Network slice processing method and device, related equipment, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application discloses a network slice processing method and its apparatus, a network device, a terminal, and a storage medium, in which the method includes: a network device mapping at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups, and transmitting second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application is filed based on a Chinese patent application bearing application number 202210004836.3, filed with the China Patent Office on January 5, 2022, and claims priority to the Chinese patent application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication, and in particular to a network slice processing method and apparatus, related equipment, and storage medium. [Background technology]

[0003] Network slices (which can be abbreviated as slices) can provide differentiated services to different user groups. In the related art, a terminal can obtain slices supported in a registration area through specific signaling, but because the terminal obtains slice information of registration area granularity, the terminal cannot know slice information of neighboring cells, that is, cannot know slice information at cell granularity, and cannot select a cell suitable for its slice based on slice information supported by neighboring cells. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To solve the related technical problems, embodiments of the present application provide a network slice processing method and apparatus, related equipment, and a storage medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are realized as follows.

[0006] An embodiment of the present application provides a method for processing a network slice, performed by a network device, the method including: Mapping at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; transmitting second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier.

[0007] In the above solution, the second information further includes a frequency priority of the at least one slice group.

[0008] In the above solution, the first information corresponds to one or more Tracking Areas (TAs).

[0009] In the above solution, the method comprises: The method further includes obtaining a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups.

[0010] In the above solution, obtaining the mapping relationship between the slice and the slice group includes: receiving a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by a network management device; Or, The present invention includes receiving a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups transmitted by a core network device.

[0011] In the above solution, when receiving a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by a network management device, the method includes: The method further includes sending to the core network device a subset or a universal set of mapping relationships between slices and slice groups configured by the network management device.

[0012] In the above solution, the method comprises: The method further includes obtaining at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0013] In the above solution, obtaining at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell includes: The method includes receiving at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell, the network slice being transmitted by a network equipment of the neighboring cell.

[0014] In the above solution, the method comprises: When it is determined based on the first information that at least one slice of the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell cannot be mapped to a slice group, sending third information to a core network device, the third information being used at least for requesting to assign a mapping relationship to the at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group; The method further includes receiving a new mapping relationship sent by the core network equipment, and mapping at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group to a slice group using the new mapping relationship.

[0015] In the above solution, the method comprises: The method further includes updating the first information using the new mapping relationship.

[0016] In the above solution, The second information is broadcast.

[0017] An embodiment of the present application further provides a network slice processing method, performed by a terminal, comprising: receiving second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier of a neighboring cell; Determining at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell based on the second information and fourth information, wherein the fourth information represents a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; and and performing cell reselection based on at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0018] In the above solution, the second information further includes a frequency priority of the at least one slice group.

[0019] In the above solution, the fourth information corresponds to one or more TAs.

[0020] In the above solution, the method comprises: The method further includes obtaining the fourth information.

[0021] In the above solution, acquiring the fourth information includes: and receiving the fourth information transmitted from a network side.

[0022] In the above solution, performing cell reselection based on at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell includes: determining a frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell; and performing cell reselection based on a frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0023] In the above solution, receiving the second information includes: Receiving the second information that is broadcast.

[0024] In the above solution, the method comprises: When an update of the TA occurs, acquiring a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups of the updated TA; and updating the fourth information using the updated mapping relationship between the slices and the slice groups.

[0025] An embodiment of the present application further provides a processing device for a network slice, the device comprising: A first processing unit configured to map at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; and A first transmission unit configured to transmit second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier.

[0026] An embodiment of the present application further provides a processing device for a network slice, the device comprising: A first receiving unit configured to receive second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier of a neighboring cell; and A second processing unit configured to determine at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell based on the second information and the fourth information, the fourth information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; and and a third processing unit configured to perform cell reselection based on at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0027] An embodiment of the present application further provides a network device comprising a first communication interface and a first processor, wherein: The first processor is configured to map at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; The first communication interface is configured to transmit second information, the second information including at least at least one slice group identifier.

[0028] An embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal comprising a second communication interface and a second processor, wherein: The second communication interface is configured to receive second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier of a neighboring cell; The second processor is configured to determine at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell based on the second information and the fourth information, the fourth information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups, and to perform cell reselection based on the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell.

[0029] An embodiment of the present application further provides a network device comprising: a first processor; and a first memory storing a computer program executable by the processor; Here, the first processor executes the computer program to execute all of the processes in any one of the above network device side methods.

[0030] An embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal comprising a second processor and a second memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, Here, the second processor executes the computer program to execute all the processes in any one of the above terminal-side methods.

[0031] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium having stored thereon a computer program for causing a processor to realize all of the processing in any one of the above-mentioned network device side methods, or to realize all of the processing in any one of the above-mentioned terminal side methods. Effect of the Invention

[0032] According to the network slice processing method and its device, related device, and storage medium of the embodiment of the present application, the network device maps at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on the first information of the serving cell, and transmits second information, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups, and the second information including at least one slice group identifier, the terminal receives the second information, and determines at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell based on the second information and fourth information, and performs cell reselection based on the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell, the fourth information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups. According to the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the network device transmits a slice group identifier corresponding to a slice, rather than directly transmitting a slice identifier supported by the neighboring cell, thereby avoiding security risks caused by directly transmitting a slice identifier. At the same time, the terminal can determine at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell based on at least one slice group identifier and a mapping relationship between the slice and the slice group, and select a cell that supports a slice desired by the terminal (i.e., select a cell suitable for its own slice) by performing cell reselection based on the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1]1 is an exemplary flowchart of a network slice processing method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] [Diagram 2] 1 is an exemplary flowchart of another network slice processing method of an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exemplary structural diagram of a processing device of a network slice of an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is an exemplary structural diagram of a processing device of another network slice in an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an exemplary structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exemplary structural diagram of a terminal of an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an exemplary structural diagram of a network slice processing system according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] In the following, the present application will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures and examples.

[0041] If the base station directly broadcasts slice information (e.g., slice ID, i.e., Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI)), security risks may arise. For example, an unregistered terminal or an unauthorized terminal can know what slices the cell supports by receiving system information, and if it identifies the slice of the cell as a security-sensitive slice (e.g., a military slice, etc.), it will perform destruction. Therefore, the related technology does not support broadcasting of slice information, and all slice information is transmitted to the terminal via dedicated signaling from the core network. Based on this, the terminal knows the slices supported in the registration area, where the registration area includes several cells, i.e., knows slice information of registration area granularity.

[0042] However, in this method, since the terminal obtains slice information at the registration area granularity, the terminal cannot know the slice information of adjacent frequency points or cells, that is, it cannot know the slice information at the frequency point or cell granularity, and cannot select a frequency point or cell suitable for its slice based on the slice information supported by adjacent frequencies or adjacent cells.

[0043] In view of this, in various embodiments of the present application, a secure slice information transmission method is provided, which enables a terminal to obtain slice information supported by neighboring cells and select a cell suitable for its own slice based on the slice information supported by neighboring cells.

[0044] An embodiment of the present application provides a network slice processing method performed by a network equipment (specifically, which may be a base station), and as shown in FIG. 1, the method includes the following steps:

[0045] In step 101, at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell is mapped to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, where the first information represents a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups.

[0046] In step 102, second information is transmitted, and the second information at least includes at least one slice group identifier, that is, the second information at least includes at least one mapped slice group identifier.

[0047] Here, the at least one slice group identifier allows the terminal to know at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell, and to avoid security risks caused by directly transmitting a slice identifier, which may include a network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) or an S-NSSAI. That is, the second information does not directly include a slice identifier, i.e., an NSSAI or an S-NSSAI, and some processing is required to obtain a slice identifier based on the second information, so that the security of the transmission of the second information can be guaranteed.

[0048] Therefore, the network device may transmit the second information by broadcasting a system message.

[0049] In view of this, in one embodiment, the specific implementation of step 102 is as follows: The method may include broadcasting the second information.

[0050] Here, in practical applications, the system message used by the network device to broadcast the second information may be specifically set according to requirements, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. Exemplarily, the network device may broadcast the second information through reselection system information in a system message to instruct the terminal that at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell is used for cell reselection, or the network device may broadcast the second information through slice system information in a system message to instruct the terminal of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0051] In practical application, after receiving the broadcasted second information, the terminal can decode the second information based on the second information and the fourth information representing the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups to obtain at least one slice identifier corresponding to at least one slice group identifier included in the second information, i.e., obtain slice information supported by neighboring cells, in other words, determine at least one network slice supported by neighboring cells.

[0052] In practical application, the terminal can determine at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell based on the second information and the fourth information, and then perform cell reselection, i.e., reselect a target cell, based on the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell. In the cell reselection process, the terminal can determine whether the target cell supports a slice suitable for itself based on the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell, thereby enabling the terminal to select a cell suitable for its slice.

[0053] In practical application, the second information may also be referred to as reselected slice group information, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to a specific name of the second information as long as the function of the second information can be realized.

[0054] In practical applications, the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups is also called the corresponding relationship between slices and slice groups.

[0055] In practical application, the terminal is also called User Equipment (UE), or a user.

[0056] In practical applications, the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups can be divided according to TA (i.e., the mapping relationship is divided according to each TA (which can be written as per TA in English), that is, the mapping relationship is specific to one TA), and one cell can include one or more TAs, so the first information can correspond to one or more TAs.

[0057] In practical applications, the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups of different TAs may be different, i.e., the first information of the serving cell and the first information of the neighboring cell may be different, and correspondingly, the slice group mapped based on the first information of the serving cell may be different from the slice group mapped based on the first information of the neighboring cell, and if the slice group mapped based on the first information of the neighboring cell is directly transmitted to the terminal via this cell (i.e., the network equipment of the serving cell), the terminal may not be able to accurately decode at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell.

[0058] Therefore, the network equipment maps at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on the first information of the serving cell, and broadcasts the second information including at least the at least one slice group identifier, thereby ensuring that the terminal can accurately decode the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell.

[0059] In practical application, before performing step 101, the network device needs to obtain the first information of the serving cell.

[0060] In view of this, in one embodiment, the method comprises: The method further includes obtaining a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups.

[0061] In practical application, when the core network and the base station set the mapping relationship between the slices and the slice groups separately through their respective network management devices, the mapping relationship between the slices and the slice groups in the core network, the base station, and the terminal may not be consistent. In order to ensure that the terminal accurately decodes at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell, it is necessary to ensure the consistency of the mapping relationship between the slices and the slice groups stored on the network side and in the terminal, that is, it is necessary to ensure the consistency of the first information of the serving cell and the fourth information of the terminal in the cell.

[0062] Therefore, the network management equipment can directly set the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups in the network equipment, and the network equipment can send the mapping relationship to a core network equipment, and the core network equipment can send the mapping relationship to the terminal, or the network management equipment can set the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups in the core network equipment, and the core network equipment can send the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups to the network equipment and the terminal.

[0063] In view of this, in one embodiment, obtaining the mapping relationship between the slices and the slice groups includes: receiving a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by a network management device; Or, The method may include receiving a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups transmitted by a core network device.

[0064] Here, in practical application, the network management equipment may include a radio network management equipment (e.g., a base station network management equipment) and / or a core network network management equipment, and when the network management equipment includes a radio network management equipment, the network management equipment can directly set the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups in the network equipment, i.e., the network equipment receives the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by the network management equipment, and when the network management equipment includes a core network network management equipment, the network management equipment can set the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups in the core network equipment, and the core network equipment transmits the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups to the network equipment, i.e., the network equipment receives the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups transmitted by the core network equipment.

[0065] In practical applications, the network side may include network equipment and core network equipment, and ensuring the consistency of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups stored on the network side and in the terminal may be understood as ensuring the consistency of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups stored in the network equipment, core network equipment, and the terminal.

[0066] In practical application, in order to ensure the consistency of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups stored in the network equipment, the core network equipment, and the terminal, when the network management equipment directly sets the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups in the network equipment, the network equipment can send the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups to the core network equipment, and the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups is sent to the terminal by the core network equipment; when the network management equipment sets the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups in the core network equipment, the core network equipment needs to also send the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups to the terminal when sending the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups to the network equipment. In this way, through the two interaction mechanisms between the network management equipment, the network equipment, the core network equipment, and the terminal, the consistency of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups stored in the network equipment, the core network equipment, and the terminal can be ensured, that is, the cooperation of the mapping relationship between the core network, the base station, and the terminal is realized.

[0067] In practical applications, in order to save signaling resources, when the network equipment receives the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups configured by the network management equipment, the network equipment may only send the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups that it supports to the core network equipment, that is, send a subset of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups configured by the network management equipment to the core network equipment.

[0068] In view of this, in one embodiment, when receiving a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by a network management device, the method includes: The present invention may further include transmitting to a core network device a subset or a universal set of mapping relationships between slices and slice groups configured by the network management device.

[0069] Here, it can be understood that the subset of mapping relationships between slices and slice groups configured by the network management device includes mapping relationships between slices and slice groups supported by the network management device, and the universal set of mapping relationships between slices and slice groups configured by the network management device includes mapping relationships between all slices and slice groups configured by the network management device.

[0070] In practical applications, after the network equipment sends a subset or universal set of mapping relationships between slices and slice groups set by the network management equipment to a core network equipment, the core network equipment can send the subset or universal set of mapping relationships between slices and slice groups set by the network management equipment to a terminal via a non-access stratum (NAS) message, and since the NAS message is encrypted, the security of the transmission of the mapping relationships can be guaranteed.

[0071] In practical application, when the network management equipment includes a core network management equipment, after the network management equipment sends the mapping relationship between the configured slices and slice groups to the core network equipment, the core network equipment may send the mapping relationship between the slices and slice groups that it supports only to the network equipment and the terminal, that is, the network equipment can receive a subset or a universal set of the mapping relationship between the slices and slice groups configured by the network management equipment sent by the core network equipment.

[0072] Here, the core network equipment can transmit the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups to the network equipment in a wired manner, i.e., the network equipment can receive the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups transmitted by the core network equipment via the Ng interface, thereby ensuring the security of the transmission of the mapping relationship.

[0073] In practical applications, the core network device may be specifically configured according to requirements. For example, the core network device may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0074] In practical application, after obtaining the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups from a network management device or a core network device, the network device can locally store a subset or universal set of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by the network management device, and after receiving the subset or universal set of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by the network management device sent by the network side (i.e., the core network device) via a NAS message, i.e., after receiving the fourth information, the terminal can locally store the fourth information. In this way, the consistency of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups between the terminal, the network device and the core network device can be ensured, i.e., the consistency of the first information of the serving cell and the fourth information of the terminal in the cell can be realized.

[0075] In practical application, before performing step 101, the network equipment needs to obtain at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell.

[0076] In view of this, in one embodiment, the method comprises: The method may further include obtaining at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0077] Specifically, in practical applications, the network equipment of each cell can interact with at least one network slice supported by the corresponding cell, that is, the network equipment can obtain at least one network slice supported by an adjacent cell from the network equipment of the adjacent cell.

[0078] In view of this, in one embodiment, obtaining at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell comprises: The method may include receiving at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell, transmitted by a network equipment of the neighboring cell.

[0079] In practical applications, receiving at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell transmitted by a network equipment of the neighboring cell may include receiving a slice identifier, i.e., an NSSAI or an S-NSSAI, of at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell transmitted by a network equipment of the neighboring cell.

[0080] In practical applications, the network equipment of each cell may communicate a slice identifier of at least one network slice supported by the corresponding cell via an Xn interface, or in certain cases, for example, when there is no Xn interface between two network equipment, the slice identifier of at least one network slice supported by the corresponding cell may be communicated via an Ng interface between "one network equipment-core network equipment-another network equipment (e.g., base station 1-AMF-base station 2)".

[0081] Exemplarily, the first network equipment and the second network equipment exchange at least one network slice supported by their respective cells, i.e., the first network equipment obtains at least one network slice supported by the second network equipment, maps the at least one network slice supported by the second network equipment to at least one slice group based on a first mapping relationship (i.e., first information of the first serving cell corresponding to the first network equipment), and sends the at least one slice group supported by the second network equipment to the first terminal via a system message, and the second network equipment obtains at least one network slice supported by the first network equipment, maps the at least one network slice supported by the first network equipment to at least one slice group based on a second mapping relationship (i.e., first information of the second serving cell corresponding to the second network equipment), and sends the at least one slice group supported by the first network equipment to the second terminal via a system message.

[0082] In practical application, if the first information does not support at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell, i.e., if it is determined based on the first information that at least one slice of the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell cannot be mapped to a slice group, the network equipment can request a core network equipment to assign a mapping relationship to at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group.

[0083] In view of this, in one embodiment, the method comprises: When it is determined based on the first information that at least one slice of the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell cannot be mapped to a slice group, sending third information to a core network device, the third information being used at least for requesting to assign a mapping relationship to the at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group; The method may further include receiving a new mapping relationship sent by the core network equipment, and mapping at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group to a slice group using the new mapping relationship.

[0084] In practical application, the network device needs to locally store the new mapping relationship.

[0085] In view of this, in one embodiment, the method comprises: The method may further include updating the first information using the new mapping relationship.

[0086] Specifically, in practical application, after the network equipment receives a slice identifier of at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell transmitted by the network equipment of the neighboring cell, if the first information of the serving cell does not support the at least one slice identifier transmitted from the network equipment of the neighboring cell, i.e., if at least one slice of the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell cannot be mapped to a slice group, the network equipment can transmit a slice identifier of the at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group to the core network equipment, i.e., the third information may include a slice identifier of the at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group, and after receiving the third information, the core network equipment can assign a mapping relationship to the at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group, and transmit the obtained new mapping relationship to the network equipment. Here, when the core network equipment sends a new mapping relationship to the network equipment, it also needs to send the new mapping relationship to the terminal, so that the terminal uses the new mapping relationship to update the fourth information, i.e., realize synchronous updating of the mapping relationship in the network equipment and the terminal, and ensure consistency between the first information of the serving cell and the fourth information of the terminal in the cell, so as to ensure that the terminal can accurately decode at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0087] Exemplarily, assume that a neighboring cell of a serving cell supports slice 2 and slice 2 is mapped to slice group group_2, but slice 2 is not supported or cannot be mapped in the serving cell, i.e., slice 2 cannot be mapped to a slice group based on the first information of the serving cell. In this case, the base station of the serving cell sends third information to the AMF of the serving cell, where the third information includes an identifier of slice 2, and the third information is at least used to request to assign a mapping relationship to slice 2. After receiving the third information, the AMF of the serving cell assigns slice 2 to slice group group_2 according to the configuration of itself or a network management device. The terminal maps slice 2 to one new slice group or a default slice group, for example, slice group group_5, and transmits a new mapping relationship of "map slice 2 to slice group group_5" to the terminal and the base station of the serving cell, in this way, the base station of the serving cell can map slice 2 as slice group group_5, i.e., the terminal can know that the neighboring cell supports slice 2 by receiving information (i.e., the second information) that the neighboring cell supports slice group group_5, which is carried in a system message broadcast by the base station of the serving cell.

[0088] In practical application, when a TA update (TA Update) occurs, the terminal can obtain the mapping relationship between the slices and slice groups of the updated TA from the network side (i.e., the core network device), and update the fourth information using the mapping relationship between the updated slices and slice groups. Specifically, if the target cell does not belong to the current registration area of ​​the terminal, the terminal can issue a location update, receive the mapping relationship between the slices and slice groups sent from the network side, and use the new mapping relationship to decode the slice group broadcasted by the network equipment of the new cell, that is, can determine at least one network slice supported by the new neighboring cell by decoding the second information broadcasted by the network equipment of the new cell based on the updated fourth information.

[0089] In practical applications, in the process of performing cell reselection based on at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell, a terminal needs to determine the frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell (the frequency priority used by a slice or the frequency priority corresponding to a slice).

[0090] In view of this, in one embodiment, the second information may further include a frequency priority of the at least one slice group.

[0091] Specifically, in practical application, after receiving the broadcasted second information, the terminal determines at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell corresponding to the second information based on the second information and the fourth information, determines a frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell based on the frequency priority of the at least one slice group, and performs cell reselection based on at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell and the frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell. Here, the specific process of the terminal performing cell reselection based on at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell and the frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell can be set according to requirements, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. Exemplarily, the terminal can determine whether the network slice with the highest frequency priority among at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell is a slice suitable for itself, and select a target cell suitable for its slice.

[0092] Correspondingly, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network slice processing method, performed by a terminal, as shown in FIG. 2, the method includes the following steps:

[0093] In step 201, second information is received, the second information including at least one slice group identifier of a neighboring cell.

[0094] In step 202, at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell is determined based on the second information and the fourth information, where the fourth information represents a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups.

[0095] In step 203, cell reselection is performed based on at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0096] In practical application, the fourth information corresponds to one or more TAs.

[0097] wherein, in one embodiment, the method comprises: The method may further include obtaining the fourth information.

[0098] In one embodiment, obtaining the fourth information includes: The method may include receiving the fourth information transmitted from a network side.

[0099] In practical application, the terminal may specifically receive the fourth information sent from the core network via a NAS message.

[0100] In one embodiment, the specific implementation of step 203 is as follows: determining a frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell; and performing cell reselection based on a frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0101] In one embodiment, the specific implementation of step 201 is as follows: The method may include receiving the second information that is broadcast.

[0102] In one embodiment, the method comprises: When an update of the TA occurs, acquiring a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups of the updated TA; The method may further include updating the fourth information using the updated mapping relationship between the slices and slice groups.

[0103] It should be noted here that the specific processing process of the terminal has been described in detail above, and will not be described here again.

[0104] According to a network slice processing method according to an embodiment of the present application, a network device maps at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, and transmits second information, where the first information represents a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups, and the second information includes at least one slice group identifier; a terminal receives the second information, and determines at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell based on the second information and fourth information, and performs cell reselection based on the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell, and the fourth information represents a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups. According to the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the network device does not directly transmit the slice identifiers supported by the neighboring cells, but transmits the slice group identifiers corresponding to the slices, thereby avoiding the security risks caused by directly transmitting the slice identifiers, and at the same time, enabling the terminal to determine at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cells based on at least one slice group identifier and the mapping relationship between the slices and the slice groups, and perform cell reselection based on at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cells, so that the terminal can select a cell suitable for its slice. In other words, when the mapping relationships between the slices and slice groups of the two TAs are different, it can be ensured that the terminal accurately knows the network slices supported by the neighboring cells.

[0105] Furthermore, the solution according to the embodiments of the present application can ensure the consistency of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups stored in the network equipment, core network equipment and terminal through two interaction mechanisms between the network management equipment, the network equipment, the core network equipment and the terminal, i.e., coordination of the mapping relationship between the core network, the base station and the terminal is realized, and it is possible to ensure the consistency of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups stored in the network equipment, the core network equipment and the terminal in such cases as when the terminal crosses a TA, when the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups is updated in the TA (i.e., when the TA is not updated, the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups in the TA is updated), when the terminal is located at the edge of a TA, etc.

[0106] To realize the method on the network equipment side of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application further provides a processing device of a network slice, disposed in the network equipment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the device includes: A first processing unit 301 configured to map at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; and The first transmitting unit 302 is configured to transmit second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier.

[0107] Here, in one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a first obtaining unit, configured to obtain a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups.

[0108] In one embodiment, the first acquisition unit further comprises: Receive a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by a network management device; Or, It is configured to receive a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups sent by the core network equipment.

[0109] In one embodiment, when receiving a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by a network management equipment, the first sending unit 302 is further configured to send a subset or a universal set of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by the network management equipment to a core network equipment.

[0110] In one embodiment, the first acquisition unit is further configured to acquire at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0111] In one embodiment, the first acquisition unit is further configured to receive at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell transmitted by a network equipment of the neighboring cell.

[0112] In one embodiment, the first transmitting unit 302 is further configured to, when it is determined based on the first information that at least one slice of the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell cannot be mapped to a slice group, transmit third information to a core network device, the third information being used at least for requesting to assign a mapping relationship to the at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group; Correspondingly, the apparatus may further include a second receiving unit configured to receive a new mapping relationship sent by the core network equipment, and map at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group to a slice group using the new mapping relationship.

[0113] In one embodiment, the first processing unit 301 is further configured to update the first information using the new mapping relationship.

[0114] In one embodiment, the first sending unit 302 is further configured to broadcast the second information.

[0115] In practical application, the first processing unit 301 can be realized by a processor in a processing device of a network slice, the first transmitting unit 302 and the second receiving unit can be realized by a communication interface in a processing device of a network slice, and the first acquisition unit can be realized by a processor in the processing device of a network slice in combination with a communication interface.

[0116] To realize the terminal-side method of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application further provides a processing device of a network slice, disposed in the terminal, as shown in FIG. 4 , the device includes: A first receiving unit 401 configured to receive second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier of a neighboring cell; and A second processing unit 402 configured to determine at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell based on the second information and fourth information, the fourth information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; and and a third processing unit 403 configured to perform cell reselection based on at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0117] Here, in one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a second acquiring unit, configured to acquire the fourth information.

[0118] In one embodiment, the second obtaining unit is further configured to receive the fourth information sent from a network side.

[0119] In one embodiment, the third processing unit 403 further comprises: determining a frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell; The mobile station is configured to perform cell reselection based on a frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0120] In one embodiment, the first receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive the second information broadcast.

[0121] In one embodiment, the second obtaining unit is further configured to obtain a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups of the updated TA when an update of the TA occurs; Correspondingly, the second processing unit 402 is further configured to update the fourth information using the updated mapping relationship between slices and slice groups.

[0122] In practical application, the first receiving unit 401 can be realized by a communication interface in a processing device of a network slice, the second processing unit 402 and the third processing unit 403 can be realized by a processor in the processing device of the network slice, and the second acquisition unit can be realized by a processor in the processing device of the network slice in combination with a communication interface.

[0123] In addition, when the network slice processing device according to the above embodiment processes the network slice, only the division of each of the above program modules is used as an example for explanation, but in actual applications, the above processes may be assigned and performed by different program modules as necessary, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different program modules to perform all or part of the above processes. Furthermore, the network slice processing device according to the above embodiment belongs to the same concept as the embodiment of the network slice processing method, and its specific implementation process may refer to the embodiment of the method, and will not be repeated here.

[0124] Based on the hardware implementation of the above program modules, and in order to realize the method on the network device side of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network device, as shown in FIG. 5, the network device 500 includes: A first communication interface 501 capable of exchanging information with other network devices and / or terminals; A first processor 502 is connected to the first communication interface 501, and is configured to execute a computer program to execute the method according to one or more technical solutions of the above network device side, for realizing information interaction with other network devices and / or terminals; a first memory 503, and the computer program is stored in the first memory 503.

[0125] Specifically, the first processor 502 is configured to map at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; The first communication interface 501 is configured to transmit second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier.

[0126] Here, in one embodiment, the first processor 502 is further configured to obtain a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups via the first communication interface 501.

[0127] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 501 further comprises: Receive a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by a network management device; Or, It is configured to receive a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups sent by the core network equipment.

[0128] In one embodiment, when receiving a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by a network management device, the first communication interface 501 is further configured to send a subset or a universal set of the mapping relationship between slices and slice groups set by the network management device to a core network device.

[0129] In one embodiment, the first processor 502 is further configured to obtain, via the first communication interface 501, at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0130] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 501 is further configured to receive at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell transmitted by a network equipment of the neighboring cell.

[0131] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 501 further comprises: If it is determined based on the first information that at least one slice of the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell cannot be mapped to a slice group, sending third information to a core network device, the third information being used for at least requesting to assign a mapping relationship to the at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group; The device is configured to receive a new mapping relationship sent by the core network device, and map at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group to a slice group using the new mapping relationship.

[0132] In one embodiment, the first processor 502 is further configured to update the first information using the new mapping relationship.

[0133] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 501 is further configured to broadcast the second information.

[0134] It should be noted that the specific processing processes of the first processor 502 and the first communication interface 501 can be understood with reference to the above method.

[0135] Of course, in practical application, each component in the network device 500 is coupled by a bus system 504. It can be understood that the bus system 504 is used to realize the connection communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 504 further includes a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clarity, various buses are labeled as the bus system 504 in FIG. 5.

[0136] The first memory 503 in this embodiment is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the network device 500. Examples of such data include any computer programs that are run on the network device 500.

[0137] The methods disclosed in the above embodiments of the present application can be applied to or realized by the first processor 502. The first processor 502 can be an integrated circuit chip having a signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be performed by an instruction in the form of an integrated logic circuit of hardware or software in the first processor 502. The first processor 502 can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc. The first processor 502 can realize or execute each method, step, and logic block diagram disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly performed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be performed by forming hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be disposed in a storage medium, which is disposed in the first memory 503, and the first processor 502 reads the information in the first memory 503 and performs the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0138] In an example embodiment, network device 500 may be implemented with one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), DSPs, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, Micro Controller Units (MCUs), Microprocessors, or other electronic elements and may be used to perform the methods described above.

[0139] Based on the hardware implementation of the above program modules, and in order to realize the terminal-side method of the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal 600 includes: A second communication interface 601 capable of exchanging information with other terminals and / or a network side; A second processor 602 is connected to the second communication interface 601, and is configured to execute a computer program to execute one or more methods according to the above-mentioned terminal-side technical solutions, for realizing information interaction with other terminals and / or a network side; and a second memory 603, the computer program being stored in the second memory 603.

[0140] Specifically, the second communication interface 601 is configured to receive second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier of a neighboring cell; The second processor 602 is configured to determine at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell based on the second information and the fourth information, the fourth information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups, and to perform cell reselection based on the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell.

[0141] Here, in one embodiment, the second processor 602 is further configured to obtain the fourth information via the second communication interface 601 .

[0142] In one embodiment, the second communication interface 601 is further configured to receive the fourth information sent from a network side.

[0143] In one embodiment, the second processor 602 further comprises: determining a frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell; The mobile station is configured to perform cell reselection based on a frequency priority of at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell.

[0144] In one embodiment, the second communication interface 601 is further configured to receive the second information broadcast.

[0145] In one embodiment, the second processor 602 further comprises: When a TA is updated, a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups of the updated TA is obtained via the second communication interface 601; The fourth information is configured to be updated using the updated mapping relationship between the slices and the slice groups.

[0146] It should be noted that the specific processing processes of the second communication interface 601 and the second processor 602 can be understood with reference to the above method.

[0147] Of course, in practical application, each component in the terminal 600 is coupled by a bus system 604. It can be understood that the bus system 604 is used to realize the connection communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 604 further includes a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clarity, various buses are labeled as the bus system 604 in FIG. 6.

[0148] The second memory 603 in the present embodiment is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the terminal 600. Examples of such data include any computer programs operated on the terminal 600.

[0149] The methods disclosed in the above embodiments of the present application can be applied to or realized by the second processor 602. The second processor 602 can be an integrated circuit chip having the ability to process signals. In the realization process, each step of the above methods can be performed by an instruction in the form of an integrated logic circuit of hardware or software in the second processor 602. The second processor 602 can be a general-purpose processor, a DSP, or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc. The second processor 602 can realize or execute each method, step, and logic block diagram disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly performed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be performed by forming hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be disposed in a storage medium, which is disposed in the second memory 603, and the second processor 602 reads the information in the second memory 603 and performs the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0150] In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal 600 may be implemented by one or more ASICs, DSPs, PLDs, CPLDs, FPGAs, general-purpose processors, controllers, MCUs, microprocessors, or other electronic devices and may be used to perform the above-described methods.

[0151] It can be understood that the memory (first memory 503 and second memory 603) of the embodiment of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. Here, the non-volatile memory may be a read only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM), a flash memory, a magnetic surface memory, an optical disk, or a read-only memory (CD-ROM), and the magnetic surface memory may be a magnetic disk memory or a magnetic tape memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache.By way of illustrative but non-limiting example, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous static random access memory (SSRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synclink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), direct memory bus random access memory (DRRAM), etc. Memory as described in the embodiments of the present application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0152] To realize the method according to the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network slice processing system, which includes a network device 701 and a terminal 702, as shown in FIG.

[0153] It should be noted here that the specific processing processes of the network device 701 and the terminal 702 have been described in detail above, and will not be described again here.

[0154] In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium, i.e., a computer storage medium, specifically, a computer-readable storage medium, for example, including a first memory 503 having a computer program stored therein, and the computer program can be executed by the first processor 502 of the network device 500 to perform the steps of the method on the network device side. As another example, the embodiment of the present application includes a second memory 603 having a computer program stored therein, and the computer program can be executed by the second processor 602 of the terminal 600 to perform the steps of the method on the terminal side. The computer-readable storage medium may be a memory such as FRAM (registered trademark), ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash (registered trademark) Memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disk, or CD-ROM.

[0155] It should be clarified that the terms "first," "second," etc. are used to distinguish between similar objects and are not used to describe a particular order or chronology.

[0156] Furthermore, the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application can be arbitrarily combined without being conflicting with each other.

[0157] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A network slice processing method performed by a network device, comprising: Mapping at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; A method for processing a network slice, comprising: transmitting second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier.

2. The second information further includes a frequency priority of the at least one slice group. A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 1.

3. The first information corresponds to one or more tracking areas (TAs). A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 1.

4. The method for processing the network slice includes: The method further includes obtaining a mapping relationship between the slice and a slice group. A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 1.

5. Obtaining a mapping relationship between the slices and the slice groups includes: receiving a mapping relationship between the slices and slice groups set by a network management device; Or, receiving a mapping relationship between the slices and slice groups sent by a core network device; A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 4.

6. When receiving a mapping relationship between the slices and slice groups set by the network management device, the processing method of the network slice includes: Further comprising transmitting a subset or a universal set of the mapping relationship between the slices and the slice groups set by the network management device to the core network device; A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 5.

7. The method for processing the network slice includes: and acquiring at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cells. A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 1.

8. Obtaining at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cell comprises: receiving at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cell, the network slices being transmitted by a network equipment of the neighboring cell; A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 7.

9. The method for processing the network slice includes: When it is determined based on the first information that at least one slice of the at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell cannot be mapped to a slice group, sending third information to a core network device, the third information being used at least for requesting to assign a mapping relationship to the at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group; receiving a new mapping relationship sent by the core network device, and mapping at least one slice that cannot be mapped to a slice group to a slice group using the new mapping relationship; A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 1.

10. The method for processing the network slice includes: updating the first information using the new mapping relationship. A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 9.

11. broadcasting the second information; A method for processing a network slice according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A network slice processing method performed by a terminal, comprising: receiving second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier of a neighboring cell; Determining at least one network slice supported by the neighboring cell based on the second information and fourth information, where the fourth information represents a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; and A method for processing a network slice, comprising: performing cell reselection based on at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cells.

13. The second information further includes a frequency priority of the at least 12 slice groups. A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 12.

14. The fourth information corresponds to one or more tracking areas (TAs). A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 12.

15. The method for processing the network slice includes: obtaining the fourth information. A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 12.

16. Obtaining the fourth information includes: receiving the fourth information transmitted from a network side; A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 15.

17. performing cell reselection based on at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cells, determining a frequency priority of at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cells; and performing a reselection of the cell based on a frequency priority of at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cells. A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 12.

18. Receiving the second information includes: receiving the second information broadcast; A network slice processing method as claimed in claim 12.

19. The method for processing the network slice includes: When an update of the TA occurs, acquiring a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups of the updated TA; and updating the fourth information using the updated mapping relationship between the slice and the slice group. A method for processing a network slice according to any one of claims 12 to 18.

20. A processing device for a network slice, comprising: A first processing unit configured to map at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; and A processing device for a network slice comprising: a first transmitting unit configured to transmit second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier.

21. A processing device for a network slice, comprising: a first receiving unit configured to receive second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier of a neighboring cell; and A second processing unit configured to determine at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell based on the second information and the fourth information, the fourth information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; and A processing device for a network slice comprising: a third processing unit configured to perform cell reselection based on at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cells.

22. A network device comprising a first communication interface and a first processor, The first processor is configured to map at least one network slice supported by a neighboring cell to at least one slice group based on first information of a serving cell, the first information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups; The first communication interface is configured to transmit second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier.

23. A terminal comprising a second communication interface and a second processor, The second communication interface is configured to receive second information, the second information including at least one slice group identifier of a neighboring cell; The second processor is configured to determine at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cell based on the second information and the fourth information, the fourth information representing a mapping relationship between slices and slice groups, and to perform cell reselection based on the at least one of the network slices supported by the neighboring cell.

24. A network device comprising a first processor and a first memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, A network device, wherein the first processor executes all of the processing in the network slice processing method described in any one of claims 1 to 11 by executing the computer program.

25. A terminal including a second processor and a second memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, A terminal, wherein the second processor executes all of the processing in the network slice processing method described in any one of claims 12 to 19 by executing the computer program.

26. A storage medium having stored thereon a computer program for causing a processor to realize all of the processing steps in the network slice processing method described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or for causing a processor to realize all of the processing steps in the network slice processing method described in any one of claims 12 to 19.

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