being unable to access the locally deployable service function network element in the evolved core network through the access network device. Therefore, how to enable the access network device to access the evolved core network (the evolved core network includes locally deployable function network elements) is one of the problems that need to be solved currently. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application proposes a communication method, apparatus, and system, which can enable the access network device to effectively access the evolved core network (the evolved core network includes locally deployable function network elements).

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method. This method may be executed by a first node, or may be executed by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first node, and there is no limitation in this regard. Taking the first node as an example, this method may include: the first node receives a first message from a first access network device; wherein, the first message includes at least one first piece of information, the at least one first piece of information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the first core network includes at least one first network element, the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode, and the communication mode of the first core network is a second communication mode; the first node sends a second message to a second network element; the second message includes some or all of the at least one first piece of information, and the second network element belongs to the at least one first network element.

[0006] In this application, the first node can be referred to as a proxy node or have other names. The first node can be regarded as a logical node and can be used to connect access network devices and core networks of different communication systems (such as 5G access network devices (taking 5G base stations as an example) and 6G core networks) so that access network devices and core networks of different communication systems can achieve interconnection and interoperability according to the current communication mechanism. In one possible implementation, the first node can be implemented by one or more possible physical nodes. The first node can be deployed in access network devices (such as 5G access network devices, 6G access network devices, etc.) or core networks (such as 5G core networks, 6G core networks, etc.), or the first node can be a newly defined network element in the core network, or the first node can be a separately deployed node or device or equipment, etc. This application does not make specific limitations on the form, deployment location, quantity, etc. of the first node. And the first node can provide services for connecting one or more access network devices to the core network. The first node can also provide connection services for multiple access network devices and multiple core networks, and there is no limitation on this.

[0007] In the embodiments of this application, the first node can provide connection services for at least one access network device (such as the first access network device, the second access network device) and the first core network. Therefore, the first node can communicate with at least one access network device (such as the first access network device, the second access network device) respectively, and can also communicate with at least one first network element in the first core network respectively. The at least one first network element can be some network elements in the first core network or all network elements in the first core network, and there is no limitation on this.

[0008] The ways for the first node to communicate with at least one access network device respectively can include establishing interfaces or links or paths, etc. The ways for the first node to communicate with at least one first network element respectively can also include establishing interfaces or links or paths, etc. In one possible implementation, the first node can establish one-to-one corresponding interfaces with at least one access network device (such as the first access network device, the second access network device) respectively, and the first node can also establish one-to-one corresponding interfaces with the at least one first network element respectively to realize subsequent information and / or message interaction.

[0009] In the embodiments of the present application, the first communication mode and the second communication mode may be different communication modes. In one possible implementation, the first communication mode may be or include a lower-level communication mode, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G communication modes. The second communication mode may be or include a higher-level communication mode (such as 5G communication mode) and future communication modes, such as 6G, 7G communication modes. In another possible implementation, contrary to the foregoing implementation, the first communication mode may be or include a higher-level communication mode, and the second communication mode may be or include a higher-level communication mode (such as 5G communication mode) and future communication modes, such as 6G, 7G communication modes. In still another possible implementation, the first communication mode may belong to the same communication mode as or be the same communication mode as the second communication mode. In this case, the priorities or levels of the first communication mode and the second communication mode may be different. The present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0010] In the solution of the present application, when the communication modes of the access network device and the core network are different, the access network device may transmit the information between the terminal device and the core network device to at least one network element in the core network through the first node. In this way, without making major changes to the communication mode of the access network device, the access network device can effectively provide access services to the managed terminal devices to the core network.

[0011] In one possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first node sending a third message to a third network element; the third message includes some or all of the at least one first information, and the third network element belongs to the at least one first network element.

[0012] In the embodiments of the present application, the second network element and / or the third network element may refer to one or more network elements among the at least one first network element, and there is no limitation thereto. If the second network element and the third network element are respectively independent network elements among the at least one first network element, then the first node selects the first information corresponding to the second network element and the first information corresponding to the third network element from the at least one first information, and then carries the first information corresponding to the second network element in the second message or sends it to the second network element independently, and carries the first information corresponding to the third network element in the third message or sends it to the third network element independently. If the second network element and the third network element are respectively multiple network elements among the at least one first network element, then the first node selects the first information (multiple) corresponding to the multiple second network elements and the first information (multiple) corresponding to the multiple third network elements from the at least one first information; the first node may further determine the first information corresponding to each second network element and the first information corresponding to each third network element, and then execute the transmission process.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present application, taking the second network element and the third network element as examples of receiving-end network elements, in practical applications, the first node may also determine other network elements (such as the fourth network element, and the fourth network element also belongs to at least one first network element) according to the at least one first piece of information. The first node may execute the transmission process with reference to the implementation manners of the second network element or the third network element. Details are not described one by one here.

[0014] Through this implementation manner, the first node is respectively connected to each network element in at least one first network element (such as the second network element and the third network element), so that the first node can effectively distribute each piece of information in the at least one first piece of information to the corresponding network element.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first node determines the network elements corresponding to the at least one first piece of information respectively from the at least one first network element. Through this implementation manner, can the first node effectively identify the network elements in the at least one first network element corresponding to each piece of information in the at least one first piece of information, so as to achieve subsequent accurate transmission or distribution.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first node receives first indication information from the first access network device, and the first indication information is used to indicate the communication mode of the first access network device. Exemplarily, the first indication information is used to indicate that the communication mode of the first access network device is the first communication mode.

[0017] Through this implementation manner, when the first node receives the first piece of information (such as the NAS information of the first terminal device) from the first access network device, it can effectively and accurately determine how to process the first piece of information based on the communication mode of the first access network device, such as whether to forward the first piece of information to the corresponding network element in the first core network or directly analyze and process the first piece of information.

[0018] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first node sends some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device according to the number of the at least one response message and the first threshold, and the at least one response message includes the response message corresponding to the second message and / or the response message corresponding to the third message. Through this implementation manner, the first node can uniformly send the response messages of the first piece of information received from the network element of the first core network to the first access network device, thereby reducing the transmission overhead.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the first node sends some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device according to the number of the at least one response message and a first threshold, including: when the number of the at least one response message is equal to the first threshold, the first node sends some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device.

[0020] In the embodiments of the present application, the first node may determine which of the at least one first message has a response message and which does not have a response message according to the received at least one first message, and count the number of the first messages with response messages, and use the value of the counted number as the first threshold. In this way, after the first node processes and / or distributes these first messages, for how to feedback to the first access network device, the first node may count the number of the received response messages while receiving the corresponding response messages, and when the number of the received response messages reaches or is equal to the first threshold, the received response messages may be uniformly returned to the first access network device to avoid large overhead caused by multiple transmissions.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node receives the at least one response message and determines the number of the at least one response message. Through this implementation, the first node may receive the response messages corresponding to the at least one first message and implement the counting of the number.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node processes the first message corresponding to itself; the first node may include one or more of a registration management function, a connection management function, and a mobility management function. Through this implementation, when the first node includes the functions of a mobility and management function AMF network element, if the first node determines that there is a first message corresponding to itself in the at least one first message, then the first node may process its own first message and forward the first messages corresponding to other network elements.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node receives a second message from a second access network device; the first node processes the second message; the communication mode of the second access network device is a second communication mode. Through this implementation, when the first node includes the functions of a mobility and management function AMF network element, after the first node receives the second message from the second access network device with the same communication mode as the first core network, it directly processes it. It can be seen that in this scenario, the first node does not act as an intermediate transmission node, and the second access network device communicates with the network element of the first core network element and the first node respectively.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: a first node receives second indication information from a second access network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the communication mode of the second access network device. Through this implementation, when the first node receives the second information from the second access network device, it can effectively and accurately determine how to process the information based on the communication mode of the second access network device. For example, if the first node determines that the communication mode of the second access network device is the second communication mode, it directly parses and processes the second information from the second access network device.

[0025] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method. This method can be executed by a first access network device, or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first access network device, and there is no limitation in this regard. Taking the first access network device as an example, the method may include: the first access network device receives at least one first information from a first terminal device, and the at least one first information includes information between the first terminal device and a first core network. The communication mode of the first access network device is the first communication mode, the communication mode of the first core network is the second communication mode, and the first core network includes at least one first network element; the first access network device sends a first message to a first node, and the first message includes the at least one first information, and the first node is respectively connected to the at least one first network element.

[0026] In the present application, the first node may be referred to as a proxy node or other names. The first node can be regarded as a logical node, which can be used to connect access network devices and core networks with different communication modes (such as 5G access network devices (taking 5G base stations as an example) and 6G core networks) in series, so that access network devices and core networks with different communication modes can achieve interconnection and interoperability according to the current communication mechanism. In a possible implementation, the first node can be implemented by one or more possible physical nodes. The first node can be deployed in an access network device (such as 5G access network devices (taking 5G base stations as an example), 6G base stations, etc.) or a core network (such as 5G core networks, 6G core networks, etc.), or the first node can be a newly defined network element in the core network, or the first node can be a separately deployed node or device or equipment, etc. The present application does not make specific limitations on the form, deployment location, quantity, etc. of the first node. And the first node can provide services for connecting one or more access network devices to the core network, and the first node can also provide connection services for multiple access network devices and multiple core networks, and there is no limitation in this regard.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node may provide connectivity services for at least one access network device (such as a first access network device, a second access network device) and a first core network. Therefore, the first node can communicate with at least one access network device (such as a first access network device, a second access network device) respectively, and can also communicate with at least one first network element in the first core network respectively. The at least one first network element may be some network elements in the first core network or all network elements in the first core network, and there is no limitation thereto.

[0028] The ways for the first node to communicate with at least one access network device respectively may include establishing an interface or a link or a path, etc. The ways for the first node to communicate with at least one first network element respectively may also include establishing an interface or a link or a path, etc. In a possible implementation, the first node may establish a one-to-one corresponding interface with at least one access network device (such as a first access network device, a second access network device) respectively, and the first node may also establish a one-to-one corresponding interface with the at least one first network element respectively to implement subsequent information and / or message interaction.

[0029] In the solution of the present application, when the communication systems of the access network device and the core network are different, the access network device may transmit the information between the terminal device and the core network device to at least one network element in the core network through the first node. In this way, without making major modifications to the access network device, the access network device can effectively provide services for the managed terminal devices to access the core network.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first access network device sends first indication information to the first node, and the first indication information is used to indicate the communication system of the first access network device. Exemplarily, the first indication information is used to indicate that the communication system of the first access network device is a first communication system.

[0031] Through this implementation manner, the first access network device indicates its own communication system to the first node, so that when the first node receives the first information (such as the NAS information of the first terminal device) from the first access network device, it can effectively identify or determine how to process the first information, such as whether to forward the first information to the corresponding network element in the first core network or directly analyze and process the first information.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: a first access network device sending third indication information to a first terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the first access network device supports communication with a first core network. Through this implementation, the first access network device indicates to the managed terminal device (such as the first terminal device) that the first access network device supports communication with the first core network, so that the managed terminal device (such as the first terminal device) can confirm that it can transmit information to the first core network through the first access network device, and then send the information to the first core network to the first access network device.

[0033] The embodiments of the present application further provide another communication method. This method can be implemented in combination with the above-mentioned communication methods (including the first aspect, the second aspect, and the possible implementations in each aspect), or can be implemented alone, and there is no limitation in this regard. The content of this method can be referred to the following third aspect to the fifth aspect:

[0034] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method. This method can be executed by a first node, or can be executed by a chip or a chip system corresponding to the first node, and there is no limitation in this regard. Taking the first node as an example, the method may include: the first node receiving request information for a first service; the first node sending a first message to a first access network device, where the first message includes information about a first session and / or information about a first quality of service flow, and the information about the first session and the information about the first quality of service flow are respectively associated with the first service. Among them, the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode.

[0035] In this embodiment, the content of the first node is the same as that of the first node introduced in the above first aspect, and the detailed introduction in the above first aspect can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0036] Exemplarily, the first service may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a sensing service, an artificial intelligence service, and a positioning service. The first service is associated with a functional network element of the first core network, and the communication mode of the functional network element of the first core network is a second communication mode.

[0037] In the solution of this application, after receiving the request information of the first service, the first node may provide the information of the first session associated with the first service and / or the information of the first quality of service (QoS) flow to the first access network device. In this way, the first access network device may establish effective communication for the data of the first service based on the information of the first session associated with the first service and / or the information of the first QoS flow and with reference to the current communication establishment process. It can be seen that in this method, for various services in the first core network, the first node may provide communication information (such as session information and / or QoS flow information) that the first access network device can recognize or use to ensure that subsequent terminal devices can communicate with new functional network elements in the first core network through the first access network device. Moreover, this method does not require modification of the first access network device, reducing cost overhead.

[0038] In a possible implementation manner, the first node receiving the request information of the first service may include: the first node receiving the request information of the first service from a first core network functional network element, where the first core network functional network element is associated with the first service and the communication system of the first core network functional network element is a second communication system. In a possible implementation, the request information of the first service includes the QoS requirement information of the first service, and the first node may obtain the information of the first session of the first service and / or the information of the first QoS flow according to the QoS requirement information of the first service.

[0039] Through this implementation manner, it can be known that the first node may directly communicate with the first core network functional network element, effectively obtain the request information corresponding to the first service, and then process and obtain the corresponding communication information (such as session information and / or QoS flow information) to be provided to the first access network device for implementation.

[0040] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first node receiving a response message for the establishment of the first session; the response message for the establishment of the first session includes the second endpoint information of the first session. Optionally, based on this implementation manner, the above first message may be a request message for the establishment of the first session.

[0041] Through this implementation manner, the first node may effectively provide the information of the first session associated with the first service and / or the information of the first QoS flow to the first access network device through the process of establishing the first session with the first access network device, and further reduce the overhead of additional transmission.

[0042] In a possible implementation manner, the information of the first QoS flow includes the QoS information of the first QoS flow. Through this implementation manner, the transmission quality of the first service data or the QoS of the first service can be guaranteed.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: a first node sending first information to a terminal device through a first access network device; the first information may be used to indicate the correspondence between a first service and first communication information, and the first communication information may include information of a first session and / or information of a first quality of service flow. Through this implementation, the terminal device can be made to know that the first communication information (such as information of the first session and / or information of the first quality of service flow) is related to the first service, so that subsequent data of the terminal device for the first service can be transmitted through a corresponding data radio bearer according to the first communication information (such as information of the first session and / or information of the first quality of service flow) of the first service.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. This method may be executed by a first access network device, or may be executed by a chip or a chip system corresponding to the first access network device, and is not limited thereto. Taking the first access network device as an example, the method may include: the first access network device receiving a first message and first information from a first node; the first message includes information of a first session and / or information of a first quality of service flow, and the information of the first session and the information of the first quality of service flow are respectively associated with a first service; the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the first communication information includes the information of the first session and / or the information of the first quality of service flow; the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode; the first access network device sending the first information to the terminal device.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present application, the first service is associated with a first core network functional network element, and the communication mode of the first core network functional network element is a second communication mode. Exemplarily, the first service may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a sensing service, an artificial intelligence service, and a positioning service.

[0046] In the solution of the present application, the first access network device may obtain information of a first session and / or information of a first quality of service flow of a first service (including the service of the first core network functional network element) through the first node, and then inform the terminal device of the correspondence between the first service and the information of the first session and / or the information of the first quality of service flow, so that the terminal device can subsequently use this correspondence to transmit first service data.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a response message for the establishment of the first session; the response message for the establishment of the first session includes second endpoint information of the first session. Optionally, based on this implementation, the above first message may be a request message for the establishment of the first session.

[0048] Through this embodiment, the first node can effectively provide the information of the first session associated with the first service and / or the information of the first quality of service flow to the first access network device through the process of establishing the first session with the first access network device, thereby reducing the overhead of additional transmission.

[0049] In a possible embodiment, the information of the first quality of service flow includes the quality of service information of the first quality of service flow. Through this embodiment, the transmission quality of the first service data or the quality of service of the first service can be guaranteed.

[0050] In a possible embodiment, the method further includes: the first access network device sends the configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service to the terminal device, and the configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service is obtained based on the information of the first session and / or the information of the first quality of service flow. Through this embodiment, the terminal device can effectively transmit the first service data with the first access network device.

[0051] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. This method can be executed by a terminal device, or can be executed by a chip or a chip system corresponding to the terminal device, and there is no limitation thereto. Taking the terminal device as an example, the method may include: the terminal device receives the first information from the first access network device; the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the first communication information includes the information of the first session and / or the information of the first quality of service flow; the communication system of the first access network device is the first communication system; the terminal device sends the data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information.

[0052] In the embodiment of the present application, the first service is associated with the first core network functional network element, and the communication system of the first core network functional network element is the second communication system. Exemplarily, the first service may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a sensing service, an artificial intelligence service, and a positioning service.

[0053] In a possible embodiment, the terminal device sends the data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, including: sending the data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service.

[0054] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. This device can be used to execute the method of the first aspect or the third aspect. This device can be the first node, or this device can be a component in the first node (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit), or can be a device that can be used in combination with the first node.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the device may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect or the third aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software. In a possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module). Among them, the communication unit may be used to perform the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0056] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. The device may be used to perform the method of the second aspect or the fourth aspect. The device may be a first access network device, or a component in the first access network device (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit), or may be a device that can be used in combination with the first access network device.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the device may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect or the fourth aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software. In a possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module). Among them, the communication unit may be used to perform the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect.

[0058] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. The device may be used to perform the method of the fifth aspect. The device may be a terminal device, or a component in the terminal device (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit), or may be a device that can be used in combination with the terminal device.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the device may include modules or units corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the fifth aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software. In a possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module). Among them, the communication unit may be used to perform the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit may be used to execute the method described in the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner in the fifth aspect.

[0060] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device, which includes: at least one processor and a communication interface; among them, the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices; the processor is used to run a set of programs so that the device can implement the method provided in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided in the above second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided in the above third aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided in the above fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided in the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer storage medium, in which a software program is stored. When the software program is read and executed by one or more processors, it can implement the method provided in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or implement the method provided in the above second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or implement the method provided in the above third aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or implement the method provided in the above fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or implement the method provided in the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0062] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product containing instructions. When it runs on a computer, it causes the method provided in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed, or causes the method provided in the above second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed, or causes the method provided in the above third aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed, or causes the method provided in the above fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed, or causes the method provided in the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof to be executed.

[0063] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, including a first node capable of implementing the method provided in the first aspect or the third aspect above, and a first access network device capable of implementing the method provided in the second aspect or the fourth aspect above. In a possible design, the communication system may further include a terminal device capable of implementing the method provided in the fifth aspect above.

[0064] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting the first node to implement the functions involved in the first aspect or the third aspect above; or for supporting the first access network device to implement the functions involved in the second aspect or the fourth aspect above; or for supporting the terminal device to implement the functions involved in the fifth aspect above.

[0065] In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing the necessary program instructions and data executed by the loading device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0066] It should be noted that the technical effects that can be achieved by the above sixth aspect to the thirteenth aspect or any possible implementation manner among the sixth aspect to the thirteenth aspect can be correspondingly referred to the technical effects that can be achieved by the first aspect to the fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner among the first aspect to the fifth aspect for description; details are not repeated here. Description of the Drawings

[0067] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of 5G system NAS signaling;

[0068] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of quality of service (QoS) in a 5G system;

[0069] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a return problem caused by local deployment of the LMF;

[0070] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a communication system to which the method described in the embodiment of the present application can be applied;

[0071] Figure 5A It is a schematic diagram of the process flow of a communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 5B It is a schematic diagram of another communication method process flow provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the process flow of the method provided in Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0074] Figure 7Schematic diagram of the method flow provided by the second embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the method flow provided by the third embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of a communication method flow provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of another communication device structure provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the device structure of a chip provided by an embodiment of the present application. Specific implementation manners

[0079] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present application. As used in the specification and the appended claims of the present application, the singular forms "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the foregoing", "the said" are intended to include, for example, the expression "one or more" as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "one or more" means one, two or more than two; "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0080] Referring to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" described in this specification means that specific features, structures or characteristics described in one or more embodiments of the present application are included. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variants used in the present application all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. Words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferable or having more advantages than other embodiments or designs. Using words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a specific way for easy understanding. In addition, in the drawings of the embodiments of the present application, the steps in the dotted line or the dotted box are optional steps.

[0081] The "multiple" involved in the embodiments of the present application means greater than or equal to two. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first", "second", or words such as "1", "2" (except for special cases where they are used to represent numerical values) are only used for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying an order. In addition, the term "used to indicate" mentioned in the description of the embodiments of the present application may include direct indication and indirect indication. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it may include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and it does not mean that A must be carried in the indication information.

[0082] To better understand the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, the related technologies, terms, and concepts involved in the embodiments of the present application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of the present application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the protection scope required by the present application.

[0083] I. Architecture of 5G System NAS Signaling:

[0084] In the current 5G system, a terminal can communicate with the core network through a radio access network (RAN) node. In addition to transmitting service data, this communication also involves signaling interaction between the terminal and each network element in the core network, and the signaling between the terminal and the core network is called non-access-stratum (NAS) signaling. As Figure 1 shown, the core network includes many network elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF), the policy control function (PCF), the session management function (SMF), and some network elements related to new services, such as the location management function (LMF) for location services, the sensing function network element for sensing services, and the function network element related to artificial intelligence (AI) services; from the perspective of the terminal, the terminal needs to communicate with each network element in the core network through the RAN node. However, the RAN node itself communicates with each network element in the core network through the AMF as a relay.

[0085] Generally, the NAS signaling of the terminal is transmitted between the terminal and the RAN node through radio resource control (RRC) messages. Taking the uplink NAS signaling as an example, the uplink NAS signaling of the terminal will be carried as a container in the RRC message sent by the terminal to the RAN node. After receiving the RRC message, the RAN node can know that the container carried therein is the NAS message of the terminal. Then, the RAN node sends the NAS message to the AMF. The AMF decrypts and determines which core network element the NAS message belongs to, and then the AMF sends the NAS message to the corresponding core network element through the bus of the core network.

[0086] II. 5G System Quality of Service (QoS) Architecture:

[0087] In the 5G system, a protocol data unit (PDU) session is established between the terminal and the core network element UPF. The PDU session can include one or more quality of service (QoS) flows. The base station will establish a data radio bearer (DRB) between the terminal and the base station for the QoS flow. From the perspective of the base station, taking the following behavior as an example, the base station receives a request for establishing a PDU session from the core network. The request message includes the QoS flow information in the PDU session. The QoS flow information can include the QoS flow identifier and the QoS parameters corresponding to the QoS flow. The base station establishes a DRB between the base station and the terminal for the PDU session. Among them, there is a corresponding relationship between the QoS flow and the DRB. Generally, as Figure 2 shown, in a PDU session, one or more QoS flows can be mapped to one DRB, and different QoS flows can also be mapped to different DRBs.

[0088] The following makes corresponding introductions to the quality of service (QoS), data radio bearer (DRB) (also called radio bearer), and QoS flow involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0089] (1) Quality of Service (QoS): The wireless network provides QoS to offer different service qualities for different services. QoS management is a control mechanism for the wireless network to meet the quality requirements of different services. It is an end-to-end process that requires the cooperation of all network nodes (UE <-> base station <-> core network) experienced by the service from the initiator to the responder to ensure the service quality. The air interface QoS management feature provides different end-to-end service qualities for the different requirements of various services and users.

[0090] In the embodiments of the present application, Quality of Service (QoS) can also be referred to as service quality of business. Since the factors affecting network quality include bandwidth, latency, jitter, packet loss rate, etc., these factors affecting network service quality are also the measurement metrics of QoS.

[0091] (2) Data Radio Bearer (DRB): Data Radio Bearer DRB represents the data radio bearer for packet processing in the radio interface (Uu). DRB is responsible for providing the same packet forwarding processing for (user) packets. In the wireless network, gNB maps DRB and QoS flow. QoS management allows different users and different services to compete unequally for limited network resources by establishing various service data on appropriate Data Radio Bearers DRB, thus guaranteeing the service experience of users.

[0092] (3) Quality of Service Flow (QoS flow): 5G NR cancels the end-to-end Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer of 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), and replaces it with an end-to-end QoS flow. The most important difference between QoS flow and EPS bearer is that QoS flow does not require end-to-end signaling, that is, it can be dynamically created. QoS flow is divided into two segments: the DRB bearer on the radio air interface side and the QoS flow on the core network side. QoS flow and DRB bearer can be dynamically mapped through the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). This dynamic mapping improves the efficiency of QoS flow creation and can avoid the inefficiency that LTE needs end-to-end signaling to create.

[0093] III. Communication systems involved in the embodiments of the present application:

[0094] With the continuous development of mobile communication technologies and network specifications, the currently defined communication systems include 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc. Generally, the newer the technology developed, the higher the level or priority. And the network security of the high-priority / high-level system is stronger than that of the low-priority / low-level system. When the terminal device has the access capabilities of high-level and low-level systems, if there are high-level and low-level networks / cells / signals in the space where the terminal device is located, the terminal device will preferentially attempt to access the high-level system.

[0095] In the embodiments of the present application, high-level radio access technologies (which can also be referred to as high radio access technologies, or high-priority radio access technologies) and low-level radio access technologies (which can also be referred to as low radio access technologies, or low-priority radio access technologies) can be divided according to the priority of radio access technologies. The higher the priority, the higher the level. High-level radio access technologies and low-level radio access technologies can refer to two different currently defined radio access technologies. For example, the high-level radio access technology is the 4G / 5G radio access technology, and the low-level radio access technology is the 2G / 3G radio access technology. They can also refer to two radio access technologies with different priorities under the same currently defined radio access technology. For example, for the 4G radio access technology, there are more granular 4G radio access technology 1 and 4G radio access technology 2. If the priority of 4G radio access technology 2 is higher than that of 4G radio access technology 1, then 4G radio access technology 2 is the high-level radio access technology, and 4G radio access technology 1 is the low-level radio access technology.

[0096] In the embodiments of the present application, it is not fixed to use the current 4G / 5G as the high-level radio access technology, nor is it fixed to use the current 2G / 3G as the low-level radio access technology. It can be flexibly set according to the priority. For example, usually, 4G / 5G is the high-level radio access technology, and 2G / 3G is the low-level radio access technology. However, in a scenario with only 4G and 5G, then 5G is the high-level radio access technology, and 4G is the low-level radio access technology; in a scenario with only 2G and 3G, 3G is the high-level radio access technology, and 2G is the low-level radio access technology. In the embodiments of the present application, the priority of the radio access technology can be set by the network, or the terminal manufacturer, or the user himself.

[0097] In addition, when the terminal accesses networks of different radio access technologies, the radio access technologies of the access types used are also different. The access types of different radio access technologies involved in the embodiments of the present application can include not only the currently existing access types, but also the access types corresponding to future higher radio access technology networks (such as the access types corresponding to the sixth-generation 6G network / extended access types), etc. Exemplarily, high-priority access types and low-priority access types are defined above. Similarly to the above communication network radio access technologies, high-priority access types can correspond to high-priority radio access technology communication networks, and low-priority access types can correspond to low-priority radio access technology communication networks.

[0098] Through the above introduction of the architecture of the 5G system NAS signaling, it can be seen that the NAS messages of the terminal need to be forwarded by the AMF. With the online deployment of some services (such as sensing services, AI services, positioning services, etc.), if there are some functional network elements of services that can be deployed locally, but since the NAS message transmission between the terminal and the service functional network elements always has to pass through the AMF, there will be a problem of signaling loopback. Figure 3 Fig. shows a schematic diagram of the loopback problem caused by the local deployment of the LMF. If the AMF is deployed locally, it will lead to the need for distributed AMF deployment, resulting in great complexity of the system. Due to the aforementioned problems, the local deployment of the functional network elements cannot be truly achieved.

[0099] In view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can enable access network equipment to access an evolved core network (the evolved core network includes business function network elements that can be locally deployed), thereby meeting the needs of localization of functional network element services.

[0100] The access network device provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems (or networks), such as: the fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) or new radio (new radio, NR) system, long term evolution LTE system, LTE frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD) system, wireless local area network (wireless local area network, WLAN) system, satellite communication system, future communication system, such as the sixth generation (6th generation, 6G) mobile communication system, or the fusion system of the above-mentioned multiple communication systems, etc. The technical solution provided in the present application can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and Internet of things (IoT) communication system or other communication systems.

[0101] Figure 4 A possible, non-limiting communication system architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is shown. Figure 4 As shown, the communication system 4000 includes a radio access network RAN 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 4000 may also include the Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one access network device (such as Figure 4 110a and 110b in, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (such as Figure 4 RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment ( Figure 4 The terminal device 120 is connected to the access network device in a wireless manner. The access network device is connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device and the access network device in the core network 200 can be different physical devices, or can be the same physical device that integrates the core network logical function and the wireless access network logical function.

[0102] RAN 100 can be a 3GPP-related cellular system, for example, a 4G or 5G mobile communication system, or an evolved system after 5G (such as a 6G mobile communication system). RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0103] It can be understood that Figure 4 only one possible communication system architecture to which the embodiments of the present application can be applied is shown. In other possible scenarios, other devices may also be included in the communication system architecture.

[0104] The access network device is a node in a radio access network (RAN), and can also be called an access network device or a RAN node (or device). The access network device is used to help the terminal device achieve wireless access. The multiple access network devices in the communication system 4000 can be of the same type of node or different types of nodes. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network device and the terminal device 120 are relative. For example, Figure 4 the network element 120i in the middle can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For the terminal devices 120j that access the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal device. The access network device and the terminal device 120 are sometimes both called communication devices. For example, Figure 4 the network elements 110a and 110b in the middle can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and the network elements 120a - 120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0105] In a possible scenario, the access network device can be a base station, evolved NodeB (eNodeB), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), next generation NodeB (gNB), next generation base station in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, base station in a future mobile communication system, satellite, or access point (AP) in a WiFi system, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, 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 satellite, etc. The access network device can be a macro base station (such as Figure 4 110a in Figure 4 ), micro base station or indoor station (such as 110b in

[0106] ), relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. The access network device 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 access network device can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices cooperate to assist a terminal device in achieving wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement some functions of a base station. For example, the access network device may be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU may be separately provided, or may also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio 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 access network device may be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU may be classified as an access network device in the radio access network (RAN), or the CU may be classified as an access network device in the core network (CN), which is not limited herein.

[0107] It should be noted that in different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), or the DU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, the CU may also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU may also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP may also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP may also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are used as examples in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0108] In the embodiments of this application, the form of the access network device is not limited. The device for implementing the functions of the access network device may be the access network device; or it may be a device capable of supporting the access network device to implement this function, such as a chip system. This device may be installed in the access network device or used in matching with the access network device.

[0109] The terminal device 120 can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., or a device used to provide voice or data connectivity to users, and can also be an Internet of Things device. For example, the terminal device includes handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, etc. with wireless connection functions. Currently, the terminal device can be: a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, etc.), an in-vehicle device (such as a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed train, etc.), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (such as a refrigerator, a TV, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.), a smart robot, a robotic arm, a workshop device, a wireless terminal in driverless, a wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, a flight device (such as a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions. For example, the terminal device can also be a device that serves as a terminal function in D2D communication.

[0110] The access network device and the terminal device can be fixed in position or movable. The access network device and the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or in-vehicle; they can also be deployed on the water surface; they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. In addition, the access network device and the terminal device, the access network device and the access network device, and the terminal device and the terminal device can communicate through authorized spectrum, can also communicate through unlicensed spectrum, or can also communicate through both authorized spectrum and unlicensed spectrum at the same time; they can communicate through spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), can also communicate through spectrum above 6 GHz, or can also use both spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz at the same time. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0111] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the access network device may also be executed by a module (such as a chip) in the access network device, or may be executed by a control subsystem including the functions of the access network device. The control subsystem including the functions of the access network device here may be a control center in the above application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal device may also be executed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal device, or may be executed by a device including the functions of the terminal device.

[0112] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "system" may be mutually replaced with "network", "network element" may be mutually replaced with "functional network element", or "network element" includes "functional network element". The system architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art know 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.

[0113] In the present application, the names of the messages in the following various processes are only examples. With the evolution of communication technologies, the names of the information or messages and the network elements of the core network in the following various processes may change. However, no matter how their names change, as long as their meanings include the information or messages or the functions or meanings of the network elements of the core network in the present application, they all fall within the protection scope of the present application. For example, the first information between the first terminal device and the first core network element in the present application may also be replaced with an NAS message or NAS signaling, etc. The functional network elements such as AMF, PCF, and SMF in the first core network (such as a 6G core network) may be replaced with other names, or correspondingly replaced with other network elements.

[0114] The following introduces the technical solutions of the present application in combination with specific embodiments.

[0115] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is applicable to but not limited to Figure 4The communication system shown, and can be applied to, but not limited to, a single-mode communication scenario or a multi-mode integrated communication scenario. This method can be executed by a first terminal device, a first access network device, and a first node; or this method can be executed by components (modules, chips, etc.) corresponding to the first terminal device, the first access network device, and the first node; or this method can be executed by a device that is used in correspondence with the first terminal device, the first access network device, and the first node; it can be understood that this application does not make specific limitations on the specific structure of the execution entity of the method provided in the embodiments of this application and the number of each execution entity, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. In the following text, the interaction between the first terminal device, the first access network device, and the first node is used as an example for illustration. The order of the steps in the following processes is only an example. In actual applications, the order of execution of the steps in each process can be adjusted; and for the steps in the method shown below, all steps can be executed, or only some steps can be executed, and there is no limitation on this. Figure 5A For the method shown, there is no limitation.

[0116] Please refer to Figure 5A As shown, this method may include the following steps:

[0117] S501A: The first terminal device sends at least one first piece of information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the at least one first piece of information.

[0118] In a possible implementation, the first access network device can implement communication functions through a second node and processing functions through a third node. In S501A, the first terminal device sends the at least one first piece of information to the second node, and then the second node sends the at least one first piece of information to the third node.

[0119] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned second node is a DU, and the third node is a CU. In the ORAN architecture, the above-mentioned second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU, and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0120] In the embodiments of this application, there is no limitation on the specific form of the second node and the third node. The functions corresponding to the second node and / or the third node can be implemented through software modules, or hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules. In addition, the second node and / or the third node can be built-in or integrated in the first access network device, or can be deployed outside the first access network device, and there is no specific limitation on this. Moreover, the second node and the third node can be the same device or network element, or can be separate and independent devices or network elements, and there is no limitation on this.

[0121] In an embodiment of the present application, at least one first piece of information sent by the first terminal device to the first access network device includes information exchanged between the first terminal device and the first core network, such as non-access stratum (NAS) information. The communication mode of the first access network device may be a first communication mode, and the communication mode of the first core network may be a second communication mode. The first core network includes at least one first network element. In a possible implementation, the at least one first network element is respectively connected to the first node. Exemplarily, the at least one first network element respectively has a one-to-one corresponding communication interface, communication path, communication link, etc. with the first node.

[0122] In an embodiment of the present application, the first communication mode and the second communication mode may be different communication modes. In a possible implementation, the first communication mode may be or include a lower-level communication mode, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G communication modes. The second communication mode may be or include a higher-level communication mode (such as 5G communication mode) and future communication modes, such as 6G, 7G communication modes. In another possible implementation, contrary to the foregoing implementation, the first communication mode may be or include a higher-level communication mode, and the second communication mode may be or include a higher-level communication mode (such as 5G) and future communication modes, such as 6G, 7G communication modes. In still another possible implementation, the first communication mode may belong to the same communication mode as the second communication mode or be the same communication mode. In this case, the priorities or levels of the first communication mode and the second communication mode may be different. The present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0123] Exemplarily, the first access network device is a 5G access network device, such as a 5G base station. The first core network is a 6G core network. The first core network may include some or all of the functional network elements in the 5G core network, such as the AMF network element, SMF network element, PCF network element, etc. The first core network may also include other functional network elements, such as a sensing functional network element, an AI functional network element, a positioning functional network element.

[0124] In a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: the first terminal device receives third indication information sent by the first access network device, and the third indication information may be used to indicate that the first access network device supports communication with the network elements of the first core network. Optionally, this implementation manner may be executed before the first terminal device sends the at least one first piece of information to the first access network device.

[0125] S502A: The first access network device sends a first message to the first node, and the first message includes the at least one first piece of information. Correspondingly, the first node receives the first message.

[0126] In a possible implementation, the first access network device can implement communication functions through a second node and processing functions through a third node. In S502A, the third node sends a first message (the first message includes at least one first piece of information) to the first node.

[0127] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned second node is a DU, and the third node is a CU. In the ORAN architecture, the above-mentioned second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU, and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0128] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific forms of the second node and the third node are not limited, and the deployment of the second node and the third node can refer to the introduction in the above S501A, which will not be elaborated here.

[0129] In the present application, the first node can be called a proxy node or other names. The first node can be regarded as a logical node, which can be used to connect access network devices and core networks of different communication systems (such as 5G access network devices and 6G core networks) in series, so that access network devices and core networks of different communication systems can achieve interconnection and interoperability according to the current communication mechanism. In a possible implementation, the first node can be implemented by one or more possible physical nodes. The first node can be deployed in an access network device (such as a 5G access network device, a 6G access network device, etc.) or a core network (such as a 5G core network, a 6G core network, etc.), or the first node can be a new network element defined in the core network, or the first node can be a separately deployed node or device or equipment, etc. The present application does not make specific limitations on the form, deployment location, quantity, etc. of the first node. And the first node can provide services for connecting one or more access network devices to the core network, and the first node can also provide connection services for multiple access network devices and multiple core networks, which is not limited thereto.

[0130] In a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: the first access network device sends first indication information to the first node, and the first indication information can be used to indicate the communication system of the first access network device, that is, the first indication information indicates that the communication system of the first access network device is a first communication system, such as 2G, or 3G, or 4G, or 5G communication system, etc. Correspondingly, the first node receives the first indication information.

[0131] In the embodiments of the present application, the first node can determine the communication system of the first access network device through the indication information from the first access network device, and the first node can also determine the communication system of the first access network device through other means, such as the first node determines the communication system of the first access network device according to the type of the first message from the first access network device or according to the interface information of the communication with the first access network device, which is not limited thereto.

[0132] In an embodiment of the present application, the first message sent by the first access network device to the first node includes the at least one first piece of information. It can be understood that the at least one first piece of information can be carried in the same message (referred to as the first message), or it can be understood that the at least one first piece of information are independent pieces of information respectively sent by the first access network device to the first node synchronously or asynchronously, and there is no limitation thereto. In addition, the at least one first piece of information in the first message may be information with the same content or information with different content, and there is no limitation thereto. Here, the first information is a generic term for information.

[0133] S503A: The first node sends a second message to the second network element; the second message includes some or all of the at least one first piece of information. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the second message.

[0134] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network element belongs to the network elements among the at least one first network element. Exemplarily, the first node may send the second message to the second network element through the interface between the first node and the second network element.

[0135] In a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: the first node sends a third message to the third network element; the third message includes some or all of the at least one first piece of information, and the third network element belongs to the at least one first network element. Exemplarily, the first node may send the second message to the third network element through the interface between the first node and the third network element.

[0136] In an embodiment of the present application, the third network element is the same as the above-mentioned second network element, and details are not described herein again. In addition, the transmission protocols based on the interfaces between the first node and the third network element and between the first node and the second network element may be the same or different, and there is no limitation thereto.

[0137] In addition, the second network element and / or the third network element may refer to one or more network elements among the at least one first network element. If the second network element and the third network element are respectively one network element among the at least one first network element, then the first node selects the first information corresponding to the second network element and the first information corresponding to the third network element from the at least one first piece of information, and then carries the first information corresponding to the second network element in the second message or sends it to the second network element independently, and carries the first information corresponding to the third network element in the third message or sends it to the third network element independently. If the second network element and the third network element are respectively multiple network elements among the at least one first network element, then the first node selects the first information (multiple) corresponding to the multiple second network elements and the first information (multiple) corresponding to the multiple third network elements from the at least one first piece of information; the first node may further determine the first information corresponding to each second network element and the first information corresponding to each third network element, and then execute the transmission process.

[0138] In a possible implementation manner, based on the above implementation, the method may further include: the first node determines or identifies, from the at least one first network element, the network element corresponding to each of the at least one first piece of information.

[0139] Exemplarily, the first network elements in the first core network are the AMF, PCF, and SMF network elements. The first message received by the first node includes NAS information 1 and NAS information 2 (i.e., examples of the information between the first terminal device and the first core network). The first node determines that NAS information 1 is for the PCF network element and NAS information 2 is for the SMF network element. Then, the first node may send NAS information 1 to the PCF network element (an example of the first network element), and the first node sends NAS information 2 to the SMF network element (an example of the second network element).

[0140] In the embodiments of the present application, taking the second network element and the third network element as examples of the receiving-end network elements, in practical applications, the first node may also determine other network elements (such as the fourth network element, and the fourth network element also belongs to the at least one first network element) according to the at least one first piece of information. The first node may execute the transmission process with reference to the implementation manners of the second network element or the third network element. Details are not described one by one here.

[0141] In a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: the first node sends, to the first access network device, some or all of the at least one response message according to the quantity of the at least one response message and a first threshold, where the at least one response message includes the response message corresponding to the second message and / or the response message corresponding to the third message.

[0142] Exemplarily, the first node sending, to the first access network device, some or all of the at least one response message according to the quantity of the at least one response message and a first threshold may include: when the quantity of the at least one response message is equal to the first threshold, sending some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device.

[0143] In a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: the first node receives the at least one response message and determines the quantity of the at least one response message. Optionally, this implementation manner may be executed before the first node sends, to the first access network device, some or all of the at least one response message according to the quantity of the at least one response message and a first threshold.

[0144] Exemplarily, if at least one first piece of information in the first message received by the first node is information between the first terminal device and the first core network, then the first node can determine or identify which first pieces of information among the at least one first piece of information will have corresponding response information and which first pieces of information will not have corresponding response information. The specific identification method can be implemented through existing technologies. At the same time, the first node counts the number of first pieces of information with corresponding response information and uses the value of this number as the first threshold. In this way, after the first node sends the at least one first piece of information to the corresponding network element in the first core network respectively, the first node will successively receive the response information fed back by each network element in the first core network element; when the first node counts that the number of received response information reaches or is equal to the first threshold, the first node can send the received response information to the first access network device.

[0145] In a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: the first node processes the first information corresponding to itself; for this implementation manner, the first node may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a registration management function, a connection management function, and a mobility management function.

[0146] Exemplarily, the first node is the AMF network element in the first core network element. If the first node determines the first information corresponding to itself from at least one first piece of information in the first message, then the first node processes the first information corresponding to itself, and forwards the other first pieces of information in the first message.

[0147] In a possible implementation manner, based on the situation that the first node may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a registration management function, a connection management function, and a mobility management function as described above, the method may further include: the first node receives second information from the second access network device; the first node processes the second information; the communication system of the second access network device is the second communication system.

[0148] Exemplarily, the first node may receive the second information sent by the second access network device through the interface between the first node and the second access network device.

[0149] In a possible implementation manner, the second access network device may implement the communication function through the fourth node and the processing function through the fifth node. The fifth node sends the second information to the first node. Correspondingly, the first node receives the second information from the fifth node.

[0150] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned fourth node is the DU, and the fifth node is the CU. In the ORAN architecture, the above-mentioned fourth node is the O-DU and / or O-RU, and the fifth node is the O-CU and / or O-DU.

[0151] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific forms of the fourth node and the fifth node are not limited. The functions corresponding to the fourth node and / or the fifth node can be implemented by a software module, or a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. In addition, the fourth node and / or the fifth node can be built-in or integrated in the second access network device, or can be deployed outside the second access network device, and no specific limitation is made thereto. Moreover, the fourth node and the fifth node can be the same device or network element, or can be separate and independent devices or network elements, and no limitation is made thereto.

[0152] In the embodiments of the present application, the second information can be information exchanged between a terminal device (such as a second terminal device) managed by the second access network device and the first core network. In the case where the communication system of the second access network device is the same as that of the first core network, for example, the first core network and the second access network device are of the 6G communication system, after the first node receives the second information sent by the second access network device, it can be defaulted that the information is transmitted to itself by the second terminal device, and then can be directly processed.

[0153] In a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: the first node receives second indication information sent by the second access network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate the communication system of the second access network device. Through this implementation manner, for the second information from the second access network device, the first node can determine the next step to be executed (such as directly processing the second information without forwarding) based on the communication system of the second access network device.

[0154] In the above, the first node can communicate with the first access network device, the second access network device, and at least one first network element through corresponding interfaces and the like. Moreover, the interfaces between the first node and the first access network device, the interfaces between the first node and the second access network device, and the interfaces between the first node and at least one first network element can all be pre-configured and established. The specific configuration and establishment methods / processes can be implemented with reference to the existing methods / processes for establishing interfaces, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0155] In summary, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this method, a first node receives a first message from a first access network device; the first message includes at least one first piece of information, and the at least one first piece of information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network. The first core network includes at least one first network element. The communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode, and the communication mode of the first core network is a second communication mode; the first node sends a second message to a second network element; the second message includes some or all of the at least one first piece of information, and the second network element belongs to the at least one first network element. Thus, it can be seen that in the case where the communication modes of the access network device and the core network are different, the access network device can communicate with the functional network elements of the core network through the first node. This method does not require major modifications to the access network device, and the access network device can effectively provide services for the managed terminal devices to access the core network of other communication modes (including evolved communication modes), and through this method, local deployment of the functional network elements in the core network can be achieved.

[0156] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication method, which is also applicable to but not limited to Figure 4 the communication system shown, and can be applicable to but not limited to a single-mode communication scenario or a multi-mode integrated communication scenario. In addition, this method can be combined with some or all of the above Figure 5A described solutions for implementation. This method can also be implemented independently, and there is no limitation in this regard. This method can be executed by a first node, a first access network device, and a terminal device; or this method can be executed by components (modules, chips, etc.) corresponding to the first node, the first access network device, and the terminal device; or this method can be executed by a device that is used in correspondence with the first node, the first access network device, and the terminal device; the present application does not make specific limitations on the specific structures of the foregoing execution entities and the number of each execution entity. It can be understood that the present application does not make specific limitations on the specific structures of the execution entities of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application and the number of each execution entity, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided by the embodiments of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application. In the following, the interaction between the first node, the first access network device, and the terminal device is used as an example for description. The order of the steps in the following various processes is only an example. In actual applications, the steps in each process can be adjusted in execution order; and for the steps in the Figure 5B method shown below, all steps can be executed, or some steps can be executed, and there is no limitation in this regard.

[0157] Please refer to Figure 5B shown, this method may include the following steps:

[0158] S501B: The first node receives request information for a first service.

[0159] In a possible implementation, the first node receives request information for a first service, which may include: the first node receives the request information for the first service from a first core network functional network element associated with the first service, and the communication mode of the first core network functional network element is a second communication mode. Optionally, the request information for the first service may include quality of service (QoS) requirement information for the first service.

[0160] Exemplarily, the first service may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a sensing service, an AI service, and a positioning service.

[0161] For example, if the first service is a sensing service, the first core network functional network element is a sensing functional network element that provides sensing services in a 6G core network.

[0162] In the method of this embodiment, the first node and the first access network device are both the same as the first node and the first access network device in the above Figure 5A The first node and the first access network device in the above method are the same, and reference may be made to the specific introduction of the first node and the first access network device above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0163] S502B: The first node sends a first message to the first access network device. The first message includes information about a first session and / or information about a first quality of service flow, and the information about the first session and the information about the first quality of service flow are respectively associated with the first service. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first message ( Figure 5B The first message in this solution is different from the Figure 5A function / meaning of the first message in the above solution).

[0164] In a possible implementation, the first access network device may implement its communication function through a second node and its processing function through a third node. In S502B, the first node sends the first message to the third node, and then the third node sends the first message to the second node.

[0165] Exemplarily, the above second node is a DU, and the third node is a CU. In an ORAN architecture, the above second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU, and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0166] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific forms of the second node and the third node are not limited. The functions corresponding to the second node and / or the third node may be implemented through software modules, or hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules. In addition, the second node and / or the third node may be built-in or integrated in the first access network device, or may be deployed outside the first access network device, which is not specifically limited. Moreover, the second node and the third node may be the same device or network element, or may be separate and independent devices or network elements, which is not limited.

[0167] In an embodiment of the present application, the communication mode of the first access network device is the first communication mode.

[0168] In a possible implementation, the first node may determine information of a first session corresponding to the first service and / or information of a first quality of service flow according to quality of service (QoS) requirement information of the first service.

[0169] S503B: The first node sends first information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first information.

[0170] In a possible implementation, the first access network device may implement communication functions through a second node and implement processing functions through a third node. In S503B, the first node sends the first information to the third node, and then the third node sends the first information to the second node. Subsequently (i.e., in the following S504B), the second node sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0171] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned second node is a DU, and the third node is a CU. In the ORAN architecture, the above-mentioned second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU, and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0172] In an embodiment of the present application, the specific forms of the second node and the third node are not limited, and the deployment of the second node and the third node may refer to the introduction in the above S502B, which will not be elaborated here.

[0173] In the above, the first information ( Figure 5B The first information in the above solution is different from Figure 5A the function / meaning of the first information in the above solution) may be used to indicate the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, where the first communication information may include information of the first session and / or information of the first quality of service flow.

[0174] Exemplarily, the information of the first session may include, but is not limited to, parameter information in existing PDU session information. Optionally, it may further include identification information of the first session. The information of the first quality of service flow may include, but is not limited to, quality of service information of the first quality of service flow. Optionally, it may further include identification information of the first quality of service flow.

[0175] In the embodiments of the present application, the first information can be sent by the first node to the first access network device alone, and the time sequence of the first node sending the first message and the first information is not limited. That is, the above S502B and S503B can be executed synchronously or asynchronously, and the execution sequence is not limited. In addition, the first information can also be carried in the first message and sent by the first node to the first access network device, that is, in the above S502B, the first message carries the first information.

[0176] In a possible implementation, the method may further include: the first node receives a response message for establishing a first session from the first access network device; the first session establishment response message includes second endpoint information of the first session. Optionally, in the scenario of this implementation (the scenario of establishing the first session), the first message sent by the first node to the first access network device may be a request message for establishing the first session.

[0177] S504B: The first access network device sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information.

[0178] In S503B and S504B, the first node passes the first information to the terminal device through the transparent transmission of the first access network device. That is, after receiving the first information from the first node, the first access network device does not perform any processing but directly forwards it to the terminal device.

[0179] In a possible implementation, the first access network device can implement the communication function through the second node and the processing function through the third node. Then in S504B, the second node sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0180] Exemplarily, the above second node is a DU, and the third node is a CU. In the ORAN architecture, the above second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU, and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0181] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific forms of the second node and the third node are not limited, and the deployment of the second node and the third node can refer to the introduction in the above S502B and will not be elaborated here.

[0182] S505B: The terminal device sends data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information.

[0183] In a possible implementation, the terminal device sending data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information may include: sending data of the first service to the first access network device based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information and the configuration information of the radio bearer of the data of the first service.

[0184] In an embodiment of the present application, the configuration information of the data radio bearer for the first service can be obtained by the first access network device according to the first session information and / or the first quality of service flow information of the first service, and then sent to the terminal device. The terminal device can also obtain the configuration information of the data radio bearer for the first service through other means, which is not limited herein.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the first access network device sends the configuration information of the data radio bearer for the first service to the terminal device, and the first information can be carried in the configuration information. In another possible implementation, the configuration information of the data radio bearer for the first service sent by the first access network device to the terminal device and the first information can be carried in the same message or different messages. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific manner in which the first access network device sends the configuration information of the data radio bearer for the first service and / or the first information to the terminal device.

[0186] Through the above steps, the terminal device can determine that the first communication information (the first session and / or the first quality of service flow) is used to serve the first service. Subsequently, the terminal device can establish a data radio bearer for the first service with the first access network device according to the configuration information of the data radio bearer for the first service. When the terminal device transmits the data of the first service to the network side (uplink transmission), it can send the data of the first service to the first access network device through the data radio bearer for the first service. Further, the first access network device can transmit it to the first node through the established tunnel, and the first node then transmits the data of the first service to the functional network element of the first core network. The specific process / workflow of the uplink data transmission can be implemented with reference to the process / workflow of the uplink data transmission in the existing system architecture, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0187] The downlink transmission is the same as the above uplink transmission. The functional network element of the first core network can send the downlink data of the first service to the first node based on the first session and / or the first quality of service flow of the first service, and then the first node transmits it to the first access network device through the established tunnel. Finally, the first access network device sends the downlink data of the first service to the terminal device through the data radio bearer for the first service, and the terminal device can determine that the received data is the data of the first service based on the first information. The specific process / workflow of the downlink data transmission can be implemented with reference to the process / workflow of the downlink data transmission in the existing system architecture, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0188] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which includes a first node receiving request information of a first service, and then sending a first message to a first access network device, wherein the first message includes information of a first session and / or information of a first quality of service flow, and the information of the first session and the information of the first quality of service flow are respectively associated with the first service. In the method, the first node provides the first access network device with first session information and / or information of a first quality of service flow for first service management. It can be known that with the evolution of the core network, for functional network elements of some other services (such as perception services, AI services, positioning services, etc.), the first node can also be used to provide the first access network device with effective communication information of the first service, such as first session information and / or information of the first quality of service flow, so that the first access network device can provide effective bearer for data transmission of the first service.

[0189] Based on the above Figure 5A - Figure 5B The communication method shown is further described in detail below through several specific implementations.

[0190] Implementation method 1:

[0191] In the first implementation mode, based on Figure 5A The solution takes the first access network device as a 5G base station and the first core network as a 6G core network as an example, and describes in detail how the first terminal device (UE1) transmits NAS messages between the 5G base station and each network element in the 6G core network (the above Figure 5A An example of the first information in the scheme). Figure 6 As shown, the specific process of the first embodiment may include the following:

[0192] S601a: 5G base station and proxy node (the above Figure 5A An example of the first node) establishes an interface.

[0193] Exemplarily, the proxy node may be a 5G core network, a 6G base station, or a logical network element in a 6G base station, etc.

[0194] S601b: The proxy node establishes interfaces with each network element in the 6G core network.

[0195] In this application, the 6G core network may include all network elements (such as AMF, SMF, PCF, etc.) or part of the network elements in the current 5G core network, and also include other functional network elements, such as perception functional network elements, AI functional network elements, positioning functional network elements (LMF), etc.

[0196] In one possible implementation, the proxy node can establish corresponding interfaces with all network elements in the 6G core network one by one to achieve communication. In another possible implementation, the proxy node can establish corresponding interfaces with some of the network elements in the 6G core network one by one to achieve communication. For the specific process of establishing the interfaces, reference can be made to the current interface establishment process, which will not be elaborated here.

[0197] Exemplarily, for the AMF, PCF, and SMF (the AMF can communicate with the PCF and SMF), the proxy node can establish a corresponding interface only with the AMF. In this way, the forwarding of NAS messages can follow the logic of the current 5G system, that is, the NAS messages of the PCF and SMF can be forwarded through the AMF.

[0198] It should be noted that in the first implementation manner of this application, the AMF network element in the 6G core network can be named other names, or the AMF network element in the 6G core network can be replaced by other network elements that include all or part of the functions of the AMF. Among them, the functions of the AMF include any one or more of the following: mobility management in the mobile network, access authentication / authorization, etc., managing user registration, reachability detection, selection of the SMF network element, mobile state transition management, etc., and can also be responsible for transmitting user policies between the UE and the PCF network element.

[0199] Similarly to the AMF in the above 6G core network, the SMF and PCF network elements in the 6G core network may be named other names, or the SMF and PCF network elements in the 6G core network can also be correspondingly replaced by other network elements that include all or part of the functions of the SMF, and other network elements that include all or part of the functions of the PCF. This is the case for all functional network elements involved in the 6G core network, and will not be listed one by one here.

[0200] The functions of the SMF include being responsible for session management in the mobile network (including management of session establishment, modification, and deletion), execution of control policies issued by the PCF, selection of user plane functional network elements, UE Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation, etc. The functions of the PCF include: providing policies to the AMF and SMF, such as Quality of Service (QoS) policies, slice selection policies, etc.

[0201] In the implementation manner of this application, for the purpose of illustration, existing core network network elements are used as examples for introduction, and they can be correspondingly replaced in actual applications.

[0202] Taking the AMF and SMF as examples of 6G core network network elements is shown in Figure 6 , and other functional network elements are not shown in Figure 6

[0203] The above S601a - S601b can be executed synchronously or asynchronously, and the order of execution time of the above S601a - S601b is not specifically limited. Also, in S601b, the time when the proxy node establishes interfaces with each network element in the 6G core network can be synchronous or asynchronous, and the order of execution time is not specifically limited.

[0204] Through the above S601a - S601b, the interface establishment process is completed, enabling the 5G base station to communicate with the proxy node, and the proxy node can communicate with the network elements in the 6G core network.

[0205] The following takes the process where UE1 initiates an uplink NAS message and the core network element replies with a NAS message as an example to introduce the first embodiment accordingly.

[0206] S602: UE1 sends uplink NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2.

[0207] In a possible implementation, before UE1 sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2, UE1 receives the first indication information sent by the 5G base station, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connecting to the 6G core network element. Therefore, the NAS messages sent by UE1 follow the 6G core network rules.

[0208] Optionally, the first indication information can be used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connecting to a specific network element in the 6G core network. For example, the first indication information is used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connecting to an AI function network element, a sensing function network element, a positioning function network element, etc.

[0209] Therefore, after the 5G base station receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2, it can determine that UE1 is connected to the 6G core network element.

[0210] In the embodiment of this application, NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 sent by UE1 may be independent messages or may be carried in one message (such as an RRC message), and this is not limited.

[0211] S603: The 5G base station sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2.

[0212] The 5G base station sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between the 5G base station and the proxy node.

[0213] S604: The proxy node determines the destination network elements in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 respectively.

[0214] In this embodiment, the destination network element corresponding to NAS message 1 and the NAS message may be the same, that is, NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 are sent by UE1 to the same network element in the 6G core network. The destination network elements corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 may also be different, that is, NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 are sent by UE1 to different network elements in the 6G core network, and this is not limited.

[0215] Exemplarily, the proxy node determines that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 1 is the AMF, and determines that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 2 is the SMF.

[0216] S605: The proxy node sends NAS message 1 to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives NAS message 1.

[0217] The proxy node may send NAS message 1 to the AMF through the interface between the proxy node and the AMF.

[0218] S606: The proxy node sends NAS message 2 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives NAS message 2.

[0219] The proxy node may send NAS message 2 to the SMF through the interface between the proxy node and the SMF.

[0220] In a possible implementation, if the proxy node has established an interface with the AMF but has not established an interface with the SMF, then the proxy node may send NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the AMF, and then the AMF forwards NAS message 2 to the SMF.

[0221] In the above S602 to S606, the processing and / or transmission process of NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 may be executed synchronously or asynchronously, and this is not limited.

[0222] S607: The AMF sends response message 1 of NAS message 1 to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives response message 1 of NAS message 1.

[0223] Similarly, the AMF sends response message 1 of NAS message 1 to the proxy node through the interface with the proxy node.

[0224] S608: The SMF sends response message 2 of NAS message 2 to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives response message 2 of NAS message 2.

[0225] Similarly, the SMF sends response message 2 of NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface with the proxy node.

[0226] In a possible implementation, if the proxy node has established an interface with the AMF but not with the SMF, the proxy node can send the response message 2 of NAS message 2 to the AMF, and the AMF then forwards the response message 2 of NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between the AMF and the proxy node.

[0227] S609: The proxy node sends the response message 1 of NAS message 1 to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives the response message 1 of NAS message 1.

[0228] S610: The proxy node sends the response message 2 of NAS message 2 to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives the response message 2 of NAS message 2.

[0229] In this embodiment, the proxy node can sequentially send the response messages of each NAS message to the 5G base station, that is, after receiving the response message of a NAS message from a core network element, it is sent to the 5G base station. The proxy node can also uniformly send the response messages of all NAS messages or the response messages of some NAS messages to the 5G base station, that is, the proxy node can synchronously send the response messages of all NAS messages or the response messages of some NAS messages to the 5G base station, and there is no limitation in this regard. In addition, for the response messages of all NAS messages or the response messages of some NAS messages that the proxy node uniformly sends to the 5G base station, they can be sent in the same message / data packet, or can be sent in different messages / data packets, or some response messages can be sent in the same message / data packet, and there is no limitation in this regard.

[0230] For the transmission method of the proxy node uniformly sending the response messages of all NAS messages or the response messages of some NAS messages to the 5G base station, the proxy node should determine in advance the number of response messages it will receive, including the following situations:

[0231] Situation 1: All NAS messages received by the proxy node side have corresponding downlink response messages, and the proxy node determines that the total number of these NAS messages is N (N is a positive integer). Then the proxy node needs to wait until the number of response messages of NAS messages received from the 6G core network reaches N before sending the response messages of all NAS messages to the 5G base station.

[0232] Situation 2: Among the NAS messages received by the proxy node side, some NAS messages will have downlink response messages, and some NAS messages will not have downlink response messages. The proxy node determines that the number of NAS messages that will have downlink response messages is M (M is a positive integer less than or equal to N). Then the proxy node needs to wait until the number of response messages of NAS messages received from the 6G core network reaches M before sending the response messages of the NAS messages received by the proxy node to the 5G base station.

[0233] Exemplarily, when the proxy node receives Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1, it sends Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 to the 5G base station through the corresponding interface. When the proxy node receives Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2, it sends Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 to the 5G base station through the corresponding interface. It is equivalent to that the above S609 and S610 can be executed asynchronously.

[0234] Exemplarily, after the proxy node and the like receive Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 and Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2, they uniformly send Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 and Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 to the 5G base station through the corresponding interface. It is equivalent to that the above S609 and S610 are executed synchronously.

[0235] For the case where the proxy node uniformly sends Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 and Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 to the 5G base station, Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 and Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 can be sent independently or carried in the same message, and there is no limitation on this.

[0236] Similarly, for the downlink NAS message, when the UE feeds back the response message of the NAS message, UE1 can also adopt the above transmission method (that is, sequentially feed back the response messages of the NAS message, or uniformly feed back the response messages of the NAS message).

[0237] S611: The 5G base station sends Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1.

[0238] S612: The 5G base station sends Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2.

[0239] For S611 and S612, if the 5G base station receives Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1, it sends Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 to UE1. If the 5G base station receives Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2, it sends Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 to UE1. If the 5G base station receives Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 and Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 at the same time, and sends Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 and Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 to UE1, the sending order of the 5G base station is not limited. Moreover, the 5G base station can also send Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 and Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 to UE1 in the same message.

[0240] In the embodiments of the present application, from the perspective of UE1, if UE1 initiates the interaction of one or more NAS messages for a service and the network side performs multiple transmissions and sends all response messages to UE1, then UE1 needs to confirm that the service can be initiated only after receiving the response messages of the NAS messages feedback by all the destination network elements in the core network.

[0241] For example, for NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 sent by UE1 for sensing service 1, UE will confirm that sensing service 1 can be initiated only after receiving response message 1 of NAS message 1 and response message 2 of NAS message 2.

[0242] In Embodiment 1, for access network devices and core networks of different radio access technologies, such as 5G base stations and 6G core networks, communication can be achieved through a proxy node, so that 5G base stations can support providing services for UE to access the 6G core network with a relatively low upgrade cost.

[0243] Embodiment 2:

[0244] Different from the above Embodiment 1, in Embodiment 2, the proxy node is a certain target network element in the 6G core network that has or includes the AMF function (hereinafter, AMF is used as an example of this target network element), and how 5G base stations and 6G base stations respectively provide services for the UEs managed by themselves to access the 6G core network is introduced in detail. See Figure 7 As shown, the specific process of this Embodiment 2 may include the following:

[0245] S701a: The 5G base station establishes an interface with the AMF.

[0246] This step S701a can refer to the implementation manner of the above S601a.

[0247] S701b: The AMF respectively establishes interfaces with other network elements in the 6G core network.

[0248] This step S701b can refer to the implementation manner of the above S601b.

[0249] S701c: The 6G base station respectively establishes interfaces with each network element in the 6G core network.

[0250] The 6G base station establishes an interface with the AMF in the 6G core network and also respectively establishes corresponding interfaces with other network elements in the 6G core network (such as SMF, PCF, artificial intelligence function network element, sensing function network element, etc.).

[0251] It should be noted that here, the AMF network element in the 6G core network may be named other names, or the AMF network element in the 6G core network may be replaced by other network elements that include all or part of the functions of the AMF. Among them, the functions of the AMF include any one or more of the following: mobility management in the mobile network, access authentication / authorization and other functions, managing user registration, reachability detection, selection of the SMF network element, mobile state transition management, etc., and can also be responsible for transmitting user policies between the UE and the PCF network element.

[0252] Similarly to the above AMF, the SMF and PCF network elements in the 6G core network may be named other names; or the SMF and PCF network elements in the 6G core network may also be correspondingly replaced by: other network elements that include all or part of the functions of the SMF, and other network elements that include all or part of the functions of the PCF. This is the case for each functional network element in the 6G core network, and will not be listed one by one here.

[0253] Among them, the functions of the SMF include being responsible for session management in the mobile network (including management of session establishment, modification, and deletion), execution of the control policies issued by the PCF, selection of the user plane functional network element, UE Internet Protocol IP address allocation, etc. The functions of the PCF include providing policies to the AMF and SMF, such as quality of service QoS policies, slice selection policies, etc.

[0254] In the embodiments of the present application, for the purpose of illustrating the solution, existing network elements are used as examples for introduction, and actual applications can be correspondingly replaced.

[0255] The above S701a, S701b, and S701c belong to the process of interface establishment. Through the above S701a, S701b, and S701c, both the 5G base station and the 6G base station can communicate with the network elements of the 6G core network.

[0256] In a possible implementation, the 5G base station sends indication information 1 (an example of the first indication information in the above Figure 5A scheme) to the AMF in the 6G core network to indicate that the communication mode of the 5G base station is 5G.

[0257] Optionally, the 6G base station sends indication information 2 (an example of the second indication information in the above Figure 5A scheme) to the AMF in the 6G core network to indicate that the communication mode of the 6G base station is 6G.

[0258] S702: UE1 sends uplink NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2.

[0259] In a possible implementation, before UE1 sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2, UE1 receives first indication information sent by a 5G base station, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connecting to a 6G core network element. Therefore, the NAS messages sent by UE1 follow the 6G core network rules.

[0260] Optionally, the first indication information can be used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connecting to a specific network element in the 6G core network. For example, the first indication information is used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connecting to an AI function network element, a sensing function network element, a positioning function network element, etc.

[0261] Therefore, after the 5G base station receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2, it can determine that UE1 is connected to a 6G core network element.

[0262] S703: The 5G base station sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the AMF. Accordingly, the AMF receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2.

[0263] The 5G base station sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between the 5G base station and the proxy node.

[0264] S704: The AMF determines the destination network elements in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 respectively.

[0265] In this embodiment, the destination network elements corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 may be the same, that is, NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 are sent by UE1 to the same network element in the 6G core network, or the destination network elements corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 may be different, that is, NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 are sent by UE1 to different network elements in the 6G core network, and this is not limited.

[0266] Exemplarily, the proxy node determines that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 1 is the AMF, and determines that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 2 is the SMF.

[0267] S705: The AMF processes NAS message 1.

[0268] S706: The AMF sends NAS message 2 to the SMF. Accordingly, the SMF receives NAS message 2.

[0269] The proxy node can send NAS message 2 to the SMF through the interface between the AMF and the SMF.

[0270] Compared with the above S605 - S606, the difference between S705 - S706 is that: AMF processes its own NAS message 1 and forwards the NAS messages of other network elements (such as the NAS message 2 of SMF) accordingly.

[0271] In a possible implementation, AMF generates response message 1 for NAS message 1.

[0272] S707: SMF sends response message 2 for NAS message 2 to AMF. Accordingly, AMF receives response message 2 for NAS message 2.

[0273] Similarly, SMF sends response message 2 for NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between them.

[0274] In a possible implementation, if the proxy node has established an interface with AMF but not with SMF, then the proxy node can send response message 2 for NAS message 2 to AMF, and AMF then forwards response message 2 for NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between them.

[0275] S708: AMF sends response message 1 for NAS message 1 to the 5G base station. Accordingly, the 5G base station receives response message 1 for NAS message 1.

[0276] S709: AMF sends response message 2 for NAS message 2 to the 5G base station. Accordingly, the 5G base station receives response message 2 for NAS message 2.

[0277] AMF can send the response messages of each NAS message to the 5G base station in sequence, or send the response messages of all NAS messages or some NAS messages to the 5G base station uniformly, and there is no limitation on this.

[0278] The implementation methods of S708 - S709 can specifically refer to the implementation methods of the above S609 - S610, and will not be elaborated here.

[0279] S710: The 5G base station sends response message 1 for NAS message 1 to UE1.

[0280] S711: The 5G base station sends response message 2 for NAS message 2 to UE1.

[0281] The implementation methods of S710 - S711 can specifically refer to the implementation methods of the above S611 - S612, and will not be elaborated here.

[0282] Next, introduce the 6G base station (an example of the second access network device in the above Figure 5A described solution) for the managed UE2 (the above Figure 5ASteps for providing access to the services of 6G core network elements in the example of the second terminal device in the above solution:

[0283] S712: UE2 sends uplink NAS message 3 and NAS message 4 to the 6G base station. Correspondingly, the 6G base station receives NAS message 3 and NAS message 4.

[0284] After receiving the uplink NAS message, the 6G base station identifies the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to the NAS message, and then directly sends the NAS message to the destination network element through the corresponding interface.

[0285] For example, the 6G base station identifies the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 3 as the AMF. The 6G base station identifies the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 4 as the SMF.

[0286] In a possible implementation, the 6G base station sends indication information 2 (an example of the second indication information in the above Figure 5A solution) to the AMF in the 6G core network to indicate that the communication mode of the 6G base station is 6G.

[0287] S713: The 6G base station sends NAS message 3 to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives NAS message 3.

[0288] The 6G base station sends NAS message 3 to the AMF through the interface between the 6G base station and the AMF. Correspondingly, after receiving NAS message 3, the AMF directly processes it.

[0289] S714: The 6G base station sends NAS message 4 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives NAS message 4.

[0290] The 6G base station sends NAS message 4 to the SMF through the interface between the 6G base station and the SMF.

[0291] S715: The AMF sends response message 3 of NAS message 3 to the 6G base station. Correspondingly, the 6G base station receives response message 3 of NAS message 3.

[0292] From the perspective of the AMF, after receiving the NAS message from the 6G base station, it defaults to processing the received NAS message without performing the step of identifying which 6G core network element the NAS message belongs to.

[0293] S716: The SMF sends response message 4 of NAS message 4 to the 6G base station. Correspondingly, the 6G base station receives response message 4 of NAS message 4.

[0294] S717: The 6G base station sends Response Message 3 of NAS Message 3 to UE2. Correspondingly, UE2 receives Response Message 3 of NAS Message 3.

[0295] S718: The 6G base station sends Response Message 4 of NAS Message 4 to UE2. Correspondingly, UE2 receives Response Message 4 of NAS Message 4.

[0296] The 6G base station can also send Response Message 3 of NAS Message 3 and Response Message 4 of NAS Message 4 to UE2 synchronously. Specifically, it can refer to the way the 5G base station returns the response message to UE1 in S611 and S612 above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0297] In S713 to S718 above, there is no specific limitation on the transmission time sequence of NAS Message 3 and NAS Message 4, as well as Response Message 3 of NAS Message 3 and Response Message 4 of NAS Message 4. NAS Message 3 and NAS Message 4 can be sent synchronously by UE2 or can be sent asynchronously by UE2, and there is no limitation on the time sequence of sending. Similarly, Response Message 3 of NAS Message 3 and Response Message 4 of NAS Message 4 can be sent synchronously or asynchronously, and there is no limitation on the time sequence of sending. Here, the corresponding steps of sending NAS Message 3 and Response Message 3 of NAS Message 3 can be executed before UE2 sends NAS Message 4, or can be executed after the 6G base station sends Response Message 4 of NAS Message 4, and no limitation is imposed on this.

[0298] In the second embodiment, a certain target functional network element in the 6G core network can be used to replace the first node, such as the AMF. The target functional network element can support establishing interfaces with 5G base stations and 6G base stations. When the 5G base station and / or 6G base station establish an interface with the target functional network element, they can also indicate the type (or communication mode) of their own base station. After the target functional network element in the 6G core network identifies the base station type or communication mode, if the received signaling is the NAS signaling of UE1 sent by the 5G base station, it needs to identify the destination of the NAS signaling. If it is its own signaling, it is processed by itself. If it is the signaling of other network elements, it is forwarded to other network elements. If the signaling received by the target functional network element is the NAS signaling of UE2 sent by the 6G base station, it processes and feeds back the NAS signaling by itself. In the second embodiment, by enhancing the functional network element of the 6G core network to be compatible with 5G base stations, the 5G base stations can be connected to the 6G core network. Compared with the first embodiment, it can effectively avoid introducing new nodes and reduce the overhead of the implementation method.

[0299] Embodiment Three:

[0300] Based on Figure 5BIn the above solution, in Embodiment 3, taking the first access network device as a 5G base station and the first core network as a 6G core network as an example, it is introduced in detail how to perform communication service quality of service (QoS) management after a terminal device (UE) accesses the 6G core network through the 5G base station. Refer to Figure 8 As shown, the specific process of this Embodiment 3 may include the following:

[0301] S801: The proxy node and a new functional network element in the first core network establish a transmission path for the first service of the UE.

[0302] The first service can be initiated by the UE or by the new functional network element, and there is no limitation in this regard.

[0303] Exemplarily, the first service can be a sensing service, an AI service, a positioning service, etc. The proxy node can be a 5G core network, a 6G base station, or a logical network element in the 6G base station.

[0304] Exemplarily, when the first service is a sensing service, then the new functional network element can be a functional network element for the sensing service (an example of the first core network functional network element in the above Figure 5B solution).

[0305] In the solution of this application, the way to establish a transmission path between the proxy node and the new functional network element can depend on the transport layer protocol adopted between the two, and there is no limitation in this regard.

[0306] In a possible implementation, the proxy node sends the address information of the proxy node to the new functional network element. Correspondingly, the new functional network element receives the address information of the proxy node. Similarly, the new functional network element also sends the address information of the new functional network element to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives the address information of the new functional network element.

[0307] S802: The new functional network element sends the QoS requirement of the first service to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives the QoS requirement of the first service.

[0308] In a possible implementation, the QoS requirement of the first service can be sent by the new functional network element to the proxy node during the process of establishing a transmission path (step S801) between the proxy node and the new functional network element.

[0309] The new functional network element can send the QoS requirement of the first service (or the demand information of the QoS of the first service or the request information of the first service, etc.) to the proxy node. The parameters included in the QoS requirement of the first service (or the demand information of the QoS of the first service or the request information of the first service, etc.) are different from the QoS parameters (or the demand information of the QoS or the service request information) of the existing 5G system and cannot be recognized by the 5G base station.

[0310] S803: The proxy node determines the first PDU session information and the first Quality of Service (QoS) flow information of the first service according to the QoS requirements of the first service.

[0311] In S803, it is equivalent to converting the QoS requirements or the first service information of the first service into the first PDU session information in the 5G system (an example of the information of the first session in the above Figure 5B scheme) and the first QoS flow information (an example of the information of the first Quality of Service flow in the above Figure 5B scheme) through the proxy node.

[0312] S804: The proxy node sends the establishment request information of the first PDU session to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives the establishment request information of the first PDU session.

[0313] Among them, the establishment request information of the first PDU session (an example of the first message in the above Figure 5B scheme) may include at least one of the following:

[0314] The identifier of the first PDU session, the QoS flow information carried by the first PDU session, the Quality of Service information of the first QoS flow, the first endpoint information of the first tunnel; where the first tunnel is used to transmit the first PDU session of the first service.

[0315] In addition, the proxy node also sends the first mapping information (an example of the first information in the above Figure 5B scheme) to the 5G base station, and the first mapping information may include one or more of the following mapping relationships:

[0316] The mapping relationship between the first service and the first PDU session, the mapping relationship between the first service and the first QoS flow, the mapping relationship between the first service and the first PDU session and the first QoS flow.

[0317] S805: The 5G base station sends the establishment response information of the first PDU session to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives the establishment response information of the first PDU session.

[0318] The establishment response information of the first PDU session includes the second endpoint information of the first tunnel.

[0319] Exemplarily, the endpoint information may be the address of the endpoint, the address, etc.

[0320] In S804 and S805, the 5G base station and the proxy node can establish the first tunnel based on the first endpoint information and the second endpoint information. Specifically, it can refer to the existing process of establishing a tunnel between the 5G base station and the 5G core network, which will not be elaborated here.

[0321] S806: The 5G base station sends the first configuration information to the UE, and the first configuration information includes the DRB configuration information of the first service. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first configuration information.

[0322] In a possible implementation, the 5G base station may generate the DRB configuration information of the first service according to the PDU session of the first service and the QoS flow carried by the PDU session of the first service.

[0323] S807: The 5G base station sends the first mapping information to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first mapping information.

[0324] In Embodiment 3, the proxy node sends the first mapping information to the UE through the transparent transmission of the 5G base station. That is, after the 5G base station receives the first mapping information from the proxy node, it does not perform any processing on the first mapping information, but directly forwards it to the UE.

[0325] In the embodiments of the present application, the time sequence of the 5G base station sending the first configuration information and the first mapping information to the UE is not limited. In addition, the 5G base station may send the first configuration information and the first mapping information to the UE separately, or may carry the first configuration information and the first mapping information in the same message and send them, or may carry the first mapping information in the first configuration information. There is no specific limitation on this.

[0326] In a possible implementation, the first mapping information may be carried in the first configuration information. That is, S807 and the above S806 may be executed synchronously.

[0327] The 5G base station sends the first mapping information to the UE so that the UE knows that the first PDU session and / or the first QoS flow is used to transmit the data of the first service. Subsequently, the UE can identify that the data carried by the first PDU session and / or the first QoS flow is the data of the first service from the new functional network element. Furthermore, the UE delivers the data to the corresponding protocol layer for processing. Correspondingly, when the UE sends the data of the first service to the new functional network element, the UE maps the data of the first service to the DRB corresponding to the first PDU session and / or the first QoS flow to send it to the 5G base station.

[0328] After completing the configuration process of the above S801 - S807, the data of the first service can be transmitted between the UE and the new functional network element through the 5G base station and the proxy node.

[0329] In this process, the proxy node receives the data of the first service on the first tunnel between the 5G base stations, and then sends the data of the first service to the new functional node through the transmission path between the proxy node and the new functional network element.

[0330] Optionally, the proxy node may also perform the process of adding the first service identifier.

[0331] In Embodiment 3, the proxy node converts the QoS requirement of the first service of the new functional node (or the QoS requirement information of the first service or the request information of the first service, etc.) to obtain a first PDU session establishment request for the 5G base station, and converts the QoS requirement of the first service to the QoS requirement of the first QoS flow. The proxy node then notifies the UE of the correspondence between the first service, the first PDU session, and / or the first QoS flow. In this way, after receiving the data of the first PDU session and / or the first QoS flow, the UE can determine that it is the first service data of the new functional node. Through Embodiment 3, on the basis of ensuring that there are no major changes to the 5G base station, it is possible to effectively implement the communication of the first service data between the UE and the new functional network element of the 6G core network through the 5G base station.

[0332] Regarding the above Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 3, it should be noted that:

[0333] (1) The above Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 3 can be implemented separately or in combination, and no specific limitation is made. For example, Embodiment 3 can be implemented in combination with the solutions described in Embodiment 1 and / or Embodiment 2. In one possible implementation, Embodiment 3 may be executed after all the steps described in Embodiment 1 and / or Embodiment 2, or may be executed after some steps of Embodiment 1 and / or some steps of Embodiment 2. Similarly, some steps of Embodiment 2 and some steps of Embodiment 3 may also be implemented in combination, and no specific limitation is made in this regard.

[0334] (2) The above focuses on describing the differences between Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 3. For other content except for the differences, Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 3 can be referred to each other.

[0335] (3) The step numbers in the flowcharts described in Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 3 are only an example of the execution process and do not constitute a limitation on the order of step execution. In the various implementation manners of this application, steps that do not have a timing dependency relationship with each other and do not have a strict execution order. In addition, not all the steps shown in each flowchart are steps that must be executed, and some steps can be added or deleted based on the actual needs on the basis of each flowchart.

[0336] In the embodiments provided by the present application above, the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application are introduced from the perspective of the interaction between various devices. To implement the various functions in the methods provided by the embodiments or implementation manners of the present application above, the first node, the first access network device, or the terminal device may include a hardware structure and / or software module, and implement the above various functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a certain function among the above various functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0337] The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, in each embodiment or implementation manner of the present application, the various functional modules may be integrated in a processor, may exist separately physically, or two or more modules may be integrated in one module. The above integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules.

[0338] Similar to the above concept, as Figure 9 shown, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device 900 for implementing the functions of the first node, the first access network device, or the terminal device in the above method. For example, the communication device 900 may be a software module or a chip system. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The communication device 900 may include: a communication unit 901 and a processing unit 902.

[0339] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication unit 901 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, and may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, which are respectively used to execute the sending and receiving steps of the first node, the first access network device, or the terminal device in the method embodiments above. The processing unit 902 may be used to read instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the communication device 900 implements the foregoing method embodiments.

[0340] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage unit 903, and the storage unit 903 is equivalent to a storage module and may be used to store instructions and / or data.

[0341] Next, in combination with Figure 9 to Figure 10 the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, the content that is not described in detail may be referred to the above 5A- Figure 5B , Figure 7 to Figure 8 shown manner for implementation. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0342] The communication unit 901 may also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver unit, a transceiver device, etc. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc. Optionally, the device in the communication unit 901 for implementing the receiving function may be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device in the communication unit 901 for implementing the sending function may be regarded as a sending unit, that is, the communication unit 901 includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The communication unit may sometimes also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver unit, or a transceiver circuit, etc. The receiving unit may sometimes also be referred to as a receiver, a receiver unit, or a receiving circuit, etc. The sending unit may sometimes also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter unit, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0343] When the communication device 900 executes the first node of the process shown in the above embodiment Figure 5A : The communication unit 901 is configured to receive a first message from a first access network device; the first message includes at least one first piece of information, the at least one first piece of information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the first core network includes at least one first network element, the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode, and the communication mode of the first core network is a second communication mode; the communication unit 901 is further configured to send a second message to a second network element; the second message includes some or all of the at least one first piece of information, and the second network element belongs to the at least one first network element. The processing unit 902 may be configured to process information and / or data, etc.

[0344] When the communication device 900 executes the first access network device of the process shown in the above embodiment Figure 5A : Both the communication unit 901 and the processing unit 902 in the communication device 900 are located in the first access network device; or the communication unit 901 is located in the DU of the first access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located in the CU of the first access network device; or in the O-RAN architecture, the communication unit 901 is located in the O-DU and / or O-RU of the first access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located in the O-CU and / or O-DU of the first access network device.

[0345] Wherein, the communication unit 901 is configured to receive at least one first piece of information, the at least one first piece of information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode, the communication mode of the first core network is a second communication mode, and the first core network includes at least one first network element; the communication unit 901 is further configured to send a first message to a first node, and the first message includes the at least one first piece of information, and the first node is respectively connected to the at least one first network element.

[0346] When the communication device 900 executes the first node in the process shown in the above embodiments Figure 5B : When the communication unit 901 is used as the first node in the process shown in the above embodiments, it is configured to receive request information of a first service; the communication unit 901 is further configured to send a first message, where the first message includes information of a first session and / or information of a first quality of service flow, and the information of the first session and the information of the first quality of service flow are respectively associated with the first service.

[0347] When the communication device 900 executes the terminal device in the process shown in the above embodiments Figure 5B : When the communication unit 901 is used as the terminal device in the process shown in the above embodiments, it is configured to receive first information from a first access network device; the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between a first service and first communication information, and the first communication information includes information of a first session and / or information of a first quality of service flow; the communication system of the first access network device is a first communication system; the communication unit 901 is further configured to send data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information.

[0348] The above is only an example. The processing unit 902 and the communication unit 901 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, reference can be made to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in 5A- Figure 5B shown, which will not be elaborated here.

[0349] As Figure 10 shown, the communication device 1000 provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 10 shown can be Figure 9 a hardware circuit implementation of the communication device shown. The communication device 1000 can be applicable to the flowchart shown above and execute the functions of the first node or the first access network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiment. For ease of description, Figure 10 only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0350] As Figure 10 shown, the communication device 1000 includes a communication interface 1001 and a processor 1002. The communication interface 1001 and the processor 1002 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the communication interface 1001 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface, or can be an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1003, which is configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1002 or store input data required for the processor 1002 to run instructions or store data generated after the processor 1002 runs instructions.

[0351] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement Figure 5A - Figure 5B , Figure 6 to Figure 7When implementing the method shown, the communication interface 1001 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned communication unit 901, and the processor 1002 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit 902.

[0352] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific connection medium between the above-mentioned communication interface 1001, processor 1002, and memory 1003 is not limited. In the embodiments of the present application Figure 10 it is shown that the memory 1003, processor 1002, and communication interface 1001 are connected through a communication bus 1004. The communication bus 1004 is Figure 10 represented by a thick line in [the figure]. The connection manners between other components are only for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. The communication bus 1004 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of convenience of representation, Figure 10 it is only represented by a thick line in [the figure], but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0353] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip, Figure 11 it shows a schematic diagram of the device structure of a simplified chip. The chip 1100 includes an interface circuit 1101 and one or more processors 1102. Optionally, the chip 1100 may further include a bus. Among them:

[0354] The processor 1102 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above-mentioned method for determining service node information can be completed by the integrated logic circuit in the hardware of the processor 1102 or instructions in software form. The above-mentioned processor 1102 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the various methods and steps disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0355] The interface circuit 1101 can be used for sending or receiving data, instructions, or information. The processor 1102 can use the data, instructions, or other information received by the interface circuit 1101 for processing, and can send the processed information through the interface circuit 1101.

[0356] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory 1103, which may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides operation instructions and data to the processor. A part of the memory 1103 may further include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0357] Optionally, the memory stores executable software modules or data structures, and the processor may execute corresponding operations by calling the operation instructions stored in the memory (the operation instructions may be stored in the operating system).

[0358] Optionally, the chip may be used in the first node, the first access network device, or the terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the interface circuit 1101 may be used to output the execution result of the processor 1102. For the communication method provided by one or more embodiments of the present application, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0359] It should be noted that the functions corresponding to the interface circuit 1101 and the processor 1102 may be implemented through hardware design, software design, or a combination of hardware and software, and there is no limitation here.

[0360] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer instructions for implementing the method executed by the first node, the first access network device, or the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments are stored.

[0361] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer may implement the method executed by the first node, the first access network device, or the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0362] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement the method executed by the first node, the first access network device, or the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0363] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, including a processor, for calling the computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the foregoing Figure 5A - Figure 5B , Figure 6 to Figure 7 communication method shown in the implementation manner.

[0364] In a possible implementation manner, the input of the chip corresponds to the receiving operation in the implementation manner shown in the foregoing Figure 5A - Figure 5B , Figure 6 to Figure 7 and the output of the chip corresponds to the sending operation in the implementation manner shown in the foregoing Figure 5A - Figure 5B , Figure 6 to Figure 7 and shown in the implementation manner.

[0365] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0366] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory in which computer programs or computer instructions are stored.

[0367] The processor mentioned in any of the above places can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more processors for controlling the above Figure 5A - Figure 5B , Figure 6 to Figure 7 The integrated circuit for executing a program of a communication method of the implementation method shown. The memory mentioned in any of the above places 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), etc.

[0368] It should be noted that, for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the explanation of the relevant contents and beneficial effects in any of the communication devices provided above may refer to the embodiments of the corresponding communication methods provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0369] In the present application, the communication devices may also include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. Among them, the hardware layer may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (also called main memory). The operating system of the operating system layer may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux operating system, Unix operating system, Android operating system, iOS operating system, or Windows operating system. The application layer may include applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software.

[0370] The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into a processor, or may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into one module. The above-mentioned integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules.

[0371] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware, or by firmware, or by a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the above functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes computer storage media and communication media, where the communication media includes any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example but not limitation: the computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-Only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. In addition, any connection can suitably be a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave from a website, server, or other remote source, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, wireless, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. As used in the embodiments of the present application, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc, where disks generally reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with a laser. The above combinations should also be included within the scope of protection of the computer-readable medium.

[0372] In summary, the above are only the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made in accordance with the disclosure of the present application shall be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first node and includes: Receiving a first message from a first access network device; the first message includes at least one first piece of information, the at least one first piece of information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the first core network includes at least one first network element, the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode, and the communication mode of the first core network is a second communication mode; Sending a second message to a second network element; the second message includes some or all of the at least one first piece of information, and the second network element belongs to the at least one first network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Sending a third message to a third network element; the third message includes some or all of the at least one first piece of information, and the third network element belongs to the at least one first network element.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determining, from the at least one first network element, the network element corresponding to each of the at least one first piece of information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving first indication information from the first access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the communication mode of the first access network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device according to the quantity of at least one response message and a first threshold, where the at least one response message includes a response message corresponding to the second message and / or a response message corresponding to the third message.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The sending some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device according to the quantity of at least one response message and a first threshold includes: When the quantity of the at least one response message is equal to the first threshold, sending some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the at least one response message and determining the quantity of the at least one response message.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Processing the first information corresponding to the first node; the first node includes one or more of the following functions: Registration management function, connection management function, mobility management function.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving second information from a second access network device; processing the second information; the communication mode of the second access network device is the second communication mode.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the communication mode of the second access network device.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first access network device and includes: Receiving at least one first piece of information, the at least one first piece of information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode, the communication mode of the first core network is a second communication mode, and the first core network includes at least one first network element; Sending a first message to a first node, the first message includes the at least one first piece of information, and the first node is respectively connected to the at least one first network element.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The method further includes: Send first indication information to the first node, where the first indication information is used to indicate the communication mode of the first access network device.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send third indication information to the first terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the first access network device supports communication with the first core network.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first node and includes: Receive request information for a first service; Send a first message to a first access network device, where the first message includes information about a first session and / or information about a first quality of service (QoS) flow, and the information about the first session and the information about the first QoS flow are respectively associated with the first service; the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The receiving the request information for the first service includes: Receive the request information for the first service from a first core network functional element, where the first core network functional element is associated with the first service, and the communication mode of the first core network functional element is a second communication mode.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a response message for the establishment of the first session; the first session establishment response message includes second endpoint information of the first session.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The information about the first QoS flow includes the QoS information of the first QoS flow.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send first information to a terminal device through the first access network device; the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between the first service and first communication information, and the first communication information includes the information about the first session and / or the information about the first QoS flow.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that, The first service includes any one or more of the following: Perception service, artificial intelligence service, positioning service.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device and includes: Receive first information from a first access network device; the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between a first service and first communication information, and the first communication information includes the information about a first session and / or the information about a first QoS flow; the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode; Send data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein The sending the data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information includes: Send the data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The first service is associated with a first core network functional element, and the communication mode of the first core network functional element is a second communication mode.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that, The first service includes any one of the following: Perception service, artificial intelligence service, positioning service.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Include a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, or include a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, or execute the method according to any one of claims 20 to 23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor; the processor is configured to execute one or more computer programs or instructions stored in a memory, so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or executes the method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, or executes the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, or executes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 23.

26. A communication system, characterized in that, Comprising a first node that executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a first access network device that executes the method according to any one of claims 11 to 13; or, comprising a first node that executes the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19 and a terminal device that executes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Stored with computer programs or instructions, the computer programs or instructions being used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product comprises a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

29. A chip, characterized in that, The chip is coupled to a memory and is configured to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

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