Communication method and related device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication method and related equipment, which relates to the technical field of communication, and is applied to an access and mobility management function network element AMF. The method comprises the following steps: receiving first location information, and sending the first location information to a session management function network element SMF. Since the UE moves with the base station, the location information of the UE sent by the base station to the core network may not reflect the actual location of the UE. By sending the first location information, the problem caused by the pure location information of the UE can be avoided through additional location information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related equipment. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of communication technology, in the future, base stations may be placed on moving objects to provide connectivity for user equipment (UEs) on those objects. For example, base stations could be placed on low-Earth orbit satellites, vehicles, ships, high-speed trains, or airplanes. In this case, the base station will need to achieve backhaul via wireless means to connect to the core network.

[0003] In related technologies, the UE moves along with the mobile base station. At this time, the location information of the UE sent by the base station to the core network may not reflect the actual location of the UE. Although the base station and the UE are moving, the Tracking Area Identity (TAI) and Cell Identity (CELL ID) broadcast by the base station may remain unchanged, and therefore the location information of the UE they represent also remains unchanged.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a communication method and related equipment, which at least to some extent overcomes the problem in the related art that the UE's location changes but the reported UE location information remains unchanged.

[0006] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part from practice of this disclosure.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method applied to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, the method comprising:

[0008] Receive first location information;

[0009] The first location information is sent to the Session Management Function (SMF) network element.

[0010] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, including:

[0011] Receive the first location information sent by AMF;

[0012] The first location information is sent to the policy control function network element (PCF).

[0013] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, including:

[0014] Receive the first location information sent by SMF.

[0015] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including: a processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; when the network device is an AMF, the processor is configured to execute the method described in any one of the first aspects by executing the executable instructions; when the network device is an SMF, the processor is configured to execute the method described in any one of the second aspects by executing the executable instructions; and when the network device is a PCF, the processor is configured to execute the method described in any one of the third aspects by executing the executable instructions.

[0016] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method described in the first aspect above.

[0017] Sixthly, according to another aspect of this disclosure, a computer program product or computer program is also provided, the computer program product or computer program including computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A processor of a computer device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instructions, causing the computer device to perform the methods described in any of the preceding claims.

[0018] This disclosure provides a communication method and related equipment, relating to the field of communication technology, applied to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element. The method includes: receiving first location information; and sending the first location information to a Session Management Function (SMF) network element. Since the UE moves with the base station, the first location information can be sent when the base station transmits information to the core network, thus avoiding problems caused by relying solely on the UE's location through additional location information.

[0019] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another communication method in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another communication method in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown;

[0025] Figure 5 An interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown;

[0026] Figure 6 An interaction diagram of another communication method in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown;

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be more comprehensive and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0029] Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of this disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. Some block diagrams shown in the drawings are functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities may be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0030] In the future, when base stations are placed on moving objects to provide connectivity for UEs, such as low-Earth orbit satellites, vehicles, ships, high-speed trains, and airplanes, the base stations will need to achieve backhaul via wireless means to connect to the core network. For example, a base station on a satellite connects to a special ground base station via a Uu interface to achieve backhaul, and then connects to the ground core network; a base station on an airplane connects to a special ground base station or a satellite base station via a Uu interface to achieve backhaul, and then connects to the ground core network.

[0031] The UE can move along with the mobile base station. In this case, the location information of the UE sent by the base station to the core network may not reflect the actual location of the UE. For example, although the base station and the UE are moving, the TAI and CELL ID broadcast by the base station may remain unchanged. Therefore, the location information of the UE (the TAI and CELL ID of the base station to which the UE is connected) also does not change.

[0032] This disclosure provides a communication method and related equipment, relating to the field of communication technology, applied to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element. The method includes: receiving first location information and sending the first location information to a Session Management Function (SMF) network element. Since the UE moves with the base station, when the base station sends the UE's location information to the core network, it may not reflect the UE's actual location. By sending the first location information, additional location information can be used to avoid problems caused by relying solely on the UE's location information.

[0033] Figure 1 The illustration shows an application scenario according to an embodiment of this disclosure, including: a UE, a first base station, a second base station, a first core network, and a second core network. The first core network includes network elements such as AMF, SMF, and Policy Control Function (PCF). The first base station and the second base station can represent multiple base stations.

[0034] In this system, a UE is located on a moving object, and a first base station is connected to a second base station via an interface to obtain a wireless bearer and enable backhaul to the first core network. The moving object can be of various types, and this disclosure does not limit its scope. For example, it can be a car, airplane, ship, high-speed train, satellite, etc.

[0035] The UE connects to the first base station via an interface, and then to the first core network, thus providing connectivity for the UE. The UE connects to the first base station, and the first base station connects to the second base station via the Uu interface. The first base station, relative to the second base station, can be considered a special type of UE.

[0036] During its movement, the first base station will connect to different second base stations. Each second base station has a corresponding location. The first base station reports its location information when it connects to a second base station to the first core network. The first core network can obtain the UE's accurate location based on the location information of the first base station.

[0037] The first base station can use the location information of the first base station when it connects to the second base station as the first location information. The first location information is reported to the first core network through the wireless backhaul provided by the second base station. The first core network can determine the location information of the first base station based on the first location information. Since the first base station and the UE are in a state of synchronous movement and are on the same moving object, the accurate location of the UE can be obtained based on the location information of the first base station.

[0038] Specifically, the SMF obtains the location information of the first base station providing services to the UE from the AMF. The PCF obtains the location information of the first base station providing services to the UE from the SMF.

[0039] The following detailed description of this exemplary implementation method is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0040] First, this disclosure provides a communication method. Figure 2 A flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the communication method provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0041] S202: Receive first location information.

[0042] In one possible embodiment, the first location information is sent by the first base station to the AMF network element. The first base station serves the UE, and the second base station provides wireless backhaul for the first base station. The first location information represents the location of the first base station.

[0043] In one possible embodiment, the first location information may be the location information of the first base station when the first base station connects to the second base station. Alternatively, it may be enhanced location information of the UE when the first base station connects to the second base station, or additional location information of the UE, etc.

[0044] If the UE location information broadcast by the first base station in the existing communication process is called the first UE location information, then the first location information can be the second UE location information.

[0045] The first location information can be understood as information representing the actual location of the UE and / or the first base station. It is possible to represent the actual location of the UE and / or the first base station as they move along with a moving object, and then transmit this information to the core network.

[0046] For example, the first base station sends the first location information to the AMF network element through the wireless backhaul provided by the second base station.

[0047] S204: Send the first location information to the Session Management Function (SMF) network element.

[0048] In this way, the network side can combine the first location information to determine the UE's location and obtain the UE's actual location, thereby providing the UE with accurate network functions or services and avoiding the problems caused by inaccurate UE location information alone.

[0049] In one possible embodiment, the first location information includes at least: the tracking area identifier and / or cell identification code of the second base station.

[0050] In one possible embodiment, the tracking area identifier of the second base station includes the tracking area identifier of the second base station corresponding to the first base station connecting to the second base station.

[0051] In one possible embodiment, the cell identification code of the second base station includes the cell identification code of the second base station corresponding to the first base station when it connects to the second base station.

[0052] In one possible embodiment, the tracking area identifier of the second base station includes the tracking area identifier of the second base station corresponding to the connection between the first base station and the second base station, and the cell identification code of the second base station includes the cell identification code of the second base station corresponding to the connection between the first base station and the second base station.

[0053] In one possible embodiment, the application scenario in which the AMF sends the first location information to the SMF can include a variety of scenarios. This disclosure does not limit the specific scenario, but only uses the following examples for illustration.

[0054] For example, the AMF sends a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session creation context request to the SMF. The PDU session creation context request includes: first location information. This can be understood as: sending the first location information to the SMF during the creation of the session management context.

[0055] For example, the AMF sends an Update Session Management Context request to the SMF. The Update Session Management Context request includes: first location information. This can be understood as: sending the first location information to the SMF in the Update Session Management Context.

[0056] In one possible embodiment, the AMF sends a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session Creation Context Request to the SMF, or sends an Update Session Management Context Request, which, in addition to carrying the UE's location information, also carries first location information representing the location of the first base station.

[0057] Figure 3 A flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown, applied to SMF, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the communication method provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0058] S302: Receive the first location information sent by AMF.

[0059] S304: Send the first location information to the policy control function network element PCF.

[0060] In one possible embodiment, the application scenario of SMF receiving the first location information sent by AMF can include a variety of scenarios. This disclosure does not limit the specific scenario, but only uses the following examples for illustration.

[0061] For example, the SMF receives a PDU session creation context request sent by the AMF; the PDU session creation context request includes: first location information. This can be understood as: receiving the first location information from the AMF in the session management context creation process.

[0062] For example, the SMF receives an Update Session Management Context request sent by the AMF; the Update Session Management Context request includes: first location information. This can be understood as: receiving first location information from the AMF in the Update Session Management Context.

[0063] In one possible embodiment, the SMF receives the UE's location information and first location information.

[0064] In one possible embodiment, the application scenario in which the SMF sends the first location information to the policy control function network element PCF can include a variety of scenarios. This disclosure does not limit the specific scenario, but only uses the following examples for illustration.

[0065] For example, a session management policy control request is sent to the PCF. The session management policy control request includes: first location information. This can be understood as the SMF sending the first location information to the PCF when creating the session management policy control.

[0066] For example, an update session management policy control request is sent to the PCF. The update session management policy control request includes: first location information. This can be understood as the SMF sending the first location information to the PCF in the update session management policy control process.

[0067] In one possible embodiment, the SMF sends the UE's location information and first location information to the PCF.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the SMF can send N1N2 information to the AMF to complete the session establishment process.

[0069] In one possible embodiment, the SMF can perform session processing based on the first location information.

[0070] In one possible embodiment, the SMF can perform session processing based on the first location information when it receives a response from the PCF.

[0071] For example, the SMF can select a User Plane Function (UPF) to serve the UE based on the first location information. For instance, to select a UPF that is closer to the base station for the UE, the base station could be the first base station.

[0072] For example, the first location information is added to the UE-related call detail record (CDR).

[0073] For example, the generated UE call detail records (CDRs) may contain first location information. The first location new message is used as a parameter in the UE's CDR to represent the UE's actual location.

[0074] Figure 4 A flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown, applied to PCF, such as... Figure 4 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0075] S402: Receive the first location information sent by SMF.

[0076] In one possible embodiment, the application scenarios for the PCF to receive the first location information sent by the SMF include a variety of scenarios. This disclosure does not limit the specific scenarios, but only uses the following examples for illustration.

[0077] For example, the PCF receives a session management policy control request sent by the SMF. The session management policy control request includes: first location information. This can be understood as the PCF receiving the first location information sent by the SMF during the creation of the session management policy control.

[0078] For example, the PCF receives an update session management policy control request sent by the SMF. The update session management policy control request includes: first location information. This can be understood as: the PCF receives the first location information sent by the SMF in the update session management policy control.

[0079] In one possible embodiment, the PCF generates the UE's session policy based on the first location information.

[0080] In one possible embodiment, the location information of the UE is received, and a session policy of the UE is generated based on the first location information and the location information of the UE.

[0081] In one possible embodiment, the PCF sends a response to the SMF, which may include responses corresponding to various application scenarios. This disclosure does not limit the specific scenarios, but only uses the following examples for illustration.

[0082] For example, the PCF generates a session management policy control response and sends the session management policy control response to the SMF so that the SMF can combine the first location information to perform session processing.

[0083] For example, the PCF generates an Update Session Management Policy Control Response and sends the Update Session Management Policy Control Response to the SMF so that the SMF can combine the first location information to perform session processing.

[0084] Through the above Figures 2-4 The communication method flowchart shown herein illustrates the communication method using the following two embodiments as specific application scenarios. A prerequisite exists: a first base station serving the UE connects to the AMF of the core network via a second base station as a backhaul link. The embodiments are shown below:

[0085] Example 1:

[0086] Taking the creation of a session management context by the AMF in the UE's PDU session as an example, the application scenario in this disclosure embodiment is described. Figure 5 An interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown, such as... Figure 5 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0087] S502: The first base station transmits first location information to the AMF via wireless backhaul provided by the second base station. The first location information represents the location of the first base station.

[0088] S504: AMF sends a PDU session creation context request to SMF. The PDU session creation context request includes: first location information.

[0089] S506: SMF sends a session management policy control request to PCF. The session management policy control request includes: first location information.

[0090] S508: PCF generates the UE's session policy based on the first location information.

[0091] S510: PCF generates and sends session management policy control responses to SMF.

[0092] S512: SMF controls the response based on the first location information and the session management policy, and performs session processing.

[0093] S514: SMF sends N1N2 information to AMF to complete the session establishment process.

[0094] Example 2:

[0095] Taking the example of the AMF sending an update session management context request based on the UE's PDU session, the application scenario in this disclosure embodiment will be explained. Figure 6 An interaction diagram of another communication method in an embodiment of this disclosure is shown, such as... Figure 6 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0096] S602: The first base station sends first location information to the AMF via wireless backhaul provided by the second base station. The first location information represents the location of the first base station.

[0097] S604: AMF sends an Update Session Management Context Request to SMF. The Update Session Management Context Request includes: First location information.

[0098] S606: SMF sends an Update Session Management Policy Control Request to PCF. The Update Session Management Policy Control Request includes: First Location Information.

[0099] S608: PCF generates the UE's session policy based on the first location information.

[0100] S610: PCF generates and sends an update session management policy control response to SMF.

[0101] S612: SMF controls the response based on the first location information and the updated session management policy, and performs session processing.

[0102] S614: SMF sends N1N2 information to AMF to complete the session establishment process.

[0103] As can be seen from the above embodiments, the communication method of this disclosure can deploy the first base station on a moving object and move together with the UE. If the first base station needs to connect to the core network wirelessly, the first base station can send first location information to the network side. The first location information can represent the location of the base station and / or the location of the UE. Its specific name can include various types, such as the location information of the first base station, the enhanced location information of the UE, the additional location information, etc., or it can be the TAI, CELL ID, etc. of the second base station. The network side determines the actual location of the UE based on this, thereby providing accurate network functions or services.

[0104] Based on the same inventive concept, this disclosure also provides a network device, as shown in the following embodiment. Since the principle by which this device embodiment solves the problem is similar to that of the above-described method embodiment, the implementation of this device embodiment can refer to the implementation of the above-described method embodiment, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0105] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0106] The network device 70 can be an AMF network element, an SMF network element, a PCF network element, or a chip or other component that can be configured in the network device.

[0107] like Figure 7 As shown, network device 70 may include processor 701. Optionally, network device 70 may also include memory 702 and / or transceiver 703. The processor 701 is coupled to memory 702 and transceiver 703, for example, via a communication bus.

[0108] The following is combined with Figure 7 A detailed introduction to each component of network device 70:

[0109] The processor 701 is the control center of the network device 70. It can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 701 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of this application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0110] Optionally, the processor 701 can perform various functions of the network device 70 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 702 and calling data stored in the memory 702.

[0111] The memory 702 is used to store the software program that executes the solution of this application, and the processor 701 controls its execution. The specific implementation method can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0112] Optionally, the memory 702 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 702 may be integrated with the processor 701 or exist independently, and may be connected via the interface circuit of the network device 70. Figure 7 (Not shown in the image) is coupled to the processor 701, but this application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0113] The transceiver 703 is used for communication with other network devices.

[0114] Optionally, the transceiver 703 can be integrated with the processor 701, or it can exist independently and be connected via the interface circuit of the network device 70. Figure 7 (Not shown in the image) is coupled to the processor 701, and this embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0115] It is easy to understand that, Figure 7 The structure of the network device 70 shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the network device. Actual network devices may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0116] Furthermore, the technical effects of the network device 700 can be referred to the technical effects of the methods in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0117] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or it can be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0118] It should also be 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 random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous DRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous linked DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0119] Specifically, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the processes described above with reference to the flowcharts can be implemented as a computer program product or a computer program, which includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A processor of a computer device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions, causing the computer device to perform the methods described above.

[0120] In exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, which may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. A program product capable of implementing the methods described above is stored thereon. In some possible implementations, various aspects of this disclosure may also be implemented as a program product including program code, which, when run on a terminal device, causes the terminal device to perform the steps described in the "Exemplary Methods" section of this specification according to various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0121] More specific examples of computer-readable storage media in this disclosure may include, but are not limited to: electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0122] In this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium, capable of transmitting, propagating, or transmitting a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0123] Optionally, the program code contained on the computer-readable storage medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0124] In practical implementation, program code for performing the operations of this disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java and C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as C or similar languages. The program code can execute entirely on the user's computing device, partially on the user's computing device, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computing device and partially on a remote computing device, or entirely on a remote computing device or server. In cases involving remote computing devices, the remote computing device can be connected to the user's computing device via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or it can be connected to an external computing device (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0125] It should be noted that although several modules or units for the device used to perform actions have been mentioned in the detailed description above, this division is not mandatory. In fact, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the features and functions of two or more modules or units described above can be embodied in one module or unit. Conversely, the features and functions of one module or unit described above can be further divided and embodied by multiple modules or units.

[0126] Furthermore, although the steps of the method in this disclosure are described in a specific order in the accompanying drawings, this does not require or imply that the steps must be performed in that specific order, or that all the steps shown must be performed to achieve the desired result. Additional or alternative steps may be omitted, multiple steps may be combined into one step, and / or a step may be broken down into multiple steps.

[0127] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the exemplary embodiments described herein can be implemented by software or by combining software with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solutions according to the embodiments of this disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (such as a CD-ROM, USB flash drive, external hard drive, etc.) or on a network, including several instructions to cause a computing device (such as a personal computer, server, mobile terminal, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods according to the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0128] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method, applied to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, includes: Receive first location information; The first location information is sent to the Session Management Function (SMF) network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Sending the first location information to the SMF includes: Send a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session Creation Context Request to the SMF; the PDU Session Creation Context Request includes: first location information; Alternatively, send an Update Session Management Context Request to the SMF; the Update Session Management Context Request includes: first location information.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first location information is sent from the first base station to the AMF network element; The first base station serves the user equipment (UE); the second base station provides wireless backhaul for the first base station. The first location information represents the location of the first base station.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first location information includes at least: the tracking area identifier and / or cell identification code of the second base station.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The tracking area identifier of the second base station includes the tracking area identifier of the second base station corresponding to the first base station when it connects to the second base station; And / or, the cell identification code of the second base station includes the cell identification code of the second base station corresponding to the first base station when it connects to the second base station.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to SMF, the method includes: Receive the first location information sent by AMF; The first location information is sent to the policy control function network element (PCF).

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first location information received from the AMF includes: Receive a PDU session creation context request sent by the AMF; the PDU session creation context request includes: first location information; Alternatively, receive an Update Session Management Context request sent by the AMF; the Update Session Management Context request includes: first location information.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Sending the first location information to the PCF includes: Send a session management policy control request to the PCF, the session management policy control request including: first location information; Alternatively, a session management policy control update request may be sent to the PCF, the session management policy control update request including: first location information.

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first location information, session processing is performed.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first location information, select the User Plane Function (UPF) that serves the UE.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Add the first location information to the UE-related call data record (CDR).

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Generate a call detail record (CDR) for the UE, wherein the CDR for the UE includes the first location information.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to PCF, the method includes: Receive the first location information sent by SMF.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first location information received from the SMF includes: Receive a session management policy control request sent by SMF, wherein the session management policy control request includes: first location information; Alternatively, receive an update session management policy control request sent by the SMF, the update session management policy control request including: first location information.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first location information, a session policy for the UE is generated.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive UE location information; Based on the first location information and the location information of the UE, a session policy for the UE is generated.

17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Generate a session management policy control response, or update a session management policy control response.

18. A network device, characterized in that, include: processor; as well as Memory for storing the executable instructions of the processor; When the network device is an AMF, the processor is configured to execute the method of any one of claims 1 to 5 by executing the executable instructions; when the network device is an SMF, the processor is configured to execute the method of any one of claims 6 to 12 by executing the executable instructions; when the network device is a PCF, the processor is configured to execute the method of any one of claims 13 to 17 by executing the executable instructions.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5, 6 to 12, or 13 to 17.

20. A computer program product comprising: A computer program or instruction, characterized in that, when executed by a processor, the computer program or instruction implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5, 6 to 12, or 13 to 17.

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