Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

To provide a communication method and communication apparatus that save network resources and improve a user experience.SOLUTION: There is provided a method in which a first access and a management network element in a first network receives wireless access assistance information from a second network, the wireless access assistance information including wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and matching conditions corresponding to the wireless access information. The first access and the management network element determine, on the basis of the wireless access assistance information, the wireless access information required to be used by the terminal device, and transmits it to an access network device in the first network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device.

Background Art

[0002] In existing communication networks, a 5th generation (5G) communication network and a 4th generation (4G) network can be deployed within the same coverage. Therefore, a terminal device can access the network via a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) in 5G or a radio access network in 4G. That is, the terminal device can access the network via various radio access technologies (RATs).

[0003] In a 5G network, the network side can assist the terminal device in selecting an appropriate target RAT / frequency. However, when the terminal device determines based on the target RAT / frequency information that it needs to access the 4G network, the terminal device may fail to access the 4G network in time, or may fail to return to the 5G network under appropriate conditions after accessing the 4G network. This leads to a waste of network resources and a degradation of the user experience.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device for saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes a first access and management network element in a first network receiving wireless access assistance information from a second network. The wireless access assistance information includes wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and a matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information. The first access and management network element determines, based on the wireless access assistance information, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device. The first access and management network element transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device in the first network.

[0006] In a possible implementation, the first network may be a 4G network, and the first access and management network element in the first network may be a mobility management entity (MME) of the 4G network. The second network may be a mobile network with a different standard from the 4G network, for example, a 5G network or a mobile network with a higher standard. The access network device in the first network may be an eNB, which is an access network device in the 4G network.

[0007] According to the solution of the present application, the first access and management network element in the first network receives wireless access support information from the second network, determines the wireless access support information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and transmits the wireless access support information that needs to be used to the access network device in the first network. As a result, when there is no wireless access support information for the terminal device, the first access and management network element in the first network avoids the problem of failing to enable the terminal device to access the first network, ensures that the terminal device camps on an appropriate mobile communication network, thereby saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0008] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information includes at least one matching information among user type information corresponding to the terminal device, time information, location information of the terminal device, service type information used by the terminal device, and network load information.

[0009] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the first access and management network element in the first network receiving wireless access support information from the second network includes the first access and management network element receiving the wireless access support information of the terminal device transmitted by the second access and management network element in the second network.

[0010] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the first access and management network element in the first network receiving wireless access support information from the second network includes the first access and management network element receiving wireless access support information from the second network in the mobility management process of the terminal device.

[0011] In a possible implementation form, the second access and management network element in the second network may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element in the 5G network. The mobility management process of the terminal device includes the tracking area update (TAU) process of the terminal device or the redirection process of the terminal device.

[0012] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the first access and management network element receiving the wireless access assistance information transmitted by the second access management network in the second network includes the first access and management network element receiving the context information of the terminal device transmitted by the second access and management network element, and the context information includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.

[0013] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the first access and management network element receiving the wireless access assistance information transmitted by the second access management network in the second network includes the first access and management network element transmitting a UE context request message to the second access and management network element, and the message is used to request the context information of the terminal device. The first access and management network element receives the UE context response message transmitted by the second access and management network element, and the UE context response message includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.

[0014] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the first access and management network element receiving wireless access assistance information transmitted by a second access management network in a second network includes the first access and management network element receiving a handover request message or a forward relocation request message transmitted by a second access and management network element, where the handover request message or the forward relocation request message includes wireless access assistance information of a terminal device.

[0015] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the first access and management network element in the first network receiving wireless access assistance information from the second network includes the first access and management network element receiving wireless access assistance information from an integrated data management function network element in the second network via a home subscriber server (HSS) in the first network.

[0016] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the first access and management network element receiving wireless access assistance information from an integrated data management function network element in the second network via a home subscriber server in the first network includes the first access and management network element receiving context information or subscription information of a terminal device transmitted by an integrated data management function network element in the second network via a home subscriber server (HSS) in the first network, where the context information or subscription information includes a wireless access assistance policy of the terminal device.

[0017] For example, in the registration process of a terminal device or the Tracking Area Update (TAU) process, the first access and management network element sends a UE location request message to the HSS, and the message is used to obtain information such as the location of the terminal device and the subscription data of the terminal device. The HSS can send a UE location response message to the first access and management network element, and the UE location response message includes wireless access assistance information.

[0018] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the wireless access assistance information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device, and the matching condition includes at least one matching condition corresponding to each of the at least one wireless information. The first access and management network element determining the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information includes the first access and management network element determining that the terminal device meets one or more of the at least one matching condition. The first access and management network element determines that the wireless access information corresponding to one or more matching conditions is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.

[0019] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, one or more matching conditions include the matching conditions corresponding to the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the first network. Alternatively, one or more matching conditions include the matching conditions corresponding to the first frequency of the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the first frequency.

[0020] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the first network include the first time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the first network under the first time condition. Alternatively, the matching conditions corresponding to the first frequency of the first network include the first time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the first frequency.

[0021] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the first network may further include the first position condition, the first service type condition, the first network load condition, and the like.

[0022] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, one or more matching conditions include the matching conditions corresponding to the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the second network preferentially. Alternatively, one or more matching conditions include the matching conditions corresponding to the second frequency of the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the second frequency preferentially.

[0023] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the second network include the second time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the second network preferentially under the second time condition. Alternatively, the matching conditions corresponding to the second frequency of the second network include the second time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the first frequency preferentially.

[0024] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the second network may further include the second position condition, the second service type condition, the second network load condition, etc.

[0025] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the wireless access information includes a Radio Access Technology (RAT) / Frequency Selection Priority Index (RFSP index).

[0026] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the wireless access information includes a Subscriber Profile ID (subscriber profile ID for RAT / frequency priority, SPID).

[0027] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes that a second access and management network element in a second network obtains wireless access assistance information of a terminal device. The wireless access assistance information includes wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and matching conditions corresponding to the wireless access information. The second access and management network element transmits the wireless access assistance information to a first access and management network element in a first network. The wireless access assistance information is used by the first access and management network element to determine wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device and transmit the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device in the first network.

[0028] In a possible implementation form, the first network may be a 4G network. The first access and management network element in the first network may be a mobility management entity MME of the 4G network. The access network device in the first network may be an access network device eNB in the 4G network. The second network may be a mobile network with a different standard from the 4G network, for example, a 5G network or a mobile network with a higher standard. The second access and management network element in the second network may be an access and mobility management function network element AMF in the 5G network.

[0029] According to the solution of the present application, the second access and management network element in the second network transmits wireless access assistance information to the first access and management network element in the first network. As a result, the first access and management network element can determine, via the wireless access assistance information, the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and transmit the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used to the access network device in the first network. This avoids the problem that the first access and management network element in the first network fails to access the terminal device to the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information for the terminal device. As a result, the terminal device can camp on an appropriate mobile communication network, thereby saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0030] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information includes at least one matching information among user type information corresponding to the terminal device, time information, location information of the terminal device, service type information used by the terminal device, and network load information.

[0031] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second access and management network element in the second network obtaining the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device includes the second access and management network element obtaining the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device from the policy control function network element, or the second access and management network element obtaining the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device from the integrated data management center network element. The second access and management network element in the second network can be an access and mobility management function network element in a 5G network. In the registration process of the terminal device, the access and mobility management function network element sends a request message to the policy control function network element to obtain an access and mobility policy (AM policy) corresponding to the terminal device. The policy control function network element sends the corresponding access and mobility policy when requested by the access and mobility management function network element, and the access and mobility policy includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.

[0032] In another example, in the registration process or location update process of the terminal device, the network element of the access and mobility management function sends a context registration request (Nudm_UECM_Registration request) message or a context acquisition request (Nudm_UECM_Get request) of the terminal device to the network element of the integrated data management center. The integrated data management center network element can send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device via a context registration response (Nudm_UECM_Registration response) message or a context acquisition response (Nudm_UECM_Get response) message.

[0033] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the second access and management network element transmitting wireless access assistance information to the first access and management network element within the first network includes the second access and management network element transmitting wireless access assistance information to the first access and management network element in the mobility management process of the terminal device.

[0034] In possible implementation forms, the mobility management process of the terminal device includes the tracking area update (TAU) process of the terminal device or the redirection process of the terminal device.

[0035] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the second access and management network element transmitting wireless access assistance information to the first access and management network element within the first network includes the second access and management network element transmitting the context information of the terminal device to the first access and management network element, and the context information includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. For example, in the mobility management process of the terminal device, the first access and management network element transmits a UE context request message to the second access and management network element, and the second access and management network element can transmit the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device via a UE context response message.

[0036] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, after the second access and management network element obtains the wireless access support information of the terminal device, the method further includes that the second access and management network element determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access support information. The second access and management network element transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to the access network device in the second network.

[0037] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the wireless access support information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device, and the matching condition includes at least one matching condition corresponding to each of the at least one wireless information. The second access and management network element determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access support information, which includes that the second access and management network element determines that the terminal device satisfies one or more of the at least one matching condition. The second access and management network element determines that the wireless access information corresponding to one or more matching conditions is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.

[0038] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, one or more matching conditions include the matching condition corresponding to the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the first network preferentially. Alternatively, one or more matching conditions include the matching condition corresponding to the first frequency of the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the first frequency preferentially.

[0039] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the first network or the first frequency of the first network include the first time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first network or the first frequency of the first network under the first time condition.

[0040] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the first network may further include the first position condition, the first service type condition, the first network load condition, and the like.

[0041] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, one or more matching conditions include the matching conditions corresponding to the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second network. Alternatively, one or more matching conditions include the matching conditions corresponding to the second frequency of the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second frequency.

[0042] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the second network or the second frequency of the second network include the second time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second network or the second frequency of the second network under the second time condition.

[0043] In connection with the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the first network may further include the first position condition, the first service type condition, the first network load condition, and the like.

[0044] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the wireless access information includes a radio access technology (RAT) / frequency selection priority index RFSP index.

[0045] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the wireless access information includes a subscriber profile ID (SPID).

[0046] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes that a home subscriber server in a first network receives wireless access assistance information from a second network. The wireless access assistance information includes wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and a matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information. The home subscriber server transmits the wireless access assistance information to a first access and management network element in the first network. The wireless access assistance information is used by the first access and management network element to determine the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device and transmit the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device in the first network.

[0047] In a possible implementation form, the first network may be a 4G network, and the home subscriber server in the first network may be a home subscriber server (HSS) in the 4G network. The first access and management network element in the first network may be a mobility management entity MME in the 4G network, and the second network may be a mobile network with a different standard from the 4G network, for example, a 5G network, or a mobile network with a higher standard. The access network device in the first network may also be an access network device eNB in the 4G network.

[0048] According to the solution of the present application, the home subscriber server in the first network transmits wireless access assistance information from the second network to the first access and management network element in the first network. As a result, the first access and management network element can determine, via the wireless access assistance information, the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and transmit the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used to the access network device in the first network. This avoids the problem that the first access and management network element in the first network fails to access the terminal device to the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information for the terminal device. As a result, the terminal device can camp on an appropriate mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0049] In relation to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the wireless access assistance information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device, and the matching condition includes at least one matching condition corresponding to each of the at least one wireless information.

[0050] In relation to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information includes at least one matching information among user type information corresponding to the terminal device, time information, location information of the terminal device, service type information used by the terminal device, and network load information.

[0051] In relation to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the home subscriber server in the first network receiving wireless access assistance information from the second network includes the home subscriber server receiving wireless access assistance information transmitted by a policy control function network element in the second network.

[0052] In relation to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the home subscriber server in the first network receiving wireless access assistance information from the second network includes the home subscriber server receiving wireless access assistance information from the second network in the mobility management process of the terminal device.

[0053] In relation to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the home subscriber server in the first network receiving wireless access assistance information from the second network includes the home subscriber server receiving context information or subscription data of the terminal device from a network element of the policy control function in the second network, and the context information or subscription data includes wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. For example, the network element of the policy control function can transmit the wireless access assistance information to the home subscriber server by invoking the context management registration (Nudm_UEContextManagement_registration) service of the terminal device or by invoking the context management update (Nudm_UEContextManagement_update) service of the terminal device.

[0054] In another example, a network element with a policy control function may send wireless access assistance information of a terminal device to a unified data repository (UDR) by invoking a data management creation (Nudr_DataManagementCreate) service or a data management update (Nudr_DataManagementUpdate) service, and a home subscriber server may obtain subscription data of the terminal device from the UDR by invoking a data management query (Nudr_DataManagementQuery) service or a data management subscription (Nudr_DataManagementSubscribe) service. The subscription data may include wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. Alternatively, a network element with a policy control function may send wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the home subscriber server by invoking a subscription data management (Nudm_Subscriber_DataManagement_Info) service of an integrated data management network element in a second network.

[0055] In relation to a third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, for a home subscriber server in a first network to send wireless access assistance information to a first access and management network element in the first network, the first access and management network element sends a UE location request message to the home subscriber server, the message reports the location of the terminal device and is used to obtain subscription data of the terminal device, and the home subscriber server sends a UE location response message to the first access and management network element, the response message including wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.

[0056] In connection with the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the wireless access information includes a radio access technology / frequency selection priority index (RFSP index).

[0057] In connection with the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the wireless access information includes a subscriber profile ID (SPID).

[0058] According to a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes that a network element of a policy control function in a second network determines wireless access assistance information of a terminal device. The wireless access assistance information includes wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and a matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information. The policy control function network element sends the wireless access assistance information to a second access and management network element in the second network so that a first access and management network element in a first network obtains the wireless access assistance information through the second access and management network element and determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information. Alternatively, the policy control function network element sends the wireless access assistance information to a home subscriber server in the first network so that a first access and management network element in the first network obtains the wireless access assistance information through the home subscriber server and determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information.

[0059] In a possible implementation form, the first network may be a 4G network, and the first access and management network element in the first network may be a mobility management entity in the 4G network. The second network may be a mobile network with a different standard from the 4G network, for example, a 5G network, or a mobile network with a higher standard. The policy control function network element in the second network may be a policy control function network element PCF in the 5G network, or may be a combination of a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element and a PCF network element in the 4G network.

[0060] According to the solution of the present application, the policy control function network element in the second network determines the wireless access support information of the terminal device, and transmits the wireless access support information to the second access and management network element in the second network or the home subscriber server in the first network. As a result, the first access and management network element in the first network obtains the wireless access support information through the second access and management network element, and determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access support information. This avoids the problem that the first network fails to access the terminal device when there is no wireless access support information for the terminal device. As a result, the terminal device can camp on an appropriate mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0061] In connection with the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the wireless access support information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device, and the matching condition includes at least one matching condition corresponding to each of the at least one wireless information.

[0062] In relation to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information includes at least one piece of matching information among user type information corresponding to the terminal device, time information, location information of the terminal device, service type information used by the terminal device, and network load information.

[0063] In relation to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the policy control function network element in the second network determining the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device includes the policy control function network element determining the wireless access assistance information based on the data analysis result transmitted by the data analysis network element. The data analysis network element may be a network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element, and the data analysis result may include at least one of the following information, that is, UE service in use analytics, service experience per RAT and / or per frequency analytics, data dispersion analytics, user data congestion analytics, and RAT / frequency usage analytics.

[0064] In relation to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the fact that the policy control function network element transmits the wireless access assistance information to the second access and management network element in the second network includes that the second access and management network element transmits a request message to the policy control function network element in order to obtain the access and mobility policy (AM policy) corresponding to the terminal device. The policy control function network element transmits the access and mobility policy corresponding to the terminal device to the second access and management network element, and the access and mobility policy includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.

[0065] In relation to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the fact that the network element of the policy control function transmits the wireless access assistance information to the home subscriber server in the first network includes that the network element of the policy control function transmits the context information of the terminal device to the home subscriber server, and the context information includes the wireless access assistance information.

[0066] For example, the network element of the policy control function transmits the wireless access assistance information to the home subscriber server by calling the context management registration (Nudm_UEContextManagement_registration) service of the terminal device or by calling the context management update (Nudm_UEContextManagement_update) service of the terminal device.

[0067] Alternatively, the policy control function network element transmits the subscription data of the terminal device to the home subscriber server, and the subscription data includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.

[0068] For example, a network element with a policy control function may send wireless access assistance information of a terminal device to a unified data repository (UDR) by invoking a data management creation (Nudr_DataManagementCreate) service or a data management update service (Nudr_DataManagementUpdate), and a home subscriber server may obtain subscription data of the terminal device from the UDR by invoking a data management query (Nudr_DataManagementQuery) service or a data management subscription (Nudr_DataManagementSubscribe) service. The subscription data may include wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. In another example, a network element with a policy control function may send wireless access assistance information to a home subscriber server by invoking a subscription data management (Nudm_Subscriber_DataManagement_Info) service in an integrated data management network element within a second network.

[0069] In relation to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the wireless access information includes a radio access technology / frequency selection priority index (RFSP index).

[0070] In relation to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the wireless access information includes a subscriber profile ID (SPID).

[0071] According to a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method includes a network element of a policy control function in a second network determining wireless access assistance information for a terminal device. The wireless access assistance information includes wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and matching conditions corresponding to the wireless access information. The policy control function network element causes a first access and management network element in a first network to obtain the wireless access assistance information via a user plane gateway network element or a session gateway network element, and to determine, based on the wireless access assistance information, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and then transmits the wireless access assistance information to the user plane gateway network element or the session gateway network element in the first network.

[0072] In a possible implementation, the first network may be a 4G network. The first access and management network element in the first network may be a mobility management entity (MME) of the 4G network, or the first access and management network element in the first network may be an eNB in the 4G network. The user plane gateway network element may be a packet data network gateway (PGW) in the 4G network, and the session gateway network element may be a serving gateway (SGW) in the 4G network.

[0073] The second network may be a mobile network with a different standard from the 4G network, for example, a 5G network, or a mobile network with a higher standard. The policy control function network element may be a policy control function network element PCF within the 5G network, or a combination of a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element within the 4G network and a PCF network element.

[0074] According to the solution of the present application, the policy control function network element in the second network determines the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, and transmits the wireless access assistance information to the user plane gateway network element or the session gateway network element in the first network. As a result, the first access and management network element in the first network obtains the wireless access assistance information through the user plane gateway network element or the session gateway network element, and determines the wireless access information used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information. This avoids the problem that the first network fails to access the terminal device to the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information for the terminal device. As a result, the terminal device can camp on an appropriate mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0075] In connection with the fifth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, the wireless access assistance information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device, and the matching condition includes at least one matching condition corresponding to each of the at least one wireless information.

[0076] In relation to the fifth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the wireless access information include at least one piece of matching information among user type information corresponding to the terminal device, time information, location information of the terminal device, service type information used by the terminal device, and network load information.

[0077] In relation to the fifth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, the determination of the wireless access assistance information for the terminal device by the policy control function network element in the second network includes that the policy control function network element determines the wireless access assistance information based on the data analysis results transmitted by the data analysis network element. The data analysis network element may be a network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element, and the data analysis results may include at least one of the following information, namely, UE service in use analytics, service experience per RAT and / or per frequency analytics, data dispersion analytics, user data congestion analytics, and RAT / frequency usage analytics.

[0078] For example, a policy control network element transmits wireless access assistance information of a terminal device to a user plane gateway network element via an IP-CAN session change message. The user plane gateway network element transmits the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to a session gateway network element via an update bearer request message. The session gateway network element transmits the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to a first access management network via an update bearer request message.

[0079] In relation to the fifth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, the wireless access information includes a radio access technology / frequency selection priority index (RFSP index).

[0080] In relation to the fifth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, the wireless access information includes a subscriber profile ID (SPID).

[0081] According to a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, the device including a transceiver unit configured to receive wireless access assistance information from a second network, the wireless access assistance information including wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and matching conditions corresponding to the wireless access information, and a processing unit configured to determine, based on the wireless access assistance information, wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, the transceiver unit being further configured to transmit, to an access network device within a first network, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.

[0082] In a possible implementation form, the first network may be a 4G network, the first access and management network element in the first network may be a mobility management entity MME in the 4G network, and the second network may be a mobile network with a different standard from the 4G network, for example, a 5G network, or a mobile network with a higher standard. The access network device in the first network may also be an access network device eNB in the 4G network.

[0083] According to the communication device provided in this application, the transceiver unit receives wireless access assistance information from the second network, the processing unit determines the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and transmits the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used to the access network device in the first network through the transceiver unit. This avoids the problem that the first access and management network element in the first network fails to access the terminal device to the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information for the terminal device. As a result, the terminal device can camp on an appropriate mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0084] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the matching condition includes at least one piece of matching information among user type information corresponding to the terminal device, time information, location information of the terminal device, service type information used by the terminal device, and network load information.

[0085] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device transmitted by the second access and management network element in the second network.

[0086] In connection with the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is particularly configured to receive the wireless access support information of the terminal device transmitted by the second access and management network element in the mobility management process of the terminal device.

[0087] In connection with the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is particularly configured to receive the context information of the terminal device transmitted by the second access and management network element, and the context information of the terminal device includes the wireless access support information of the terminal device.

[0088] In connection with the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is particularly configured to receive the wireless access support information transmitted by the integrated data management function network element in the second network via the home subscriber server in the first network.

[0089] In connection with the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is particularly configured to receive the context information or subscription information of the terminal device transmitted by the network element of the integrated data management function via the home subscriber server, and the context information or subscription information includes the wireless access support information of the terminal device.

[0090] In connection with the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the wireless access support information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device, and the matching condition includes at least one matching condition corresponding to each of the at least one wireless information. The processing unit is particularly configured to determine that the terminal device satisfies one or more of the at least one matching condition, and determine that the wireless access information corresponding to the one or more matching conditions is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.

[0091] In connection with the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, one or more matching conditions include the matching conditions corresponding to the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the first network preferentially.

[0092] In connection with the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the first network include the first time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the first network preferentially under the first time condition. The matching conditions corresponding to the first network may further include a first position condition, a first service type condition, a first network load condition, and the like.

[0093] In connection with the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, one or more matching conditions include the matching conditions corresponding to the first frequency of the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the first frequency preferentially.

[0094] In connection with the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, one or more matching conditions include the matching conditions corresponding to the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in camping on the second network preferentially.

[0095] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the second network includes a second time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the second network under the second time condition. The matching condition corresponding to the second network may further include a second location condition, a second service type condition, a second network load condition, and the like.

[0096] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, one or more matching conditions include the matching condition corresponding to the second frequency of the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the second frequency.

[0097] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the wireless access information includes a Radio Access Technology (RAT) / Frequency Selection Priority Index.

[0098] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the wireless access information includes a Subscriber Profile ID (SPID).

[0099] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the first network includes a fourth-generation (4G) network, and the second network includes a fifth-generation (5G) network.

[0100] According to a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, the device including a transceiver unit configured to obtain wireless access assistance information of a terminal device, the wireless access assistance information including wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and matching conditions corresponding to the wireless access information, the transceiver unit further configured to transmit the wireless access assistance information to a first access and management network element within a first network, the wireless access assistance information being used by the first access and management network element to determine wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device and to transmit the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device within the first network.

[0101] In a possible implementation form, the first network may be a 4G network, the first access and management network element within the first network may be a mobility management entity MME of the 4G network, and the access network device within the first network may be an access network device eNB within the 4G network. The second network may be a mobile network with a different standard from the 4G network, for example, a 5G network, or a mobile network with a higher standard. The second access and management network element within the second network may be an access and mobility management function network element AMF within the 5G network.

[0102] According to the communication device provided in the present application, the transceiver unit transmits wireless access assistance information to a first access and management network element in a first network. As a result, the first access and management network element can determine, via the wireless access assistance information, the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and transmit the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used to an access network device in the first network. This avoids the problem that the first access and management network element in the first network fails to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information for the terminal device. As a result, the terminal device can camp on an appropriate mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0103] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the matching condition includes at least one matching information among user type information corresponding to the terminal device, time information, location information of the terminal device, service type information used by the terminal device, and network load information.

[0104] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to obtain the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device from a policy control function network element or obtain the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device from an integrated data management center network element.

[0105] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is particularly configured to transmit the wireless access assistance information to a first access and management network element in the mobility management process of the terminal device.

[0106] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to transmit the context information of the terminal device to the first access and management network element, and the context information includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.

[0107] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the apparatus further includes a processing unit configured to determine the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information, and the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to the access network device in the second network.

[0108] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the wireless access assistance information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device, and the matching condition includes at least one matching condition corresponding to each of the at least one wireless information. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the terminal device satisfies one or more of the at least one matching condition, and determine that the wireless access information corresponding to the one or more matching conditions is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.

[0109] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the one or more matching conditions include the matching condition corresponding to the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when camping on the first network preferentially.

[0110] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the first network includes a first time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the first network under the first time condition.

[0111] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to the first frequency of the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the first frequency.

[0112] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the second network.

[0113] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the second network includes a second time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the second network under the second time condition.

[0114] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to the second frequency of the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device when preferentially camping on the second frequency.

[0115] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the wireless access information includes a radio access technology (RAT) / frequency selection priority index.

[0116] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the wireless access information includes a subscriber profile ID (SPID).

[0117] In connection with the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the first network includes a fourth generation (4G) network and the second network includes a fifth generation (5G) network.

[0118] According to an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, the device including a memory configured to store a computer program and a processor configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, such that the communication device implements a communication method in any possible implementation form of the first aspect, or a communication method in any possible implementation form of the second aspect, or a communication method in any possible implementation form of the third aspect, or a communication method in any possible implementation form of the fourth aspect, or a communication method in any possible implementation form of the fifth aspect.

[0119] According to a ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to implement a communication method in any possible implementation form of the first aspect, a communication method in any possible implementation form of the second aspect, a communication method in any possible implementation form of the third aspect, a communication method in any possible implementation form of the fourth aspect, or a communication method in any possible implementation form of the fifth aspect.

[0120] According to the tenth aspect, a chip system is provided. The chip system includes a processor configured to call a computer program from a memory and execute the computer program such that a communication device in which the chip system is incorporated implements a communication method in any possible implementation form of the first aspect, or a communication method in any possible implementation form of the second aspect, or a communication method in any possible implementation form of the third aspect, or a communication method in any possible implementation form of the fourth aspect, or a communication method in any possible implementation form of the fifth aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0121]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0122] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0123] The technical solution in the embodiments of this application may be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems or future communication systems, such as 6th generation (6G) communication systems, vehicle-to-x (V2X), where V2X may include vehicle-to-network (V2N), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), long term evolution-vehicle (LTE-V) for factory communication, internet of vehicles, machine type communication (MTC), internet of things (IoT), long term evolution-machine (LTE-M), machine to machine (M2M).

[0124] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the method according to an embodiment of this application. The network architecture may further include the following network elements:

[0125] 1. User Equipment (UE) 110: It can include various handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem that have a wireless communication function, and various forms of terminals, mobile stations (MS), terminals, or soft terminals, etc. For example, water meters, electricity meters, and sensors.

[0126] For example, the user equipment in the embodiments of this application can be an access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile console, relay station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal equipment, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The user equipment can also be a mobile phone, cordless phone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with a wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a user equipment in a 5G network, or a user equipment in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) or a future vehicle Internet, etc., and is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

[0127] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment of the present application, a wearable device, sometimes referred to as a wearable intelligent device, is a general name for wearable devices developed by intelligently designing everyday wearables through wearable technologies such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that can be worn directly on the body or incorporated into the user's clothing or accessories. A wearable device is not only a hardware device but also implements powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. In a broad sense, a wearable intelligent device includes complete functions, sizes, and complete or partial functions that can be implemented without relying on a smartphone, such as a smartwatch or smart glasses, and focuses only on specific types of application functions that need to be used together with smartphones and other devices, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for monitoring physical signs.

[0128] In addition, in this embodiment of the present application, the user equipment may alternatively be a user equipment within an Internet of Things (IoT) system. The IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network via communication technology in order to realize an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object interconnection. In this embodiment of the present application, the IoT technology can implement large-scale connection, deep coverage, and terminal power saving, for example, through narrow band (NB) technology. In addition, in this embodiment of the present application, the user equipment may further include sensors such as intelligent printers, online detectors, and gas stations. Its main functions include collecting data (for some user equipment), receiving control information and downlink data of the access network device, transmitting electromagnetic waves, and transmitting uplink data to the access network device.

[0129] 2. (Radio) Access Network ((R)AN) 120: Configured to provide a network access function for authorized user equipment within a specific area, and different quality transmission tunnels can be used based on the level of the user equipment, service requirements, etc.

[0130] (R)AN can manage radio resources, provide access services to user equipment, and transfer control signals and user equipment data between the user equipment and the core network. (R)AN can also be understood as a base station in a conventional network.

[0131] For example, the access network device in this embodiment of the present application may be any communication device that communicates with user equipment and has wireless reception and transmission functions. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, an evolved Node B (eNB), a baseband unit (BBU), and an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. It may be a gNB or a transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G system, such as an NR system, or one or a group (including multiple antenna panels) of antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node forming a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), a distributed unit (DU).

[0132] In one deployment, the gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may further include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, and implements the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU plays a role in processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, and implements the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. The AAU performs some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and functions related to active antennas. Information in the RRC layer is ultimately converted into information in the PHY layer or converted from information in the PHY layer. Therefore, in this architecture, it is considered that upper layer signaling such as RRC layer signaling can be transmitted by the DU or can be transmitted by the DU and the AAU. It can be understood that the access network device can be a device including one or more of the CU node, the DU node, and the AAU node. In addition, the CU may be split into access network devices within the radio access network (RAN), or the CU may be split into access network devices within the core network (CN). This is not limited in this application.

[0133] 3. User plane network element 130: Used for packet routing and forwarding, quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data, etc.

[0134] In a 5G communication system, the user plane network element can be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane network element can still be a UPF network element or can have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0135] 4. Data network 140: A network used to provide data transmission.

[0136] In a 5G communication system, the data network can be a data network (DN). In future communication systems, the data network can still be a DN or can have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0137] 5. Access and management network element 150: Primarily used for mobility management, access management, etc., and can be used to implement other functions than session management in the mobility management entity (MME) function, such as access authorization / authentication and other functions.

[0138] In a 5G communication system, the access and management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the access and management network element can still be an AMF network element or can have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0139] 6. Session management network element 160: It is mainly used for session management, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management of terminal devices, selection of end points of manageable user plane functions, policy control and charging function interfaces, downlink data notifications, etc.

[0140] In a 5G communication system, the session management network element can be a session management function (SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management network element can still be an SMF network element or can have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0141] 7. Policy control network element 170: It is an integrated policy framework used to guide network behavior and provides policy rule information for network elements (such as AMF or SMF network elements) or terminal devices.

[0142] In a 4G communication system, the policy control network element can be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element. In a 5G communication system, the policy control network element can be a policy control function (PCF) network element. In future communication systems, the policy control network element can still be a PCF network element or can have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0143] 8. Network exposure network element 180: It is mainly used to support the exposure of capabilities and events.

[0144] In a 5G communication system, a network exposer can be a network element of a network exposure function (NEF). In future communication systems, the network exposer network element can still be an NEF network element or can have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0145] 9. Network repository network element 190: It is used to maintain information about all network function services on the network.

[0146] In a 5G communication system, a network repository network element can be a network element of a network repository function (NRF). In future communication systems, the network repository network element can still be an NRF network element or can have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0147] 10. Data management network element 1100: It is used for terminal device identification, access authentication, registration, mobility management, etc.

[0148] In a 5G communication system, the data management network element may be a unified data management (UDM) network element. In future communication systems, unified data management can still be a UDM network element or can have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0149] 11. Application network element 1110: It is used for routing data affected by an application, accessing the network element of a network exposure function, interacting with a policy framework for policy control, etc.

[0150] In a 5G communication system, the application network element may be an application function (AF) network element. In future communication systems, the application network element may still be an AF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0151] 12. Data analysis network element 1120: Used to implement the network data analysis function.

[0152] The data analysis network element may be an independent network element, or a combination of multiple network elements, or may be co-deployed with other network elements. For example, the NWDAF network element may be co-deployed with the AMF or session management function (SMF) network element.

[0153] In a 5G communication system, the data analysis network element may be a network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element. In future communication systems, the data analysis network element may still be an NWDAF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0154] 13. Network slice selection network element 1130: Used to select a network slice instance to provide services to the user equipment.

[0155] In a 5G communication system, the network slice selection network element may be a network slice selection function (NSSF) network element. In future communication systems, the network element of the network slice selection function may still be an NSSF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.

[0156] It can be understood that the aforementioned network element or function can be a network element within a hardware device, or a software function executed on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0157] For ease of explanation, this application will be described later by using an example where the network element of the access management function is an AMF network element, the network element of data analysis is an NWDAF network element, and the network element of network storage is an NRF network element.

[0158] Furthermore, the AMF network element is referred to as AMF, the NWDAF network element is referred to as NWDAF, and the NRF network element is referred to as NRF. In other words, all AMFs described later in this application may be replaced with the network element of the access management function, all NWDAFs may be replaced with the network element of the network data analysis function, and all NRFs may be replaced with the network element of the network repository.

[0159] For ease of explanation, in this application, an example where the device is an AMF entity, an NWDAF entity, or an NRF entity is used to describe a method for acquiring data. For the implementation method where the device is a chip within the AMF entity, a chip within the NWDAF entity, or a chip within the NRF entity, please refer to the specific description where the device is the AMF entity, the NWDAF entity, and the NRF entity separately. Details will not be described again.

[0160] In the network architecture shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device is connected to the AMF via the N1 interface, the RAN is connected to the AMF via the N2 interface, and the RAN is connected to the UPF via the N3 interface.

[0161] The UPFs are connected to each other via the N9 interface, and the UPF is interconnected with the data network (DN) via the N6 interface.

[0162] The SMF controls the UPF via the N4 interface.

[0163] The NSSF accesses the service-oriented architecture via the Nnssf interface to provide corresponding services. Similarly, the NRF, PCF, UDM, NWDAF, and AF access the service-oriented architecture via their corresponding interfaces to provide corresponding services.

[0164] Nnef, Nnrf, Npcf, Nudm, Nnwdaf, Naf, Namf, Nsmf, Nnssf, N1, N2, N3, N4, N6 in FIG. 1 are serial numbers of the interfaces. For the meaning of these interface sequence numbers, please refer to the meaning defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP (registered trademark)) standard protocol. This is not limited in this specification.

[0165] Note that the names of the network elements in FIG. 1 and the communication interfaces between the network elements are easily explained by using the examples specified by the current protocol. However, this does not mean that the embodiments of the present application are only applicable to currently known communication systems. Therefore, the standard names that appear when the current protocol is used as an example for explanation are for functional description. The specific names of network elements, interfaces, signaling, etc. are not limited in the present application and only indicate the functions of network elements, interfaces, or signaling, and can be extended to correspond to other systems such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or future communication systems.

[0166] In addition, note that in some network architectures, all network function network element entities such as AMF network elements, SMF network elements, PCF network elements, BSF network elements, and UDM network elements are referred to as network function (NF) network elements. Alternatively, in some other network architectures, a set of network elements such as AMF network elements, SMF network elements, PCF network elements, BSF network elements, and UDM network elements may be referred to as control plane function network elements.

[0167] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on service-based interfaces. In this embodiment of the present application, the NWDAF network element shown in FIG. 1 can obtain data analysis results generated by a terminal device, for example, UE service in use analytics, which is used to collect statistics on the execution of services by the terminal device or predict its rules.

[0168] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the interaction between 5G and 4G will be briefly described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of the interaction between 5G and 4G according to the present application.

[0169] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the 5G network is co-deployed with the 4G network (as shown in FIG. 2, the SMF is co-deployed with the PGW-C, and the UDM is co-deployed with the HSS), and / or enables an interactive interface (as shown in FIG. 2, the N26 interface is enabled between the AMF and the MME), thereby realizing the interaction between the two networks.

[0170] Specifically, the evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) shown in FIG. 2 is an access network device within the 4G network, the NG-RAN is an access network device within the 5G network, the home subscriber server (HSS) is a server within the 4G network configured to store user subscription information, the serving gateway (SGW) is a user plane access serving gateway within the 4G network, and the packet data network gateway control (PGW-C) and packet data network gateway user (PGW-U) network elements are within the 4G network and are responsible for connecting the user equipment to an external network, and further undertake mobile phone session management and bearer control, as well as IP address allocation, charging support, and other functions.

[0171] The names of the interfaces shown in FIG. 2 (for example, S1-MME, S1-U, S11, N26, N3, N1, N2, N11, S11, S5-U, S5-C, N15, N8, N10, and S6a shown in FIG. 2) are merely examples and should be noted that they do not constitute any limitation to the protection scope of this application.

[0172] The NWDAF network element has functions of data collection, training, analysis, and inference, collects related data from network elements, third-party service servers, terminal devices, or network management systems, performs intelligent analysis training based on the related data, and is configured to provide the data analysis results to network elements, third-party service servers, terminal devices, or network management systems. The analysis results may assist the network in selecting service quality parameters of services, or may assist the network in performing traffic routing, or may assist the network in selecting a background traffic transmission policy. This feature facilitates network maintenance and control, improves network resource utilization, and improves the user experience.

[0173] The PCF or PCRF is used to guide an integrated policy framework for network behavior and provide policy rule information for network elements (such as AMF or SMF network elements) or terminal devices. To implement interoperability between 4G networks and 5G networks, the PCF and PCRF may also be co-deployed. For ease of explanation, in this embodiment of this application, the co-deployed network element may be represented as PCF / PCRF.

[0174] The co-deployment of UDM and HSS (UDM / HSS) can provide at least one of functions such as the processing of 3GPP (registered trademark) AKA authentication certificates, user identification, access permission, registration / mobility management, subscription management, and short message management to terminal devices.

[0175] In this embodiment of the present application, the user equipment or the access network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer operating on the hardware layer, and an application layer operating on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and a memory (also referred to as main memory). The operating system may be any one or more types of computer operating systems that implement service processing by using processes, for example, the Linux (registered trademark) operating system, the Unix operating system, the Android operating system, the iOS operating system, or the Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, word processing software, and instant messaging software. In addition, if a program recording the code of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be executed to implement communication according to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the specific structure of the execution body of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited in the embodiment of the present application. For example, the execution body of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may be a user equipment or an access network device, or a functional module that can call and execute a program in the user equipment or the access network device.

[0176] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the communication method provided in the present application will be described in detail. The method may be applied to the scenario shown in FIG. 1, and of course, it may also be applied to another communication scenario. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0177] S210. The first access and management network element in the first network receives wireless access assistance information from the second network.

[0178] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network may be a 4G network, and the first access and management network element in the first network may be a mobility management entity (MME) in the 4G network. The second network may be a 5G network, or the second network may further be a future communication system (for example, a 6G network).

[0179] The wireless access assistance information includes wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and matching conditions corresponding to the wireless access information. The wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device may be represented by a RAT / frequency selection priority (RFSP) index. Different RFSP indices can represent different wireless access information. Alternatively, the wireless access information may be represented by a subscriber profile ID for RAT / frequency selection priority (SPID), and its function is similar to that of the RFSP index. Alternatively, the wireless access information may be represented by a quality of service class identifier (QCI) or a 5G QoS identifier (5QI). Different QCI or 5QI values are used to represent different wireless access information. The wireless access information is used to assist the terminal device in accessing different RAT / frequencies.

[0180] The matching conditions corresponding to the wireless access information include at least one of the following matching information.

[0181] User type information corresponding to the terminal device, such as different user levels (Gold, Silver, and Bronze users) and user categories (adults and teenagers).

[0182] Service type information used by the terminal device, such as different service types such as AR / VR services, voice services, video services, data services, and URLLC services.

[0183] Time information, such as a specific time, or daytime (e.g., 8:00 - 18:00), evening, peak period (time zone), or off-peak period (time zone).

[0184] Location information of the terminal device, such as any location information used to identify network areas such as a tracking area (TA), tracking area list (TA list), cell, or cell list.

[0185] Network load information, such as light load, normal load, or heavy load, where the network load here can include access network load, core network load, network slice load, etc.

[0186] It should be understood that the wireless access support information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and at least one matching condition corresponding to each of the at least one wireless information. For example, the wireless access support information corresponding to terminal device #1 is shown in Table 1. The wireless access support information includes wireless access information RFSP index 1, RFSP index 2, and RFSP index 3 corresponding to terminal device #1, which respectively correspond to matching condition 1, matching condition 2, and matching condition 3. The time information included in matching condition 1 is time zone 1, and for example, this time zone may be noon (12:00~13:00). Similarly, the time information included in matching condition 2 may be time zone 2, and matching condition 3 includes time information (time zone 3) and service type information (service type 1, for example, voice service) used by terminal device #1.

[0187]

Table 1

[0188] In particular, the first access and management network element in the first network receiving wireless access assistance information from the second network may be the first access and management network element receiving wireless access assistance information from the second access and management network element in the second network. The second access and management network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element in the 5G network, or a network element having a similar function in a future communication system. In a future communication system (e.g., 6G network), the second access and management network element may still be an AMF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application. Alternatively, the first access and management network element receives wireless access assistance information from the second network via a home subscriber server in the first network.

[0189] The first access and management network element in the first network receiving wireless access assistance information from the second network can be receiving the wireless access assistance information from the second network in a mobility management process of a terminal device, for example, a tracking area update (TAU) process of the terminal device, or a redirection process. For example, when the terminal device is in a connected state, in the procedure of the terminal device being handed over from a 5G network to a 4G network, the first access and management network element receives a handover request message or a forward relocation request message sent by the second access and management network element in the second network, thereby receiving the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. Alternatively, when the terminal device is in an idle state, when the terminal device moves from a 5G network to a 4G network, the first access and management network element sends a UE context request message to the second access and management network element, and receives the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device via a UE context response message.

[0190] S220. The first access and management network element determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information.

[0191] Note that the wireless access information used is likely to be the wireless access information used by the terminal device. Subsequently, either the terminal device or the access network device can determine whether to use the wireless access information based on the actual situation. For example, the access network device can determine whether to use the wireless access information based on network load, network signal coverage, etc. In another example, the terminal device can also determine whether to use the wireless access information based on its energy consumption usage, service usage, etc.

[0192] Specifically, the first access and management network element can determine that the terminal device satisfies one or more of at least one matching condition, and the first access and management network element can determine that the wireless access information corresponding to one or more matching conditions is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device. When at least one matching condition includes one matching condition, the first access and management network element determines that the terminal device satisfies one matching condition, and the wireless access information corresponding to one matching condition is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device. For example, when the first access and management network element determines that the time information (time zone 1, an example of the first time condition) of terminal device #1 satisfies matching condition 1, the first access and management network element determines that the wireless access information 1 corresponding to matching condition 1 is the wireless access information that needs to be used by terminal device #1. In another example, when the first access and management network element determines that the time information (time zone 1) and the service information (voice service) used by terminal device #1 satisfy matching condition 2, the first access and management network element determines that the wireless access information 2 corresponding to matching condition 2 is the wireless access information that needs to be used by terminal device #1. It can be understood that there may be one or more wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device. This is not limited in this application.

[0193] It should be noted that when the terminal device satisfies the matching condition, it may be understood that the terminal device satisfies the matching information included in the matching condition, or the terminal device satisfies the time condition (for example, the first time condition), the location condition, etc. in the matching condition corresponding to the matching information.

[0194] The first access and management network element transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to the access network device in the first network. Correspondingly, the access network device in the first network receives the wireless access information to be used.

[0195] Alternatively, before the first access and management network element transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, the first access and management network element can first determine that the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is different from the wireless access information of the terminal device in the current access network device or the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device transmitted last. In this case, the first access and management network element transmits the wireless access information to be used to the access network device. In this way, repeated transmission can be avoided, and signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0196] In particular, the first access and management network element transmitting the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to the access network device may be that the first access and management network element transmits the context information of the terminal device to the access network device when the terminal device is in an idle state. The context information may include the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.

[0197] Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present application, S240 may further be included. The access network device in the first network determines the corresponding RAT / frequency selection priority based on the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and executes the camping policy of the terminal device based on the determined RAT / frequency selection priority.

[0198] Specifically, the access network device can determine the corresponding subscriber profile ID for the RAT / frequency selection priority SPID based on the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device. For example, when the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is represented as RFSP index in use = 1, the access network device sets the 2.6 GHz frequency of 5G as the highest priority. In another example, when RFSP index in use = 8, the access network device sets the 800 MHz frequency of 4G as the highest priority.

[0199] The access network device executes the camping policy of the terminal device based on the determined RAT / frequency selection priority. The camping policy of the terminal device can be that the terminal device continues to camp on the original RAT / frequency or that the terminal device accesses another RAT / frequency (target RAT / frequency). For example, when the access network device determines that the RAT / frequency with the highest priority is the current RAT / frequency, the access network device determines that the terminal device continues to camp on the current RAT / frequency. Alternatively, when the access network device determines that the priority of the target RAT / frequency is higher than the RAT / frequency on which the terminal device camps, the access network device determines that the terminal device connects to the target RAT / frequency.

[0200] According to the solution in the embodiment of the present application, the first access and management network element in the first network determines the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used by the terminal device by receiving wireless access assistance information from the second network, and transmits the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used to the access network device in the first network. This avoids the problem that the first access and management network element in the first network fails to access the terminal device to the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information for the terminal device. As a result, the terminal device can camp on an appropriate mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0201] FIGS. 4A and 4B are another exemplary flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication method provided in the present application will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. The sequence numbers of the following processes do not mean the execution sequence. The execution sequence of the process should be determined based on the function and internal logic of the process and should not be construed as any limitation to the implementation form process of the embodiment of the present application. In addition, it is possible that not all operations in the following method embodiments need to be performed.

[0202] Before S310, a policy control function (PCF) in the second network receives a data analysis result, which is generated by a data analysis network element and can be used to assist the PCF when setting wireless access assistance information for the terminal device.

[0203] By way of example and not limitation, the data analysis result can include one or more of the following information:

[0204] UE service in use analytics: This information can be used to collect statistics on the service execution rules of a terminal device or to predict service execution rules, and may include at least one service type and information such as the start time, location, service data volume, start probability, and duration of each service.

[0205] Service experience per RAT and / or per frequency analytics: This information can be used to collect and predict statistics on the service experience of each service at different RATs and / or frequencies. The information may include the service type used by the terminal device, the RAT and / or frequency, and the service experience.

[0206] Data dispersion analytics: This information is used to collect or predict statistics on the data traffic information of a single user or user group. The information may include the terminal device identifier or terminal device group identifier, the region, the amount of traffic, the data mobility classification, etc.

[0207] User data congestion analytics: This information is used to collect or predict statistics on the congestion status of user data in a region. This information may include the region, the data type (control plane or user plane), and the congestion level (high, medium, and low).

[0208] RAT / Frequency Usage Analytics: This information is used to collect statistics on the usage of each RAT / frequency or to predict the usage of each RAT / frequency, and this information can include information such as RAT and / or frequency, the number of users, and traffic.

[0209] The above data analysis results may be at the terminal device granularity, service granularity, or area granularity, or at the network granularity. For example, different terminal devices may correspond to different data analysis results, or different services such as video services and payment services of a terminal device may correspond to different data analysis results.

[0210] In a possible implementation, the PCF can receive the data analysis results actively sent by the NWDAF. For example, when the network slice load reaches a specific threshold, the NWDAF can actively send the data analysis results to the PCF. Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the PCF can further receive the data analysis results sent by the NWDAF upon request of the PCF. For example, the PCF can send an analysis subscription request message (Nnwdaf_analyticsSubscripiton_subscribe) to the NWDAF, and the message is used to request the data analysis results of a terminal device or a group of terminal devices. The NWDAF sends an analysis subscription notification message (Nnwdaf_analyticsSubscripiton_Notify), and the message includes the data analysis results of the terminal device. In another example, the PCF can further send an analysis subscription notification message (Nnwdaf_analyticsRequest) to the NWDAF, and the NWDAF sends an analysis response message (Nnwdaf_analyticsResponse), and the message can include the data analysis results of the terminal device.

[0211] The foregoing request message sent by the PCF to the NWDAF may indicate the ID of the terminal device to be analyzed or the group ID of the terminal devices. Alternatively, the PCF may further add analytics filter information to the request message. For example, area information may be added to the request message to request data analysis results of terminal devices within the area, or filter information such as time period may be added.

[0212] S310. The PCF determines the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device based on the data analysis results sent by the data analysis network element.

[0213] It should be understood that the wireless access assistance information may include the wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and the matching conditions corresponding to the wireless access information. The wireless access assistance information may include a plurality of wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device, and the matching conditions may include a plurality of matching conditions. Each of the plurality of wireless access information corresponds to one of the plurality of matching conditions. The specific content of the wireless access assistance information is the same as that in S210, and the details are not described again here.

[0214] By way of example and not limitation, in the present application, the PCF may generate a RAT / Frequency Selection Priority (RFSP) index value based on the data analysis results transmitted by the NWDAF, and may use different RFSP indexes to indicate the wireless access information of the terminal device under different matching conditions. The range of values of the RFSP index may be from 1 to 256. The value is transmitted to the access network device via the core network element, and the corresponding Subscriber Profile ID (SPID) is mapped by the access network device. For example, in one scenario, the highest NR selection priority corresponding to the RFSP index is mapped, indicating that the terminal device may preferentially select NR to camp on in this case. In another scenario, the highest E-UTRAN selection priority corresponding to the RFSP index is mapped, indicating that in this case, the terminal device may preferentially select the E-UTRAN on which it should camp. In another example, in a scenario, the access frequency of the terminal device mapped correspondingly from the RFSP index is 3.5 GHz, indicating that in this case, the terminal device may preferentially select the 3.5 GHz frequency to camp on. In another scenario, when the RFSP index maps the access frequency of the terminal device to 2.6 GHz, it indicates that in this case, the terminal device may preferentially select the 2.5 GHz frequency to camp on.

[0215] Specifically, for example, the data analysis results received by the PCF in step S310 include UE service in use analytics and service experience per RAT and / or per frequency analytics, and the PCF can determine the RFSP index of the terminal device in two steps.

[0216] Step 1: Based on the analysis results of the services used by the terminal device, the PCF determines the service types used by the terminal device in different scenarios. For example, terminal device #1 has a cell ID of 6010003, the start time of the voice service implementation is 10:00, and the duration is 30 minutes. The probability that the terminal device executes the voice service at a certain point within the statistical period is 0.8. In this case, based on the service usage analysis information, the PCF determines that the service type used by terminal device #1 at 10:00 in cell 6010003 is the voice service. Similarly, the PCF determines the service type used by terminal device #1 at another location or another time point based on the service usage analysis information. For example, the probability that the terminal device uses the virtual reality (VR) service during a certain time period is the highest. Alternatively, the PCF can determine the service types used by a group of terminal devices in different scenarios. The service type used by the terminal device may be a specific service type, or it may be a number or indication information corresponding to the service type.

[0217] Step 2: Based on the service type obtained in Step 1, the PCF determines the optimal wireless access assistance information based on the service experience per RAT and / or per frequency analytics. In other words, the wireless access information selected by the PCF based on the data analysis results sent by the NWDAF can optimize the service experience of the service type. For example, during a statistical period, terminal device #1 is within cell 6010003 from 10:00 to 11:00 and has the highest probability of using voice services. Its service experience in the 4G network is 3.0, and its service experience in the 5G network is 2.5. In this case, the PCF determines that the RFSP index corresponds to the highest priority for accessing the 4G network. In another example, the probability that terminal device #1 uses VR services is the highest between 14:00 and 15:00. Its service experience in the 5G network is 3.0, and its service experience in the 4G network is 2.0. In this case, when terminal device #1 is within cell 6010003 between 14:00 and 15:00, the PCF determines that the RFSP index corresponds to the highest priority of the 5G network.

[0218] In addition to the two types of information described above, the PCF may further consider other information. For example, information such as the service priority of the terminal device, the user type of the terminal device, the user priority, and the network congestion status. For example, based on the analysis result of the service used by the terminal device of terminal device #1, the PCF determines that the probabilities of the video service and the voice service occurring on terminal device #1 are the same in a specific scenario, but the priority of the video service is higher than that of the voice service. In this case, the PCF may select a RAT / frequency that can provide the best experience for the video service based on the service experience analysis result of the video service. In another example, based on the above two data analysis results, the PCF determines that the radio access technology of terminal device #1 is RAT#1 (for example, NR), but the network load of RAT#1 is already high and the user priority of terminal device #1 is low. In this case, the PCF may decide to select RAT#2 (for example, E-UTRAN) for terminal device #1.

[0219] That is, the wireless access assistance information determined by the PCF includes multiple wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device under multiple matching conditions. Alternatively, it can be understood that the wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and included in the wireless access assistance information changes together with information such as the time information and location information of the terminal device. Subsequently, the wireless access assistance information can be used by the AMF that determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the actual situation (such as time information, location information of the terminal device, etc.). For example, different service types used by the terminal device correspond to different wireless access information, or terminal devices in different network areas correspond to different network load statuses, and different local policies can correspond to different wireless access information. In another example, when the load of 5G high frequency is high but the load of the 5G core network is low, the PCF can determine that the wireless access information of the terminal device corresponds to 5G low frequency. Alternatively, when the load of the entire 5G network is relatively high, the PCF can determine that the wireless access information of the terminal corresponds to the 4G network.

[0220] It should be understood that the wireless access assistance information generated by the PCF may be at the granularity of a single terminal device or at the granularity of a terminal device group. When the wireless access assistance information is at the granularity of a terminal device group, the wireless access assistance information is applied to each terminal device in the group. For example, the terminal device group may be a gold user group or a terminal device group in the area of interest.

[0221] S320. The PCF transmits the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the AMF (an example of the second access and management network element). Correspondingly, the AMF receives the wireless access assistance information.

[0222] By way of example and not limitation, in a possible implementation form, this step may be performed in the 5G registration process of the terminal device. The AMF receives the registration message of the terminal device and sends a request message to the PCF to obtain the corresponding access and mobility policy (AM policy). The PCF sends the corresponding access and mobility policy in response to the request of the AMF, and the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device is included.

[0223] In another possible implementation form, this step may be performed in a process where the PCF actively updates the access and mobility policy and the PCF actively sends the updated access and mobility policy including the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the AMF. For example, when the operator's local policy configured in the PCF changes, the PCF is triggered to update the access and mobility policy, and the access and mobility policy includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. In another example, when the PCF detects that the subscription data of the terminal device has changed, or when the data analysis result sent by the NWDAF has changed, the PCF may be triggered to actively update the access and mobility policy and send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the AMF.

[0224] Alternatively, the method may further include S330. The AMF determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information.

[0225] It should be understood that the wireless access information used is the wireless access information that is likely to be used by the terminal device. Subsequently, either the terminal device or the access network device can determine whether to use the wireless access information based on the actual situation. For example, the access network device can determine whether to use the wireless access information based on network load, network signal coverage, etc. In another example, the terminal device can also determine whether to use the wireless access information based on its energy consumption usage, service usage, etc.

[0226] In a possible implementation, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device can be represented by the RFSP index (RFSP index in use) information during the use of the terminal device. For ease of understanding and explanation, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is the RFSP index in use information and is used as an example for explanation.

[0227] Alternatively, the AMF can further obtain the subscribed RFSP index information of the terminal device from the UDM and determine the RFSP index in use information of the terminal device by referring to the subscribed RFSP index information, local policy, etc.

[0228] Specifically, the AMF may determine, based on the matching conditions satisfied by the terminal device, the wireless access information corresponding to the matching conditions as the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device. For example, when the AMF determines that matching information such as the network location where the terminal device #1 is located, the type of service being executed or to be executed by the terminal device, and the current network load status satisfies the matching condition 1 within the wireless access assistance information, the wireless access information corresponding to the matching condition 1 is that the RFSP index is equal to 8. In this case, the AMF determines that the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is that the RFSP index in use is equal to 8. In another example, when the AMF determines that the network location where the terminal device #1 is located or the type of service being executed or to be executed by the terminal device has changed, for example, the terminal device has moved from cell #1 to cell #1, or the service type used by the terminal device has changed from a voice service to a video service, the AMF determines that the terminal device satisfies the matching condition 2 within the wireless access assistance information, and the wireless access information corresponding to the matching condition 2 is that the RFSP index is equal to 7. In this case, the AMF can determine that the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is that the RFSP index in use is equal to 7.

[0229] Alternatively, the method may further include S340. The AMF transmits the wireless access network information that needs to be used by the terminal device to the gNB (an example of an access network device in the second network). Correspondingly, the access network device receives the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.

[0230] Before transmitting the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, the AMF may determine the matching conditions currently satisfied by the terminal device. For example, if the AMF determines that the matching conditions currently satisfied by the network location where the terminal device #1 is located, the type of service being executed, and the load status of the 5G network are such that the wireless access information RFSP index is equal to 8, the AMF determines that the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device #1 is that the RFSP index in use is equal to 8, and transmits the used wireless access information (the RFSP index in use is equal to 8) to the access network device. It should be understood that when the matching conditions satisfied by the terminal device #1 change, the wireless access support information corresponding to the terminal device #1 also changes, is transmitted by the AMF to the access network device, and the wireless access information used by the terminal device #1 also changes accordingly.

[0231] Alternatively, before transmitting the information, the AMF may further determine whether the RFSP index in use information is the same as the RFSP index in use information currently present in the access network device for the terminal device. Alternatively, the AMF determines whether the RFSP index in use information of the terminal device is the same as the RFSP index in use information of the previously transmitted terminal device. If the RFSP index in use information is different, the AMF transmits the RFSP index in use information to the access network device. In this way, the AMF can be prevented from repeatedly transmitting the same RFSP index in use information, and the signaling overhead is reduced.

[0232] Specifically, the AMF sending the RFSP index in use information of the terminal device to the access network device can be during the process of the AMF performing signaling interworking with the access network device. For example, when the terminal device enters the connected state from the idle mode, a signaling connection on the N2 interface is created between the access network device and the AMF. In this case, the AMF sends an initial UE context setup (NG-AP initial UE context setup) message of the terminal device to the access network device. The message is used to set up the overall initial context required for the terminal device on the access network device, and the AMF can send the RFSP index in use information to the access network device via the message. In another example, the terminal device is in the connected state and the N2 interface connection is established. In this case, if the AMF needs to update the N2 interface connection, the AMF may send a UE context modification (NG-AP UE context modification) message of the terminal device to the access network device. The AMF sends the RFSP index in use information to the access network device via the message.

[0233] Alternatively, the method may further include S350. The access network device determines the corresponding RAT / frequency selection priority based on the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and executes the camping policy of the terminal device based on the determined RAT / frequency selection priority.

[0234] Specifically, the access network device can determine the corresponding RAT / frequency selection priority subscriber profile ID (subscriber profile ID, SPID) based on the RFSP index in use information. For example, when the RFSP index in use is equal to 1, the gNB sets the 2.6 GHz frequency of 5G with the highest priority. In another example, when the RFSP index in use is equal to 8, the access network device sets the 800 MHz frequency of 4G with the highest priority.

[0235] The access network device executes the camping policy of the terminal device based on the determined RAT / frequency selection priority. Specifically, the camping policy of the terminal device may be that the terminal device continues to camp on the original RAT / frequency, or the terminal device accesses another RAT / frequency (target RAT / frequency). For example, when the access network device determines that the RAT / frequency with the highest priority is the current RAT / frequency based on the RFSP index in use transmitted by the AMF, the access network device determines that the terminal device continues to camp on the current RAT / frequency. Alternatively, when the access network device determines that the priority of the target RAT / frequency is higher than the RAT / frequency on which the terminal device is currently camping based on the RFSP index in use information transmitted by the AMF, the access network device determines that the terminal device accesses the target RAT / frequency.

[0236] The access network device enables the terminal device to access the target RAT / frequency. In a possible implementation form, the terminal device is in a connected state, and the gNB determines that the priority of the target RAT / frequency is higher than that of the current RAT / frequency. In this case, the access network device triggers the handover procedure of the terminal device. The target RAT / frequency information is carried in the handover measurement message or handover command sent by the access network device to the terminal device. Alternatively, the access network device triggers the redirection procedure of the terminal device, and the target RAT / frequency information is carried in the radio resource control (RRC) connection release message sent by the access network device to the terminal device. The access network device hands over or redirects the terminal device to the target RAT / frequency. Alternatively, based on another reason, the access network device can add information regarding the handover or redirection of the terminal device to the target RAT / frequency in the subsequent handover or redirection procedure triggered by the terminal device.

[0237] In another possible implementation form, when the terminal device is in the idle state, the access network device can wait for the terminal device to enter the connected state and implement the same method as described above. Alternatively, the access network device actively pages the terminal device into the connected mode and implements the same method as the aforementioned terminal device in the connected mode.

[0238] S360. The AMF sends the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME (an example of the first access and management network element in the first network). Correspondingly, the MME receives the wireless access assistance information.

[0239] Specifically, the AMF may send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME in the mobility management process of the terminal device. When the terminal device is in a connected state, the AMF may send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME via signaling interworking between the AMF and the MME in the process of the terminal device being handed over from the 5G network to the 4G network. For example, the AMF sends the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME via a handover request message or a forward relocation request message.

[0240] When the terminal device is in an idle state, when the terminal device moves from the 5G network to the 4G network, the MME sends a UE context request message to the AMF. The AMF can send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME via a UE context response message.

[0241] The aforementioned mobility management process of the terminal device may be triggered by step S340b triggered for the terminal device to access the target RAT / frequency, or may be caused by a handover or redirection caused by another reason, for example, a weak signal in the 5G network. This is not limited in this application.

[0242] According to the solution of the present application, the AMF transmits the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME, and the MME can determine the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on a specific scenario and environment, thereby appropriately using network resources and improving the user experience. For example, if the MME determines based on the obtained wireless access assistance information that the current RAT with the highest priority corresponding to the terminal device is a 4G network, in the prior art, since the MME preferentially accesses the 5G network by default, the "ping-pong" problem that occurs when the 5G terminal device is handed over to the 4G network is temporarily avoided. In another example, subsequently, when the location information of the terminal device and the service type information used by the terminal device change, the MME can further trigger the mobility management process of the terminal device from the 4G network to the 5G network on the condition that the terminal device meets the matching condition that the RAT is 5G in order to optimize the user experience.

[0243] S370. The MME determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.

[0244] Similar to the case of S220, it should be understood that the wireless access information used is the wireless access information that can be used by the terminal device. Subsequently, the terminal device or the access network device can determine whether to use the wireless access information based on the actual situation.

[0245] Alternatively, the MME may determine the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information, which is to determine the wireless access information based on the wireless access assistance information obtained from the AMF, the wireless access information subscribed by the terminal device in 4G and obtained from the HSS, and the local policy.

[0246] By way of non-limiting example, the MME can determine that matching information such as the location information of the 4G network where the terminal device is located, the type of service being executed or to be executed by the terminal device, and the current 4G network load meets the matching conditions. The MME determines that the wireless access information corresponding to the matching conditions is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device. For example, at the current moment, the MME determines that the current location (TA) of the terminal device or the current 4G network load status meets the matching conditions within the wireless access assistance information, and the wireless access information corresponding to the matching conditions is that the RFSP index is equal to 8 (corresponding to the 4G RAT / frequency selection priority). In other words, the MME determines that the current RFSP index in use of the terminal device is equal to 8. Thereafter, the MME transmits the RFSP index in use information to the access network device (e.g., eNB) in the first network to ensure that the terminal device can camp on the 4G network in this scenario. This avoids the "ping-pong" problem that the terminal device in the 5G network always preferentially accesses the 5G network, thereby improving the user experience and saving network resources.

[0247] The S380.MME transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to the eNB (an example of an access network device in the first network). Correspondingly, the access network device receives the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.

[0248] Before the MME transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, the MME may determine the matching conditions currently satisfied by the terminal device. For example, if it is determined that the matching conditions currently satisfied by the network location where terminal device #1 is located, the type of service being executed, and the load status of the 4G network are that the wireless access information RFSP index is equal to 2, the MME determines that the wireless access information that needs to be used by terminal device #1 is that the RFSP index in use is equal to 2, and transmits the used wireless access information (the RFSP index in use is equal to 2) to the access network device. It should be understood that when the matching conditions satisfied by terminal device #1 change, the wireless access assistance information corresponding to terminal device #1 also changes, is transmitted by the MME to the access network device, and the wireless access information used by terminal device #1 also changes accordingly.

[0249] Alternatively, before the MME transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, the MME can first determine that the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is different from the wireless access information of the terminal device in the current access network device or the wireless access information that needs to be used by the last transmitted terminal device. In this case, the MME transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used to the access network device. In this way, repeated transmissions can be avoided, and the signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0250] Specifically, when the MME sends the RFSP index in use information of the terminal device to the access network device, it may be that when the terminal device is in the idle state, the MME sends an initial UE context setup (S1-AP initial UE context setup) message of the terminal device to the eNB. The initial context setup message may include the RFSP index in use information. Alternatively, when the terminal device is in the connected state, the MME sends a UE context modification (S1-AP UE context modification) message of the terminal device to the eNB, and the context modification message may include the RFSP index in use information.

[0251] In the solution of this embodiment of the present application, the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device is sent to the first access and management network element (for example, MME) in the first network through the second access and management network element (for example, AMF) in the second network. As a result, the first access and management network element can determine the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used by the terminal device through the wireless access assistance information, and send the used wireless access assistance information to the access network device of the first network. This avoids the problem that the first access and management network element in the first network fails to access the terminal device when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. As a result, the terminal device can camp on an appropriate mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving the user experience.

[0252] Alternatively, the method may further include S390. The access network device in the first network determines the RAT / frequency selection priority based on the wireless access information transmitted by the MME and required to be used by the terminal device, and executes the camping policy of the terminal device. The specific method and procedure are the same as those in S240 and will not be described again in detail here.

[0253] FIGS. 5A and 5B are another exemplary flowchart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication method provided in the present application will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. The sequence numbers of the following processes do not mean the execution sequence. The execution sequence of the process should be determined based on the function and internal logic of the process and should not be construed as any limitation to the implementation form process of the embodiment of the present application. In addition, it is possible that not all operations in the following method embodiments need to be performed.

[0254] Before S410, the policy control function (PCF) in the second network receives the data analysis result, and the data analysis result is generated by the data analysis network element and can be used to assist the PCF when setting the wireless access assistance information for the terminal device.

[0255] The information included in the data analysis result and the signaling interworking in which the PCF receives the data analysis result are the same as the steps before S310 and will not be described again in detail here.

[0256] S410. The PCF determines the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device based on the data analysis result. This step and the information included in the wireless access assistance information are the same as those in S310.

[0257] Alternatively, before S410 and at S410, it should be noted that the UDM may further receive the data analysis results sent by the NWDAF and determine the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device based on the data analysis results. In other words, before S410 and at S410, the UDM can alternatively perform the same or similar functions as determining the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device by the PCF in the embodiments of the present application. Alternatively, in the embodiments of the present application, the access assistance information may be determined by the NWDAF itself. This is not limited in the present application.

[0258] S420. The PCF sends the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the home subscriber server in the first network. Correspondingly, the home subscriber server in the first network receives the wireless access assistance information.

[0259] It can be understood that the home subscriber server in the first network can be the HSS in the 4G network. In addition, in order to implement the interoperability between the 4G network and the 5G network, the HSS and the UDM can be co-deployed. For the sake of easy explanation, this value is represented by the HSS / UDM. That is, the home subscriber server HSS in the first network receives the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device sent by the PCF via the UDM.

[0260] In a possible implementation form, the PCF may send the context information of the terminal device to the UDM / HSS, and the context information includes the wireless access assistance information. For example, the PCF can send information to the UDM / HSS by calling the context management registration (Nudm_UEContextManagement_registration) service of the terminal device or by calling the context management update (Nudm_UEContextManagement_update) service of the terminal device.

[0261] In another possible implementation, the PCF can send the subscription data of the terminal device to the UDM / HSS, and the subscription data includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. For example, the PCF can send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the unified data repository (UDR) by invoking the data management creation (Nudr_DataManagementCreate) service or the data management update (Nudr_DataManagementUpdate) service. Then, the UDM / HSS obtains the wireless access assistance information from the UDR. For example, the UDM / HSS may obtain the subscription data of the terminal device from the UDR by invoking the data management query (Nudr_DataManagementQuery) service or the data management subscription (Nudr_DataManagementSubscribe) service. The subscription data may include the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. The PCF can further send the wireless access assistance information to the UDM / HSS by invoking the subscription data management service (Nudm_Subscriber DataManagement_Info) of the UDM.

[0262] Alternatively, the method may further include S430. The UDM / HSS sends the wireless access assistance information to the AMF (an example of a second access and management network element in the second network). Correspondingly, the AMF receives the wireless access assistance information.

[0263] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device accesses the 5G network to initiate a registration procedure or a location update procedure, the AMF sends a context registration request message (Nudm_UECM_Registration request) or a context acquisition request message (Nudm_UECM_Get request) of the terminal device to the UDM. The UDM may send the wireless access assistance information to the AMF via a context registration response (Nudm_UECM_Registration response) message or a context acquisition response (Nudm_UECM_Get response) message of the terminal device. It should be understood that in this case, the procedure for the UDM to send the subscribed wireless access information of the terminal device to the AMF may not be affected. In other words, the UDM sends the subscribed wireless access information of the terminal device and the wireless access assistance information determined by the PCF to the AMF.

[0264] In another possible implementation, the AMF sends a subscription data request (Nudm_SDM_get request) message or a subscription request (Nudm_SDM_Subscribe request) message used to obtain the subscription data of the terminal device in the 5G network to the UDM. The UDM can send the wireless access assistance information to the AMF via a subscription data response message (Nudm_SDM_get response) or a subscription response message (Nudm_SDM_Subscribe response). Alternatively, in this way, the UDM can update the wireless access information initially subscribed by the terminal device to the wireless access assistance information determined by the PCF.

[0265] Alternatively, the method may further include S440. The AMF determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information.

[0266] Alternatively, the method may further include S450. The AMF transmits the wireless access information used to the gNB (an example of an access network device in the second network). Correspondingly, the access network device receives the wireless access information used.

[0267] Alternatively, the method may further include S460 and S470. The access network device determines the RAT / frequency selection priority based on the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and executes the camping policy of the terminal device.

[0268] The above steps are the same as those in S330, S340, and S350, and the details will not be described again here.

[0269] S480. The UDM / HSS transmits the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME (an example of the first access and management network element in the first network). Correspondingly, the MME receives the wireless access assistance information.

[0270] Specifically, when the terminal device accesses the 4G network to start the registration procedure or the TAU procedure, the MME transmits a UE location request message to the HSS. The message reports the location of the terminal device and is used to obtain information such as the subscription data of the terminal device in the 4G network. The HSS can transmit the wireless access assistance information to the MME via the UE location response message.

[0271] S490. The MME determines the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information.

[0272] S4100: The MME transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device (e.g., eNB) within the first network. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.

[0273] Alternatively, the method may further include S4110. The access network device determines the RAT / frequency selection priority based on the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device and executes the camping policy of the terminal device.

[0274] The specific execution processes of S490 to S4110 are the same as those of S370 to S390, and the details will not be described again here.

[0275] It should be understood that in this application, the PCF may transmit the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME in another way. For example, when the PCF and the PCRF are co-deployed, the PCF / PCRF may transmit the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME in the 4G network via the PGW and the SGW, or may also transmit it. The specific transmission method is not limited in this application. For example, the PCF / PCRF transmits the wireless access assistance information of the UE (such as the RFSP index and the corresponding matching conditions) to the PGW via an IP-CAN session change message. The PGW transmits the wireless access assistance information of the UE to the SGW via an update bearer request message. The SGW transmits the wireless access assistance information of the UE to the MME via an update bearer request message.

[0276] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the processes do not mean the execution sequences in the foregoing embodiments. The execution sequence of a process should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the process and should not be construed as any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0277] The method provided in the embodiments of the present application has been described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 3, 5A, and 5B. The apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

[0278] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication device 10 may include a processing unit 11 and a transceiver unit 12.

[0279] In a possible design, the communication device 10 may correspond to a first access and management network element in a first network in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, it may be an MME in a 4G network or a chip configured in a first access and management network element.

[0280] It should be understood that the communication device 10 may correspond to the first access and management network element in the methods 200, 300, and 400 according to the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 10 may include units configured to implement the methods implemented by the first access and management network element in the method 200 of FIG. 3, the methods 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, and the methods 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B. In addition, the units in the communication device 1500 and the other operations and / or functions described above are respectively used to implement the corresponding procedures of the method 200 of FIG. 3, the methods 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, and the methods 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0281] When the communication device 10 is configured to implement the method 200 of FIG. 3, the processing unit 11 may be configured to implement S220 of the method 200, and the transceiver unit 12 may be configured to implement S210 and S230 of the method 200. When the communication device 10 is configured to implement the method 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the processing unit 11 may be configured to implement S370 of the method 300, and the transceiver unit 12 may be configured to implement S360 and 380 of the method 300. When the communication device 10 is configured to implement the method 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the processing unit 11 may be configured to implement S490 of the method 400, and the transceiver unit 12 may be configured to implement S480 and S4110 of the method 400. The specific processes by which the units implement the corresponding steps described above are described in detail in the foregoing method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, it should be further understood that the details are not described herein.

[0282] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication device 20 may include a processing unit 21 and a transceiver unit 22.

[0283] In a possible design, the communication device 20 may correspond to a second access and management network element in the second network in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication device 20 may be an AMF in a 5G network, or a chip configured in a second access and management network element.

[0284] It should be understood that the communication device 20 may correspond to the second access and management network element in the methods 300 and 400 according to the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 20 may include a unit configured to implement the methods implemented by the second access and management network element in the method 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B and the method 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B. In addition, the units within the communication device 20 as well as the other operations and / or functions described above are each used to implement the corresponding procedures of the method 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B and the method 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0285] When the communication device 20 is configured to implement the method 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the processing unit 21 may be configured to implement S330 of the method 300, and the transceiver unit 22 may be configured to implement S320, S340, and S360 of the method 300. When the communication device 20 is configured to implement the method 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the processing unit 21 may be configured to implement S440 of the method 400, and the transceiver unit 22 may be configured to implement S430 and S450 of the method 400. The specific processes by which the units implement the corresponding steps described above are described in detail in the embodiments of the foregoing methods. For the sake of brevity, it should be further understood that the details are not described herein.

[0286] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 30 may include a processing unit 31 and a transceiver unit 32.

[0287] In a possible design, the communication device 30 may correspond to a policy control network element in the second network in the embodiments of the foregoing methods. For example, the communication device 30 may be a PCF in a 5G network or a chip configured within a policy control network element.

[0288] It should be understood that the communication device 30 may correspond to a policy control network element in the methods 300 and 400 according to the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 30 may include a unit configured to implement the methods implemented by the policy control network element in the methods 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, and the methods 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B. In addition, the units within the communication device 30 and the other operations and / or functions described above are each used to implement the corresponding procedures of the methods 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B and the methods 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0289] When the communication device 30 is configured to implement the method 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the processing unit 31 may be configured to implement S310 of the method 300, and the transceiver unit 32 may be configured to implement S320 of the method 300. When the communication device 30 is configured to implement the method 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the processing unit 31 may be configured to implement S410 of the method 400, and the transceiver unit 32 may be configured to implement S420 of the method 400. The specific processes by which the units implement the corresponding steps described above are described in detail in the embodiments of the methods described above, and it should be further understood that, for the sake of brevity, the details are not described herein.

[0290] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication device 40 may include a processing unit 41 and a transceiver unit 42.

[0291] In a possible design, the communication device 40 may correspond to a home subscriber server in a first network in the embodiments of the methods described above, for example, an HSS in a 4G network, or a chip configured within the home subscriber server.

[0292] The communication device 40 can correspond to the home subscriber server HSS in the method 400 according to the embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the communication device 40 can include units configured to implement the method 400 in FIGS. 5A and 5B, as well as the method implemented by the HSS in the method 400 in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In addition, the units within the communication device 40 and the other operations and / or functions described above are used to implement the corresponding procedures of the method 400 in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0293] The communication device 40 may be configured to implement the method 400 in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The processing unit 41 may be configured to implement S470 of the method 400, and the transceiver unit 42 may be configured to implement S420, S430, and S480 of the method 400. The specific process by which the unit implements the corresponding steps described above has been described in detail in the embodiments of the foregoing method. For the sake of brevity, it should be further understood that the details are not described herein.

[0294] FIG. 10 is a structural block diagram of a communication device 50 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 50 shown in FIG. 10 includes a processor 51, a memory 52, and a transceiver 53. The processor 51 is coupled to the memory and is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to control the transceiver 53 to transmit signals and / or receive signals.

[0295] It should be understood that the processor 51 and the memory 52 may be integrated into one processing device, and the processor 51 is configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 52 to implement the foregoing functions. During specific implementation forms, the memory 52 may be further integrated with the processor 51 or may be independent of the processor 51. It should also be understood that the processor 51 may also correspond to each processing unit in the foregoing communication device, and the transceiver 53 may correspond to each receiving unit and each transmitting unit in the foregoing communication device.

[0296] It should be further understood that the transceiver 53 may include a receiver (or referred to as a receiving device) and a transmitter (or referred to as a transmitting device). The transceiver may further include one or more antennas. The transceiver 53 may further be a communication interface or an interface circuit.

[0297] Specifically, the communication device 50 may correspond to the first access and management network element in the method 200, the second access and management network element in the method 300, the policy control function network element PCF in the method 400, or the home subscriber server HSS in the method 400 according to the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 50 may include a unit used in the method implemented by the first access and management network element of the method 200 in FIG. 3, a unit used in the method implemented by the second access and management network element of the method 300 in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a unit or method used in the method implemented by the policy control function network element of the method 400 in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and a unit of the method executed by the home subscriber server HSS of the method 400. In addition, the units within the communication device 50 and the other operations and / or functions described above are respectively used to implement the corresponding procedures of the method 200 in FIG. 3, the method 300 in FIGS. 4A and 4B, and the method 400 in FIGS. 5A and 5B. It should be further understood that the specific process by which the unit implements the corresponding steps described above has been described in detail in the embodiments of the foregoing methods, and for the sake of brevity, the details are not described herein.

[0298] When the communication device 50 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface, and the processing unit may be a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0299] In the implementation process, the steps in the foregoing method can be implemented by using the hardware integrated logic circuit in the processor or by using instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware processor or may be implemented by a combination of the hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be disposed in a mature storage medium in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is disposed in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines it with the hardware of the processor to complete the steps in the foregoing method. To avoid repetition, details are not described again here.

[0300] The processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip, and it should be noted that it has signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps in the embodiments of the foregoing method may be implemented by the hardware integration logic circuit in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logical block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented via a hardware decoding processor, or may be implemented via a combination of a hardware module and a software module in the decoding processor. The software module may be disposed in a mature storage medium in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is disposed in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines it with the hardware of the processor to complete the steps in the foregoing method.

[0301] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the method in any one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, or FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0302] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores program code. When the program code operates on a computer, the computer implements the method in any of the embodiments shown in FIG. 3, FIGS. 4A and 4B, or FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0303] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a system. The system includes the aforementioned device or device.

[0304] As used herein, terms such as "component", "module", and "system" are used to denote computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, a thread of execution, a program, and / or a computer. As shown in the figures, both a computing device and an application running on the computing device can be components. One or more components can camp on a process and / or an execution thread, and the components can be located on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can be executed from various computer-readable media storing various data structures. For example, a component can communicate based on signals having, for example, one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component within a local system, a distributed system, and / or data across a network such as the Internet interacting with other systems by using signals).

[0305] One skilled in the art may recognize that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the units and algorithm steps can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application example of the technical solution and the design constraints. One skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the functions described for each specific application example, but such implementation forms should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0306] For the sake of convenient and concise description, for the detailed operation processes of the aforementioned systems, devices, and units, reference may be made to the corresponding processes in the embodiments of the aforementioned methods, which can be clearly understood by one skilled in the art. The details will not be described again here.

[0307] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the described embodiments of the device are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical function division, and in actual implementation forms, other divisions may be possible. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not implemented. In addition, the mutual connection, direct connection, or communication connection shown or discussed can be implemented by using some interfaces. The indirect connection or communication connection between devices or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0308] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts shown as units may or may not be physical units. They may be arranged in one location or distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

[0309] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, each of the units may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0310] When the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes some instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0311] The foregoing description is only a specific implementation form of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any deformation or substitution that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall fall within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall follow the protection scope of the claims.

Description of Reference Signs

[0312] 10 Communication device 11 Transceiver unit 12 Processing unit 20 Communication device 21 Transceiver unit 22 Processing unit 30 Communication device 31 Transceiver unit 32 Processing Unit 40 Communication Device 41 Transceiver Unit 42 Processing Unit 50 Communication Device 51 Processor 52 Memory 53 Transceiver 110 User Equipment 120 (Wireless) Access Network 130 User Plane Network Element 140 Data Network 150 Access and Management Network Element 160 Session Management Network Element 170 Policy Control Network Element 180 Network Exposure Network Element 190 Network Repository Network Element 1100 Data Management Network Element 1110 Application Network Element 1120 Data Analysis Network Element 1130 Network Slice Selection Network Element

Claims

1. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a first access and management network element in a first network, wireless access assistance information from a second network, the wireless access assistance information including wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and a matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information; determining, by the first access and management network element, wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information; transmitting, by the first access and management network element, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device in the first network; A method comprising:

2. The step of receiving wireless access assistance information from a second network by a first access and management network element in a first network includes: receiving, by the first access and management network element, the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device transmitted by a second access and management network element in the second network; 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

3. The step of receiving, by the first access and management network element, the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device transmitted by a second access and management network element in the second network, includes: receiving, by the first access and management network element, the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device sent by the second access and management network element in a mobility management process of the terminal device; 3. The method of claim 2, comprising:

4. The step of receiving, by the first access and management network element, the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device transmitted by a second access and management network element in the second network, includes: receiving, by the first access and management network element, context information of the terminal device transmitted by the second access and management network element, the context information of the terminal device including the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device; 4. The method of claim 2 or 3, comprising:

5. The step of receiving wireless access assistance information from a second network by a first access and management network element in a first network includes: receiving, by the first access and management network element, via a home subscriber server in the first network, the wireless access assistance information transmitted by an integrated data management function network element in the second network; 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

6. receiving, by the first access and management network element, via a home subscriber server in the first network, the wireless access assistance information transmitted by an integrated data management function network element in the second network; receiving, by the first access and management network element, via the home subscriber server, context information or subscription information of the terminal device sent by the integrated data management function network element, wherein the context information or the subscription information includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device; 6. The method of claim 5, comprising:

7. The wireless access assistance information includes at least one wireless access information, and the matching condition includes at least one matching condition corresponding to the at least one wireless information, and the step of determining, by the first access and management network element, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information includes: determining, by the first access and management network element, that the terminal device satisfies one or more of the at least one matching condition; determining, by the first access and management network element, that wireless access information corresponding to the one or more matching conditions is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device; 7. The method of claim 1 , comprising:

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first network.

9. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the matching condition corresponding to the first network includes a first time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first network under the first time condition.

10. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a first frequency of the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first frequency.

11. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second network.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the matching condition corresponding to the second network includes a second time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second network under the second time condition.

13. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a second frequency of the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second frequency.

14. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless access information includes a radio access technology (RAT) / frequency selection priority index.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless access information includes a Subscriber Profile ID (SPID).

16. The matching condition is: User type information corresponding to the terminal device, time information, location information of the terminal device, service type information used by the terminal device, and network load information The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

17. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network comprises a fourth generation (4G) network and the second network comprises a fifth generation (5G) network.

18. 1. A communication method comprising: Obtaining, by a second access and management network element in a second network, wireless access assistance information of a terminal device, the wireless access assistance information including wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and a matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information; transmitting, by the second access and management network element, the wireless access assistance information to a first access and management network element in a first network, the wireless access assistance information being used by the first access and management network element to determine wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device and to transmit the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device in the first network; A method comprising:

19. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a first access and management network element in a first network, wireless access assistance information from a second network, the wireless access assistance information including wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and a matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information; determining, by the first access and management network element, wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information; transmitting, by the first access and management network element, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device in the first network; receiving, by the access network device, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device; A method comprising:

20. 1. A communication device, comprising: A transceiver unit configured to receive wireless access assistance information from a second network, the wireless access assistance information including wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and a matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information; a processing unit configured to determine wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information; Equipped with The apparatus, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device in a first network.

21. The transceiver unit includes: receiving the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device transmitted by a second access and management network element in the second network; 21. The apparatus of claim 20, specifically configured for:

22. The transceiver unit includes: In a mobility management process of the terminal device, receiving the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device sent by the second access and management network element.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, specifically configured for:

23. The transceiver unit includes: receiving context information of the terminal device sent by the second access and management network element, the context information of the terminal device including the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device; 23. Apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, specifically adapted for:

24. The transceiver unit includes: receiving the wireless access assistance information transmitted by an integrated data management function network element in the second network via a home subscriber server in the first network; 21. The apparatus of claim 20, specifically configured for:

25. The transceiver unit includes: receiving, via the home subscriber server, context information or subscription information of the terminal device sent by the integrated data management network element, the context information or the subscription information including the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device; 25. The apparatus of claim 24, specifically configured for:

26. The wireless access assistance information includes at least one wireless access assistance information, and the matching condition includes at least one matching condition respectively corresponding to the at least one wireless assistance information, and the processing unit: determining that the terminal device satisfies one or more of the at least one matching condition; determining that the wireless access information corresponding to the one or more matching conditions is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device; 26. Apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 25, specifically adapted for:

27. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to the first network, and the wireless access information required for use by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first network.

28. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the matching condition corresponding to the first network includes a first time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first network under the first time condition.

29. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a first frequency of the first network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first frequency.

30. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to the second network, and the wireless access information required for use by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second network.

31. 31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the matching condition corresponding to the second network includes a second time condition, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second network under the second time condition.

32. 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a second frequency of the second network, and the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second frequency.

33. 33. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the wireless access information includes a radio access technology (RAT) / frequency selection priority index.

34. 33. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the wireless access information includes a Subscriber Profile ID (SPID).

35. The matching condition is: User type information corresponding to the terminal device, time information, location information of the terminal device, service type information used by the terminal device, and network load information 27. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising at least one matching information of:

36. 33. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first network comprises a fourth generation (4G) network and the second network comprises a fifth generation (5G) network.

37. A communication device, comprising: a transceiver unit configured to obtain wireless access assistance information of a terminal device, the wireless access assistance information including wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device and a matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information; Equipped with The apparatus, further configured: the transceiver unit transmits the wireless access assistance information to a first access and management network element in a first network; and the wireless access assistance information is used by the first access and management network element to determine wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device and to transmit the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device in the first network.

38. A communication device, comprising: a memory configured to store a computer program; a processor configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory such that the communication device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the method according to claim 18 or the method according to claim 19; A communication device comprising:

39. 20. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program being capable of causing the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 17, the method of claim 18 or the method of claim 19, when the computer program is executed on the computer.

40. A chip system comprising a processor configured to call a computer program from a memory and execute the computer program so that a communication device in which the chip system is implemented can perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 17, the method of claim 18, or the method of claim 19.

41. 1. A communication system comprising: A first access and management network element configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17; an access network device configured to receive wireless access information sent by the first access and management network element, the wireless access information being required to be used by a terminal device; A communication system comprising:

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