Communication method, device, system and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a communication method and device and a computer readable storage medium, and relates to the technical field of communication. The communication method comprises: receiving a first message sent by a second network element, and sending a second message to a first terminal via the second network element, the first message being used for indicating to change a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element, and the second message being used for notifying the first terminal to change the first user plane connection. According to the embodiment of the invention, a scheme of how to change the user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element is provided.

Description

Communication method, device, system and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, system, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Terminals can be located using either user plane positioning or control plane positioning. User plane positioning enables communication systems to have more efficient communication loads, allowing a single session to handle multiple transactions and supporting multiple positioning methods.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, device, system, and storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a first network element. The method includes:

[0006] receiving a first message sent by a second network element, where the first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between a first terminal and the first network element;

[0007] A second message is sent to the first terminal via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0008] A second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a communication method, applied to a second network element, the method including:

[0009] Sending a first message to a first network element, where the first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0010] A second message from the first network element is sent to the first terminal, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a first terminal. The method includes:

[0012] A second message sent by the first network element is received via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided, including:

[0014] A first transceiver module is configured to receive a first message sent by a second network element, and send a second message to the first terminal via the second network element;

[0015] The first message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0016] The second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a second network element is provided, including:

[0018] A second transceiver module, configured to send a first message to a first network element, and send a second message from the first network element to a first terminal;

[0019] The first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0020] The second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first terminal is provided, including:

[0022] The third transceiver module is used to receive a second message sent by the first network element via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0023] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided, including:

[0024] one or more processors;

[0025] The first network element is used to execute an optional implementation method of the aforementioned first aspect.

[0026] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a second network element is provided, including:

[0027] one or more processors;

[0028] The second network element is used to execute the optional implementation method of the aforementioned second aspect.

[0029] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first terminal is provided, including:

[0030] one or more processors;

[0031] The first terminal is used to execute an optional implementation of the aforementioned third aspect.

[0032] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a first terminal, a first network element, and a second network element, wherein:

[0033] The first network element is configured to receive a first message sent by the second network element, where the first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0034] The first network element is used to send a second message to the first terminal via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0035] According to the eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which executable instructions are stored. The executable instructions are loaded and executed by the processor to implement the method described in the aforementioned first aspect or second aspect, or the optional implementation of the third aspect.

[0036] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0038] FIG1a is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0039] FIG1b is a schematic diagram showing a flow chart of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0040] FIG2a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0041] FIG2b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0042] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG6a is a schematic structural diagram of a first network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG6b is a schematic structural diagram of a second network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG6c is a schematic structural diagram of a first terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG7 a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG7 b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG8a is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG8 b is a schematic structural diagram of a chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0053] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, applied to a first network element, the method including:

[0054] receiving a first message sent by a second network element, where the first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between a first terminal and the first network element;

[0055] A second message is sent to the first terminal via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the change of the user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element can be achieved.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following information:

[0058] The identification ID of the first network element;

[0059] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0060] the IP address of the first network element;

[0061] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0062] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0063] third indication information, used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection;

[0064] and / or,

[0065] The second message further includes at least one of the following information:

[0066] the ID of the first network element;

[0067] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0068] the IP address of the first network element;

[0069] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0070] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0071] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0073] receiving, via the second network element, a fifth message sent by the first terminal, where the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released;

[0074] Send a sixth message to the second network element, where the sixth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has changed.

[0075] In the above embodiment, when the first network element learns that the user plane connection between it and the first terminal has been released, it can inform the second network element that the user plane connection has changed, so that the second network element can learn the change status of the user plane connection between the first network element and the first terminal.

[0076] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to establish a second user plane connection with the third network element, and the method further includes:

[0077] A seventh message is sent to the third network element, where the seventh message is used to transmit context information of the first terminal.

[0078] In the above embodiment, when the first network element learns that the user plane connection between the first terminal and the third network element has been established, the first network element may transmit the context information of the first terminal to the third network element to provide a basis for subsequent operations.

[0079] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to establish a third user plane connection with the first network element.

[0080] In the above embodiment, when the first network element learns that the old user plane connection between it and the first terminal has been released, it can inform the second network element that the user plane connection between it and the first terminal has rebuilt a third user plane connection, so that the second network element can learn about the change status of the user plane connection between the first network element and the first terminal.

[0081] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before receiving the first message sent by the second network element, the method further includes:

[0082] An eighth message is sent to the second network element, where the eighth message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the first network element may trigger a process of changing the user plane connection with the first terminal, and indicate the change of the user plane connection with the first terminal in a message sent to the second network element, thereby implementing the change of the user plane connection.

[0084] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, applied to a second network element, the method including:

[0085] Sending a first message to a first network element, where the first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0086] A second message from the first network element is sent to the first terminal, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0087] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following information:

[0088] an identification ID of the first network element;

[0089] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0090] the IP address of the first network element;

[0091] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0092] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0093] third indication information, used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection;

[0094] and / or,

[0095] The second message further includes at least one of the following information:

[0096] the ID of the first network element;

[0097] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0098] the IP address of the first network element;

[0099] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0100] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0101] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0102] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0103] A sixth message sent by the first network element is received, where the sixth message is used to notify the second network element that the first user plane connection has changed.

[0104] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, before sending the first message to the first network element, the method further includes:

[0105] An eighth message sent by the first network element is received, where the eighth message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection.

[0106] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, applied to a first terminal, the method comprising:

[0107] A second message sent by the first network element is received via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0108] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0109] After releasing the first user plane connection, the PDU session is maintained.

[0110] In the above embodiment, the first terminal can release the user plane connection between the first network element based on the received second message, and maintain the PDU session in the absence of other activated user plane connections to provide a basis for subsequent establishment of a new user plane connection, thereby reducing the delay in establishing the user plane connection.

[0111] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is used to establish a second user plane connection between the first terminal and the third network element, and the method further includes:

[0112] A third message is sent to the third network element via the second network element, where the third message is used to request establishment of the second user plane connection with the third network element.

[0113] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0114] A fourth message sent by the third network element is received via the second network element, where the fourth message is a response message to the third message.

[0115] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to establish a third user plane connection with the first network element, and the method further includes:

[0116] Based on the first indication information, establish the third user plane connection with the first network element.

[0117] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0118] A fifth message is sent to the first network element via the second network element, where the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released.

[0119] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network element, including:

[0120] A first transceiver module is configured to receive a first message sent by a second network element, and send a second message to the first terminal via the second network element;

[0121] The first message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0122] The second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection;

[0123] The first message and the second message include first indication information, which is used to indicate changing the first user plane connection.

[0124] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network element, including:

[0125] a second transceiver module, configured to send a first message to a first network element, and send a second message from the first network element to the first terminal;

[0126] The first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0127] The second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection;

[0128] The first message and the second message include first indication information, which is used to indicate changing the first user plane connection.

[0129] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first terminal, including:

[0130] a third transceiver module, configured to receive, via the second network element, a second message sent by the first network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0131] The second message includes first indication information, which is used to indicate changing the first user plane connection.

[0132] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network element, including:

[0133] one or more processors;

[0134] The first network element is used to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0135] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network element, including:

[0136] one or more processors;

[0137] The second network element executes the method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0138] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first terminal, including:

[0139] one or more processors;

[0140] The first terminal is used to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0141] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, including a first terminal, a first network element, and a second network element, wherein:

[0142] The first network element is configured to receive a first message sent by the second network element, where the first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0143] the first network element is configured to send a second message to the first terminal via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection;

[0144] The first message and the second message include first indication information, which is used to indicate changing the first user plane connection.

[0145] In conjunction with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following information:

[0146] an identification ID of the first network element;

[0147] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0148] the IP address of the first network element;

[0149] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0150] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0151] third indication information, used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection;

[0152] and / or,

[0153] The second message further includes at least one of the following information:

[0154] the ID of the first network element;

[0155] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0156] the IP address of the first network element;

[0157] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0158] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0159] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0160] In conjunction with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: a third network element, wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to establish a second user plane connection with the third network element;

[0161] The second network element is further used to forward a third message from the first terminal to the third network element, where the third message is used to request to establish the second user plane connection with the third network element.

[0162] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the second network element is further used to forward a fourth message from the third network element to the first terminal, where the fourth message is a response message to the third message.

[0163] In conjunction with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the first message further includes at least one of the following information:

[0164] The ID of the third network element;

[0165] The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element;

[0166] The IP address of the third network element;

[0167] and / or,

[0168] The second message further includes at least one of the following information:

[0169] The ID of the third network element;

[0170] The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element;

[0171] The IP address of the third network element.

[0172] With reference to some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to establish a third user plane connection with the first network element;

[0173] The first terminal is further used to establish a third user plane connection with the first network element based on the first indication information.

[0174] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is further used to receive a fifth message from the first terminal forwarded by the second network element, and the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released.

[0175] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is further used to send a sixth message to the second network element, and the sixth message is used to notify the second network element that the first user plane connection has changed.

[0176] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is further used to send a seventh message to the third network element, and the seventh message is used to transmit context information of the first terminal.

[0177] With reference to some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the third message includes at least one of the following information:

[0178] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0179] The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element.

[0180] With reference to some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth message includes at least one of the following information:

[0181] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0182] The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element.

[0183] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth message includes the relevant ID corresponding to the first network element.

[0184] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the sixth message includes the relevant ID corresponding to the first network element.

[0185] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal is further used to maintain the protocol data unit PDU session after releasing the first user plane connection.

[0186] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is further used to send an eighth message to the second network element before receiving the first message sent by the second network element, and the eighth message is used to indicate the change of the first user plane connection.

[0187] In conjunction with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the eighth message includes at least one of the following information:

[0188] the ID of the first network element;

[0189] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0190] the IP address of the first network element;

[0191] ID of the third network element;

[0192] The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element;

[0193] The IP address of the third network element;

[0194] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0195] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0196] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0197] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0198] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0199] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0200] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a chip or a chip system, which includes a processing circuit for executing the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect above.

[0201] It is understandable that the above-mentioned communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here. Among them, the communication device can be a terminal or a network element.

[0202] The present disclosure provides a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms communication method and information processing method are interchangeable, the terms communication device and information processing device are interchangeable, and the terms information processing system and communication system are interchangeable.

[0203] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0204] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0205] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0206] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0207] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0208] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "at least one of", "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0209] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, descriptions such as “at least one of A, B, C…”, “A and / or B and / or C…”, etc. include the situation where any one of A, B, C… exists alone, and also include any combination of any multiple of A, B, C…, and each situation can exist alone; for example, “at least one of A, B, C” includes the situation where A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, the combination of A and B, the combination of A and C, the combination of B and C, and the combination of A, B, and C; for example, A and / or B includes the situation where A exists alone, B exists alone, and the combination of A and B.

[0210] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "in one case A, in another case B," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B," may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: executing A independently of B (in some embodiments, A); executing B independently of A (in some embodiments, B); selectively executing A and B (in some embodiments, selecting between A and B); and executing both A and B (in some embodiments, A and B). The same applies when there are more branches, such as A, B, and C.

[0211] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first configuration" and the "second configuration" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0212] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0213] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0214] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0215] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0216] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0217] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, it can also be described as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it can also be set as a structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, languages ​​such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced with languages ​​corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side").

[0218] For example, an uplink channel, a downlink channel, etc. may be replaced by a side channel, and an uplink, a downlink, etc. may be replaced by a side link.

[0219] In some embodiments, terms such as "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "downlink", "downlink", "physical downlink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "side", "sidelink", "side communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", "direct link communication" can be interchangeable with each other.

[0220] In some embodiments, the terms "downlink control information (DCI)", "downlink (DL) assignment", "DL DCI", "uplink (UL) grant", "UL DCI" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0221] In some embodiments, terms such as "physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)" and "DL data" can be used interchangeably, and terms such as "physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)" and "UL data" can be used interchangeably.

[0222] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0223] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0224] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0225] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0226] FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0227] As shown in FIG. 1 a , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 .

[0228] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0229] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, but is not limited thereto.

[0231] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicable to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces may be implemented through software or programs.

[0232] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be described as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0233] In some embodiments, the access network device may be a single device, multiple devices, or a group of devices. The network element may be virtual or physical. The network device may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), or a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0234] In some embodiments, the core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), a 6G Core Network (6GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0235] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0236] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1a, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1a are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or a portion of the entities shown in FIG1a, or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1a. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0237] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), Future Radio Access (FRA), New Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0238] In some examples, a Location Management Function (LMF) or a User Equipment (UE) may trigger the establishment of a user plane connection. The UE and the LMF may maintain the established user plane connection. In some examples, the LMF may modify or terminate the user plane connection established between the UE and the LMF.

[0239] Specifically, in some embodiments, the LMF triggers the process of establishing a user connection with the UE. The LMF can send the user plane information of the LMF (i.e., Internet Protocol (IP) address or fully qualified domain name (FQDN)) to the UE via the downlink non-access stratum transport (DL NAS TRANSPORT) message of the access and mobility management function (AMF). If the LMF sends the FQDN of the LMF to the UE, the UE can use the Domain Name System (DNS) server / resolver to resolve the IP address of the LMF (e.g., Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF) or local DNS for local LMF address resolution). The UE uses the UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) including user plane positioning-related PDU session parameters (e.g., dedicated data network name (DNN) and single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI)) to establish a packet data unit (PDU) session for user plane positioning. The Session Management Function (SMF) selects a PDU Session Anchor User Plane Function (PSA UPF) connected to the LMF for the PDU session based on the S-NSSAI, DNN, and UE location information.

[0240] In some embodiments, the Identity (ID) includes a Routing ID and a Correlation ID. The Correlation ID and the Routing ID are different terms for the same identity. The "Correlation ID" is an identity used for service operations between the AMF and the LMF, and the "Routing ID" is an identity used in NAS messages sent over the N1 reference point between the UE and the AMF.

[0241] In the process related to LCS, the correlation ID (or routing ID) is used between the LMF, AMF and UE to identify the LMF and the LCS session between the LMF and the UE. For example, when the AMF receives a message and a routing ID from the UE, the AMF can map the routing ID to the correlation ID and send the message to the LMF identified by the correlation ID.

[0242] In other embodiments, the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF can be modified. Figure 1b illustrates a schematic diagram of the process for modifying the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF. This process describes the case where the LMF changes, but it also applies to the case where the source and target LMFs are the same. This process can also be used to terminate the user plane connection between the UE and the source LMF without selecting any target LMF.

[0243] As shown in Figure 1b, the process may include the following steps:

[0244] 1a. When the source LMF determines to change the source LMF to the target LMF, or re-establishes the user plane connection between the UE and the source LMF, or terminates the user plane connection between the UE and the source LMF, the source LMF sends a user plane location notification (Nlmf_Location_UPNotify) message to the AMF. If it is determined to change the source LMF to the target LMF, the message may also include the ID of the target LMF.

[0245] 1b. The AMF performs LMF reselection based on the identity of the target LMF received from the source LMF; or, if the UE moves to a new location (the UE may be outside the service area of ​​the source LMF and in the service area of ​​the target LMF), the AMF may perform LMF reselection.

[0246] Specifically, the AMF can select a target LMF for the UE at the current location based on the LMF service area and the LMF user plane positioning capability information. The selected target LMF can establish a user plane connection for UE positioning.

[0247] 2. If AMF reallocation occurs, skip this step. Otherwise, perform steps 3-8 below between the AMF, UE and target LMF. In addition, the UE also releases the user plane connection with the source LMF.

[0248] 3. The AMF sends a user plane location configuration request (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Request) message to the source LMF. This message may include the instruction to release the user plane connection from the source LMF to the UE and the identifier of the target LMF.

[0249] 4-5. If there is a periodically triggered UE location event reporting context, the source LMF can provide the UE's current location context to the target LMF by calling the LMF Location Context Transfer Request (Nlmf_Location_LocationContextTransfer Request) message service operation. The target LMF can feedback the result of the UE location context transfer operation to the source LMF.

[0250] 6. If a new user plane connection from the UE to the source LMF has been established, the old user plane connection (also referred to as the original user plane connection) from the source LMF to the UE is released.

[0251] 7. The source LMF sends a user plane location configuration response (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Response) message to the AMF to notify the AMF that the user plane connection between it and the UE has been released. After receiving this response message, the AMF can release the LCS-UP context.

[0252] In the case of user plane connection modification, the UE and LMF will release the old user plane connection and establish a new user plane connection between the LMF (different LMF or the same LMF) and the UE. The process of releasing the old user plane connection during the modification process can be initiated by the UE or LMF, but if the UE initiates the process of establishing a new user plane connection after the LMF releases the old user plane connection, the UE cannot obtain the information of the target LMF through the existing user plane connection establishment process, and therefore cannot establish a new user plane connection with the target LMF.

[0253] Therefore, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure provides a user plane connection re-establishment and modification process, wherein the source LMF (also referred to as the original LMF, or the old LMF) can send a re-establishment / modification indication and information of the target LMF (also referred to as the new LMF) to the UE, and can trigger the UE to release the user plane connection with the old LMF and establish a new user plane connection with the new LMF.

[0254] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0255] Based on the above wireless communication system, various embodiments of the communication method proposed in the present disclosure are described in detail below.

[0256] FIG2a is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2a , the communication method is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0257] S201. A second network element sends a first message to a first network element.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a LMF, or a SF, or an enhanced LMF.

[0259] In some embodiments, the second network element may be an AMF.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first message is used to indicate a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0261] Optionally, changing the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element includes: releasing the first user plane connection and re-establishing a third user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element; or, releasing the first user plane connection and establishing a second user plane connection between the first terminal and the third network element.

[0262] Optionally, the first message may include first indication information, used to instruct the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first indication information may instruct the first terminal to reestablish a user plane connection with the first network element, for example, a newly established third user plane connection.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first message may further include: relevant information of the first network element, at least one of second indication information and third indication information.

[0265] Optionally, the relevant information of the first network element may include at least one of the identifier (ID) of the first network element, an IP address (for example, an LMF LCS-UP address), and a relevant ID corresponding to the first user plane connection.

[0266] Optionally, the relevant ID corresponding to the first user plane connection may also be the relevant ID corresponding to the first network element.

[0267] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate the release of the first user plane connection.

[0268] Optionally, the third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0269] Exemplarily, the third indication information is used to indicate that the condition for releasing the first user plane connection is to release the first user plane connection before or after the first terminal reestablishes a new user plane connection with the first network element (which may correspond to the third user plane connection mentioned above).

[0270] In some embodiments, the condition for releasing the first user plane connection may be determined based on a service demand related to the first user plane connection.

[0271] Exemplarily, if the service related to the first user plane connection allows network interruption, the condition for releasing the first user plane connection is to release the first user plane connection before the first terminal reestablishes a new user plane connection with the first network element; otherwise, the first user plane connection is released after the first terminal reestablishes a new user plane connection with the first network element.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first message may be a message related to user plane positioning, for example, an LMF user plane positioning configuration request (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Request) message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0273] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", and "data" can be used interchangeably.

[0274] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0275] S202. The first network element sends a second message to the first terminal via the second network element.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0277] Optionally, the second message may include first indication information, used to instruct the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first indication information may instruct the first terminal to reestablish a new user plane connection with the first network element.

[0279] In some embodiments, the second message may further include: relevant information of the first network element, at least one of second indication information and third indication information.

[0280] In some embodiments, the relevant information of the first network element, at least one of the second indication information and the third indication information may be transmitted to the first terminal together with the second message via the second network element.

[0281] Optionally, the relevant information of the first network element may include at least one of the ID of the first network element, the IP address (for example, LMF LCS-UP address) and the relevant ID corresponding to the first user plane connection.

[0282] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate the release of the first user plane connection.

[0283] Optionally, the third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0284] Exemplarily, the third indication information is used to indicate that a condition for releasing the first user plane connection is to release the first user plane connection before or after the first terminal reestablishes a new user plane connection with the first network element.

[0285] In some embodiments, the second message may be a user plane connection release command message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0286] In some embodiments, the second message may be a user plane connection re-establishment command message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0287] In some embodiments, the second message may be a user plane connection modification command message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0288] In some embodiments, step S202 includes S202-1, the first network element sends a second message to the second network element.

[0289] Optionally, the second message sent by the first network element to the second network element, for example, the user plane connection release command message can be carried by the AMF communication N1N2 transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message.

[0290] In some embodiments, step S202 includes S202-2, the second network element sends a second message to the first terminal.

[0291] Optionally, the second message sent by the second network element to the first terminal, for example, a user plane connection release command message, may be carried in a downlink non-access stratum transmission (DL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0292] In some embodiments, the second network element may convert the correlation ID into a routing ID.

[0293] S203. The first terminal releases the user plane connection with the first network element according to the second message.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first terminal may release the user plane connection with the first network element according to at least one of the first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information in the second message.

[0295] S204: The first terminal maintains a protocol data unit (PDU) session.

[0296] In some embodiments, even after the old user plane connection with the first network element is released based on the second message, and there is no other activated user plane connection, the first terminal still maintains or maintains the PDU session without releasing it, so as to provide a basis for re-establishing a new user plane connection, thereby shortening the delay in establishing the user plane connection.

[0297] S205. The first terminal re-establishes a user plane connection with the first network element according to the first instruction information.

[0298] S206. The first terminal sends a fifth message to the first network element via the second network element.

[0299] In some embodiments, the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released.

[0300] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a user plane connection release complete message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0301] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a user plane connection re-establishment complete message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0302] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a user plane connection modification complete message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0303] In some embodiments, step S206 includes S206-1: the first terminal sends a fifth message to the second network element.

[0304] Optionally, the fifth message sent by the first terminal to the second network element may be carried by an uplink non-access layer transmission (UL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0305] In some embodiments, the fifth message sent by the first terminal to the second network element includes a routing ID.

[0306] In some embodiments, the second network element may convert the routing ID into a correlation ID.

[0307] In some embodiments, step S206 includes S206-2, the second network element sends a fifth message to the first network element.

[0308] Optionally, the fifth message sent by the second network element to the first network element can be carried by an AMF communication N1 notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify) message.

[0309] In some embodiments, the fifth message sent by the second network element to the first network element includes a correlation ID.

[0310] S207. The first network element sends a sixth message to the second network element.

[0311] In some embodiments, the sixth message is used to notify the second network element that the user plane connection between the first network element and the first terminal has been reestablished.

[0312] In some embodiments, the sixth message may be a message related to user plane positioning, for example, an LMF user plane positioning configuration response (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Response) message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0313] In some embodiments, before step S201, the following steps may also be included:

[0314] S200a-1. The first network element determines to re-establish a user plane connection with the first terminal.

[0315] S200a-2. The first network element sends an eighth message to the second network element.

[0316] In some embodiments, the eighth message is used to indicate a change in the user plane connection with the first terminal.

[0317] In some embodiments, the eighth message may include at least one of the following:

[0318] The first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0319] relevant information of the first network element;

[0320] The second indication information is used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0321] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0322] In some embodiments, the eighth message may be a message related to user plane positioning, for example, an LMF user plane positioning notification (Nlmf_Location_UPNotify) message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0323] In some embodiments, if the performance of the old user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element degrades and cannot meet relevant service requirements, the first network element may determine to reestablish the user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0324] In some embodiments, before step S201, the following steps may be performed:

[0325] S200b: The second network element determines to re-establish a user plane connection between the first network element and the first terminal.

[0326] In some embodiments, the second network element may select a target network element, such as the first network element, to establish a user plane connection with the first terminal based on the LMF service area and LMF user plane positioning capability information.

[0327] In some embodiments, if the performance of the old user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element degrades and cannot meet relevant service requirements, the second network element may determine to reestablish the user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0328] In the solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, by carrying indication information indicating the change of the user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element in the first message between the first network element and the second network element, and in the second message between the second network element and the first terminal, a new user plane connection can be established after the old user plane connection is released.

[0329] The method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S200a-1 to S207. For example, steps S201 and S202 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S201, S202, and S203 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S201, S202, S203, and S205 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S201, S202, S203, S204, and S205 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S201, S202, S203, S205, and S206 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S201, S202, S203, S205, and S206 can be implemented as independent embodiments. S202, S203, S204, S205, and S206 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S201, S202, S203, S205, and S207 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S201, S202, S203, S205, S206, and S207 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S201, S202, S203, S204, S205, S206, and S207 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited to this.

[0330] In some embodiments, steps S200a-1 and S200a-2 are optional and can be combined with the above-mentioned embodiments implemented as independent embodiments. In different embodiments, one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced.

[0331] In some embodiments, step S200b is optional and can be combined with the above-mentioned embodiments implemented as independent embodiments. In different embodiments, one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced.

[0332] In some embodiments, step S204 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0333] FIG2b is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2b , the communication method is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0334] S211. The second network element sends a first message to the first network element.

[0335] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a LMF, or a SF, or an enhanced LMF.

[0336] In some embodiments, the second network element may be an AMF.

[0337] In some embodiments, the first message is used to indicate a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0338] Optionally, the first message may include first indication information, used to instruct the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0339] In some embodiments, the first indication information may instruct the first terminal to establish a second user plane connection with the third network element.

[0340] In some embodiments, the first message may further include: relevant information of the first network element, second indication information and third indication information, and at least one of relevant information of the third network element.

[0341] Optionally, the relevant information of the first network element may include at least one of the identifier (ID) of the first network element, an IP address (for example, an LMF LCS-UP address), and a relevant ID corresponding to the first user plane connection.

[0342] Optionally, the relevant information of the third network element may include at least one of the identifier (ID) of the third network element, the IP address (for example: LMF LCS-UP address) and the relevant ID corresponding to the second user plane connection.

[0343] Optionally, the relevant ID corresponding to the second user plane connection may also be the relevant ID corresponding to the third network element.

[0344] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate the release of the first user plane connection.

[0345] Optionally, the third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0346] Exemplarily, the third indication information is used to indicate that a condition for releasing the first user plane connection is to release the first user plane connection before or after the first terminal establishes the second user plane connection with the third network element.

[0347] In some embodiments, the condition for releasing the first user plane connection may be determined based on a service demand related to the first user plane connection.

[0348] Exemplarily, if the service related to the first user plane connection allows network interruption, the condition for releasing the first user plane connection is to release the first user plane connection before the first terminal establishes a new user plane connection with the third network element; otherwise, the first user plane connection is released after the first terminal establishes a new user plane connection with the third network element.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first message may be a message related to user plane positioning, for example, an LMF user plane positioning configuration request (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Request) message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0350] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", and "data" can be used interchangeably.

[0351] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0352] S212. The first network element sends a second message to the first terminal via the second network element.

[0353] In some embodiments, the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element. Optionally, the second message may include first indication information, used to instruct the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0354] In some embodiments, the first indication information may instruct the first terminal to establish a second user plane connection with the third network element.

[0355] In some embodiments, the second message may further include: relevant information of the first network element, second indication information and third indication information, and at least one of relevant information of the third network element.

[0356] In some embodiments, the relevant information of the first network element, at least one of the second indication information and the third indication information may be transmitted to the first terminal together with the second message via the second network element.

[0357] Optionally, the relevant information of the first network element may include at least one of an identifier (ID) of the first network element and a relevant ID corresponding to the first user plane connection.

[0358] Optionally, the relevant information of the third network element may include at least one of the identifier (ID) of the third network element, the LMF LCS-UP address, and the relevant ID corresponding to the second user plane connection.

[0359] Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate the release of the first user plane connection.

[0360] Optionally, the third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0361] Exemplarily, the third indication information is used to indicate that a condition for releasing the first user plane connection is to release the first user plane connection before or after the first terminal establishes the second user plane connection with the third network element.

[0362] In some embodiments, the second message may be a user plane connection release command message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0363] In some embodiments, the second message may be a user plane connection re-establishment command message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0364] In some embodiments, the second message may be a user plane connection modification command message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0365] In some embodiments, step S212 includes S212-1, the first network element sends a second message to the second network element.

[0366] Optionally, the second message sent by the first network element to the second network element, for example, the user plane connection release command message can be carried by the AMF communication N1N2 transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message.

[0367] In some embodiments, step S212 includes S212-2, the second network element sends a second message to the first terminal.

[0368] Optionally, the second message sent by the second network element to the first terminal, for example, a user plane connection release command message, may be carried in a downlink non-access stratum transmission (DL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0369] In some embodiments, the second network element can convert the relevant ID corresponding to the first user plane connection (for example: relevant ID1) into a routing ID corresponding to the first user plane connection (for example: routing ID1), and convert the relevant ID corresponding to the second user plane connection (for example: relevant ID2) into a routing ID corresponding to the second user plane connection (for example: routing ID2).

[0370] S213. The first terminal releases the user plane connection with the first network element according to the second message.

[0371] In some embodiments, the first terminal may release the user plane connection with the first network element according to at least one of the first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information in the second message.

[0372] S214: The first terminal maintains a protocol data unit (PDU) session.

[0373] In some embodiments, even after the old user plane connection with the first network element is released based on the second message, and there is no other activated user plane connection, the first terminal still maintains or maintains the PDU session without releasing it, so as to provide a basis for re-establishing a new user plane connection, thereby shortening the delay in establishing the user plane connection.

[0374] S215. The first terminal sends a third message to the third network element via the second network element.

[0375] In some embodiments, the third message is used to request establishment of a second user plane connection with a third network element.

[0376] In some embodiments, the third message may be a user plane connection establishment request message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0377] In some embodiments, step S215 includes S215-1, the first terminal sends a third message to the second network element.

[0378] Optionally, the third message sent by the first terminal to the second network element may be carried by an uplink non-access layer transmission (UL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0379] In some embodiments, the third message sent by the first terminal to the second network element includes the routing ID2 corresponding to the second user plane connection.

[0380] In some embodiments, the second network element may convert the routing ID2 into a correlation ID2.

[0381] In some embodiments, step S215 includes S215-2, the second network element sends a third message to the third network element.

[0382] Optionally, the third message sent by the second network element to the third network element can be carried by an AMF communication N1 notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify) message.

[0383] In some embodiments, the third message sent by the second network element to the third network element includes the correlation ID2.

[0384] S216. The third network element sends a fourth message to the first terminal via the second network element.

[0385] In some embodiments, the fourth message is used to notify the first terminal whether to agree to establish the second user plane connection.

[0386] In some embodiments, the fourth message is a response message to the third message, for example, a user plane connection establishment response message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0387] In some embodiments, step S216 includes S216-1, the third network element sends a fourth message to the second network element.

[0388] Optionally, the fourth message sent by the third network element to the second network element can be carried by an AMF communication N1N2 transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message.

[0389] In some embodiments, the fourth message sent by the third network element to the second network element includes the correlation ID2.

[0390] In some embodiments, the second network element may convert the correlation ID2 into a routing ID2.

[0391] In some embodiments, step S216 includes S216-2, the second network element sends a fourth message to the first terminal.

[0392] Optionally, the fourth message sent by the second network element to the first terminal may be carried by a downlink non-access layer transmission (DL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0393] In some embodiments, the fourth message sent by the second network element to the first terminal includes routing ID2.

[0394] S217. The first terminal establishes a second user plane connection with the third network element according to the fourth message.

[0395] In some embodiments, if the fourth message received by the first terminal carries indication information of whether to agree to establish a second user plane connection with the first terminal, the first terminal establishes the second user plane connection with the third network element.

[0396] S218. The first terminal sends a fifth message to the first network element via the second network element.

[0397] In some embodiments, the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released.

[0398] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a user plane connection re-establishment complete message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0399] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a user plane connection release complete message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0400] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a user plane connection modification complete message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0401] In some embodiments, step S218 includes S218-1, the first terminal sends a fifth message to the second network element.

[0402] Optionally, the fifth message sent by the first terminal to the second network element may be carried by an uplink non-access layer transmission (UL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0403] In some embodiments, the fifth message sent by the first terminal to the second network element includes routing ID1.

[0404] In some embodiments, the second network element may convert routing ID1 into correlation ID1.

[0405] In some embodiments, step S218 includes S218-2, the second network element sends a fifth message to the first network element.

[0406] Optionally, the fifth message sent by the second network element to the first network element can be carried by an AMF communication N1 notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify) message.

[0407] In some embodiments, the fifth message sent by the second network element to the first network element includes the correlation ID1.

[0408] S219. The first network element sends a seventh message to the third network element.

[0409] Optionally, the seventh message is used to transmit context information of the first terminal.

[0410] In some embodiments, the seventh message may be an LMF location context transfer request (Nlmf_Location_LocationContextTransfer Request) message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0411] In some embodiments, the first network element may also receive a response message to the seventh message sent by the third network element, for example, an LMF location context transfer response (Nlmf_Location_LocationContextTransfer Response) message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0412] S2110. The first network element sends a sixth message to the second network element.

[0413] In some embodiments, the sixth message is used to notify the second network element that the user plane connection between the second network element and the first terminal has changed, or the sixth message is used to notify the second network element that the user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element has been released.

[0414] In some embodiments, the sixth message may be a message related to user plane positioning, for example, an LMF user plane positioning configuration response (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Response) message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0415] In some embodiments, before step S211, the following steps may be further included:

[0416] S210a-1. The first network element determines to change the user plane connection between the first network element and the first terminal.

[0417] Optionally, the first network element determines to release the first user plane connection between the first network element and the first terminal.

[0418] Optionally, the first network element determines to release the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first terminal, and determines to establish a second user plane connection between the first terminal and the third network element.

[0419] S210a-2. The first network element sends an eighth message to the second network element.

[0420] In some embodiments, the eighth message is used to indicate a change in the user plane connection with the first terminal.

[0421] In some embodiments, the eighth message may include at least one of the following:

[0422] The first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0423] relevant information of the first network element;

[0424] Relevant information about the third network element;

[0425] The second indication information is used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0426] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0427] Optionally, the first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to establish a second user plane connection with the third network element.

[0428] In some embodiments, the eighth message may be a message related to user plane positioning, for example, an LMF user plane positioning notification (Nlmf_Location_UPNotify) message, but the name of the message is not limited thereto.

[0429] In some embodiments, before step S211, the following steps may be performed:

[0430] S210b: The second network element determines to change the user plane connection between the first network element and the first terminal.

[0431] Optionally, the second network element determines to release the first user plane connection between the second network element and the first terminal.

[0432] Optionally, the second network element determines to release the first user plane connection between the second network element and the first terminal, and determines to establish a second user plane connection between the first terminal and the third network element.

[0433] In some embodiments, the second network element may select a target network element, such as the second network element, to establish a user plane connection with the first terminal based on the LMF service area and LMF user plane positioning capability information.

[0434] In the above embodiment, if the performance of the old user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element degrades and cannot meet relevant service requirements, the first network element or the second network element may determine that the first terminal establishes a user plane connection with a third network element.

[0435] The method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S210a-1 to S2110. For example, steps S211 and S212 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S211, S212, and S213 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S211, S212, S213, S215, S216, and S217 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S211 to S217 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S211, S212, S213, S215, S216, S217, and S218 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S211 to S218 may be implemented as independent embodiments. 18 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S211, S212, S213, S215, S216, S217, S218, and S219 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S211 to S219 can be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S211, S212, S213, S215, S216, S217, S218, S219, and S2110 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S211 to S2110 can be implemented as independent embodiments but are not limited thereto.

[0436] In some embodiments, steps S210a-1 and S210a-2 are optional and can be combined with the above-mentioned embodiments implemented as independent embodiments. In different embodiments, one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced.

[0437] In some embodiments, step S210b is optional and can be combined with the above-mentioned embodiments implemented as independent embodiments. In different embodiments, one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced.

[0438] In some embodiments, step S214 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0439] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 , the communication method may be executed by a first network element, and the method includes:

[0440] S301. Receive a first message sent by a second network element, where the first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between a first terminal and the first network element;

[0441] S302: Send a second message to the first terminal via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0442] In some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following information:

[0443] The identification ID of the first network element;

[0444] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0445] the IP address of the first network element;

[0446] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0447] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0448] third indication information, used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection;

[0449] and / or,

[0450] The second message further includes at least one of the following information:

[0451] the ID of the first network element;

[0452] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0453] the IP address of the first network element;

[0454] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0455] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0456] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0457] In some embodiments, the above method may further include:

[0458] A fifth message sent by the first terminal is received via the second network element, where the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released.

[0459] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes a correlation ID corresponding to the first network element.

[0460] In some embodiments, the above method may further include:

[0461] Send a sixth message to the second network element, where the sixth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has changed.

[0462] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to establish a second user plane connection with the third network element, and the method further includes:

[0463] In some embodiments, the sixth message includes a correlation ID corresponding to the first network element.

[0464] A seventh message is sent to the third network element, where the seventh message is used to transmit context information of the first terminal.

[0465] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to establish a third user plane connection with the first network element.

[0466] In some embodiments, before receiving the first message sent by the second network element, the method further includes:

[0467] An eighth message is sent to the second network element, where the eighth message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection.

[0468] In some embodiments, the eighth message includes at least one of the following information:

[0469] the ID of the first network element;

[0470] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0471] the IP address of the first network element;

[0472] ID of the third network element;

[0473] The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element;

[0474] The IP address of the third network element;

[0475] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0476] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0477] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0478] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the communication method can be executed by a first terminal, and the method includes:

[0479] S401. Receive a second message sent by a first network element via a second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0480] In some embodiments, the second message further includes at least one of the following information:

[0481] the ID of the first network element;

[0482] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0483] the IP address of the first network element;

[0484] The ID of the third network element;

[0485] The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element;

[0486] IP address of the third network element

[0487] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0488] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0489] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0490] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: releasing the first user plane connection based on the second message.

[0491] In some embodiments, after releasing the first user plane connection, the method further comprises: maintaining the PDU session.

[0492] Optionally, the PDU session is maintained in the absence of other active user plane connections.

[0493] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used for the first terminal to establish a second user plane connection with the third network element, and the method further includes:

[0494] A third message is sent to the third network element via the second network element, where the third message is used to request establishment of the second user plane connection with the third network element.

[0495] In some embodiments, the third message includes at least one of the following information:

[0496] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0497] The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element.

[0498] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0499] A fourth message sent by the third network element is received via the second network element, where the fourth message is a response message to the third message.

[0500] Optionally, the first terminal may establish the second user plane connection based on the fourth message.

[0501] In some embodiments, the fourth message includes at least one of the following information:

[0502] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0503] The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element.

[0504] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to establish a third user plane connection with the first network element, and the method further includes: establishing the third user plane connection with the first network element based on the first indication information.

[0505] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0506] A fifth message is sent to the first network element via the second network element, where the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released.

[0507] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , the communication method may be executed by a second network element, and the method includes:

[0508] Sending a first message to a first network element, where the first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0509] A second message from the first network element is sent to the first terminal, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0510] In some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of the following information:

[0511] The identification ID of the first network element;

[0512] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0513] the IP address of the first network element;

[0514] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0515] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0516] third indication information, used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection;

[0517] and / or,

[0518] The second message further includes at least one of the following information:

[0519] the ID of the first network element;

[0520] The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element;

[0521] the IP address of the first network element;

[0522] first indication information, used to instruct to change the first user plane connection;

[0523] second indication information, used to instruct to release the first user plane connection;

[0524] The third indication information is used to indicate a condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

[0525] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0526] A sixth message sent by the first network element is received, where the sixth message is used to notify the second network element that the first user plane connection has changed.

[0527] In some embodiments, before sending the first message to the first network element, the method further includes:

[0528] An eighth message sent by the first network element is received, where the eighth message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection.

[0529] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6a, the first network element may include: at least one of a first transceiver module 611, a first processing module 612, etc.

[0530] In some embodiments, the first transceiver module 611 is configured to receive a first message sent by a second network element, and send a second message to the first terminal via the second network element;

[0531] The first message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0532] The second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0533] Optionally, the above-mentioned first transceiver module 611 is used to execute the steps related to sending and receiving signaling performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, for example: at least one of steps S200a-2, S201, S202-1, S206-2, S207 shown in Figure 2a, and steps S210a-2, S211, S212-1, S218-2, S219, and S2110 shown in Figure 2b, which are not repeated here.

[0534] Optionally, the above-mentioned first processing module 612 is used to execute the steps related to determining the change of user plane connection performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, for example: at least one of step S200a-1 shown in Figure 2a and step S210a-1 shown in Figure 2b, which are not repeated here.

[0535] FIG6 b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6 b , the second network element includes at least one of a second transceiver module 621 and a second processing module 622 .

[0536] In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 621 is configured to send a first message to a first network element, and send a second message from the first network element to the first terminal;

[0537] The first message is used to instruct a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element;

[0538] The second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

[0539] Optionally, the above-mentioned second transceiver module 621 is used to execute steps related to sending and receiving signaling performed by the second network element in any of the above methods, for example: at least one of steps S200a-2, S201, S202, S206, S207 shown in Figure 2a, and steps S210a-2, S211, S212, S215, S216, S218, S219, and S2110 shown in Figure 2b, which are not repeated here.

[0540] Optionally, the above-mentioned second processing module 622 is used to execute the steps related to determining the change of user plane connection performed by the second network element in any of the above methods, for example: at least one of step S200b shown in Figure 2a and step S210b shown in Figure 2b, which are not repeated here.

[0541] Figure 6c is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6c, the first terminal may include: at least one of a third transceiver module 631, a third processing module 632, etc.

[0542] In some embodiments, the third transceiver module 631 is used to receive a second message sent by the first network element via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element.

[0543] Optionally, the above-mentioned third transceiver module 631 is used to execute the steps related to sending and receiving signaling performed by the first terminal in any of the above methods, for example: for example: at least one of steps S202-2, S206-1 shown in Figure 2a, and steps S212-2, S215-1, S216-1, and S218-1 shown in Figure 2b, which are not repeated here.

[0544] Optionally, the above-mentioned third processing module 632 is used to execute the steps related to the execution of the operation performed by the first terminal in any of the above methods, for example: at least one of steps S203, S204, S205 shown in Figure 2a, and steps S213, S214, S217 shown in Figure 2b, which are not repeated here.

[0545] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the above units or modules are realized by designing the logical relationship of the elements in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be implemented by a programmable logic device (PLD), taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules.

[0546] All units or modules of the above devices can be implemented in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or partially implemented in the form of software called by the processor, and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuits. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP); in another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable, such as a hardware circuit implemented by a processor as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0547] The present disclosure also provides an optional implementation scheme for determining to reestablish a user plane connection between a first terminal (UE) and a first network element (LMF1). As shown in FIG7a , the process may include the following steps:

[0548] S701a-1. LMF1 (which may correspond to the first network element mentioned above) determines to re-establish a user plane connection between the UE and the LMF1 or terminate the user plane connection.

[0549] Optionally, LMF1 may determine to release the old user plane connection before the new user plane connection is established, or to release the old user plane connection after the new user plane connection is established.

[0550] S701a-2, LMF1 sends a user plane positioning notification (Nlmf_Location_UPNotify) message (which may correspond to the eighth message above) to AMF (which may correspond to the second network element above).

[0551] The message may include re-establishment indication (which may be described as a reconstruction indication) information (which may correspond to the first indication information above) for indicating user plane connection mobility (termination of the old connection and establishment of a new connection), which is used to instruct the UE to re-establish a user plane connection with LMF1, or to instruct the UE to establish a new user plane connection with LMF1.

[0552] Optionally, the message may further include at least one of the related ID 1 and the ID of LFM1 (eg, LFM ID1).

[0553] Optionally, the message may also include release indication information (which may also be described as termination indication information, which may correspond to the second indication information above), which is used to instruct the UE to release the original user plane connection (old user plane connection) between the UE and LMF1.

[0554] Optionally, the message may also include indication information for instructing to release the old user plane connection before the new user plane connection is established, or indication information for instructing to release the old user plane connection after the new user plane connection is established (which may correspond to the third indication information above).

[0555] S701b. AMF determines to re-establish the user plane connection between the UE and LMF1.

[0556] S702. AMF can select the target LMF for the current UE location as LMF1 (which can be described as the source LMF) based on the LMF service area and LMF user plane positioning capability information.

[0557] Optionally, the AMF may determine to release the old user plane connection before the new user plane connection is established, or to release the old user plane connection after the new user plane connection is established.

[0558] Optionally, the AMF may also allocate correlation ID 1 for re-establishing the user plane connection between the UE and LMF1.

[0559] S703. AMF sends a user plane positioning configuration request (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Request) message to LMF1 (which may correspond to the first message above).

[0560] Optionally, the message includes re-establishment indication (which can be described as reconstruction indication) information (which can correspond to the first indication information above) used to instruct the UE to re-establish the user plane connection with LMF1, or to instruct the UE to establish a new user plane connection with LMF1.

[0561] Optionally, the message may further include release indication information (which may correspond to the second indication information mentioned above), which is used to instruct the UE to release the original user plane connection (old user plane connection) between the UE and the LMF1.

[0562] Optionally, the message may also include indication information for indicating the release of the old user plane connection after the new user plane connection is established, or indication information for indicating the release of the old user plane connection before the new user plane connection is established (which may correspond to the third indication information above), which can be briefly described below as: release indication after establishment / before establishment.

[0563] Optionally, the message may include a request for LMF1 to terminate a specific user plane connection with the UE.

[0564] Optionally, the message may also include information about AMF reallocation, for example: correlation ID 1.

[0565] S704. LMF1 sends a user plane connection release command message to AMF (which may correspond to the second message above).

[0566] In some embodiments, the user plane connection release command message can be carried by the AMF communication N1N2 transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message.

[0567] Optionally, the user plane connection release command message may include a re-establishment indication and a post-establishment / pre-establishment release indication.

[0568] Optionally, the user plane connection release command message may further include related ID1.

[0569] Optionally, the user plane connection release command message, as well as at least one of the re-establishment indication, the post-establishment / pre-establishment release indication and the related ID1 can be carried by the AMF communication N1N2 transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message.

[0570] S705. AMF maps (also described as converting) the related ID 1 to the routing ID 1, and sends the routing ID 1 together with the user plane connection release command message to the UE.

[0571] Optionally, the AMF may send the routing ID1 together with the user plane connection release command message to the UE via a downlink non-access layer transport (DL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0572] S706. The UE releases the old user plane connection with LMF1 based on the re-establishment indication received in step S705 and / or the release indication received before / after the establishment.

[0573] S707: In the absence of other active user plane connections, the UE maintains the PDU session.

[0574] Optionally, even if the old user plane connection is released based on the re-establishment indication received in step S705 and / or the release indication after / before establishment, and there is no other activated user plane connection, the PDU session is still maintained without being released to provide a basis for re-establishing a new user plane connection, thereby shortening the delay in establishing the user plane connection.

[0575] S708. When receiving the re-establishment indication, the UE establishes a new user plane connection with LMF1, or re-establishes a user plane connection with LMF1.

[0576] S709. After the UE releases the old user plane connection with LMF1 and establishes a new user plane connection with LMF1, the UE sends a user plane connection release complete message (which may correspond to the fifth message above) to the AMF using routing ID1.

[0577] Optionally, a re-establishment indication may be included in the user plane connection release complete message to indicate to the AMF that the user plane connection with routing ID 1 is re-established.

[0578] Optionally, the UE may send a user plane connection release complete message to the AMF via an uplink non-access layer transport (UL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0579] S7010. The AMF forwards the message from the UE to the LMF1 indicated by the routing ID 1 and converts the routing ID 1 into the correlation ID 1.

[0580] Optionally, AMF may send the user plane connection release completion message to LMF1 via an AMF communication N1 notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify) message.

[0581] S7011. LMF1 sends a user plane positioning configuration response (Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Response) message (which may correspond to the sixth message above) to AMF to notify AMF that the re-establishment process of the user plane connection is complete.

[0582] The message may include the related ID1 and re-establishment completion indication information.

[0583] The present disclosure also provides an optional implementation scheme for determining to modify a first user plane connection between a first terminal (UE) and a first network element (LMF1) to establish a second user plane connection between the UE and a third network element (LMF2). As shown in FIG7b , the process may include the following steps:

[0584] S711a-1. LMF1 determines to modify the user plane connection between the UE and LMF1.

[0585] Optionally, LMF1 may determine to release the old user plane connection before the new user plane connection is established, or to release the old user plane connection after the new user plane connection is established.

[0586] If LMF1 selects LMF2 (i.e. the changed LMF, which can also be described as the target LMF or the new LMF), LMF1 (which can be described as the source LMF or the old LMF) can allocate the relevant ID2 to the selected LMF2 (which can correspond to the third network element above).

[0587] S711a-2. LMF1 sends a user plane positioning notification (Nlmf_Location_UPNotify) message to AMF (which may correspond to the eighth message above).

[0588] The message may include modification indication information (which may correspond to the first indication information above) for indicating user plane connection mobility (including termination of the old connection and establishment of a new connection), which is used to instruct the UE to establish a user plane connection with LMF2.

[0589] Optionally, the message may further include the ID of LMF2 (eg, LFM ID2).

[0590] That is, if LMF1 determines to change the LMF, then LMF1 may perform LMF selection and may select a new LMF (ie, LMF2), and if LMF2 is selected, then LMF1 will include the ID of LMF2 in the message.

[0591] Optionally, LMF1 can send a post-establishment / pre-establishment release indication to AMF.

[0592] Optionally, LMF1 may also send correlation ID 1 and allocated correlation ID 2 to AMF.

[0593] S711b. The AMF determines that the user plane connection between the UE and LMF1 needs to be modified.

[0594] Optionally, the AMF may be outside the service area of ​​LMF1 and in the service area of ​​the target LMF.

[0595] S712. The AMF selects a target LMF for the current UE location based on the identifier of the target LMF for user plane positioning received from LMF1 (i.e., LMF ID2), or based on the LMF service area and LMF user plane positioning capability information. The LMF needs to be able to establish a user plane session with the UE for positioning.

[0596] Optionally, the AMF may determine to release the old user plane connection before the new user plane connection is established, or to release the old user plane connection after the new user plane connection is established.

[0597] Optionally, the AMF may also allocate correlation ID 2 for modifying the user plane connection between the UE and LMF1.

[0598] S713. AMF sends an Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request message to LMF1 (which may correspond to the first message above).

[0599] The message may include modification indication information (which may correspond to the first indication information mentioned above) for indicating the movement of the user plane connection, which is used to instruct the UE to establish a user plane connection with LMF2.

[0600] Optionally, the message may further include the ID of LMF2 (eg, LFM ID2).

[0601] Optionally, AMF may send a post-establishment / pre-establishment release indication to LMF1.

[0602] Optionally, the message may include a request for LMF1 to terminate a specific user plane connection with the UE and an identifier of a target LMF.

[0603] Optionally, the message may also include information about AMF reallocation, for example: correlation ID 2.

[0604] S714. LMF1 sends a user plane connection release command message to AMF (which may correspond to the second message above).

[0605] In some embodiments, the user plane connection release command message can be carried by the AMF communication N1N2 transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message.

[0606] Optionally, the user plane connection release command message may include a modification indication and a post-establishment / pre-establishment release indication.

[0607] Optionally, the user plane connection release command message may also include at least one of the related ID1, LMF LCS-UP address of LMF2 and the related ID2.

[0608] Optionally, the user plane connection release command message, as well as the modification indication, the post-establishment / pre-establishment release indication and at least one of the related ID1, LMF LCS-UP address of LMF2 and the related ID2 can be carried by the AMF communication N1N2 transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message.

[0609] S715. The AMF converts the correlation ID1 and the correlation ID2 into routing ID1 and routing ID2 respectively, and sends the routing ID1 and routing ID2 together with the user plane connection release command to the UE.

[0610] Optionally, the AMF may send the routing ID1 and routing ID2 together with the user plane connection release command message to the UE via a downlink non-access layer transport (DL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0611] S716. The UE releases the old user plane connection with LMF1 based on the modification indication received in step S715 and / or the release indication after / before establishment.

[0612] S717: In the absence of other active user plane connections, the UE maintains the PDU session.

[0613] Optionally, even if the old user plane connection is released based on the re-establishment indication received in step S705 and / or the release indication after / before establishment, and there is no other activated user plane connection, the PDU session is still maintained without being released to provide a basis for re-establishing a new user plane connection, thereby shortening the delay in establishing the user plane connection.

[0614] S718-S7111, the UE sends a user plane connection establishment request message corresponding to routing ID2 to LMF2 through AMF (which may correspond to the third message above), and LMF2 sends a user plane connection establishment response message corresponding to the relevant ID2 through AMF (which may correspond to the fourth message above) to the UE.

[0615] Optionally, the UE may transmit the user plane connection establishment request message to the AMF via an uplink non-access layer transmission (UL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0616] Optionally, the AMF may transmit the user plane connection establishment request message to the LMF2 via the AMF communication N1 notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify) message.

[0617] Optionally, LMF2 can transmit the user plane connection establishment response message to AMF through the AMF communication N1N2 transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) message.

[0618] Optionally, the AMF may transmit the user plane connection establishment response message to the UE via a downlink non-access layer transmission (DL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0619] S7112. When the user plane connection establishment response message received by the UE indicates that LMF2 accepts to establish a user plane connection with the UE, the UE establishes a new user plane connection with LMF2.

[0620] S7113. After the UE releases the old user plane connection with LMF1 and establishes a new user plane connection with LMF2, the UE uses routing ID1 to send a user plane connection release complete message to AMF (which may correspond to the fifth message above).

[0621] Optionally, the UE may send a user plane connection release complete message to the AMF via an uplink non-access layer transport (UL NAS TRANSPROT) message.

[0622] Optionally, a modification indication may be included in the user plane connection release complete message to indicate to the AMF that the user plane connection modification with routing ID 1 is completed.

[0623] S7114. AMF forwards the message from the UE to LMF1 indicated by routing ID1 and converts routing ID1 into correlation ID1.

[0624] Optionally, AMF may send the user plane connection release completion message to LMF1 via an AMF communication N1 notification (Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify) message.

[0625] S7115. After receiving the message from the UE via the AMF, LMF1 transfers the UE context to LMF2.

[0626] Optionally, LMF1 transfers the UE context to LMF2 through an LMF location context transfer request (Nlmf_Location_LocationContextTransfer Request) message (which may correspond to the seventh message above).

[0627] Optionally, LFM2 may send a response message to LFM1, such as an LMF positioning context transfer response (Nlmf_Location_LocationContextTransfer Response) message.

[0628] S7116. LMF1 sends a Nmf_Location_UPConfig Response message (which may correspond to the sixth message above) to the AMF user plane positioning configuration response to inform the AMF that the modification process of the user plane connection is completed.

[0629] The message may include the related ID1 and modification completion indication information.

[0630] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 900 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 900 can be a network element (such as the first network element or second network element described above), a terminal (such as user equipment), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 900 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0631] As shown in Figure 8a, the communication device 900 includes one or more processors 901. The processor 901 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 901 is used to call instructions to enable the communication device 900 to perform any of the above methods.

[0632] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 further includes one or more transceivers 902. When the communication device 900 includes one or more transceivers 902, the transceiver 902 performs the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, steps S200a-2, S201, S202-1, S202-2, S206-1, S206-2, and S207 shown in FIG. 2a, and steps S210a-2, S211, S212-1, S212-2, S215-1, S216-1, and S217 shown in FIG. 2b). 218-1, S218-2, S219, S2110, but not limited thereto), the processor 901 executes at least one of the other steps (for example, steps S200a-1, S200b, S203, S204, S205 shown in FIG2a, and at least one of steps S210a-1, S210b, S213, S213, S214, S217 shown in FIG2b, but not limited thereto). In an optional embodiment, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface may be interchangeable, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit may be interchangeable, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be interchangeable.

[0633] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 further includes one or more memories 902 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 902 may be located outside the communication device 900.

[0634] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 further includes one or more transceivers 903. When the communication device 900 includes one or more transceivers 903, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 903, and the other steps are performed by the processor 901.

[0635] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0636] Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes one or more interface circuits 904, which are connected to the memory 902. The interface circuits 904 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 902 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 902 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 904 may read instructions stored in the memory 902 and send the instructions to the processor 901.

[0637] The communication device 900 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 900 described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 900 may not be limited by FIG8a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0638] FIG8b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 910 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 900 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 910 shown in FIG8b, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0639] The chip 910 includes one or more processors 911. The chip 910 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0640] In some embodiments, chip 910 also includes one or more interface circuits 912. Alternatively, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 910 also includes one or more memories 913 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 913 may be located outside chip 910. Optionally, interface circuit 912 is connected to memory 913 and may be used to receive data from memory 913 or other devices, or may be used to send data to memory 913 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 912 may read data stored in memory 913 and send the data to processor 911.

[0641] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 912 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, at least one of steps S200a-2, S201, S202-1, S202-2, S206-1, S206-2, and S207 shown in FIG2a , and steps S210a-2, S211, S212-1, S212-2, S215-1, S216-1, S218-1, S218-2, S219, and S2110 shown in FIG2b , but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 912 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, for example, means that the interface circuit 912 performs data exchange between the processor 911, the chip 910, the memory 913, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 911 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, at least one of steps S200a-1, S200b, S203, S204, S205 shown in Figure 2a, and steps S210a-1, S210b, S213, S213, S214, S217 shown in Figure 2b, but not limited to these).

[0642] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 900, enables the communication device 900 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0643] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

[0644] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be arbitrarily combined without conflict.

[0645] Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow from the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0646] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication system, characterized in that, Comprising: A first terminal, a first network element, and a second network element, wherein, The first network element is configured to receive a first message sent by the second network element, and the first message is used to indicate a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element; The first network element is configured to send a second message to the first terminal via the second network element, and the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The first message includes at least one of the following information: The identification ID of the first network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element; The IP address of the first network element; A first indication information for indicating a change in the first user plane connection; A second indication information for indicating the release of the first user plane connection; A third indication information for indicating the condition for releasing the first user plane connection; And / or, The second message further includes at least one of the following information: The ID of the first network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element; The IP address of the first network element; A first indication information for indicating a change in the first user plane connection; A second indication information for indicating the release of the first user plane connection; A third indication information for indicating the condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein Further comprising: a third network element, and the first indication information is used to indicate the first terminal to establish a second user plane connection with the third network element; The second network element is further configured to forward a third message from the first terminal to the third network element, and the third message is used to request to establish the second user plane connection with the third network element.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein, The second network element is further configured to forward a fourth message from the third network element to the first terminal, and the fourth message is a response message to the third message.

5. The system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The first message further includes at least one of the following information: The ID of the third network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element; The IP address of the third network element; And / or, The second message further includes at least one of the following information: The ID of the third network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element; The IP address of the third network element.

6. The system according to claim 2, wherein The first indication information is used to indicate the first terminal to establish a third user plane connection with the first network element; The first terminal is further configured to establish a third user plane connection with the first network element based on the first indication information.

7. The system according to claim 4 or 6, wherein, The first network element is further configured to receive a fifth message from the first terminal forwarded by the second network element, and the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein, The first network element is further configured to send a sixth message to the second network element, and the sixth message is used to notify the second network element that the first user plane connection has changed.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein, The first network element is further configured to send a seventh message to the third network element, where the seventh message is used to transmit context information of the first terminal.

10. The system according to any one of claims 3-9, characterized in that, The third message includes at least one of the following information: The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element.

11. The system according to any one of claims 4-9, characterized in that, The fourth message includes at least one of the following information: The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element.

12. The system according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The fifth message includes the relevant ID corresponding to the first network element.

13. The system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The sixth message includes the relevant ID corresponding to the first network element.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein The first terminal is further configured to maintain a protocol data unit (PDU) session after releasing the first user plane connection.

15. The system according to any one of claims 1-14, wherein The first network element is further configured to send an eighth message to the second network element before receiving the first message sent by the second network element, where the eighth message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein The eighth message includes at least one of the following information: The ID of the first network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element; The IP address of the first network element; The ID of the third network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the third network element; The IP address of the third network element; First indication information for indicating a change in the first user plane connection; Second indication information for indicating the release of the first user plane connection; Third indication information for indicating the conditions for releasing the first user plane connection.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first network element, the method includes: Receiving a first message sent by the second network element, where the first message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element; Sending a second message to the first terminal via the second network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal of the change in the first user plane connection.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The first message includes at least one of the following information: The identification ID of the first network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element; The IP address of the first network element; First indication information for indicating a change in the first user plane connection; Second indication information for indicating the release of the first user plane connection; Third indication information for indicating the conditions for releasing the first user plane connection; And / or The second message further includes at least one of the following information: The ID of the first network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element; The IP address of the first network element; First indication information for indicating a change in the first user plane connection; Second indication information for indicating the release of the first user plane connection; Third indication information for indicating the conditions for releasing the first user plane connection.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving, via the second network element, a fifth message sent by the first terminal, where the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released; Sending a sixth message to the second network element, where the sixth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has changed.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal establishes a second user plane connection with a third network element, and the method further includes: Sending a seventh message to the third network element, where the seventh message is used to transmit the context information of the first terminal.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein The first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal establishes a third user plane connection with the first network element.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 - 21, characterized in that, Before receiving the first message sent by the second network element, the method further includes: Sending an eighth message to the second network element, where the eighth message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first terminal, the method includes: Receiving, via a second network element, a second message sent by a first network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal of a change in the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element; Wherein, the second message includes first indication information for indicating a change in the first user plane connection.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The method further includes: After releasing the first user plane connection, maintaining the PDU session.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The first indication information is for the first terminal to establish a second user plane connection with the third network element, and the method further includes: Sending a third message to the third network element via the second network element, where the third message is used to request to establish the second user plane connection with the third network element.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein The method further includes: Receiving, via the second network element, a fourth message sent by the third network element, where the fourth message is a response message to the third message.

27. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal establishes a third user plane connection with the first network element, and the method further includes: Based on the first indication information, establishing the third user plane connection with the first network element.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending a fifth message to the first network element via the second network element, where the fifth message is used to notify that the first user plane connection has been released.

29. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second network element, the method includes: Sending a first message to a first network element, where the first message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element; Sending a second message from the first network element to the first terminal, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal of a change in the first user plane connection.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein The first message includes at least one of the following information: The identification ID of the first network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element; The IP address of the first network element; First indication information for indicating a change in the first user plane connection; Second indication information for indicating the release of the first user plane connection; Third indication information for indicating the condition for releasing the first user plane connection; And / or The second message further includes at least one of the following information: The ID of the first network element; The relevant ID corresponding to the first network element; The IP address of the first network element; First indication information for indicating a change in the first user plane connection; Second indication information for indicating the release of the first user plane connection; Third indication information for indicating the condition for releasing the first user plane connection.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a sixth message sent by the first network element, where the sixth message is used to notify the second network element that the first user plane connection has changed.

32. The method according to any one of claims 29-31, characterized in that, Before sending a first message to the first network element, the method further includes: Receive an eighth message sent by the first network element, where the eighth message is used to indicate a change in the first user plane connection.

33. A first network element, characterized in that, Includes: A first transceiver module, configured to receive a first message sent by a second network element, and send a second message to a first terminal via the second network element; Wherein, the first message is used to indicate a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element; The second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

34. A second network element, characterized in that, Includes: A second transceiver module, configured to send a first message to a first network element, and send a second message from the first network element to the first terminal; Wherein, the first message is used to indicate a change in a first user plane connection between the first terminal and the first network element; The second message is used to notify the first terminal to change the first user plane connection.

35. A first terminal, characterized in that, Includes: A third transceiver module, configured to receive, via a second network element, a second message sent by a first network element, where the second message is used to notify the first terminal to change a first user plane connection with the first network element.

36. A first network element, characterized in that, Includes: One or more processors; Wherein, the first network element is configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

37. A second network element, characterized in that, Includes: One or more processors; Wherein, the second network element is configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 29 - 32.

38. A first terminal, characterized in that, Includes: One or more processors; Wherein, the first terminal is configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 23 to 28.

39. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores executable instructions, and the executable instructions are loaded and executed by the processor to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, or claims 23 to 28, or claims 29 - 32.

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