COMMUNICATION METHOD AND COMMUNICATION DEVICE
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023548746
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-02-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-02-10
Smart Images
Figure 0007644252000002 
Figure 0007644252000003 
Figure 0007644252000004
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and device. [Background technology]
[0002] In existing communication networks, a fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) communication network and a fourth generation (4th generation, 4G) network can be deployed in the same coverage. Therefore, a terminal device can access the network through a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) in 5G or a radio access network in 4G network. That is, the terminal device can access the network through various radio access technologies (RATs).
[0003] In a 5G network, the network side can assist the terminal device to select an appropriate target RAT / frequency. However, if the terminal device determines that the terminal device needs to access a 4G network based on the target RAT / frequency information, 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 reduces the user experience. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]
[0004] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device for saving network resources and improving user experience.
[0005] According to a first aspect, a communication method is provided, the method including: 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 including 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 wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information; 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 of a different standard than the 4G network, for example, a 5G network, or a mobile network of a higher standard. The access network device in the first network may be an access network device eNB in the 4G network.
[0007] According to the solution of the present application, a first access and management network element in a first network receives wireless access assistance information from a second network, determines the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and sends the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used to an access network device in the first network, thereby avoiding the problem that the first access and management network element in the first network fails to enable the terminal device to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, and ensuring that the terminal device camps on an appropriate mobile communication network, thereby saving network resources and improving 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 of user type information corresponding to a 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 assistance information from the second network includes the first access and management network element receiving the wireless access assistance information for 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 assistance information from the second network includes the first access and management network element in the first network receiving wireless access assistance information from the second network in a mobility management process of the terminal device.
[0011] In a possible implementation, 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 a tracking area update (TAU) process of the terminal device or a redirection process of the terminal device.
[0012] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first access and management network element receiving wireless access assistance information transmitted by a second access management network in the second network includes the first access and management network element receiving context information of the terminal device transmitted by the second access and management network element, wherein the context information includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.
[0013] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first access and management network element receiving the wireless access assistance information sent by the second access management network in the second network includes the first access and management network element sending a UE context request message to the second access and management network element, the message being used to request context information of the terminal device. The first access and management network element receives a UE context response message sent by the second access and management network element, the UE context response message including 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 sent by a second access management network in the second network includes the first access and management network element receiving a handover request message or a forward relocation request message sent by the second access and management network element, where the handover request message or the forward relocation request message includes the wireless access assistance information of the 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 the 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 implementations of the first aspect, the first access and management network element receiving wireless access assistance information from the 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, via a home subscriber server HSS in the first network, context information or subscription information of the terminal device sent by the integrated data management function network element in the second network, wherein the context information or subscription information includes a wireless access assistance policy of the terminal device.
[0017] For example, in a registration process or a Tracking Area Update (TAU) process of a terminal device, 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 implementations 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 the at least one wireless information, respectively. 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 satisfies one or more matching conditions of the at least one matching condition. The first access and management network element determines 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.
[0019] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a first network, and the wireless access information to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first network. Alternatively, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a first frequency of the first network, and the wireless access information to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first frequency.
[0020] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first 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 in preferentially camping on the first network under the first time condition. Alternatively, the matching condition corresponding to a first frequency of 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 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 a first location condition, a first service type condition, a first network load condition, etc.
[0022] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a second network, and the wireless access information to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second network. Alternatively, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a second frequency of the second network, and the wireless access information to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the second frequency.
[0023] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the second network includes a second time condition, and the wireless access information 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. Alternatively, the matching condition corresponding to the second frequency of the second network includes a second time condition, and the wireless access information to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first frequency.
[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 a second location condition, a second service type condition, a second network load condition, etc.
[0025] In relation to the first aspect, in some implementations 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 implementations of the first aspect, the wireless access information includes a subscriber profile ID for RAT / frequency priority (SPID).
[0027] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided, the method including: a second access and management network element in a second network obtaining 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; the second access and management network element transmitting 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 transmitting 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, 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, and 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 of a different standard than the 4G network, for example a 5G network, or a mobile network of 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 sends wireless access assistance information to the first access and management network element in the first network, so that 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 sends 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 allow the terminal device to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can camp on a suitable mobile communication network, thereby saving network resources and improving user experience.
[0030] In relation to 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 of 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 relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms 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 a policy control function network element, or the second access and management network element obtaining the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device from an integrated data management center network element. The second access and management network element in the second network may 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 at the request of 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 a registration process or a location update process of a terminal device, a network element of an 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 a network element of an integrated data management center. The integrated data management center network element can send 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 sending wireless access assistance information to the first access and management network element in the first network includes the second access and management network element sending the wireless access assistance information to the first access and management network element in a mobility management process of the terminal device.
[0034] In a possible implementation, the mobility management process of the terminal device includes a tracking area update (TAU) process of the terminal device or a 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 sending wireless access assistance information to the first access and management network element in the first network includes the second access and management network element sending context information of the terminal device to the first access and management network element, where the context information includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. For example, in a mobility management process of the terminal device, the first access and management network element can send a context request message to the second access and management network element, and the second access and management network element can send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device via a context response message.
[0036] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, after the second access and management network element obtains the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, the method further includes the second access and management network element determining wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information. The second 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 second network.
[0037] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second 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 the at least one wireless information, respectively. The second 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 second access and management network element determining that the terminal device satisfies one or more matching conditions of the at least one matching condition. The second access and management network element determines 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.
[0038] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a first network, and the wireless access information to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first network. Alternatively, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a first frequency of the first network, and the wireless access information to be used by the terminal device is used to assist the terminal device in preferentially camping on the first frequency.
[0039] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the first network or the first frequency of 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 or the first frequency of the first network under the first time condition.
[0040] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the first network may further include a first location condition, a first service type condition, a first network load condition, etc.
[0041] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a 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, 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.
[0042] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the second network or the second frequency of 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 or the second frequency of the second network under the second time condition.
[0043] In relation to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the matching conditions corresponding to the first network may further include a first location condition, a first service type condition, a first network load condition, etc.
[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 implementations 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 including: a home subscriber server in a first network receiving 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; 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 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, 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 of a different standard than the 4G network, for example a 5G network, or a mobile network of a higher standard. The access network device in the first network may be an access network device eNB in the 4G network.
[0048] According to the solution of the present application, a home subscriber server in a first network sends wireless access assistance information from a second network to a first access and management network element in the first network, so that 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 sends 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 allow the terminal device to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can camp on a suitable mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving 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 a terminal device, and the matching conditions include at least one matching condition each corresponding to 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 of 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 the wireless access assistance information sent 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 the wireless access assistance information from the second network in a mobility management process of the terminal device.
[0053] In relation to the third aspect, in some implementations 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 a policy control function in the second network, where the context information or subscription data includes the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. For example, the network element of the policy control function can send the wireless access assistance information to the home subscriber server by invoking a context management registration (Nudm_UEContextManagement_registration) service of the terminal device or by invoking a context management update (Nudm_UEContextManagement_update) service of the terminal device.
[0054] In another example, the network element of the policy control function may send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to a unified data repository (UDR) by calling a data management create (Nudr_DataManagementCreate) service or a data management update (Nudr_DataManagementUpdate) service, and the home subscriber server may obtain subscription data of the terminal device from the UDR by calling a data management query (Nudr_DataManagementQuery) service or a data management subscription (Nudr_DataManagementSubscribe) service. The subscription data may include the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. Alternatively, the network element of the policy control function may send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the home subscriber server by calling a subscription data management (Nudm_Subscriber_DataManagement_Info) service of the unified data management network element in the second network.
[0055] In relation to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the home subscriber server in the first network sending wireless access assistance information to the first access and management network element in the first network includes the first access and management network element sending a UE location request message to the home subscriber server, the message being used to report a location of the terminal device and to obtain subscription data of the terminal device, and sending, by the home subscriber server, a UE location response message to the first access and management network element, the response message including the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.
[0056] In relation to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the wireless access information includes a radio access technology / frequency selection priority index (RFSP index).
[0057] In relation to the third aspect, in some implementations 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 a network element of a policy control function in a second network determining 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. The policy control function network element transmits 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 the first network obtains the wireless access assistance information through the second access and management network element, and determines, based on the wireless access assistance information, wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device. Alternatively, the policy control function network element transmits 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 a home subscriber server, and determines, based on the wireless access assistance information, wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.
[0059] 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 in the 4G network, and the second network may be a mobile network of a different standard than the 4G network, for example a 5G network or a mobile network of a higher standard. The policy control function network element in the second network may be a policy control function network element PCF in a 5G network, or may be a combination of a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element and a PCF network element in a 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 assistance information of the terminal device, and sends the wireless access assistance information to the second access and management network element in the second network or the home subscriber server in the first network, so that the first access and management network element in the 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. This avoids the problem that the first network fails to allow the terminal device to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can camp on a suitable mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving user experience.
[0061] In relation to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the wireless access assistance information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device, and the matching conditions include at least one matching condition each corresponding to 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 matching information of user type information corresponding to a 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 implementations of the fourth aspect, the policy control function network element in the second network determining wireless access assistance information for the terminal device includes the policy control function network element determining the wireless access assistance information based on a data analysis result sent by a 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: 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 implementations of the fourth aspect, the policy control function network element sending the wireless access assistance information to a second access and management network element in the second network includes the second access and management network element sending 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 access and mobility policy corresponding to the terminal device to the second access and management network element, where 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 network element of the policy control function sending wireless access assistance information to a home subscriber server in the first network includes the network element of the policy control function sending context information of the terminal device to the home subscriber server, wherein the context information includes the wireless access assistance information.
[0066] For example, the network element of the policy control function sends wireless access assistance information to the home subscriber server by invoking a context management registration (Nudm_UEContextManagement_registration) service of the terminal device or by invoking a context management update (Nudm_UEContextManagement_update) service of the terminal device.
[0067] Alternatively, the policy control function network element sends subscription data of the terminal device to a home subscriber server, where the subscription data includes wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.
[0068] For example, the network element of the policy control function may send wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to a unified data repository (UDR) by calling a data management create (Nudr_DataManagementCreate) service or a data management update service (Nudr_DataManagementUpdate), and the home subscriber server may obtain subscription data of the terminal device from the UDR by calling a data management query (Nudr_DataManagementQuery) service or a data management subscription (Nudr_DataManagementSubscribe) service. The subscription data may include the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. In another example, the network element of the policy control function may send the wireless access assistance information to the home subscriber server by calling a subscription data management (Nudm_Subscriber_DataManagement_Info) service in the unified data management network element in the second network.
[0069] In relation to the fourth aspect, in some implementations 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 implementations 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 including: a network element of a policy control function in a second network determining 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. The policy control function network element transmits the wireless access assistance information to a user plane gateway network element or a session gateway network element in the first network, so that a first access and management network element in the first network obtains the wireless access assistance information through a user plane gateway network element or a session gateway network element, and determines, based on the wireless access assistance information, wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.
[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, and 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 of a different standard from the 4G network, for example a 5G network or a mobile network of a higher standard. The policy control function network element may be a policy control function network element PCF in a 5G network, or may be a combination of a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element and a PCF network element in a 4G network.
[0074] According to the solution of the present application, the policy control function network element in the second network determines wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, and sends the wireless access assistance information to the user plane gateway network element or the session gateway network element in the first network, so that 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 allow the terminal device to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can camp on a suitable mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving user experience.
[0075] In relation to 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 a terminal device, and the matching conditions include at least one matching condition each corresponding to the at least one wireless information.
[0076] In relation to the fifth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fifth aspect, the matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information includes at least one matching information of user type information corresponding to a 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 implementations of the fifth aspect, the policy control function network element in the second network determining wireless access assistance information for the terminal device includes the policy control function network element determining the wireless access assistance information based on a data analysis result sent by a 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: 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, the policy control network element sends the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the user plane gateway network element via an IP-CAN session modification message. The user plane gateway network element sends the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the session gateway network element via an update bearer request message. The session gateway network element sends the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the first access management network via the 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 implementations of the fifth aspect, the wireless access information includes a subscriber profile ID (SPID).
[0081] According to a sixth aspect, a communications apparatus is provided, the apparatus including: a transceiver unit configured to receive wireless access assistance information from a second network, where the wireless access assistance information includes wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and a matching condition 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, where 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 the first network.
[0082] 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 in the 4G network, and the second network may be a mobile network of a different standard than the 4G network, for example a 5G network or a mobile network of a higher standard. The access network device in the first network may be an access network device eNB in the 4G network.
[0083] According to the communication device provided in the present application, the transceiver unit receives wireless access assistance information from a second network, and the processing unit determines the wireless access assistance information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and sends 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 allow the terminal device to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can camp on a suitable mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving user experience.
[0084] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the matching conditions include 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.
[0085] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive wireless access assistance information for a terminal device transmitted by a second access and management network element in the second network.
[0086] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive 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.
[0087] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive context information of a terminal device transmitted by a second access and management network element, where the context information of the terminal device includes wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.
[0088] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive 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.
[0089] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive, via a home subscriber server, context information or subscription information of a terminal device transmitted by a network element of the integrated data management function, where the context information or subscription information includes wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.
[0090] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth 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 the at least one wireless information, respectively. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the terminal device satisfies one or more matching conditions 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 relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a 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.
[0092] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth 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 in preferentially camping on the first network under the first time condition. The matching condition corresponding to the first network may further include a first location condition, a first service type condition, a first network load condition, etc.
[0093] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, 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.
[0094] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a 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.
[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 in 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, etc.
[0096] In relation to the sixth aspect, in another implementation form of the sixth aspect, 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.
[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 communications apparatus is provided, the apparatus including: a transceiver unit configured to obtain wireless access assistance information for 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; the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit 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.
[0101] 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, and 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 of a different standard than the 4G network, for example a 5G network, or a mobile network of 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.
[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, so that 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 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 allow the terminal device to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can camp on a suitable mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving user experience.
[0103] In relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the matching conditions include at least one matching information of 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 relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to obtain wireless access assistance information of the terminal device from a policy control function network element, or obtain wireless access assistance information of the terminal device from an integrated data management center network element.
[0105] In relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to transmit wireless access assistance information to a first access and management network element in a mobility management process of the terminal device.
[0106] In relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to transmit context information of the terminal device to the first access and management network element, where the context information includes wireless access assistance information of the terminal device.
[0107] In relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the apparatus further includes 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, and 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 the second network.
[0108] In relation to 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 the at least one wireless information, respectively. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the terminal device satisfies one or more matching conditions 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 relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a 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.
[0110] In relation to 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 in preferentially camping on the first network under the first time condition.
[0111] In relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, 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.
[0112] In relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the one or more matching conditions include a matching condition corresponding to a 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.
[0113] In relation to 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 in preferentially camping on the second network under the second time condition.
[0114] In relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, 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.
[0115] In relation to 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 relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation form of the seventh aspect, the wireless access information includes a subscriber profile ID (SPID).
[0117] In relation to the seventh aspect, in another implementation 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, there is provided a communication apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 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 apparatus performs 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 storing a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the communication method in any possible implementation of the first aspect, the communication method in any possible implementation of the second aspect, the communication method in any possible implementation of the third aspect, the communication method in any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or the communication method in any possible implementation of the fifth aspect.
[0120] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a chip system including 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 embedded performs the communication method in any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the communication method in any possible implementation of the second aspect, or the communication method in any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the communication method in any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or the communication method in any possible implementation of the fifth aspect. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0121] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario applicable to the method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture for interaction between 5G and 4G according to the present application. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present application; [Figure 4A] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present application; [Figure 4B] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present application; [Figure 5A] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present application; [Figure 5B] 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to the present application; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a communication device according to the present application; [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a communication device according to the present application; [Figure 8] 2 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a communication device according to the present application; [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a communication device according to the present application; [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a communication device according to the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0122] The technical solutions in this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0123] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a fifth generation (5G) communication system or a future communication system, such as a sixth generation (6G) communication system, a vehicle-to-x (V2X), where V2X includes vehicle-to-network (V2N), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), long term evolution-vehicle (V2P) for factory communication. These may include LTE-V, Internet of Vehicles, machine type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), long term evolution-machine (LTE-M), and machine to machine (M2M).
[0124] 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the method according to an embodiment of the present application. The network architecture may further include the following network elements:
[0125] 1. User Equipment (UE) 110: may include various handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication capabilities, as well as 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 embodiment of the present application may be an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile console, a relay station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal equipment, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. The user equipment may also be a mobile phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capability, a computing device or another 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 future vehicular Internet, etc., and is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.
[0127] By way of example and not of limitation, in this embodiment of the present application, the wearable device, which may also be referred to as a wearable intelligent device, is a general name for wearable devices developed by intelligently designing everyday wearable items through wearable technology, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that can be directly worn on the body or integrated into a 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 full functions, large functions, and full or partial functions that can be implemented without relying on a smartphone, such as a smart watch or smart glasses, and only focuses on certain types of application functions that need to be used with smartphones and other devices, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for body sign monitoring.
[0128] In addition, in this embodiment of the present application, the user equipment may alternatively be a user equipment in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to a network through communication technology to realize an intelligent network of man-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, on-line detectors, and gas stations, whose main functions include collecting data (some user equipment), receiving control information and downlink data of access network devices, transmitting electromagnetic waves, and transmitting uplink data to access network devices.
[0129] 2. (Radio) Access Network ((R)AN) 120: Configured to provide network access functionality for authorized user equipment within a particular area, and can use transmission tunnels of different quality based on the user equipment level, service requirements, etc.
[0130] The (R)AN can manage radio resources, provide access services to user equipment, and transfer control signals and user equipment data between user equipment and the core network. The (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 receiving and transmitting capabilities. The access network device may be, but is not limited to, an evolved Node B (eNB), a baseBand unit (BBU), and an access point (AP), a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a gNB, for example, in a NR, system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node forming a gNB or transmission point, for example, a baseband unit (BBU), a distributed unit (DU).
[0132] In some deployments, 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 functions of radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, and implements functions of radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers. The AAU performs some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and functions related to active antennas. Information at the RRC layer is eventually converted to or from information at the PHY layer. Therefore, in this architecture, it is considered that higher layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, may be transmitted by the DU, or may be transmitted by the DU and the AAU. It may be understood that the access network device may be a device including one or more of a CU node, a DU node, and an AAU node. In addition, the CU may be divided into access network devices in a radio access network (RAN), or the CU may be divided into access network devices in a core network (CN). This is not limited in this application.
[0133] 3. User Plane Network Element 130: Used for packet routing and forwarding, handling quality of service (QoS) of user plane data, etc.
[0134] In a 5G communication system, the user plane network element may be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane network element may still be a UPF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.
[0135] 4. Data Network 140: A network used to provide data transmission.
[0136] In the 5G communication system, the data network may be a data network (DN). In future communication systems, the data network may still be a DN or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.
[0137] 5. Access and management network element 150: Mainly used for mobility management, access management, etc., and can be used to implement other functions other 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 may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the access and management network element may still be an AMF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.
[0139] 6. Session Management Network Element 160: Mainly used for session management, internet protocol (IP) address allocation and management of terminal devices, selection of termination points of manageable user plane functions, policy control and charging function interface, downlink data notification, etc.
[0140] In a 5G communication system, the session management network element may be a session management function (SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.
[0141] 7. Policy control network element 170: A unified policy framework used to guide network behavior, providing policy rule information for network elements (e.g., AMF or SMF network elements) or terminal devices.
[0142] In a 4G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element. In a 5G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy control function (PCF) network element. In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.
[0143] 8. Network Exposure Network Element 180: Used primarily to support exposure of capabilities and events.
[0144] In the 5G communication system, the network exposure may be a network exposure function (NEF) network element. In future communication systems, the network exposure network element may still be a NEF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.
[0145] 9. Network Repository Network Element 190: Used to maintain information about all network function services on the network.
[0146] In a 5G communication system, the network repository network element may be a network repository function (NRF) network element. In future communication systems, the network repository network element may still be an NRF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.
[0147] 10. Data Management Network Element 1100: Used for terminal device identification, access authentication, registration, mobility management, etc.
[0148] In the 5G communication system, the data management network element may be a unified data management (UDM) network element. In future communication systems, the unified data management may still be a UDM network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.
[0149] 11. Application Network Element 1110: Used to route data affected by applications, access network elements for network-exposed functions, interact with the policy framework for policy control, etc.
[0150] In the 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 network data analysis functions.
[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, an NWDAF network element may be co-deployed with an AMF or a 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 a different name. This is not limited in this application.
[0154] 13. Network slice selection network element 1130: Used to select a network slice instance serving a 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 slice selection function network element may still be an NSSF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in this application.
[0156] It may be understood that the aforementioned network elements or functions may be network elements within a hardware device, or software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).
[0157] For ease of explanation, the present application will be described hereinafter by using an example in which the network element of the access management function is a network element of an AMF, the network element of the data analysis is a network element of an NWDAF, and the network storage network element is a network element of an NRF.
[0158] Further, an AMF network element is referred to as an AMF, an NWDAF network element is referred to as an NWDAF, and an NRF network element is referred to as an NRF. In other words, all AMFs described later in this application may be replaced with network elements of an access management function, all NWDAFs may be replaced with network elements of a network data analysis function, and all NRFs may be replaced with network elements of a network repository.
[0159] For ease of explanation, in this application, an example in which the device is an AMF entity, an NWDAF entity, or an NRF entity is used to describe the method for acquiring data. For the implementation method in which the device is a chip in an AMF entity, a chip in an NWDAF entity, or a chip in an NRF entity, please refer to the specific description in which the device is an AMF entity, an NWDAF entity, and an 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 an N1 interface, the RAN is connected to the AMF via an N2 interface, and the RAN is connected to the UPF via an N3 interface.
[0161] The UPFs are interconnected with each other via an N9 interface, and the UPFs are interconnected to a data network (DN) via an 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, and N6 in Figure 1 are interface serial numbers. 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] It should be noted that the names of the network elements and communication interfaces between the network elements in FIG. 1 are simply explained by using examples specified in current protocols. 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 current protocols are used as illustrative examples are functional descriptions. The specific names of network elements, interfaces, signaling, etc. are not limited in the present application and only indicate the functions of the network elements, interfaces, or signaling, and may be extended to correspond to another system, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or future communication systems.
[0166] Additionally, it should be noted that in some network architectures, network function network element entities such as AMF, SMF, PCF, BSF, and UDM network elements are all referred to as network function (NF) network elements, or in some other network architectures, a set of network elements such as AMF, SMF, PCF, BSF, and UDM network elements may be referred to as control plane function network elements.
[0167] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-based interface. In this embodiment of the present application, the NWDAF network element shown in Figure 1 can obtain data analysis results generated by terminal devices, such as UE service in use analytics, which are used to collect statistics or predict rules regarding the execution of services by terminal devices.
[0168] The following briefly describes the interaction between 5G and 4G with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of the interaction between 5G and 4G according to the present application.
[0169] As can be seen from Figure 2, the 5G network is co-deployed with the 4G network (as shown in Figure 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 Figure 2, the N26 interface is enabled between the AMF and the MME) to realize 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 in a 4G network, the NG-RAN is an access network device in a 5G network, the home subscriber server (HSS) is a server in the 4G network configured to store user subscription information, the serving gateway (SGW) is a user plane access serving gateway in the 4G network, and the packet data network gateway control (PGW-C) and packet data network gateway user (PGW-U) network elements are network elements in the 4G network that are responsible for connecting user equipment to external networks and further undertake cellular session management and bearer control, as well as IP address allocation, charging support, and other functions.
[0171] It should be noted that the names of each interface shown in FIG. 2 (e.g., 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 do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of the present application.
[0172] The NWDAF network element has the functions of data collection, training, analysis, and inference, and may be configured to collect relevant data from the network element, the third-party service server, the terminal device, or the network management system, perform intelligent analysis training based on the relevant data, and provide the data analysis result to the network element, the third-party service server, the terminal device, or the network management system. The analysis result may help the network select the quality of service parameters of the service, or may help the network perform traffic routing, or may help the network select the background traffic transmission policy. This feature facilitates network maintenance and control, improves network resource utilization, and improves user experience.
[0173] The PCF or PCRF is used to guide a unified policy framework for network behavior, provide policy rule information for network elements (such as AMF or SMF network elements) or terminal devices, etc. To implement interoperation between 4G networks and 5G networks, the PCF and PCRF may also be co-deployed. For ease of explanation, in this embodiment of the present application, the co-deployed network elements may be represented as PCF / PCRF.
[0174] Co-deployment of UDM and HSS (UDM / HSS) can provide terminal devices with at least one of the following functions: handling of 3GPP AKA authentication credentials, user identification, access permissions, registration / mobility management, subscription management, and short message management.
[0175] In this embodiment of the present application, the user equipment or access network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer that operates on the hardware layer, and an application layer that operates 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 a main memory). The operating system may be any one or more types of computer operating systems that implement service processing by using a process, such as a Linux operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, a word processing software, and an instant messaging software. In addition, the specific structure of the execution entity of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited in the embodiment of the present application, as long as the 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. For example, the execution entity of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may be a user equipment or an access network device, or a function module that can call and execute a program in the user equipment or the access network device.
[0176] In the following, the communication method provided in the present application will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3. The method may be applied to the scenario shown in Fig. 1, and of course may be applied to other communication scenarios, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.
[0177] S210. A first access and management network element in a first network receives wireless access assistance information from a 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 even be a future communication system (e.g., a 6G network).
[0179] 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 wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device may be represented by a RAT / frequency selection priority (RFSP) index, and different RFSP indexes 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), and different QCI or 5QI values are used to represent different wireless access information. The wireless access information is used to assist the terminal device to access different RATs / 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, for example, different user levels (gold, silver, and bronze users) and user categories (adult and juvenile).
[0182] Service type information used by the terminal device, for example, different service types such as AR / VR service, voice service, video service, data service, and URLLC service.
[0183] Time information, for example, a specific time, or daytime (e.g., 8:00-18:00), evening, peak season (time period), or off-season (time period).
[0184] Location information of a terminal device, for example, any location information used to identify a network area, such as a tracking area (TA), a tracking area list (TA list), a cell, or a cell list.
[0185] Network load information, for example, light load, normal load, or heavy load, where network load may include access network load, core network load, network slice load, etc.
[0186] It should be understood that the wireless access assistance information includes at least one wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and at least one matching condition corresponding to the at least one wireless information, respectively. For example, the wireless access assistance information corresponding to the terminal device #1 is shown in Table 1. The wireless access assistance information includes wireless access information RFSP index 1, RFSP index 2, and RFSP index 3 corresponding to the terminal device #1, which correspond to matching condition 1, matching condition 2, and matching condition 3, respectively. The time information included in the matching condition 1 may be time period 1, for example, this time period may be noon (12:00 to 13:00). Similarly, the time information included in the matching condition 2 may be time period 2, and the matching condition 3 includes time information (time period 3) and service type information (service type 1, for example, voice service) used by the 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 a second access and management network element in the second network, and the second access and management network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element in a 5G network, or a network element having a similar function in a future communication system. In a future communication system (e.g., a 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 the present 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 the wireless access assistance information from the second network may be receiving the wireless access assistance information from the second network in a mobility management process of the terminal device, such as a tracking area update (TAU) process or a redirection process of the terminal device. For example, when the terminal device is in a connected state, in a procedure in which the terminal device is handed over from a 5G network to a 4G network, the first access and management network element receives the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device by receiving a handover request message or a forward relocation request message sent by a second access and management network element in the second network. 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 context request message to the second access and management network element and receives the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device through a context response message.
[0190] S220. The first access and management network element determines, based on the wireless access assistance information, wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.
[0191] It should be noted that the wireless access information to be used is the wireless access information that is likely to be used by the terminal device. Then, 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 the network load, the 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 matching conditions of the at least one matching condition, and the first access and management network element can 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. When the 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 the 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 period 1, an example of the first time condition) of the terminal device #1 satisfies the matching condition 1, the first access and management network element determines that the wireless access information 1 corresponding to the matching condition 1 is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device #1. In another example, if the first access and management network element determines that the time information (time period 1) and the service information (voice service) used by the terminal device #1 meet the matching condition 2, the first access and management network element determines that the wireless access information 2 corresponding to the matching condition 2 is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the 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 the present application.
[0193] Please note that when a terminal device satisfies a matching condition, it may be understood as the terminal device satisfying the matching information included in the matching condition, or the terminal device satisfying a time condition (e.g., a first time condition), a location condition, etc. in the matching condition corresponding to the matching information.
[0194] S230. The first access and management network element sends wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to the access network device in the first network. In response, 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 that was last transmitted. In this case, the first access and management network element transmits the wireless access information that needs 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 sending to the access network device wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device may be the first access and management network element sending to the access network device context information of the terminal 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, the embodiment of the present application may further include S240. The access network device in the first network determines a corresponding RAT / frequency selection priority according to the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and executes a camping policy of the terminal device according to 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, if 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, if 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 may 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, if 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, if the access network device determines that the priority of the target RAT / frequency is higher than the RAT / frequency the terminal device camps on, 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 sends 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 allow the terminal device to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can camp on a suitable mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving user experience.
[0201] 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 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 4A and 4B. The sequence numbers of the following processes do not mean the execution sequence. The execution sequence of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be interpreted as any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application. In addition, it is possible that all operations in the following method embodiments do not need to be implemented.
[0202] Before S310, a policy control function (PCF) in the second network receives a data analysis result, which is generated by the data analysis network element and can be used to assist the PCF in setting wireless access assistance information for the terminal device.
[0203] By way of example and not limitation, the data analysis results may include one or more of the following information:
[0204] UE service in use analytics: This information may be used to collect statistics on or predict service execution rules of terminal devices, 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 statistics about and predict the service experience of each service in different RATs and / or frequencies. The information can include the service type, RAT and / or frequency, and the service experience used by the terminal device.
[0206] Data dispersion analytics: This information is used to collect statistics about or predict data traffic information for a single user or a group of users. The information may include terminal device identifiers or terminal device group identifiers, regions, traffic volumes, data mobility classifications, etc.
[0207] User data congestion analytics: This information is used to collect statistics about or predict the congestion state of user data in a region. This information may include the region, data type (control plane or user plane), and congestion level (high, medium, and low).
[0208] RAT / frequency usage analytics: This information is used to collect statistics about or predict the usage of each RAT / frequency, and can include information such as RATs and / or frequencies, number of users, and traffic.
[0209] The aforementioned data analysis result may be terminal device granularity, service granularity, or area granularity, or may be 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 data analysis results actively transmitted by the NWDAF. For example, when the network slice load reaches a certain threshold, the NWDAF can actively transmit the data analysis results to the PCF. Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the PCF can further receive data analysis results transmitted by the NWDAF at the request of the PCF. For example, the PCF can send an analysis subscription request message (Nnwdaf_analyticsSubscription_subscribe) to the NWDAF, where the message is used to request data analysis results of a terminal device or a group of terminal devices. The NWDAF sends an analysis subscription notification message (Nnwdaf_analyticsSubscription_Notify), where 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, where the NWDAF sends an analysis response message (Nnwdaf_analyticsResponse), where the message can include the data analysis results of the terminal device.
[0211] The above-mentioned 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 device. 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 in the area, or filter information such as a time period may be added.
[0212] S310.PCF determines wireless access support information of the terminal device based on the data analysis result sent by the data analysis network element.
[0213] It should be understood that the wireless access assistance information may include wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device and a matching condition corresponding to the wireless access information. The wireless access assistance information may include a plurality of wireless access information corresponding to a terminal device, and the matching condition 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 of limitation, in the present application, the PCF may generate a RAT / Frequency Selection Priority (RFSP) index value based on the data analysis result 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 value of the RFSP index may range 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 the 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 the terminal device may preferentially select the E-UTRAN to camp on in this case. In another example, in the scenario, the access frequency of the terminal device correspondingly mapped from the RFSP index is 3.5 GHz, indicating that the terminal device may preferentially select the 3.5 GHz frequency to camp on in this case. In another scenario, if the RFSP index maps the access frequency of the terminal device corresponding to 2.6 GHz, it indicates that in this case the terminal device may preferentially select a frequency of 2.5 GHz 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: The PCF determines the service type used by the terminal device in different scenarios based on the analysis result of the service used by the terminal device. For example, the terminal device #1 has a cell ID of 6010003, and the execution start time of the voice service is 10:00 and the duration is 30 minutes. The probability that the terminal device executes the voice service at a time point in the statistical period is 0.8. In this case, the PCF determines that the service type used by the terminal device #1 at 10:00 in the cell 6010003 is a voice service based on the usage service analysis information. Similarly, the PCF determines the service type used by the terminal device #1 at another location or another time point based on the usage service analysis information. For example, the terminal device has the highest probability of using a virtual reality (VR) service at a certain time period. Or the PCF can determine the service type 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 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 result sent by the NWDAF can optimize the service experience of the service type. For example, in the statistical period, the terminal device #1 is in the cell 6010003 from 10:00 to 11:00, the probability of using the voice service is the highest, its service experience in the 4G network is 3.0, and the 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 of the terminal device #1 using the VR service is the highest between 14:00 and 15:00, its service experience in the 5G network is 3.0, and the service experience in the 4G network is 2.0. In this case, the PCF determines that the RFSP index corresponds to the highest priority of the 5G network when terminal device #1 is within cell 6010003 between 14:00 and 15:00.
[0218] In addition to the aforementioned two types of information, 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 state of the terminal device. For example, the PCF determines based on the analysis result of the service used by the terminal device of the terminal device #1 that the probability of the video service and the voice service occurring on the terminal device #1 is the same in a certain scenario, but the priority of the video service is higher than the priority of the voice service. In this case, the PCF may select the RAT / frequency that can provide the best experience of the video service based on the service experience analysis result of the video service. In another example, the PCF determines based on the aforementioned two data analysis results that the radio access technology of the terminal device #1 is RAT#1 (e.g., NR), but the network load of RAT#1 is already high and the user priority of the terminal device #1 is low. In this case, the PCF may decide to select RAT#2 (e.g., E-UTRAN) for the terminal device #1.
[0219] That is, the wireless access assistance information determined by the PCF includes a plurality of wireless access information corresponding to the terminal device under a plurality of 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 with information such as time information and location information of the terminal device. The wireless access assistance information can then be used by the AMF to determine 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 may correspond to different wireless access information, or terminal devices in different network areas may correspond to different network load statuses, and different local policies may 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 the 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 the granularity of a single terminal device or the granularity of a terminal device group. When the wireless access assistance information is 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 an interest area.
[0221] S320.PCF sends wireless access support information of the terminal device to AMF (an example of a second access and management network element). In response, AMF receives the wireless access support information.
[0222] By way of example and not of limitation, in a possible implementation, 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 a corresponding access and mobility policy (AM policy). The PCF sends the corresponding access and mobility policy according to the request of the AMF, and the wireless access support information of the terminal device is included.
[0223] In another possible implementation, this step may be performed in a process in which 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, based on the wireless access assistance information, wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.
[0225] It should be understood that the wireless access information to be used is the wireless access information that is likely to be used by the terminal device. Then, 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 the network load, the 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 may be represented by RFSP index in use information of the terminal device. For ease of understanding and description, the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device is RFSP index in use information, which is used as an example for description.
[0227] Alternatively, the AMF may further obtain subscribed RFSP index information of the terminal device from the UDM, and determine RFSP index in use information of the terminal device by referring to the subscribed RFSP index information, local policies, etc.
[0228] Specifically, the AMF may determine the wireless access information corresponding to the matching condition as the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the matching condition satisfied by the terminal device. For example, when the AMF determines that the matching information, such as the network location where the terminal device #1 is located, the type of service being performed or executed by the terminal device, and the current network load status, satisfies the matching condition 1 in the wireless access assistance information, the wireless access information corresponding to the matching condition 1 is that the RFSP index in use 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 performed or 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 voice service to video service, the AMF determines that the terminal device satisfies the matching condition 2 in the wireless access assistance information, and the wireless access information corresponding to the matching condition 2 is that the RFSP index in use is equal to 7. In this case, the AMF may 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 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). In response, the access network device receives the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.
[0230] Before the AMF transmits the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, the AMF may determine the matching condition currently satisfied by the terminal device. For example, if the AMF determines that the matching condition currently satisfied by the network location where the terminal device #1 is located, the type of service being performed, and the load status of the 5G network is 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 (RFSP index in use is equal to 8) to the access network device. It should be understood that when the matching condition satisfied by the terminal device #1 changes, the wireless access assistance information corresponding to the terminal device #1 also changes, and the wireless access information transmitted by the AMF to the access network device and used by the terminal device #1 also changes accordingly.
[0231] Alternatively, before the AMF transmits 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 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 terminal device previously transmitted. 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 signaling overhead is reduced.
[0232] Specifically, the AMF may send the RFSP index in use information of the terminal device to the access network device during the process of the AMF performing signaling interworking with the access network device. For example, when the terminal device enters a connected state from an idle mode, a signaling connection of the N2 interface is created between the access network device and the AMF. In this case, the AMF sends a terminal device initial context setup (NG-AP initial UE context setup) message 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 may send the RFSP index in use information to the access network device via the message. In another example, the terminal device is in a 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 terminal device context modification (NG-AP UE context modification) message 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 a corresponding RAT / frequency selection priority according to the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and executes a camping policy of the terminal device according to the determined RAT / frequency selection priority.
[0234] Specifically, the access network device can determine the corresponding RAT / frequency selection priority subscriber profile ID (SPID) based on the RFSP index in use information. For example, if the RFSP index in use is equal to 1, the gNB sets the 5G 2.6 GHz frequency as the highest priority. In another example, if the RFSP index in use is equal to 8, the access network device sets the 4G 800 MHz frequency as 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 that the terminal device accesses another RAT / frequency (target RAT / frequency). For example, if 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 sent by the AMF, the access network device determines that the terminal device continues to camp on the current RAT / frequency. Alternatively, if the access network device determines that the priority of the target RAT / frequency is higher than the RAT / frequency the terminal device is currently camped on based on the RFSP index in use information sent 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, the terminal device is in a connected state and the gNB determines that the priority of the target RAT / frequency is higher than the priority of the current RAT / frequency. In this case, the access network device triggers a handover procedure of the terminal device. The target RAT / frequency information is carried in a handover measurement message or a handover command sent by the access network device to the terminal device. Alternatively, the access network device triggers a redirection procedure of the terminal device, and the target RAT / frequency information is carried in a 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, the access network device can add information about the handover or redirection of the terminal device to the target RAT / frequency in a subsequent handover or redirection procedure triggered by the terminal device based on another reason.
[0237] In another possible implementation, if the terminal device is in an idle state, the access network device can wait for the terminal device to enter a connected state and perform the same method described above. Alternatively, the access network device actively pages the terminal device into a connected mode and performs the same method as the terminal device described above in a connected mode.
[0238] The S360.AMF transmits wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME (an example of a first access and management network element in the first network). In response, 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 through 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 through 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 context request message to the AMF. The AMF can send wireless access support information of the terminal device to the MME through a context response message.
[0241] The aforementioned mobility management process of the terminal device may be triggered by step S340b, which triggers the terminal device to access the target RAT / frequency, or may be triggered by another reason, for example, handover or redirection caused by a weak signal of the 5G network, which is not limited in this application.
[0242] According to the solution of the present application, the AMF sends 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 user experience. For example, if the MME determines that the current RAT with the highest priority corresponding to the terminal device is a 4G network based on the obtained wireless access assistance information, the "ping-pong" problem that occurs when the 5G terminal device is handed over to the 4G network is temporarily avoided, because in the prior art, the MME preferentially accesses the 5G network by default. In another example, when the location information of the terminal device, the service type information used by the terminal device changes thereafter, 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.MME determines wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access support information of the terminal device.
[0244] It should be understood that, similarly to the case of S220, the wireless access information to be used is the wireless access information that can be used by the terminal device. Then, 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 determining the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device based on the wireless access assistance information may be determining the wireless access information that the terminal device decides to use 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 a local policy.
[0246] By way of example and not of limitation, the MME may determine that matching information such as location information of the 4G network where the terminal device is located, the type of service being performed or to be performed by the terminal device, and the current 4G network load meets the matching condition. The MME determines that the wireless access information corresponding to the matching condition is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device. For example, the MME determines that at the current moment, the current location (TA) of the terminal device or the current 4G network load status meets the matching condition in the wireless access assistance information, and the wireless access information corresponding to the matching condition 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. Then, the MME sends the RFSP index in use information to an 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 terminal devices in a 5G network always have priority access to the 5G network, thereby improving user experience and saving network resources.
[0247] S380. The MME sends 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). In response, 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 condition currently satisfied by the terminal device. For example, if the matching condition currently satisfied by the network location where the terminal device #1 is located, the type of service being performed, and the load status of the 4G network is 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 the terminal device #1 is that the RFSP index in use is equal to 2, and transmits the used wireless access information (RFSP index in use is equal to 2) to the access network device. It should be understood that when the matching condition satisfied by the terminal device #1 changes, the wireless access assistance information corresponding to the terminal device #1 also changes, and the wireless access information transmitted by the MME to the access network device and used by the 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 terminal device that was last transmitted. 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 signaling overhead can be reduced.
[0250] Specifically, the MME sending the RFSP index in use information of the terminal device to the access network device may be the MME sending an initial context setup (S1-AP initial UE context setup) message of the terminal device to the eNB when the terminal device is in an idle state. The initial context setup message may include the RFSP index in use information. Alternatively, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the MME sends a 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 (e.g., MME) in the first network via the second access and management network element (e.g., AMF) in the second network, so that 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 allow the terminal device to access the first network when there is no wireless access assistance information of the terminal device, so that the terminal device can camp on a suitable mobile communication network, saving network resources and improving user experience.
[0252] Alternatively, the method may further include S390. The access network device in the first network determines a RAT / frequency selection priority according to the wireless access information sent 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 similar to those in S240, and the details are not described again here.
[0253] 5A and 5B are another exemplary flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication method provided in the present application is described in detail with reference to FIG. 5A and 5B. The sequence numbers of the following processes do not mean the execution sequence. The execution sequence of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be interpreted as any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application. In addition, it is possible that all operations in the following method embodiments do not need to be implemented.
[0254] Before S410, a policy control function (PCF) in the second network receives a data analysis result, which is generated by the data analysis network element and can be used to assist the PCF in setting wireless access assistance information for the terminal device.
[0255] The information contained in the data analysis result and the signaling interworking by which the PCF receives the data analysis result are similar to the previous step of S310, and the details will not be described again here.
[0256] S410.PCF determines wireless access support information of the terminal device based on the data analysis result. This step and the information included in the wireless access support information are the same as those in S310.
[0257] Alternatively, it should be noted that before and in S410, the UDM may further receive the data analysis result sent by the NWDAF, and determine the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device based on the data analysis result. In other words, before and in S410, the UDM may alternatively perform the same or similar function of determining the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device by the PCF in the embodiment of the present application. Alternatively, in the embodiment 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.PCF sends the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to a home subscriber server in the first network. In response, 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 an HSS in the 4G network. In addition, to implement the interoperability of the 4G network and the 5G network, the HSS and the UDM can be co-deployed. For ease of explanation, this value is represented by 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, the PCF may send context information of the terminal device to the UDM / HSS, where the context information includes wireless access support information. For example, the PCF can send the information to the UDM / HSS by calling a context management registration (Nudm_UEContextManagement_registration) service of the terminal device or by calling a context management update (Nudm_UEContextManagement_update) service of the terminal device.
[0261] In another possible implementation form, the PCF can send subscription data of the terminal device to the UDM / HSS, where the subscription data includes wireless access assistance information of the terminal device. For example, the PCF may send the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to a unified data repository (UDR) by calling a data management create (Nudr_DataManagementCreate) service or a data management update (Nudr_DataManagementUpdate) service. The UDM / HSS then 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 calling a data management query (Nudr_DataManagementQuery) service or a 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 calling a 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). In response, the AMF receives the wireless access assistance information.
[0263] In a possible implementation, when a terminal device accesses a 5G network to initiate a registration procedure or a location update procedure, the AMF sends a terminal device context registration request message (Nudm_UECM_Registration request) or a terminal device context acquisition request message (Nudm_UECM_Get request) to the UDM. The UDM may send wireless access assistance information to the AMF via a terminal device context registration response (Nudm_UECM_Registration response) message or a terminal device context acquisition response (Nudm_UECM_Get response) message. In this case, it should be understood that the procedure in which the UDM sends the terminal device's subscribed wireless access information to the AMF may not be affected. In other words, the UDM sends the terminal device's subscribed wireless access information and the wireless access assistance information determined by the PCF to the AMF.
[0264] In another possible implementation form, the AMF sends a subscription data request (Nudm_SDM_get request) message or a subscription request (Nudm_SDM_Subscribe request) message used to obtain subscription data of a terminal device in a 5G network to the UDM. The UDM can send 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 initially subscribed wireless access information of the terminal device to the wireless access assistance information determined by the PCF.
[0265] Alternatively, the method may further include S440. The AMF determines, based on the wireless access assistance information, wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device.
[0266] Alternatively, the method may further include S450. The AMF transmits the used wireless access information to the gNB (an example of an access network device in the second network). In response, the access network device receives the used wireless access information.
[0267] Alternatively, the method may further include S460 and S470. The access network device determines a RAT / frequency selection priority based on the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and executes a camping policy of the terminal device.
[0268] The foregoing steps are similar to those in S330, S340, and S350, and the details will not be described again here.
[0269] S480. The UDM / HSS sends wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME (an example of a first access and management network element in the first network). In response, the MME receives the wireless access assistance information.
[0270] Specifically, when a terminal device accesses a 4G network to initiate a registration procedure or a TAU procedure, the MME sends a UE location request message to the HSS. The message is used to report the location of the terminal device and obtain information such as subscription data of the terminal device in the 4G network. The HSS can send wireless access assistance information to the MME via a 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 wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device to an access network device (e.g., an eNB) in a first network. In response, 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 a RAT / frequency selection priority based on the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device, and executes a camping policy of the terminal device.
[0274] The specific execution process of S490 to S4110 is similar to that 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 alternatively transmit the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME in another manner. For example, when the PCF and the PCRF are co-deployed, the PCF / PCRF may alternatively transmit the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device to the MME in the 4G network via the PGW and the SGW. The specific transmission manner 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 condition) to the PGW via an IP-CAN session modification 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 sequence in the above embodiment. The execution sequence of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be construed as any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.
[0277] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above with reference to Figures 3, 5A, and 5B. The apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 6 to 10.
[0278] 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 embodiment of the method described above. For example, it may be a chip configured in an MME or the first access and management network element in a 4G network.
[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 perform the methods performed by the first access and management network element in the method 200 of Figure 3, the method 300 of Figures 4A and 4B, and the method 400 of Figures 5A and 5B. In addition, the units in the communication device 1500 and other operations and / or functions described above are used to implement the corresponding procedures of the method 200 of Figure 3, the method 300 of Figures 4A and 4B, and the method 400 of Figures 5A and 5B, respectively.
[0281] When the communication device 10 is configured to perform the method 200 of FIG. 3, the processing unit 11 may be configured to perform S220 of the method 200, and the transceiver unit 12 may be configured to perform S210 and S230 of the method 200. When the communication device 10 is configured to perform the method 300 of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the processing unit 11 may be configured to perform S370 of the method 300, and the transceiver unit 12 may be configured to perform S360 and S380 of the method 300. When the communication device 10 is configured to perform the method 400 of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the processing unit 11 may be configured to perform S490 of the method 400, and the transceiver unit 12 may be configured to perform S480 and S4110 of the method 400. It is further understood that the specific processes of the units performing the aforementioned corresponding steps have been described in detail in the embodiments of the aforementioned methods, and for the sake of brevity, will not be described in detail herein.
[0282] 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, a 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 embodiment of the above method. For example, the communication device 20 may be a chip configured in an AMF or a second access and management network element in a 5G network.
[0284] It should be understood that the communication device 20 may correspond to the second access and management network element in the method 300 and the method 400 according to the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 20 may include units configured to perform the methods performed by the second access and management network element in the method 300 of Figures 4A and 4B and the method 400 of Figures 5A and 5B. In addition, the units in the communication device 20 and other operations and / or functions described above are used to implement the corresponding procedures of the method 300 of Figures 4A and 4B and the method 400 of Figures 5A and 5B, respectively.
[0285] When the communication device 20 is configured to perform the method 300 of Figures 4A and 4B, the processing unit 21 may be configured to perform S330 of the method 300, and the transceiver unit 22 may be configured to perform S320, S340 and S360 of the method 300. When the communication device 20 is configured to perform the method 400 of Figures 5A and 5B, the processing unit 21 may be configured to perform S440 of the method 400, and the transceiver unit 22 may be configured to perform S430 and S450 of the method 400. It is further understood that the specific processes by which the units perform the aforementioned corresponding steps have been described in detail in the embodiments of the aforementioned method, and for the sake of brevity, the details will not be described herein.
[0286] 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 the policy control network element in the second network in the embodiment of the above method. For example, the communication device 30 may be a chip configured in a PCF or a policy control network element in a 5G network.
[0288] It should be understood that the communication device 30 may correspond to the policy control network element in the method 300 and the method 400 according to the embodiment of the present application. The communication device 30 may include units configured to perform the methods performed by the policy control network element in the method 300 of Figures 4A and 4B and the method 400 of Figures 5A and 5B. In addition, the units in the communication device 30 and other operations and / or functions described above are used to implement the corresponding procedures of the method 300 of Figures 4A and 4B and the method 400 of Figures 5A and 5B, respectively.
[0289] When the communication device 30 is configured to perform the method 300 of Figures 4A and 4B, the processing unit 31 may be configured to perform S310 of the method 300, and the transceiver unit 32 may be configured to perform S320 of the method 300. When the communication device 30 is configured to perform the method 400 of Figures 5A and 5B, the processing unit 31 may be configured to perform S410 of the method 400, and the transceiver unit 32 may be configured to perform S420 of the method 400. It is further understood that the specific processes by which the units perform the aforementioned corresponding steps have been described in detail in the embodiments of the aforementioned method, and for the sake of brevity, the details will not be described herein.
[0290] 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 the first network in the embodiment of the above-mentioned method, and may be, for example, an HSS in a 4G network, or may be a chip configured in the home subscriber server.
[0292] It should be understood that the communication device 40 may correspond to a home subscriber server HSS in the method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 40 may include units configured to perform the method 400 in Figures 5A and 5B, as well as the method performed by the HSS in the method 400 in Figures 5A and 5B. In addition, the units in the communication device 40 and other operations and / or functions described above may be used to implement the corresponding procedures of the method 400 in Figures 5A and 5B.
[0293] 5A and 5B, the processing unit 41 may be configured to perform S470 of the method 400, and the transceiver unit 42 may be configured to perform S420, S430, and S480 of the method 400. It is further understood that the specific processes by which the units perform the aforementioned corresponding steps have been described in detail in the embodiments of the aforementioned method, and for the sake of brevity, the details will not be 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 configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to control the transceiver 53 to transmit 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 program codes stored in the memory 52 to implement the aforementioned functions. During a particular implementation, the memory 52 may be further integrated into the processor 51 or may be independent from the processor 51. It should be understood that the processor 51 may also correspond to each processing unit in the aforementioned communication device, and the transceiver 53 may correspond to each receiving unit and each transmitting unit in the aforementioned 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 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 embodiment of the present application. The communication device 50 may include a unit used in the method performed by the first access and management network element in the method 200 of FIG. 3, a unit used in the method performed by the second access and management network element in the method 300 of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, a unit or method used in the method performed by the policy control function network element in the method 400 of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, and a unit of the method performed by the home subscriber server HSS in the method 400. In addition, the units in the communication device 50 and other operations and / or functions described above are used to implement the corresponding procedures of the method 200 of FIG. 3, the method 300 of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, and the method 400 of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, respectively. It should be further understood that the specific processes by which the units perform the above corresponding steps have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, the details will not be 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 aforementioned method can be implemented by using hardware integrated logic circuits in a 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 hardware and software modules in a processor. The software modules can be located 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 located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps in the aforementioned method in combination with the hardware of the processor. To avoid repetition, the details will not be described again here.
[0300] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip and have signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, the steps in the embodiments of the above-mentioned method may be implemented by hardware integrated logic circuits 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 perform 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, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed with reference to the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented through a hardware decoding processor, or may be implemented through a combination of hardware modules and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may be located in mature storage media in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps in the above-mentioned method in combination with the processor's hardware.
[0301] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method in any one of the embodiments shown in Figure 3, Figure 4A and Figure 4B, or Figure 5A and Figure 5B.
[0302] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores a program code. When the program code runs on a computer, the computer performs the method in any of the embodiments shown in Figure 3, Figure 4A and Figure 4B, or Figure 5A and Figure 5B.
[0303] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a system, which includes the above-mentioned apparatus or device.
[0304] As used herein, terms such as "component," "module," and "system" are used to indicate computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software being executed. For example, a component may 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 figure, both a computing device and an application running on a computing device may be a component. One or more components may camp on a process and / or thread of execution, and a component may be located on one computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. In addition, these components may execute from various computer-readable media that store various data structures. For example, a component may communicate via local and / or remote processes, for example, based on a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component in a local system, a distributed system, and / or data across a network such as the Internet interacting with other systems by using signals).
[0305] Those skilled in the art may recognize that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the units and algorithm steps may 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 and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but the implementation form should not be considered to go beyond the scope of this application.
[0306] For the sake of convenience and concise description, the detailed operation processes of the above-mentioned systems, devices and units may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to refer to the corresponding processes in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the details will not be described again here.
[0307] In some embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device, and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the described device embodiment is merely an example. For example, the division into units is merely a logical division of functions, and may be other divisions in actual implementation. 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 shown or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented by using some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections 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, and may be located 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 objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.
[0309] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, and 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 may be essentially implemented in the form of a software product, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution. 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 code, 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 above description is merely a specific implementation form of the present application, and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any variation or replacement that is easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]
[0312] 10. Communications Equipment 11 Transceiver unit 12 Processing Unit 20. Communications Equipment 21 Transceiver unit 22 Processing Unit 30 Communication Equipment 31 Transceiver unit 32 Processing Unit 40 Communication Equipment 41 Transceiver unit 42 Processing Unit 50 Communication equipment 51 Processors 52 Memory 53 Transceiver 110 User Equipment 120 (Wireless) Access Network 130 User Plane Network Elements 140 Data Network 150 Access and Management Network Elements 160 Session Management Network Elements 170 Policy Control Network Elements 180 Network Exposure Network Elements 190 Network Repository Network Elements 1100 Data Management Network Elements 1110 Application Network Elements 1120 Data Analysis Network Elements 1130 Network Slice Selection Network Element
Claims
1. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving wireless access assistance information from a fifth generation (5G) network by a first access and management network element in a fourth generation (4G) 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; sending, 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 4G network; Including, The step of receiving wireless access assistance information from a fifth generation (5G) network by a first access and management network element in a fourth generation (4G) network includes: In a mobility management process of the terminal device, receiving, by the first access and management network element, the wireless access assistance information of the terminal device sent by a second access and management network element in the 5G network. A method comprising:
2. 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 access 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 time information of the terminal device satisfies a first matching condition of the at least one matching condition; determining, by the first access and management network element, that wireless access information corresponding to the first matching condition is the wireless access information that needs to be used by the terminal device; 2. The method of claim 1, comprising:
3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one matching condition includes a matching condition corresponding to the 4G 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 4G network.
4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the matching condition corresponding to the 4G 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 4G network under the first time condition.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless access information includes a radio access technology (RAT) / frequency selection priority index.
6. 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 of claim 1 , further comprising:
7. 1. A communication method comprising: Obtaining wireless access assistance information of a terminal device by a second access and management network element in a fifth generation (5G) network, 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 fourth generation (4G) network; Including, The step of transmitting the wireless access assistance information by the second access and management network element to a first access and management network element in a fourth generation (4G) network includes: In a mobility management process of the terminal device, sending the wireless access assistance information by the second access and management network element to the first access and management network element. A method comprising:
8. The step of obtaining wireless access support information for a terminal device by a second access and management network element in a fifth generation (5G) network includes: obtaining, by the second access and management network element, the wireless access assistance information from a policy control function network element; or obtaining, by the second access and management network element, the wireless access assistance information from an integrated data management center network element; 8. The method of claim 7, comprising:
9. A communication device, comprising means for performing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
10. A communication device, comprising means for performing the steps of the method according to claim 7 or 8.
11. 7. A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
12. A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program being capable of causing a computer to carry out the method according to claim 7 or 8 when executed on the computer.
13. 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 6.
14. 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 claim 7 or 8.
15. 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 6; 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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