A communication method and apparatus, communication device, storage medium, program product

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method and device, a communication device, a storage medium and a program product. The method comprises the following steps: a first network function sends first information to a second network function, wherein the first information is used for indicating a first capability of the first network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information; the method further comprises the following steps: a third network function sends third information to the second network function, wherein the third information comprises at least one of the following: a target capability; third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used for requesting all or part of first information of a network function, the first information is used for indicating a first capability of the network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information; a category of the network function; address information of the network function; and an instance identifier of the network function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus, communication equipment, storage medium, and program product. Background Technology

[0002] As low-carbon energy conservation becomes a global concern, reducing network energy consumption and improving energy efficiency has become a crucial research topic in networking. Some Network Functions (NFs) can perform energy-saving operations related to energy-related information to achieve reduced network energy consumption and improved energy efficiency. These NFs possess the unique capability to perform energy-saving operations based on energy-related information. Other NFs may not possess this unique capability. Therefore, a mechanism is needed to account for the differences in capabilities among different NFs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and apparatus, a communication device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product.

[0004] The communication method provided in this application embodiment is applied to a first network function, and the method includes:

[0005] A first network function sends first information to a second network function, the first information indicating a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

[0006] The communication method provided in this application embodiment is applied to a third network function, and the method includes:

[0007] The third network function sends third information to the second network function, the third information including at least one of the following:

[0008] Target capability;

[0009] The third indication information is used to request all or part of the first information of the network function, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information;

[0010] The categories of network functions;

[0011] The address information of the network function;

[0012] The instance identifier of the network function.

[0013] The communication method provided in this application embodiment is applied to a second network function, and the method includes:

[0014] The second network function receives first information sent by the first network function, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

[0015] The communication method provided in this application embodiment is applied to a second network function, and the method includes:

[0016] The second network function receives third information sent by the third network function, the third information including at least one of the following:

[0017] Target capability;

[0018] The third indication information indicates all or part of the first information requesting a network function, wherein the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information.

[0019] The categories of network functions;

[0020] The address information of the network function;

[0021] The instance identifier of the network function.

[0022] The communication device provided in this application embodiment is applied to a first network function, and the device includes:

[0023] A first communication unit is configured to send first information to a second network function, the first information indicating a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

[0024] The communication device provided in this application embodiment is applied to a second network function, and the device includes:

[0025] The second communication unit is used to receive first information sent by the first network function, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

[0026] The communication device provided in this application embodiment is applied to a third network function, and the device includes:

[0027] A third communication unit is configured to send third information to the second network function, the third information including at least one of the following:

[0028] Target capability;

[0029] The third indication information is used to request all or part of the first information of the network function, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information;

[0030] The categories of network functions;

[0031] The address information of the network function;

[0032] The instance identifier of the network function.

[0033] The communication device provided in this application embodiment is applied to a second network function, and the device includes:

[0034] The fourth communication unit is configured to receive third information sent by the third network function, the third information including at least one of the following:

[0035] Target capability;

[0036] The third indication information indicates all or part of the first information requesting a network function, wherein the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information.

[0037] The categories of network functions;

[0038] The address information of the network function;

[0039] The instance identifier of the network function.

[0040] The communication device provided in this application includes a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs, and the processor is used to call and run the computer programs stored in the memory to execute any of the above-described communication methods.

[0041] The computer-readable storage medium provided in this application embodiment is used to store a computer program that causes a computer to execute any of the above-described communication methods.

[0042] The computer program product provided in this application includes computer program instructions that cause a computer to execute any of the above-described communication methods.

[0043] In the technical solution of this application embodiment, on the one hand, the first network function registers its own energy-related capabilities with the second network function, so that the second network function can collect the energy-related capabilities of the first network function; on the other hand, the second network function receives third information sent by the third network function, and can realize or assist the third network function in realizing "selecting the first network function based on the energy-related capabilities" according to the content of the third information. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the network architecture used in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 ;

[0048] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 ;

[0049] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 ;

[0050] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 6 ;

[0051] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 7 ;

[0052] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0053] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0054] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 ;

[0055] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 ;

[0056] Figure 13 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 14 This is a schematic structural diagram of the chip according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0058] It should be noted that the term "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. It should also be understood that "instruction" mentioned in this document can be direct instruction, indirect instruction, or an indication of a related relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, for example, A instructs C, B can be obtained through C; or it can mean that there is a related relationship between A and B. It should also be understood that "protocol" mentioned in this document can refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as the NR protocol and related protocols applied in future communication systems; this application does not limit this.

[0059] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the relevant technologies of the embodiments of this application are described below. The following relevant technologies are optional solutions and can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application in any way, and they all fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0060] 1. Network Architecture

[0061] The basic network architecture used in the embodiments of this application is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the network elements involved in this network architecture include: User Equipment (UE), Radio Access Network (RAN), User Plane Function (UPF), Data Network (DN), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and Energy Information Function (EIF) or Energy Efficiency Control Function (EECF). Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the EIF, Policy Control Function (PCF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and Application Function (AF). It should be noted that... Figure 1The network architecture shown can also include more or fewer network elements, such as Unified Data Repository (UDR), Unified Data Management (UDM), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), Network Repository Function (NRF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Network Slice Admission Control Function (NSACF), etc.

[0062] 2. Network energy saving

[0063] System-level energy conservation research includes issues such as open network energy information, energy-related policy control, and network adjustments based on energy consumption / efficiency considerations. Based on existing standards, current technological solutions to these problems can be broadly categorized into the following two types:

[0064] The first category involves centralized network nodes (NFs) (such as NWDAF, EIF, EECF, etc., with EIF as an example below) to collect and process energy-related information. Energy-related information refers to at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy usage information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, carbon footprint information, or information that can be derived from at least one of these through calculations or deductions. Energy-related information can be granular at the following levels: device, network slice, UE, session, and Quality of Service (QoS) flow. Energy-related processing may include network adjustments or policy updates based on energy-related considerations, such as reducing transmission bandwidth to lower energy consumption. Based on the collected energy-related information (and target energy-related information, i.e., the desired energy level, such as reducing energy consumption to a certain value; target energy-related information can be configured locally or obtained from functions such as AF), the EIF determines the specific actions to be performed. For example, if the Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate (AMBR) of a certain QoS flow needs to be reduced to a certain value, the EIF sends the action or AMBR value to the SMF (because the AMBR adjustment of the QoS flow is performed by the SMF), or sends it to the PCF, which then modifies the session policy to enable the SMF to adjust the AMBR of the QoS flow.

[0065] The second type involves EIF collecting energy-related information and then sending it (and optionally, target energy-related information) to NFs capable of performing network adjustments / policy adjustments to achieve energy saving, such as AMF, SMF, PCF, NSACF, etc. These NFs then decide and execute corresponding energy-saving operations based on the energy-related information (and target energy-related information) (according to the NF's own capabilities, including but not limited to the various operations mentioned in the previous paragraph).

[0066] The two types of schemes described above differ in their capabilities across different network elements (NFs), specifically, their ability to adjust network / update strategies based on (target) energy-related information varies. In this application embodiment, this ability to adjust network / update strategies based on (target) energy-related information is referred to as the first capability, which is related to energy-related information.

[0067] It should be noted that NFs of different types may support different primary capabilities. NFs of different types may support different primary capabilities. NFs of the same type may also support different primary capabilities. Here, NFs of different types refer to NFs with different names, such as AMF and SMF. NFs of the same type refer to NFs with the same name, such as one SMF and another SMF. For different NFs, the differences in primary capabilities need to be considered.

[0068] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the technical solutions of this application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above-mentioned related technologies are optional solutions and can be arbitrarily combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, all of which fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments of this application include at least some of the following contents.

[0069] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, "first capability" refers to the ability to adjust network / update strategies based on (target) energy-related information. "First capability" can also be described in other ways, such as energy processing capability. In some implementations, "first capability" and "energy processing capability" can be used interchangeably.

[0070] It should be noted that the terms "adjust", "modify", "update", and "confirm" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably.

[0071] It should be noted that the "energy-related information" in the embodiments of this application includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy use information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, and carbon footprint information.

[0072] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, "first network function" refers to any network function (NF) that may possess a first capability (such as energy processing capability). In some embodiments, the first network function may include at least one of the following: AMF, SMF, PCF, NSACF, etc. In some embodiments, the first network function refers to a producer NF.

[0073] It should be noted that the "second network function" in the embodiments of this application may be, but is not limited to, NRF.

[0074] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, "third network function" refers to the NF that needs to perform NF / Producer NF selection. In some implementations, the third network function may include at least one of the following: EIF, EECF, NWDAF, DCCF, etc. In some implementations, the third network function refers to the Consumer NF.

[0075] It should be noted that the above network functions include at least one of the listed functions, which may refer to the network function being one or more of the listed functions, or it may refer to the network function having one or more of the listed functions.

[0076] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 This communication method is applied to the first network function, such as Figure 2 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0077] Step 201: The first network function sends first information to the second network function. The first information is used to indicate the first capability of the first network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information.

[0078] The first information in the embodiments of this application may also be expressed in other ways, such as energy processing capacity information.

[0079] In the registration process, the first network function registers with the second network function, carrying first information in the registration request. Additionally, the registration request may also include information such as the first network function's category, address, and instance identifier. After receiving the first information from the first network function, the second network function stores it and returns a registration response, carrying a successful registration result.

[0080] Optionally, in addition to the registration process described above, a subscription process can also be performed. In the subscription process, the first network function receives second information sent by the second network function to subscribe to first information and / or first capability, or to subscribe to changes in the first information and / or first capability; the first network function sends the first information to the second network function based on the second information.

[0081] The second piece of information mentioned above can also be described as subscription information. The second piece of information (i.e., subscription information) can be implemented in the following ways:

[0082] Method 1: The second information includes second instruction information, which indicates whether to subscribe to or request the first information and / or the first capability, or to subscribe to or request changes to the first information and / or the first capability.

[0083] Method 2: The second information has an implicit subscription function, that is, the second information calls the service of the subscribed NF (i.e. the first network function) or NRF, which implicitly includes the function of subscribing to the first information and / or the first capability of the first network function, or the function of subscribing to the update of all or part of the registration information of the first network function.

[0084] Method 3: The second information does not include the second instruction information, nor does it have an implicit subscription function. Instead, the first network function itself is configured with logic. When the first network function receives the second information from the second network function, it determines the first information and / or the first capability to be subscribed to based on the local configuration and / or internal logic.

[0085] In some implementations, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0086] 1) First indication information, which is used to indicate that the first network function supports or has the first capability or to indicate that the first network function does not support or does not have the first capability.

[0087] In some implementations, the first indication information indicates that the first network function supports or has any power processing capability.

[0088] It should be noted that "supporting any energy processing capability" can be understood as encompassing the energy processing capabilities that various network functions of the same type as the first network function may possess. Taking the SMF as an example, the first indication information indicates that the SMF possesses all of the following capabilities: the ability to adjust DRX parameters based on (target) energy-related information, the ability to adjust UE-Slice-MBR based on (target) energy-related information, and the ability to perform UE deregistration based on (target) energy-related information. It is understandable that the ability to adjust DRX parameters is something the SMF itself cannot possess (it is possessed by the AMF), therefore the first indication information does not indicate that the SMF possesses this capability.

[0089] 2) Primary ability.

[0090] In some implementations, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0091] 1) Adjusting the network based on (target) energy-related information; in some implementations, adjusting the network based on (target) energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0092] 1.1) Adjust and / or determine the Discontinuous Reception (DRX) parameters based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0093] 1.2) Adjust and / or determine the maximum bit rate (MBR) of the slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0094] 1.3) Perform UE registration based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0095] 1.4) Adjust and / or determine QoS parameters based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0096] 1.5) Adjust and / or determine the transmission rate based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0097] 1.6) Adjust and / or determine the bandwidth based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0098] 1.7) Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0099] 1.8) Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted UEs per slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0100] 1.9) Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions per slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information.

[0101] 2) Update the strategy based on (target) energy-related information; in some implementations, updating the strategy based on (target) energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0102] 2.1) Determine and / or modify and / or update Access Management (AM) policies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0103] 2.2) Determine and / or modify and / or update Session Management (SM) related policies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0104] 2.3) Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information.

[0105] In the above scheme, if there are multiple network adjustments and / or policy updates "based on all or part of energy-related information", the energy-related information on which these network adjustments and / or policy updates are based can be different, the same, or partially the same. For example, the AMF can adjust the DRX parameters based on energy consumption and energy efficiency, and adjust the maximum bit rate of the slice (such as UE-Slice-MBR) based on renewable energy usage information.

[0106] In the above scheme, (target) energy-related information refers to energy-related information or target energy-related information. Energy-related information refers to current / actual energy-related information, and target energy-related information refers to future / expected energy-related information.

[0107] In some implementations, the first network function is AMF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining DRX parameters based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the slice MBR (UE-Slice-MBR) based on (target) energy-related information, and performing UE deregistration based on (target) energy-related information.

[0108] In some implementations, the first network function is SMF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining QoS parameters based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the transmission rate based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the bandwidth based on (target) energy-related information, and deactivating and / or releasing a session based on (target) energy-related information.

[0109] In some implementations, the first network function is PCF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: determining and / or modifying and / or updating a policy based on (target) energy-related information; determining and / or modifying and / or updating an AM-related policy based on (target) energy-related information; determining and / or modifying and / or updating an SM-related policy based on (target) energy-related information; and determining and / or modifying and / or updating a UE-related policy based on (target) energy-related information.

[0110] In some implementations, the first network function is NSACF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining the maximum number of admitted UEs per slice based on (target) energy-related information, and adjusting and / or determining the maximum number of admitted sessions per slice based on (target) energy-related information.

[0111] The technical solution of this application embodiment realizes that a first network function involving energy processing registers or notifies a second network function of its first capability (i.e., energy processing capability).

[0112] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 This communication method is applied to second network functions, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0113] Step 301: The second network function receives the first information sent by the first network function. The first information is used to indicate the first capability of the first network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information.

[0114] The first information in the embodiments of this application may also be expressed in other ways, such as energy processing capacity information.

[0115] In the registration process, the first network function registers with the second network function, carrying first information in the registration request. Additionally, the registration request may also include information such as the first network function's category, address, and instance identifier. After receiving the first information from the first network function, the second network function stores it and returns a registration response, carrying a successful registration result.

[0116] In the subscription process, the second network function sends second information to the first network function to subscribe to first information and / or first capabilities, or to subscribe to changes in the first information and / or first capabilities. Based on the second information, the first network function sends the first information to the second network function.

[0117] The second piece of information mentioned above can also be described as subscription information. The second piece of information (i.e., subscription information) can be implemented in the following ways:

[0118] Method 1: The second information includes second instruction information, which indicates whether to subscribe to or request the first information and / or the first capability, or to subscribe to or request changes to the first information and / or the first capability.

[0119] Method 2: The second information has an implicit subscription function, that is, the second information calls the service of the subscribed NF (i.e. the first network function) or NRF, which implicitly includes the function of subscribing to the first information and / or the first capability of the first network function, or the function of subscribing to the update of all or part of the registration information of the first network function.

[0120] Method 3: The second information does not include the second instruction information, nor does it have an implicit subscription function. Instead, the first network function itself is configured with logic. When the first network function receives the second information from the second network function, it determines the first information and / or the first capability to be subscribed to based on the local configuration and / or internal logic.

[0121] In some implementations, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0122] 1) First indication information, which is used to indicate that the first network function supports or has the first capability or to indicate that the first network function does not support or does not have the first capability.

[0123] In some implementations, the first indication information indicates that the first network function supports or has any power processing capability.

[0124] It should be noted that "supporting any energy processing capability" can be understood as encompassing the energy processing capabilities that various network functions of the same type as the first network function may possess. Taking the SMF as an example, the first indication information indicates that the SMF possesses all of the following capabilities: the ability to adjust DRX parameters based on (target) energy-related information, the ability to adjust UE-Slice-MBR based on (target) energy-related information, and the ability to perform UE deregistration based on (target) energy-related information. It is understandable that the ability to adjust DRX parameters is something the SMF itself cannot possess (it is possessed by the AMF), therefore the first indication information does not indicate that the SMF possesses this capability.

[0125] 2) Primary ability.

[0126] In some implementations, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0127] 1) Adjusting the network based on (target) energy-related information; in some implementations, adjusting the network based on (target) energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0128] 1.1) Adjust and / or determine the DRX parameters based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0129] 1.2) Adjust and / or determine the MBR of the slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0130] 1.3) Perform UE registration based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0131] 1.4) Adjust and / or determine QoS parameters based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0132] 1.5) Adjust and / or determine the transmission rate based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0133] 1.6) Adjust and / or determine the bandwidth based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0134] 1.7) Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0135] 1.8) Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted UEs per slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0136] 1.9) Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions per slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information.

[0137] 2) Update the strategy based on (target) energy-related information; in some implementations, updating the strategy based on (target) energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0138] 2.1) Determine and / or modify and / or update AM-related strategies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0139] 2.2) Determine and / or modify and / or update SM-related strategies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0140] 2.3) Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information.

[0141] In the above scheme, if there are multiple network adjustments and / or policy updates "based on all or part of energy-related information", the energy-related information on which these network adjustments and / or policy updates are based can be different, the same, or partially the same. For example, the AMF can adjust the DRX parameters based on energy consumption and energy efficiency, and adjust the maximum bit rate of the slice (such as UE-Slice-MBR) based on renewable energy usage information.

[0142] In the above scheme, (target) energy-related information refers to energy-related information or target energy-related information. Energy-related information refers to current / actual energy-related information, and target energy-related information refers to future / expected energy-related information.

[0143] In some implementations, the first network function is AMF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining DRX parameters based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the slice MBR (UE-Slice-MBR) based on (target) energy-related information, and performing UE deregistration based on (target) energy-related information.

[0144] In some implementations, the first network function is SMF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining QoS parameters based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the transmission rate based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the bandwidth based on (target) energy-related information, and deactivating and / or releasing a session based on (target) energy-related information.

[0145] In some implementations, the first network function is PCF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: determining and / or modifying and / or updating a policy based on (target) energy-related information; determining and / or modifying and / or updating an AM-related policy based on (target) energy-related information; determining and / or modifying and / or updating an SM-related policy based on (target) energy-related information; and determining and / or modifying and / or updating a UE-related policy based on (target) energy-related information.

[0146] In some implementations, the first network function is NSACF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining the maximum number of admitted UEs per slice based on (target) energy-related information, and adjusting and / or determining the maximum number of admitted sessions per slice based on (target) energy-related information.

[0147] The technical solution of this application embodiment realizes that a first network function involving energy processing registers or notifies a second network function of its first capability (i.e., energy processing capability).

[0148] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 This communication method is applied to third network functions, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0149] Step 401: The third network function sends third information to the second network function. The third information includes at least one of the following: target capability; third indication information, which is used to request all or part of the first information of the network function, and the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the network function, which is related to energy-related information; the category of the network function; the address information of the network function; and the instance identifier of the network function.

[0150] It should be noted that the network function involved in step 401 above refers to the target network function, which can also be described as the expected network function (expected NF). The target network function refers to the network function to be discovered, which can be the subsequent first network function (i.e., Producer NF).

[0151] It should be noted that the target capability involved in step 401 above refers to the expected first capability, which can be understood as the first capability supported or possessed by the network function to be discovered, or the first capability supported or possessed by the expected target network function.

[0152] The embodiments of this application include, but are not limited to, the following scheme one and scheme two.

[0153] Option 1

[0154] In some implementations, the third network function sends third information to the second network function, the third information including at least one of the following: target capability; category of network function; address information of network function; instance identifier of network function.

[0155] In some implementations, the third information is sent via an NF discovery request. Taking NRF as an example, the third information is sent via an Nnrf_NFDiscovery Request.

[0156] Here, the target capability can also be described as the target energy processing capability, that is, the energy processing capability that the target network function is expected to support or possess. It can be precise to a specific energy processing capability, such as requiring the SMF to support or possess the ability to adjust QoS parameters based on target energy-related information, or requiring the AMF to support or possess the ability to adjust UE-Slice-MBR based on target energy-related information.

[0157] It should be noted that this solution is an enhancement of the existing NF discovery process. This means that the information considered in the existing NF discovery process, as well as the information carried in the NF discovery request, can also be considered in this solution. For example, the existing NF discovery process can consider network slices supported by the target network function. In this case, in addition to carrying the third information mentioned above, the NF discovery request can also carry Single-Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI). Furthermore, if S-NSSAI is carried, the NF selected subsequently must not only meet the third information mentioned above, but also be an NF that supports the S-NSSAI.

[0158] After receiving the third information sent by the third network function, the second network function authenticates the third network function. Specifically, the second network function determines whether the third network function allows the discovery of network functions based on the target capability and / or the first capability and / or the first information, and / or whether the network function (i.e., the target network function) possesses the target capability.

[0159] For example: if the third network function is EIF, then the second network function determines that the third network function allows the discovery of network functions based on the target capability; if the third network function is SMF, then the second network function determines that the third network function does not allow the discovery of network functions based on the target capability.

[0160] For example: if the target network function is SMF, then the second network function determines that the target network function may have the target capability; if the target network function is EASDF, then the second network function determines that the target network function cannot have the target capability.

[0161] The second network function determines whether the network function possesses the target capability, and there are two possibilities:

[0162] Case 1) If a network function has not registered its energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information), the second network function requests energy processing capability information from a possible network function (i.e., the Producer NF). The second network function receives the energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information) sent by the network function and determines whether the network function has the target capability based on the energy processing capability information of the network function.

[0163] Case 2) If the network function has registered its energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information), the second network function determines whether the network function has the target capability based on the energy processing capability information of the network function stored locally.

[0164] The aforementioned network function (i.e., the target network function) can be a first network function. A second network function sends the address information of the first network function and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function to a third network function. Correspondingly, the third network function receives the address information of the first network function and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function sent by the second network function. In some embodiments, the first network function possesses the target capability and / or the first capability, or the first network function meets the requirements of the target capability.

[0165] Option 2

[0166] In some implementations, a third network function sends third information to a second network function. This third information includes at least one of the following: third indication information; the category of the network function; the address information of the network function; and an instance identifier of the network function. Here, the third indication information is used to request all or part of the first information of the network function, whereby the first information indicates a first capability of the network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information.

[0167] In some implementations, the third information is sent via an NF discovery request. Taking NRF as an example, the third information is sent via an Nnrf_NFDiscovery Request.

[0168] Here, the third indication information is used to request all or part of the energy processing capability information of the target network function (i.e., the first information). Optionally, the third indication information may also carry more specific parameters to request a specific energy processing capability, such as requesting the SMF's ability to adjust QoS parameters based on target energy-related information, or requesting the AMF's ability to adjust UE-Slice-MBR based on target energy-related information.

[0169] It should be noted that this solution is an enhancement of the existing NF discovery process. This means that the information considered in the existing NF discovery process, as well as the information carried in the NF discovery request, can also be considered in this solution. For example, the existing NF discovery process can consider network slices supported by the target network function. In this case, in addition to carrying the aforementioned third information, the NF discovery request can also carry S-NSSAI. Furthermore, if S-NSSAI is carried, the subsequently selected NF must not only meet the aforementioned third information but also be an NF that supports the S-NSSAI.

[0170] After receiving the third information sent by the third network function, the second network function authenticates the third network function. Specifically, the second network function determines whether the third network function is allowed to obtain the first capability of the network function, and / or whether the network function possesses the target capability.

[0171] Here, the target capability can also be described as the target energy processing capability, that is, the energy processing capability that the target network function is expected to support or possess. It can be precise to a specific energy processing capability, such as requiring the SMF to support or possess the ability to adjust QoS parameters based on target energy-related information, or requiring the AMF to support or possess the ability to adjust UE-Slice-MBR based on target energy-related information.

[0172] For example: if the third network function is EIF, then the third network function determines that it is allowed to obtain the energy processing capability information of the network function; if the third network function is SMF, then the third network function determines that it is not allowed to obtain the energy processing capability information of the network function.

[0173] For example: if the target network function is SMF, then the second network function determines that the target network function may have the target capability; if the target network function is EASDF, then the second network function determines that the target network function cannot have the target capability.

[0174] The second network function determines whether the network function possesses the target capability, and there are two possibilities:

[0175] Case 1) If a network function has not registered its energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information), the second network function requests energy processing capability information from a possible network function (i.e., the Producer NF). The second network function receives the energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information) sent by the network function and determines whether the network function has the target capability based on the energy processing capability information of the network function.

[0176] Case 2) If the network function has registered its energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information), the second network function determines whether the network function has the target capability based on the energy processing capability information of the network function stored locally.

[0177] The aforementioned network function (i.e., the target network function) can be a first network function. A second network function sends the address information and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function to a third network function. Correspondingly, the third network function receives the address information and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function sent by the second network function. In some embodiments, the third network function selects the first network function based on all or part of the first information of the first network function.

[0178] In some implementations, the first information mentioned above includes at least one of the following:

[0179] 1) First indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network function supports or has the first capability or to indicate that the first network function does not support or does not have the first capability;

[0180] 2) Primary ability.

[0181] In some implementations, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0182] 1) Adjusting the network based on (target) energy-related information; in some implementations, adjusting the network based on (target) energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0183] 1.1) Adjust and / or determine the DRX parameters based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0184] 1.2) Adjust and / or determine the MBR of the slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0185] 1.3) Perform UE registration based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0186] 1.4) Adjust and / or determine QoS parameters based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0187] 1.5) Adjust and / or determine the transmission rate based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0188] 1.6) Adjust and / or determine the bandwidth based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0189] 1.7) Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0190] 1.8) Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted UEs per slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0191] 1.9) Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions per slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information.

[0192] 2) Update the strategy based on (target) energy-related information; in some implementations, updating the strategy based on (target) energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0193] 2.1) Determine and / or modify and / or update AM-related strategies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0194] 2.2) Determine and / or modify and / or update SM-related strategies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0195] 2.3) Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information.

[0196] In the above scheme, if there are multiple network adjustments and / or policy updates "based on all or part of energy-related information", the energy-related information on which these network adjustments and / or policy updates are based can be different, the same, or partially the same. For example, the AMF can adjust the DRX parameters based on energy consumption and energy efficiency, and adjust the maximum bit rate of the slice (such as UE-Slice-MBR) based on renewable energy usage information.

[0197] In the above scheme, (target) energy-related information refers to energy-related information or target energy-related information. Energy-related information refers to current / actual energy-related information, and target energy-related information refers to future / expected energy-related information.

[0198] In some implementations, the first network function is AMF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining DRX parameters based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the slice MBR (UE-Slice-MBR) based on (target) energy-related information, and performing UE deregistration based on (target) energy-related information.

[0199] In some implementations, the first network function is SMF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining QoS parameters based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the transmission rate based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the bandwidth based on (target) energy-related information, and deactivating and / or releasing a session based on (target) energy-related information.

[0200] In some implementations, the first network function is PCF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: determining and / or modifying and / or updating a policy based on (target) energy-related information; determining and / or modifying and / or updating an AM-related policy based on (target) energy-related information; determining and / or modifying and / or updating an SM-related policy based on (target) energy-related information; and determining and / or modifying and / or updating a UE-related policy based on (target) energy-related information.

[0201] In some implementations, the first network function is NSACF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining the maximum number of admitted UEs per slice based on (target) energy-related information, and adjusting and / or determining the maximum number of admitted sessions per slice based on (target) energy-related information.

[0202] The technical solution of this application embodiment implements an NF discovery process based on energy processing capability information. The NFs selected through this process support or have the target energy processing capability, which is conducive to the realization of network energy saving.

[0203] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 This communication method is applied to second network functions, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0204] Step 501: The second network function receives third information sent by the third network function. The third information includes at least one of the following: target capability; third indication information, which indicates all or part of the first information of the requesting network function. The first information is used to indicate the first capability of the network function, which is related to energy-related information; the category of the network function; the address information of the network function; and the instance identifier of the network function.

[0205] It should be noted that the network function involved in step 501 above refers to the target network function, which can also be described as the expected network function (expected NF). The target network function refers to the network function to be discovered, which can be the subsequent first network function (i.e., Producer NF).

[0206] It should be noted that the target capability involved in step 401 above refers to the expected first capability, which can be understood as the first capability supported or possessed by the network function to be discovered, or the first capability supported or possessed by the expected target network function.

[0207] The embodiments of this application include, but are not limited to, the following scheme one and scheme two.

[0208] Option 1

[0209] In some implementations, the second network function receives third information sent by the third network function, the third information including at least one of the following: target capability; category of network function; address information of network function; instance identifier of network function.

[0210] In some implementations, the third information is sent via an NF discovery request. Taking NRF as an example, the third information is sent via an Nnrf_NFDiscovery Request.

[0211] Here, the target capability can also be described as the target energy processing capability, that is, the energy processing capability that the target network function is expected to support or possess. It can be precise to a specific energy processing capability, such as requiring the SMF to support or possess the ability to adjust QoS parameters based on target energy-related information, or requiring the AMF to support or possess the ability to adjust UE-Slice-MBR based on target energy-related information.

[0212] It should be noted that this solution is an enhancement of the existing NF discovery process. This means that the information considered in the existing NF discovery process, as well as the information carried in the NF discovery request, can also be considered in this solution. For example, the existing NF discovery process can consider network slices supported by the target network function. In this case, in addition to carrying the aforementioned third information, the NF discovery request can also carry S-NSSAI. Furthermore, if S-NSSAI is carried, the subsequently selected NF must not only meet the aforementioned third information but also be an NF that supports the S-NSSAI.

[0213] After receiving the third information sent by the third network function, the second network function authenticates the third network function. Specifically, the second network function determines whether the third network function allows the discovery of network functions based on the target capability and / or the first capability and / or the first information, and / or whether the network function (i.e., the target network function) possesses the target capability.

[0214] For example: if the third network function is EIF, then the second network function determines that the third network function allows the discovery of network functions based on the target capability; if the third network function is SMF, then the second network function determines that the third network function does not allow the discovery of network functions based on the target capability.

[0215] For example: if the target network function is SMF, then the second network function determines that the target network function may have the target capability; if the target network function is EASDF, then the second network function determines that the target network function cannot have the target capability.

[0216] The second network function determines whether the network function possesses the target capability, and there are two possibilities:

[0217] Case 1) If the network function has not registered its energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information), the second network function sends the fourth information to the first network function to request the first information; the second network function receives the first information sent by the first network function and determines whether the first network function has the target capability based on the first information of the first network function.

[0218] Case 2) If the network function has registered its energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information), the second network function determines whether the first network function has the target capability based on the first information of the first network function stored locally.

[0219] The second network function sends the address of the first network function and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function to the third network function. In some embodiments, the first network function has the target capability and / or the first capability, or the first network function meets the requirements of the target capability.

[0220] Option 2

[0221] In some implementations, the second network function receives third information sent by the third network function. The third information includes at least one of the following: third indication information; the category of the network function; the address information of the network function; and an instance identifier of the network function. Here, the third indication information is used to request all or part of the first information of the network function, and the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the network function, which is related to energy-related information.

[0222] In some implementations, the third information is sent via an NF discovery request. Taking NRF as an example, the third information is sent via an Nnrf_NFDiscovery Request.

[0223] Here, the third indication information is used to request all or part of the energy processing capability information of the target network function (i.e., the first information). Optionally, the third indication information may also carry more specific parameters to request a specific energy processing capability, such as requesting the SMF's ability to adjust QoS parameters based on target energy-related information, or requesting the AMF's ability to adjust UE-Slice-MBR based on target energy-related information.

[0224] It should be noted that this solution is an enhancement of the existing NF discovery process. This means that the information considered in the existing NF discovery process, as well as the information carried in the NF discovery request, can also be considered in this solution. For example, the existing NF discovery process can consider network slices supported by the target network function. In this case, in addition to carrying the aforementioned third information, the NF discovery request can also carry S-NSSAI. Furthermore, if S-NSSAI is carried, the subsequently selected NF must not only meet the aforementioned third information but also be an NF that supports the S-NSSAI.

[0225] After receiving the third information sent by the third network function, the second network function authenticates the third network function. Specifically, the second network function determines whether the third network function is allowed to obtain the first capability of the network function, and / or whether the network function possesses the target capability.

[0226] Here, the target capability can also be described as the target energy processing capability, that is, the energy processing capability that the target network function is expected to support or possess. It can be precise to a specific energy processing capability, such as requiring the SMF to support or possess the ability to adjust QoS parameters based on target energy-related information, or requiring the AMF to support or possess the ability to adjust UE-Slice-MBR based on target energy-related information.

[0227] For example: if the third network function is EIF, then the third network function determines that it is allowed to obtain the energy processing capability information of the network function; if the third network function is SMF, then the third network function determines that it is not allowed to obtain the energy processing capability information of the network function.

[0228] For example: if the target network function is SMF, then the second network function determines that the target network function may have the target capability; if the target network function is EASDF, then the second network function determines that the target network function cannot have the target capability.

[0229] The second network function determines whether the network function possesses the target capability, and there are two possibilities:

[0230] Case 1) If the network function has not registered its energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information), the second network function sends the fourth information to the first network function to request the first information; the second network function receives the first information sent by the first network function and determines whether the first network function has the target capability based on the first information of the first network function.

[0231] Case 2) If the network function has registered its energy processing capability information (i.e., the first information), the second network function determines whether the first network function has the target capability based on the first information of the first network function stored locally.

[0232] The second network function sends the address information of the first network function and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function to the third network function. Correspondingly, the third network function receives the address information of the first network function and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function sent by the second network function. In some embodiments, the third network function selects the first network function based on all or part of the first information of the first network function.

[0233] In some implementations, the first information mentioned above includes at least one of the following:

[0234] 1) First indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first network function supports or has the first capability or to indicate that the first network function does not support or does not have the first capability;

[0235] 2) Primary ability.

[0236] In some implementations, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0237] 1) Adjusting the network based on (target) energy-related information; in some implementations, adjusting the network based on (target) energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0238] 1.1) Adjust and / or determine the DRX parameters based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0239] 1.2) Adjust and / or determine the MBR of the slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0240] 1.3) Perform UE registration based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0241] 1.4) Adjust and / or determine QoS parameters based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0242] 1.5) Adjust and / or determine the transmission rate based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0243] 1.6) Adjust and / or determine the bandwidth based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0244] 1.7) Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0245] 1.8) Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted UEs per slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0246] 1.9) Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions per slice based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information.

[0247] 2) Update the strategy based on (target) energy-related information; in some implementations, updating the strategy based on (target) energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0248] 2.1) Determine and / or modify and / or update AM-related strategies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0249] 2.2) Determine and / or modify and / or update SM-related strategies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information;

[0250] 2.3) Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the (target) energy-related information.

[0251] In the above scheme, if there are multiple network adjustments and / or policy updates "based on all or part of energy-related information", the energy-related information on which these network adjustments and / or policy updates are based can be different, the same, or partially the same. For example, the AMF can adjust the DRX parameters based on energy consumption and energy efficiency, and adjust the maximum bit rate of the slice (such as UE-Slice-MBR) based on renewable energy usage information.

[0252] In the above scheme, (target) energy-related information refers to energy-related information or target energy-related information. Energy-related information refers to current / actual energy-related information, and target energy-related information refers to future / expected energy-related information.

[0253] In some implementations, the first network function is AMF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining DRX parameters based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the slice MBR (UE-Slice-MBR) based on (target) energy-related information, and performing UE deregistration based on (target) energy-related information.

[0254] In some implementations, the first network function is SMF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining QoS parameters based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the transmission rate based on (target) energy-related information, adjusting and / or determining the bandwidth based on (target) energy-related information, and deactivating and / or releasing a session based on (target) energy-related information.

[0255] In some implementations, the first network function is PCF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: determining and / or modifying and / or updating a policy based on (target) energy-related information; determining and / or modifying and / or updating an AM-related policy based on (target) energy-related information; determining and / or modifying and / or updating an SM-related policy based on (target) energy-related information; and determining and / or modifying and / or updating a UE-related policy based on (target) energy-related information.

[0256] In some implementations, the first network function is NSACF, and the corresponding first capability may include at least one of the following: adjusting and / or determining the maximum number of admitted UEs per slice based on (target) energy-related information, and adjusting and / or determining the maximum number of admitted sessions per slice based on (target) energy-related information.

[0257] The technical solution of this application embodiment implements an NF discovery process based on energy processing capability information. The NFs selected through this process support or have the target energy processing capability, which is conducive to the realization of network energy saving.

[0258] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be further illustrated below with specific application examples.

[0259] Application Example 1

[0260] In this application example, the second network function is NRF, the first capability is energy processing capability, the first information is energy processing capability information, and the second information is subscription information. In this application example, the NF registers its own energy processing capability with the NRF.

[0261] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 ,like Figure 6 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0262] Step 601: The NF sends a registration request to the NRF (as one implementation, such as sending it through the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Request service), carrying energy processing capability information in the registration request.

[0263] Here, the NF registers with the NRF, carrying its own energy processing capability information in the registration request. In addition, it can also carry its own NF class, IP address, instance identifier and other information in the registration request.

[0264] Here, the explanation of energy processing capabilities can be found in the aforementioned description of the first capability.

[0265] Here, the relevant explanation of the energy processing capacity information can be found in the aforementioned description of the first information.

[0266] Step 602: The NRF stores the energy processing capability information of the NF.

[0267] Step 603: NRF returns a registration response to NF (as one implementation, such as sending it via the Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister Response service), carrying a successful registration result in the registration response.

[0268] Step 604: The NRF sends a subscription message to the NF to subscribe to the NF's energy processing capacity information.

[0269] Here, the relevant explanation of subscription information can be found in the aforementioned description of the second information.

[0270] Step 605: When there is an update to the energy processing capacity information, the NF sends a notification message to the NRF, which includes the updated energy processing capacity information.

[0271] Application Example 2

[0272] In this application example, the first network function is the producer NF, the second network function is the NRF, the third network function is the consumer NF, the first capability is energy processing capability, the first information is energy processing capability information, and the target capability is the target energy processing capability. Here, the producer NF refers to an NF that may possess energy processing capability, such as AMF, SMF, PCF, NSACF, etc.; the consumer NF refers to an NF that needs to perform producer NF selection, such as EIF, EECF, NWDAF, DCCF, etc. In this application example, the NF discovery process is enhanced; the consumer NF sends the target energy processing capability information to the NRF as a filtering condition for NF discovery. It should be noted that the target NF mentioned below can also be called the desired NF, referring to the NF to be discovered, which is the producer NF.

[0273] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 6 ,like Figure 7 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0274] Step 701: The consumer NF sends an NF discovery request to the NRF (as one implementation, such as sending it through the Nnrf_NFDiscovery Request service), carrying at least one of the following in the NF discovery request: target energy processing capability information, target NF category, target NF IP address, and target NF instance identifier.

[0275] Here, the target energy processing capability information, that is, the energy processing capability information that the target NF is expected to have, can be accurate to a specific energy processing capability. For example, it is expected that the SMF has the ability to adjust QoS parameters based on the target energy-related information, or that the AMF has the ability to adjust UE-Slice-MBR based on the target energy-related information.

[0276] It should be noted that this process can be an enhancement of the existing NF discovery process. This means that the information considered in the existing NF discovery process, as well as the information carried in the NF discovery request, can also be considered in this scheme. For example, the existing NF discovery process can consider the network slices supported by the target NF, so the NF discovery request can carry S-NSSAI. If S-NSSAI is carried, the NF returned in the subsequent step 705 must also be an NF that supports that S-NSSAI.

[0277] Step 702: The NRF authenticates the consumer NF, verifying whether the consumer NF allows the discovery of NFs based on the target energy processing capability, and whether the target NF may have the target energy processing capability.

[0278] For example, if the consumer NF is EIF, then the NRF determines that the consumer NF allows the discovery of NFs based on the target energy processing capability; if the consumer NF is SMF, then the NRF determines that the consumer NF does not allow the discovery of NFs based on the target energy processing capability.

[0279] For example: if the target NF is an SMF, then the NRF determines that the target NF may have the target energy processing capability; if the target NF is an EASDF, then the NRF determines that the target NF cannot have the target energy processing capability.

[0280] Step 703 (optional): If the producer NF has not registered energy processing capability information, the NRF requests energy processing capability information from potential producer NFs.

[0281] Here, the implementation of "NRF requesting energy processing capability information from producer NF" is similar to the implementation of "NRF subscribing to energy processing capability information from producer NF" in the aforementioned scheme, and can be referred to the implementation of "NRF subscribing to energy processing capability information from producer NF" in the aforementioned scheme.

[0282] Step 704 (optional): If step 703 was performed, the NRF obtains energy processing capacity information (i.e., target energy processing capacity information) from the producer NF.

[0283] Step 705: The NRF sends the IP address of the target NF to the consumer NF based on the target energy processing capability information; in other words, the NRF sends the IP address of the NF that meets the target energy processing capability information to the consumer NF.

[0284] Here, NRF sends an NF discovery response to the consumer NF (as one implementation, such as sending it via the Nnrf_NFDiscovery Response service), which carries the aforementioned IP address.

[0285] Application Example 3

[0286] In this application example, the first network function is the producer NF, the second network function is the NRF, the third network function is the consumer NF, the first capability is energy processing capability, the first information is energy processing capability information, and the target capability is the target capability processing capability. Here, the producer NF refers to an NF that may possess energy processing capability, such as AMF, SMF, PCF, NSACF, etc.; the consumer NF refers to an NF that needs to perform producer NF selection, such as EIF, EECF, NWDAF, DCCF, etc. In this application example, the NF discovery process is enhanced. The NRF returns the energy processing capability information of the discovered NFs to the consumer NF, which then performs NF selection. It should be noted that the target NF mentioned below can also be called the desired NF, referring to the NF to be discovered, which is the producer NF.

[0287] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 7 ,like Figure 8 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0288] Step 801: The consumer NF sends an NF discovery request to the NRF (as one implementation, such as sending it through the Nnrf_NFDiscovery Request service), carrying at least one of the following in the NF discovery request: third indication information, the category of the target NF, the IP address of the target NF, and the target NF instance identifier.

[0289] Here, the third instruction information is used to request the energy processing capability information of the target NF. Optionally, more specific parameters may also be carried to request a specific energy processing capability, such as requesting the SMF to adjust QoS parameters based on target energy-related information, or requesting the AMF to adjust the UE-Slice-MBR based on target energy-related information.

[0290] Step 802: The NRF authenticates the consumer NF, verifying whether the consumer NF is allowed to access the energy processing capability of the target NF, and whether the target NF may have energy processing capability.

[0291] For example, if the consumer NF is an EIF, the NRF determines that the consumer NF is allowed to acquire the energy processing capability of the target NF; if the consumer NF is an SMF, the NRF determines that the consumer NF is not allowed to acquire the energy processing capability of the target NF.

[0292] For example: if the target NF is an SMF, then the NRF determines that the target NF may have the target energy processing capability; if the target NF is an EASDF, then the NRF determines that the target NF cannot have the target energy processing capability.

[0293] Step 803 (optional): If the producer NF has not registered energy processing capability information, the NRF requests energy processing capability information from potential producer NFs.

[0294] Here, the implementation of "NRF requesting energy processing capability information from producer NF" is similar to the implementation of "NRF subscribing to energy processing capability information from producer NF" in the aforementioned scheme, and can be referred to the implementation of "NRF subscribing to energy processing capability information from producer NF" in the aforementioned scheme.

[0295] Step 804 (optional): If step 803 was performed, the NRF obtains energy processing capacity information (i.e., target energy processing capacity information) from the producer NF.

[0296] Step 805: The NRF sends the target NF's IP address and energy processing capacity information to the consumer NF.

[0297] Here, the NRF sends an NF discovery response to the consumer NF (e.g., via the Nnrf_NFDiscovery Response service as an implementation), which carries the IP address and energy processing capacity information of the target NF.

[0298] Step 806: The consumer NF selects the NF based on the energy processing capacity information of the target NF.

[0299] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 Applied to the first network function, such as Figure 9 As shown, the communication device includes:

[0300] The first communication unit 901 is used to send first information to the second network function, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

[0301] In some implementations, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0302] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first network function supports or has the first capability, or to indicate that the first network function does not support or does not have the first capability.

[0303] The first capability.

[0304] In some implementations, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0305] Adjust the network based on energy-related information;

[0306] Update strategies based on energy-related information.

[0307] In some implementations, the adjustment of the network based on energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0308] Adjust and / or determine the DRX parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0309] Adjust and / or determine the MBR of the slice based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0310] The UE is registered based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0311] Adjust and / or determine QoS parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0312] The transmission rate is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0313] The bandwidth is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0314] Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0315] The maximum number of admitted UEs per slice is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0316] Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions for a slice based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0317] In some implementations, the energy-related information update strategy includes at least one of the following:

[0318] Based on all or part of the energy-related information, determine and / or modify and / or update AM-related strategies;

[0319] Based on all or part of the energy-related information, determine and / or modify and / or update SM-related strategies;

[0320] Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0321] In some implementations, the first communication unit 901 is configured to receive second information sent by the second network function to subscribe to the first information and / or the first capability, or to subscribe to changes in the first information and / or the first capability; and / or to send the first information to the second network function based on the second information.

[0322] In some implementations, the second information includes second indication information, which indicates whether to subscribe to or request the first information.

[0323] In some implementations, the energy-related information includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy usage information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, and carbon footprint information.

[0324] Those skilled in the art should understand that Figure 9 The functions of each unit in the communication device shown can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the aforementioned method. Figure 9 The functions of each unit in the communication device shown can be implemented by a program running on a processor or by specific logic circuits.

[0325] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 It is used in the second network function, such as Figure 10 As shown, the communication device includes:

[0326] The second communication unit 1001 is used to receive first information sent by the first network function, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

[0327] In some embodiments, the second communication unit 1001 is configured to receive address information of the first network function sent by the second network function, and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function.

[0328] In some implementations, the first network function has the target capability and / or the first capability, or the first network function meets the requirements of the target capability.

[0329] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a selection unit for selecting the first network function based on all or part of the first information of the first network function.

[0330] In some implementations, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0331] The first indication information is used to indicate that the network function supports or has the first capability, or to indicate that the network function does not support or does not have the first capability.

[0332] The first capability.

[0333] In some implementations, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0334] Adjust the network based on energy-related information;

[0335] Update strategies based on energy-related information.

[0336] In some implementations, the adjustment of the network based on energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0337] Adjust and / or determine the DRX parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0338] Adjust and / or determine the MBR of the slice based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0339] The UE is registered based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0340] Adjust and / or determine QoS parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0341] The transmission rate is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0342] The bandwidth is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0343] Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0344] The maximum number of admitted UEs per slice is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0345] Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions for a slice based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0346] In some implementations, the energy-related information update strategy includes at least one of the following:

[0347] Based on all or part of the energy-related information, determine and / or modify and / or update AM-related strategies;

[0348] Based on all or part of the energy-related information, determine and / or modify and / or update SM-related strategies;

[0349] Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0350] In some implementations, the energy-related information includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy usage information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, and carbon footprint information.

[0351] Those skilled in the art should understand that Figure 10 The functions of each unit in the communication device shown can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the aforementioned method. Figure 10 The functions of each unit in the communication device shown can be implemented by a program running on a processor or by specific logic circuits.

[0352] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 Applications to third-party network functions, such as Figure 11 As shown, the communication device includes:

[0353] The third communication unit 1101 is configured to send third information to the second network function, the third information including at least one of the following:

[0354] Target capability;

[0355] The third indication information is used to request all or part of the first information of the network function, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information;

[0356] The categories of network functions;

[0357] The address information of the network function;

[0358] The instance identifier of the network function.

[0359] In some implementations, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0360] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first network function supports or has the first capability, or to indicate that the first network function does not support or does not have the first capability.

[0361] The first capability.

[0362] In some implementations, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0363] Adjust the network based on energy-related information;

[0364] Update strategies based on energy-related information.

[0365] In some implementations, the adjustment of the network based on energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0366] Adjust and / or determine the DRX parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0367] Adjust and / or determine the MBR of the slice based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0368] The UE is registered based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0369] Adjust and / or determine QoS parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0370] The transmission rate is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0371] The bandwidth is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0372] Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0373] The maximum number of admitted UEs per slice is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0374] Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions for a slice based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0375] In some implementations, the energy-related information update strategy includes at least one of the following:

[0376] Based on all or part of the energy-related information, determine and / or modify and / or update AM-related strategies;

[0377] Based on all or part of the energy-related information, determine and / or modify and / or update SM-related strategies;

[0378] Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0379] In some embodiments, the device further includes a storage unit for storing the first information.

[0380] In some implementations, the third communication unit 1101 is configured to send second information to the first network function to subscribe to the first information and / or the first capability, or to subscribe to changes in the first information and / or the first capability.

[0381] In some implementations, the second information includes second indication information, which indicates whether to subscribe to or request the first information.

[0382] In some implementations, the energy-related information includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy usage information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, and carbon footprint information.

[0383] Those skilled in the art should understand that Figure 11 The functions of each unit in the communication device shown can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the aforementioned method. Figure 11 The functions of each unit in the communication device shown can be implemented by a program running on a processor or by specific logic circuits.

[0384] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 It is used in the second network function, such as Figure 12 As shown, the communication device includes:

[0385] The fourth communication unit 1201 is used to receive third information sent by the third network function, the third information including at least one of the following:

[0386] Target capability;

[0387] The third indication information indicates all or part of the first information requesting a network function, wherein the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information.

[0388] The categories of network functions;

[0389] The address information of the network function;

[0390] The instance identifier of the network function.

[0391] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes: a determining unit, configured to determine whether the third network function allows the discovery of network functions based on the target capability and / or the first capability and / or the first information, and / or whether the third network function allows the acquisition of the first capability of the network function, and / or whether the network function possesses the target capability.

[0392] In some implementations, the fourth communication unit 1201 is configured to send fourth information to the first network function to request the first information; and / or receive the first information sent by the first network function.

[0393] In some embodiments, the fourth communication unit 1201 is used to send the address of the first network function and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function to the third network function.

[0394] In some implementations, the first network function has the target capability and / or the first capability, or the first network function meets the requirements of the target capability.

[0395] In some implementations, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0396] The first indication information is used to indicate that the network function supports or has the first capability, or to indicate that the network function does not support or does not have the first capability.

[0397] The first capability.

[0398] In some implementations, the first capability includes at least one of the following:

[0399] Adjust the network based on energy-related information;

[0400] Update strategies based on energy-related information.

[0401] In some implementations, the adjustment of the network based on energy-related information includes at least one of the following:

[0402] Adjust and / or determine the DRX parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0403] Adjust and / or determine the MBR of the slice based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0404] The UE is registered based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0405] Adjust and / or determine QoS parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0406] The transmission rate is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0407] The bandwidth is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0408] Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the energy-related information;

[0409] The maximum number of admitted UEs per slice is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0410] Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions for a slice based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0411] In some implementations, the energy-related information update strategy includes at least one of the following:

[0412] Based on all or part of the energy-related information, determine and / or modify and / or update AM-related strategies;

[0413] Based on all or part of the energy-related information, determine and / or modify and / or update SM-related strategies;

[0414] Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information.

[0415] In some implementations, the energy-related information includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy usage information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, and carbon footprint information.

[0416] Those skilled in the art should understand that Figure 12 The functions of each unit in the communication device shown can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the aforementioned method. Figure 12 The functions of each unit in the communication device shown can be implemented by a program running on a processor or by specific logic circuits.

[0417] Figure 13 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1300 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 13 The communication device 1300 shown includes a processor 1310, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0418] Optionally, such as Figure 13 As shown, the communication device 1300 may further include a memory 1320. The processor 1310 can retrieve and run computer programs from the memory 1320 to implement the methods described in this embodiment.

[0419] The memory 1320 can be a separate device independent of the processor 1310, or it can be integrated into the processor 1310.

[0420] Optionally, such as Figure 13 As shown, the communication device 1300 may also include a transceiver 1330, and the processor 1310 may control the transceiver 1330 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, it may send information or data to other devices or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0421] The transceiver 1330 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 1330 may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0422] Optionally, the communication device 1300 may specifically be the first network function of the present application embodiment, and the communication device 1300 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first network function in the various methods of the present application embodiment. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0423] Optionally, the communication device 1300 may specifically be a second network function in the embodiments of this application, and the communication device 1300 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the second network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0424] Optionally, the communication device 1300 may specifically be a third network function in the embodiments of this application, and the communication device 1300 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the third network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0425] Figure 14 This is a schematic structural diagram of the chip according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 14 The chip 1400 shown includes a processor 1410, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0426] Optionally, such as Figure 14 As shown, chip 1400 may further include memory 1420. Processor 1410 can retrieve and run computer programs from memory 1420 to implement the methods described in this embodiment.

[0427] The memory 1420 can be a separate device independent of the processor 1410, or it can be integrated into the processor 1410.

[0428] Optionally, the chip 1400 may also include an input interface 1430. The processor 1410 can control the input interface 1430 to communicate with other devices or chips; specifically, it can acquire information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0429] Optionally, the chip 1400 may also include an output interface 1440. The processor 1410 can control the output interface 1440 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, to output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0430] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the first network function in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0431] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the second network function in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the second network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0432] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the third network function in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes of the third network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0433] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0434] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor described above can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0435] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0436] It should be understood that the above-described memory is exemplary and not a limiting description. For example, the memory in the embodiments of this application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM), etc. That is to say, the memory in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0437] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs.

[0438] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the first network function in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the first network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail here.

[0439] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the second network function in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the second network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0440] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the third network function in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the third network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0441] This application also provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions.

[0442] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the first network function in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the first network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0443] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the second network function in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the second network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0444] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the third network function in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the third network function in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0445] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0446] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0447] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0448] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0449] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0450] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0451] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network function, the method includes: A first network function sends first information to a second network function, the first information indicating a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: The first indication information is used to indicate that the first network function supports or has the first capability, or to indicate that the first network function does not support or does not have the first capability. The first capability.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first capability includes at least one of the following: Adjust the network based on energy-related information; Update strategies based on energy-related information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The network adjustment based on energy-related information includes at least one of the following: Adjust and / or determine discontinuous reception DRX parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information; Adjust and / or determine the maximum bit rate (MBR) of the slice based on all or part of the energy-related information; The UE is registered based on all or part of the energy-related information. Adjust and / or determine the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information; The transmission rate is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information; The bandwidth is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information; Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the energy-related information; The maximum number of admitted UEs per slice is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information. Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions for a slice based on all or part of the energy-related information.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The energy-related information update strategy includes at least one of the following: Determine and / or modify and / or update access management AM-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information; Determine and / or modify and / or update session management (SM) related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information; Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: the first network function receiving second information sent by the second network function to subscribe to the first information and / or the first capability, or subscribing to changes in the first information and / or the first capability; and / or, Sending first information from the first network function to the second network function includes: the first network function sending the first information to the second network function based on the second information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second information includes a second indication, which indicates whether to subscribe to or request the first information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The energy-related information includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy usage information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, and carbon footprint information.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a third network function, the method includes: The third network function sends third information to the second network function, the third information including at least one of the following: Target capability; The third indication information is used to request all or part of the first information of the network function, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information; The categories of network functions; The address information of the network function; The instance identifier of the network function.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The third network function receives the address information of the first network function sent by the second network function, and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first network function possesses the target capability and / or the first capability, or the first network function meets the requirements of the target capability.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The third network function selects the first network function based on all or part of the first information from the first network function.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: The first indication information is used to indicate that the network function supports or has the first capability, or to indicate that the network function does not support or does not have the first capability. The first capability.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first capability includes at least one of the following: Adjust the network based on energy-related information; Update strategies based on energy-related information.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The network adjustment based on energy-related information includes at least one of the following: Adjust and / or determine discontinuous reception DRX parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information; Adjust and / or determine the maximum bit rate (MBR) of the slice based on all or part of the energy-related information; The UE is registered based on all or part of the energy-related information. Adjust and / or determine the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information; The transmission rate is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information; The bandwidth is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information; Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the energy-related information; The maximum number of admitted UEs per slice is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information. Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions for a slice based on all or part of the energy-related information.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The energy-related information update strategy includes at least one of the following: Determine and / or modify and / or update access management AM-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information; Determine and / or modify and / or update session management (SM) related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information; Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The energy-related information includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy usage information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, and carbon footprint information.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second network function, the method includes: The second network function receives first information sent by the first network function, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: The first indication information is used to indicate that the first network function supports or has the first capability, or to indicate that the first network function does not support or does not have the first capability. The first capability.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first capability includes at least one of the following: Adjust the network based on energy-related information; Update strategies based on energy-related information.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The network adjustment based on energy-related information includes at least one of the following: Adjust and / or determine discontinuous reception DRX parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information; Adjust and / or determine the maximum bit rate (MBR) of the slice based on all or part of the energy-related information; The UE is registered based on all or part of the energy-related information. Adjust and / or determine the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information; The transmission rate is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information; The bandwidth is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information; Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the energy-related information; The maximum number of admitted UEs per slice is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information. Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions for a slice based on all or part of the energy-related information.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The energy-related information update strategy includes at least one of the following: Determine and / or modify and / or update access management AM-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information; Determine and / or modify and / or update session management (SM) related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information; Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information.

23. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network function stores the first information.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network function sends second information to the first network function to subscribe to the first information and / or the first capability, or to subscribe to changes in the first information and / or the first capability.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The second information includes a second indication, which indicates whether to subscribe to or request the first information.

26. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that, The energy-related information includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy usage information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, and carbon footprint information.

27. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second network function, the method includes: The second network function receives third information sent by the third network function, the third information including at least one of the following: Target capability; The third indication information indicates all or part of the first information requesting a network function, wherein the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information. The categories of network functions; The address information of the network function; The instance identifier of the network function.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network function determines whether the third network function allows the discovery of network functions based on the target capability and / or the first capability and / or the first information, and / or whether the third network function allows the acquisition of the first capability of the network function, and / or whether the network function possesses the target capability.

29. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network function sends a fourth message to the first network function to request the first message; and / or, The second network function receives the first information sent by the first network function.

30. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network function sends the address of the first network function and / or all or part of the first information of the first network function to the third network function.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that, The first network function possesses the target capability and / or the first capability, or the first network function meets the requirements of the target capability.

32. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: The first indication information is used to indicate that the network function supports or has the first capability, or to indicate that the network function does not support or does not have the first capability. The first capability.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The first capability includes at least one of the following: Adjust the network based on energy-related information; Update strategies based on energy-related information.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that, The network adjustment based on energy-related information includes at least one of the following: Adjust and / or determine discontinuous reception DRX parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information; Adjust and / or determine the maximum bit rate (MBR) of the slice based on all or part of the energy-related information; The UE is registered based on all or part of the energy-related information. Adjust and / or determine the Quality of Service (QoS) parameters based on all or part of the energy-related information; The transmission rate is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information; The bandwidth is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information; Activate and / or release sessions based on all or part of the energy-related information; The maximum number of admitted UEs per slice is adjusted and / or determined based on all or part of the energy-related information. Adjust and / or determine the maximum number of admitted sessions for a slice based on all or part of the energy-related information.

35. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that, The energy-related information update strategy includes at least one of the following: Determine and / or modify and / or update access management AM-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information; Determine and / or modify and / or update session management (SM) related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information; Determine and / or modify and / or update UE-related policies based on all or part of the energy-related information.

36. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, characterized in that, The energy-related information includes at least one of the following: energy consumption information, energy efficiency information, renewable energy usage information, carbon emission information, carbon efficiency information, and carbon footprint information.

37. A communication device, characterized in that, The device, applied to a first network function, includes: A first communication unit is configured to send first information to a second network function, the first information indicating a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

38. A communication device, characterized in that, For use in a second network function, the device includes: The second communication unit is used to receive first information sent by the first network function, the first information being used to indicate a first capability of the first network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information.

39. A communication device, characterized in that, The device, applied to a third network function, includes: A third communication unit is configured to send third information to the second network function, the third information including at least one of the following: Target capability; The third indication information is used to request all or part of the first information of the network function, the first information being used to indicate the first capability of the network function, the first capability being related to energy-related information; The categories of network functions; The address information of the network function; The instance identifier of the network function.

40. A communication device, characterized in that, For use in a second network function, the device includes: The fourth communication unit is configured to receive third information sent by the third network function, the third information including at least one of the following: Target capability; The third indication information indicates all or part of the first information requesting a network function, wherein the first information is used to indicate the first capability of the network function, and the first capability is related to energy-related information. The categories of network functions; The address information of the network function; The instance identifier of the network function.

41. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 36.

42. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Used to store a computer program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 36.

43. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer program instructions that cause a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 36.

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