COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system. The method includes a terminal device that generates first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, and the terminal device transmits the first indication information to an access network device. In the present application, the first indication information is used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks including the first non-public network, and it is not possible to determine which of the plurality of non-public networks is the first non-public network using only the content of the first indication information. In this way, even if the first indication information is intercepted, it is not possible to determine the specific network to which the terminal device requests access. As a result, the user's identity is not exposed, and network usage security is improved.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to improve communication efficiency and reduce communication costs, the concept of network sharing has been proposed in recent years. Specifically, different network operators may share the same base station, and different network operators may build multiple different types of networks, such as public land mobile network (PLMN), stand-alone non-public network (SNPN), and non-standalone non-public network (closed access group, CAG), in the same cell of the same base station.

[0003] For a cell with network sharing, in the process of accessing a CAG network in a cell, a terminal device in idle mode needs to report the identity of the CAG network to a base station through a radio resource control (RRC) setup complete message, so that the base station can know the connection status between the CAG network and the terminal device (e.g., know the number of accessed terminal devices). The base station may determine whether to allow the new terminal device to access the CAG network based on the connection status, and may appropriately allocate resources to the terminal device in the CAG network based on the connection status.

[0004] However, the RRC setup complete message is not encrypted, so the identity of the CAG network reported by the terminal device may be intercepted, creating a security risk. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present application provides a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system for indicating to a base station a non-public network to be accessed by a terminal device in a secure and reliable manner.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a terminal device, or by a chip or circuit located in the terminal device, which is not limited in this application.

[0007] Specifically, the method includes a terminal device generating first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, and the terminal device transmitting the first indication information to an access network device.

[0008] In this application, the first instruction information is used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks including the first non-public network, and the content of the first instruction information alone cannot be used to determine which of the plurality of non-public networks is the first non-public network. In this way, even if the first instruction information is intercepted by a criminal, the criminal cannot determine the specific network to which the terminal device requests access, so that the user's identity is not exposed and the network usage security is improved.

[0009] Optionally, all of the multiple non-public networks may be non-standalone non-public networks.

[0010] Optionally, all of the multiple non-public networks may be stand-alone non-public networks.

[0011] Optionally, the plurality of non-public networks may include both non-standalone non-public networks and stand-alone non-public networks.

[0012] Optionally, multiple non-public networks may depend on the same public network.

[0013] Optionally, multiple non-public networks may depend on different public networks.

[0014] Optionally, the first indication information is transmitted in an RRC setup complete message.

[0015] Optionally, the first indication information may be transmitted in other signaling or may be transmitted separately, which is not limited in this application.

[0016] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0017] Optionally, before the terminal device generates the first indication information, the terminal device may first determine a plurality of non-public networks, and generate the first indication information based on the plurality of non-public networks. In addition to the first non-public network, the plurality of non-public networks further includes at least one other non-public network. Thus, the terminal device may first determine another non-public network from the plurality of non-public networks. The terminal device may randomly determine the other non-public network, which is not limited in the present application.

[0018] For example, a non-public network other than the first non-public network in the cell may be determined as another non-public network.

[0019] As another example, in a non-public network other than the first non-public network in the cell, a non-public network of the same type as the first non-public network may be determined as another non-public network.

[0020] As another example, in a non-public network other than the first non-public network in the cell, a non-public network that depends on the same public network as the first non-public network may be determined as another non-public network.

[0021] As another example, among non-public networks other than a first non-public network in a cell, a non-public network that is of the same type as the first non-public network and depends on the same public network as the first non-public network may be determined as another non-public network.

[0022] Optionally, the terminal device may receive a broadcast message in a cell and determine another non-public network other than the first non-public network from the multiple non-public networks based on a system information block (e.g., system information block 1 (SIB1)) in the broadcast message.

[0023] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the indication information of each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

[0024] Additionally, hybrid reporting may be used as an alternative, in which some of the non-public networks are indicated using non-public network identities and the remaining non-public networks are indicated using non-public network indexes, although this is not a limitation of the present application.

[0025] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, where the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network.

[0026] After receiving the first indication information, the access network device can determine a type of the non-public network according to the access indication information of the non-public network, and determine the first network according to the indication information of the first network. The access network device can determine the corresponding type of the non-public network from the first network as a plurality of non-public networks. In other words, the first indication information can indirectly indicate a plurality of non-public networks.

[0027] Optionally, the type of the first non-public network is a non-standalone non-public network, and the access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-standalone non-public network. All of the multiple non-public networks are non-standalone non-public networks dependent on the first network. After receiving the first indication information, the access network device determines all of the non-standalone non-public networks dependent on the first network in the cell as the multiple non-public networks.

[0028] Optionally, the type of the first non-public network is a standalone non-public network, and the access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a standalone non-public network. All of the multiple non-public networks are standalone non-public networks dependent on the first network. After receiving the first indication information, the access network device determines all of the standalone non-public networks dependent on the first network in the cell as the multiple non-public networks.

[0029] Optionally, the type of the first non-public network is a non-standalone non-public network or a standalone non-public network, the access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network (i.e., the network is merely indicated as a non-public network, and not specifically indicated as a non-standalone non-public network or a standalone non-public network), and the multiple non-public networks are all non-public networks dependent on the first network (including a standalone non-public network and a non-standalone non-public network). After receiving the first indication information, the access network device determines all of the non-public networks dependent on the first network in the cell as the multiple non-public networks.

[0030] Optionally, the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network (i.e., the network is simply indicated as a non-public network and not specifically indicated as a non-standalone non-public network or a stand-alone non-public network), and the first network indication information is used to determine the first network to which the terminal device requests access and the type of the non-public network within the first network. The access network device receives the first indication information and the first network indication information and determines the corresponding non-public networks dependent on the first network in the cell as a plurality of non-public networks.

[0031] Optionally, according to the protocol or system specification, the non-public network access indication information may be a string of a specific code, or may be a single bit of "0" or "1".

[0032] For example, a bit of "1" may be used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-standalone non-public network, and a bit of "0" may be used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a standalone non-public network. After receiving the non-public network access indication information, the access network device determines whether the network to which the terminal device requests access (i.e., the first non-public network) is a non-standalone non-public network or a standalone non-public network based on the value of the corresponding bit.

[0033] In addition, the access instruction information of the non-public network may alternatively be an implicit instruction, which is not limited in this application.

[0034] The first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, for example, the first network may be a public network.

[0035] Optionally, the indication information of the first network may include an identity or index of the first network.

[0036] Optionally, the first network indication information may include a non-public network identity other than the first non-public network in the first network in the cell. According to the provisions of the system or protocol, after receiving the non-public network identity, the access network device determines the first network based on the PLMN ID in the non-public network identity and automatically ignores the subsequent CAG ID or NID. The advantage of the above-mentioned configuration is that it can confuse criminals, and they will be shown a false non-public network identity, making them believe the falsehood to be true.

[0037] According to a second aspect, there is provided a communication method, which may be performed by an access network device, or by a chip or circuit located in the access network device, which is not a limitation of this application.

[0038] Specifically, the method includes an access network device receiving first indication information sent by a terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, the access network device determining second indication information based on the first indication information, the second indication information indicating the plurality of non-public networks, the access network device sending the second indication information to a core network device, the access network device receiving third indication information sent by the core network device, the third indication information indicating the first non-public network.

[0039] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0040] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the indication information of each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

[0041] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network, and the access network device determining the second indication information based on the first indication information includes the access network device determining the multiple non-public networks based on the non-public network access indication information and the first network indication information.

[0042] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second instruction information includes instruction information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0043] Optionally, the indication of each non-public network includes an identity or index of the non-public network.

[0044] Optionally, the content of the second indication information may be the same as the content of the first indication information, in which case the access network device may play a "forwarding" role.

[0045] Optionally, the content of the second instruction information may alternatively be different from the content of the first instruction information.

[0046] For example, the first instruction information may include an index of a plurality of non-public networks, while the second instruction information may include an identity of a plurality of non-public networks, which is not limited in this application.

[0047] Optionally, the second indication information may be transmitted in an initial terminal device message.

[0048] Optionally, the second indication information may be transmitted in other RRC signaling or may be sent separately, which is not limited in this application.

[0049] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be performed by a core network device, or may be performed by a chip or circuit disposed in the core network device, which is not limited in the present application. The method includes:

[0050] The core network device receives second indication information sent by the access network device, the second indication information indicating a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, the core network device determines the first non-public network based on the plurality of non-public networks and subscription information of the terminal device, and the core network device sends third indication information to the access network device, the third indication information indicating the first non-public network.

[0051] Specifically, the core network device may obtain subscription information of the terminal device, and based on the subscription information, the core network device may determine a particular network in the cell to which the terminal device is authenticated or to which the terminal device may access within the cell, including a public network, a non-standalone non-public network, a standalone non-public network, etc.

[0052] Generally, in the case of a cell having multiple non-public networks, a terminal device is typically authenticated in only one non-public network, i.e. in other words, a terminal device can typically access only one non-public network in the cell.

[0053] Thus, after obtaining the subscription information of the terminal device, the core network device determines, based on the subscription information, a specific non-public network among the multiple non-public networks indicated by the second indication information and to which the terminal device is authenticated. Then, the non-public network to which the terminal device is authenticated is determined to be the first non-public network and indicated to the access network device.

[0054] Optionally, third indication information is carried in the initial context setup request message.

[0055] Optionally, the third indication information may be transmitted in other RRC signaling or may be sent separately, which is not limited in this application.

[0056] Optionally, the third indication information includes an identity or index of the first non-public network.

[0057] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0058] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a generating unit configured to generate first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the communication device requests access; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the first indication information to an access network device.

[0059] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0060] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the indication information of each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

[0061] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, where the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the communication device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network.

[0062] According to a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive first indication information transmitted by a terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access; a determining unit configured to determine second indication information based on the first indication information, the second indication information indicating the plurality of non-public networks; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the second indication information to a core network device. The receiving unit is further configured to receive third indication information transmitted by the core network device, the third indication information indicating the first non-public network.

[0063] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0064] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the indication information of each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

[0065] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network, and the determination unit is further configured to determine the multiple non-public networks based on the non-public network access indication information and the first network indication information.

[0066] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the second instruction information includes instruction information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0067] According to a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive second indication information transmitted by an access network device, the second indication information indicating a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which a terminal device requests access; a determining unit configured to determine the first non-public network based on the plurality of non-public networks and subscription information of the terminal device; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit third indication information to the access network device, the third indication information indicating the first non-public network.

[0068] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the second indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0069] According to a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may be a terminal device or a chip in the terminal device. The device may include a processing unit and a transceiver unit. When the device is a terminal device, the processing unit may be a processor and the transceiver unit may be a transceiver. The terminal device may further include a storage unit, and the storage unit may be a memory. The storage unit is configured to store instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit, so that the terminal device performs the method in the first aspect. When the device is a chip in the terminal device, the processing unit may be a processor and the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, a pin, a circuit, etc. The processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit, so that the terminal device performs the method in the first aspect. The storage unit may be a storage unit in the chip (e.g., a register or a cache) or a storage unit in the terminal device and external to the chip (e.g., a read-only memory or a random access memory).

[0070] According to an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may be an access network device or a chip in the access network device. The device may include a processing unit and a transceiver unit. When the device is an access network device, the processing unit may be a processor and the transceiver unit may be a transceiver. The access network device may further include a storage unit, the storage unit may be a memory. The storage unit is configured to store instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit, such that the network device performs the method in the second aspect. When the device is a chip in the network device, the processing unit may be a processor and the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, pins, circuitry, etc. The processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit, such that the network device performs the method in the second aspect. The storage unit may be a storage unit in the chip (e.g., a register or cache) or a storage unit in the access network device but external to the chip (e.g., a read-only memory or a random access memory).

[0071] According to a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may be a core network device or a chip in the core network device. The device may include a processing unit and a transceiver unit. When the device is a core network device, the processing unit may be a processor and the transceiver unit may be a transceiver. The core network device may further include a storage unit, the storage unit may be a memory. The storage unit is configured to store instructions, and the processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit, such that the network device performs the method in the third aspect. When the device is a chip in the core network device, the processing unit may be a processor and the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, pins, circuitry, etc. The processing unit executes the instructions stored in the storage unit, such that the network device performs the method in the third aspect. The storage unit may be a storage unit in the chip (e.g., a register or cache) or a storage unit in the access network device and external to the chip (e.g., a read-only memory or a random access memory).

[0072] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a communications device, the communications device including at least one processor, coupled to a memory and configured to read and execute instructions in the memory, to perform any method of the first aspect.

[0073] Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory.

[0074] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a communications device, the communications device including at least one processor, coupled to a memory and configured to read and execute instructions in the memory, to implement any method of the second aspect.

[0075] Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory.

[0076] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a communications device, the communications device including at least one processor, coupled to a memory and configured to read and execute instructions in the memory, to implement any method of the third aspect.

[0077] Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory.

[0078] According to a thirteenth aspect there is provided a computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0079] It should be noted that the aforementioned computer program code may be stored completely or partially in the first storage medium. The first storage medium may be packaged together with the processor or packaged separately from the processor. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0080] According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium storing program code which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0081] According to a fifteenth 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 installed performs a method in the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0082] According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided a communication system, the communication system including at least one of the communication device provided in the fourth aspect, the communication device provided in the fifth aspect, and the communication device provided in the sixth aspect. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0083] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a switching relationship between three RRC modes according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart of a four-stage contention-based random access according to one embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart of an RRC connection setup procedure according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic flowchart of an example of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 4 is a schematic flowchart of another example of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9] 2 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10] A schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic block diagram of yet another example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] A schematic diagram of the structure of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0084] Hereinafter, the technical solutions of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0085] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a global system for mobile communications (GSM), a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, a LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5th generation (5G) communication system, or a future new radio access technology (NR).

[0086] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the communication system shown in FIG. 1 is first used as an example to describe in detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 to which a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is applicable. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 may include at least one access network device (e.g., the access network device 101 shown in FIG. 1) and at least one terminal device (e.g., the terminal device 102 shown in FIG. 1). The access network device 101 may perform wireless communication with the terminal device 102. Optionally, the communication system 100 may instead include more access network devices and / or more terminal devices. This is not limited in the present application.

[0087] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 provided in the present application further includes at least one core network device (e.g., the core network device 103 shown in FIG. 1). The core network device 103 may be communicatively connected (e.g., in a wired manner) to the access network device 101. Optionally, the communication system 100 may instead include more core network devices, which is not limited in the present application.

[0088] The access network device may include a device that communicates with wireless terminals over an air interface in an access network using one or more sectors. The access network system may be configured to convert received wireless frames to and from Internet Protocol (IP) packets and act as a router between the wireless terminals and the remainder of the access network. The remainder of the access network may include an IP network. The wireless access network system may further coordinate attribute management of the air interface. It should be understood that access network devices include, but are not limited to, an evolved Node B (eNB), a Radio Network Controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a Base Station Controller (BSC), a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a Home evolved Node B, or Home Node B, HNB), a BaseBand Unit (BBU), an access point (AP) of a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission and reception point (TRP, or transmission point, TP), and the like. An access network device, or a gNB or transmission point (TRP or TP) of a 5G system such as an NR system, may be one antenna panel or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station of the 5G system, or may be a network node such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU) that constitutes the gNB or transmission point.

[0089] In some arrangements, the gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may further include a radio unit (RU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU implements functions of a radio resource control (RRC) layer and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and the DU implements functions of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer. Information of the RRC layer is eventually converted to or from information of the PHY layer. Thus, in this architecture, higher layer signaling, such as RRC signaling, may be considered to be transmitted by the DU and transmitted by the DU and CU. It will be understood that the access network device may be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU may be classified as an access network device in a radio access network (RAN), or the CU may be classified as an access network device in a core network (CN), which is not limited herein.

[0090] The terminal device may be called user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile console, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver capability, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, an industrial control wireless terminal, a self-driving wireless terminal, a remote medical wireless terminal, a smart grid wireless terminal, a transportation safety wireless terminal, a smart city wireless terminal, a smart home wireless terminal, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the application scenario is not limited.

[0091] A core network device is a device in a core network (CN) that provides service support to a terminal device. The core network device in the embodiment of the present application may be configured to perform functions such as call connection, charging, mobility management, and auxiliary services. In a 5G system, the core network device may include, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, a session management function (SMF) entity, and a user plane function (UPF) entity. The embodiment of the present application mainly relates to communication with the AMF entity. Therefore, a brief description of the AMF entity is provided here. The AMF entity may be referred to as AMF for short, and is mainly used for mobility management, access management, etc., and may be configured to implement other functions other than session management in the mobility management entity (MME) function, such as a lawful interception function and an access authorization (or authentication) function. In the following, the AMF in 5G is used as an example of a network element used for mobility management and access management. This does not constitute a limitation of the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of replacing the AMF with another network element to implement the same or similar functions. Note that the entities in the embodiments of the present application may be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, the AMF entity may be referred to as an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity.

[0092] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, some technical concepts and communication procedures that may be used in the present application are first described with examples.

[0093] 1. Public Network A public network typically provides network services to terminal devices. A public network is a public land mobile network (PLMN) built and operated by a government or a government-approved operator to provide land mobile communication services to the public. The network is usually connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) to form a regional or national communication network.

[0094] Different PLMN identifications (IDs) may be used to distinguish between different PLMNs. A PLMN identity contains a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC). The MCC uniquely identifies the country to which a mobile subscriber belongs. For example, the MCC for China is 460. The MNC uniquely identifies the network in that country. For example, the MNC for China Mobile is 00 and the MNC for China Unicom is 01.

[0095] 2. Non-public networks In addition to the public network, operators or individual users further build some non-public networks (NPN) to meet user requirements. A non-public network, which may also be called a private network, is a network that is open to certain users, such as an internal network built by a company, school, or factory. A terminal device that is not subscribed to the non-public network is not allowed to access the non-public network. The non-public network is classified into a non-standalone non-public network and a stand-alone non-public network.

[0096] (1) Non-standalone, non-public networks The network resources (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, or spectrum resources) used by a non-standalone non-public network (NSA-NPN, or public network integrated non-public network, PNI-NPN) are part of the public network. A non-standalone non-public network may be considered to rely on or be based on a public network. A non-standalone non-public network is also called a closed access group (CAG). The identity of a non-standalone non-public network includes two parts: a PLMN ID and a CAG ID, and the PLMN ID of a non-standalone non-public network matches that of the public network on which the non-standalone non-public network relies. In the case of multiple non-standalone non-public networks relying on the same public network, each non-standalone non-public network has a unique CAG ID. In other words, multiple non-standalone non-public networks relying on the same public network can be distinguished only by the CAG ID.

[0097] For example, the identity of non-standalone non-public network #1 may be represented as PLMN #1 and CAG #1.

[0098] The identity of the non-standalone non-public network #2 may be expressed as PLMN #1 and CAG #2.

[0099] In other words, both non-standalone non-public network #1 and non-standalone non-public network #2 are non-public networks whose identities are established based on the public network of PLMN #1. In some cases, the two non-public networks may be distinguished only by CAG #1 and CAG #2.

[0100] According to the current communication protocol, since the CAG network uses the resources of the public network, handover and cell reselection may occur in the terminal device between the CAG network and the public network. Handover means that the terminal device in connected mode is disconnected from the current serving cell and connected to the target cell under the control of the base station. Cell reselection means that after the terminal device in idle mode / inactive mode camps on a cell, as the terminal device moves, the terminal device may need to camp on another cell with higher priority or better signal quality. This is the process of cell reselection.

[0101] (2) Standalone non-public networks A stand-alone non-public network (SNPN) is a non-public network that may not depend on the network functions of a public network. The identity of a stand-alone non-public network is also divided into two parts, the PLMN ID and the NID. For a stand-alone non-public network that depends on a public network, the PLMN ID of the stand-alone non-public network matches that of the public network on which the stand-alone non-public network depends. For a stand-alone non-public network that does not depend on a public network (e.g., may be deployed in an enterprise), the MCC of the PLMN ID of the stand-alone non-public network is 999. For multiple stand-alone non-public networks that depend on the same public network, each non-stand-alone non-public network has a unique NID. In other words, multiple stand-alone non-public networks that depend on the same public network can be distinguished only by the NID.

[0102] For example, the identity of a standalone non-public network #1 may be represented by PLMN #1 and NID #1.

[0103] The identity of the standalone non-public network #2 may be represented by PLMN #1 and NID #2.

[0104] The identity of the standalone non-public network #3 may be represented by PLMN #3 (MCC=999) and NID #1.

[0105] In other words, both the standalone non-public network #1 and the standalone non-public network #2 are non-public networks whose identities are established based on the public network of PLMN #1. In some cases, the two non-public networks may be distinguished only by NID #1 and NID #2.

[0106] In addition, the MCC of the PLMN ID of the standalone non-public network #3 is 999, which indicates that the standalone non-public network #3 is a standalone non-public network deployed by an enterprise or the like without the assistance of an operator.

[0107] In one possible manner, the standalone non-public network does not support handover or cell reselection of a terminal device between the standalone non-public network and any one of the public networks, the non-standalone non-public network, and another standalone non-public network. Specifically, a terminal device in connected mode cannot handover from a cell of the standalone non-public network to a cell of the public network, to a cell of the non-standalone non-public network, or to a cell of another standalone non-public network, and vice versa. A terminal device in idle / inactive mode cannot reselect from a cell of the standalone non-public network to a cell of the public network, and vice versa. It will be understood that in another possible implementation, the standalone non-public network may support handover and cell reselection of a terminal device between the standalone non-public network and any one of the public networks, the non-standalone non-public network, and another standalone non-public network.

[0108] 3.RRC mode In a 5G system, the RRC modes of a terminal device include an RRC connected mode (RRC_CONNECTED), an RRC inactive mode or a third RRC mode (RRC_INACTIVE), and an RRC idle mode (RRC_IDLE). Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the switching relationship between the three RRC modes.

[0109] When the terminal device is in the RRC connected mode, the terminal device has established links to both the base station and the core network, and when data arrives in the network, the data can be transmitted directly to the terminal device. When the terminal device is in the third RRC mode (or the RRC inactive mode), it indicates that the terminal device has established links to the base station and the core network, but the link from the terminal device to the base station is released. Even if the link is released, the base station stores the context of the terminal device. When data transmission is required, the base station can quickly restore the link. When the terminal device is in the RRC idle mode, there is no link between the terminal device and the base station or the core network. When data transmission is required, a link from the terminal device to the base station and the core network needs to be established.

[0110] 4. Random Access In a 5G system, the process of random access is typically required in the following cases: when a terminal device makes an initial access to switch from idle mode / inactive mode to connected mode; when an RRC connection is re-established after the radio connection is interrupted; when a terminal device needs to establish uplink synchronization with a target cell during handover; when the terminal device is in connected mode but uplink or downlink data arrives when the terminal device is not uplink synchronized, requiring the establishment of uplink synchronization by random access; when performing user positioning based on uplink measurements; and when applying uplink resources by random access when no dedicated scheduling request resources are allocated on the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH).

[0111] The types of random access include contention-based random access, non-contention random access, four-phase random access, two-phase random access, etc. Figure 3 is a flow chart of four-phase contention-based random access.

[0112] 110: Random access initialization is performed.

[0113] 120: The terminal device sends a random access preamble to the base station.

[0114] The random access preamble is transmitted in the first message (Msg1). The main function of the random access preamble is to inform the base station that there is a random access request, so that the base station can estimate the transmission delay between the base station and the terminal device. In this way, the base station can calibrate the uplink timing and inform the terminal device of the calibration information using the timing advance command.

[0115] 130: The terminal device receives a random access response (RAR) sent by the base station.

[0116] The RAR is transmitted in a second message (Msg2). After transmitting the preamble, the terminal device monitors the corresponding physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the RAR response window based on the random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) corresponding to the preamble. If the preamble transmitted in the response received by the terminal device matches the preamble transmitted in Msg1, the terminal device stops monitoring the RAR.

[0117] The RAR includes an uplink timing advance, an uplink grant (UL grant) allocated in the third message (Msg3), a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (temporary C-RNTI) allocated by the network side, etc.

[0118] 140: The end device transmits a message (ie, Msg3) to the network device based on a scheduled transmission.

[0119] The terminal device sends Msg3 to the base station based on the uplink grant and uplink timing advance information in Msg2, where the content of Msg3 may be different based on different terminal device conditions and different application scenarios.

[0120] Msg3 can be classified into types such as an RRC connection request, a tracking area data update, and a resource scheduling request.

[0121] 150: The terminal device receives a contention resolution, ie, a fourth message Msg4 sent by the network device.

[0122] A contention occurs when multiple terminal devices use the same preamble to initiate random access. Of the terminal devices competing for the same resource, only a maximum of one terminal device can successfully access. In this case, the base station sends a contention resolution message to the terminal device via a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). If the terminal device receives the contention resolution message sent by the base station to the terminal device, the random access process is considered to be successful.

[0123] 5. RRC Connection Setup Procedure To enter the connected mode, the terminal device in the idle mode needs to initiate the RRC connection setup procedure. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the RRC connection setup procedure. As shown in Figure 4, the RRC connection setup procedure includes the following three steps:

[0124] Step 210: The terminal device sends an RRC Setup Request message to the base station to request the base station to set up an RRC connection. The RRC Setup Request message carries information such as an identifier of the terminal device and a connection setup reason.

[0125] Optionally, the RRC setup request message may be the third message (Msg3) mentioned above.

[0126] Step 220: The base station sends an RRC Setup message to the terminal device. When the base station decides to agree to set up an RRC connection for the terminal device based on the RRC connection setup reason, system resource status, etc., the base station sends an RRC Setup message to the terminal device, and the RRC Setup message carries a set of configuration information.

[0127] Optionally, the RRC setup message may be the fourth message (Msg4) mentioned above.

[0128] Step 230: The terminal device sends an RRC Setup Complete message to the base station. After the terminal device performs configuration based on a set of configuration information and determines that the RRC connection is successfully set up, the terminal device sends an RRC Setup Complete message to the base station. In this way, the RRC connection setup procedure is completed, and the terminal device starts to send an attach message.

[0129] Alternatively, if in step 220 the base station determines that the RRC connection request cannot be set up at this time (e.g., due to insufficient resources), the base station may send an RRCReject message to the terminal device, which may indicate the reason for the RRC connection rejection.

[0130] 6. Read system information The base station broadcasts a master information block (MIB) to all terminal devices within the cell.

[0131] Based on the MIB (specifically, based on the scheduling information of the SIB), the terminal device may determine a specific time-frequency resource in which system information block 1 (SIB1) is searched. When SIB1 is found, the terminal device may determine information such as the PLMN ID and tracking area code (TAC) of the current cell. Optionally, the terminal device may further determine information such as the identity of the non-standalone non-public network of the cell and the identity of the standalone non-public network.

[0132] 7. Network Shares Different network operators may share the same network device. According to existing protocols, the network device is an access network device, i.e. a base station (e.g. gNB). Different network operators have different PLMN IDs. The networks built by such operators may be PLMN (public network), CAG (non-standalone non-public network), or SNPN (standalone non-public network). The SNPN may be deployed by an enterprise or other entity. In this case, the MCC of the PLMN ID of the SNPN is 999.

[0133] During network sharing, the base station cell may belong to different operators, i.e., it may serve users of different operators. According to existing protocols, one cell may be shared by the three types of networks mentioned above. In other words, multiple networks of different types may exist in the same cell. For example, one cell may have the following seven networks: Network #1: PLMN #1, Network #2: PLMN #1, and CAG #1, Network #3: PLMN #1, and CAG #2, Network #4: PLMN #2, and CAG #1, Network #5: PLMN #1, and NID #1, Network #6: PLMN #2, and NID #1, Network #7: PLMN #3 (MCC=999) and NID #1.

[0134] Of the seven different networks mentioned above, network #1 is a public network, network #2, network #3, and network #4 are non-standalone non-public networks, and network #5, network #6, and network #7 are stand-alone non-public networks.

[0135] Furthermore, Network #2, Network #3, and Network #5 are non-public networks whose identity is located (or built) in the public network of PLMN #1, i.e., they are non-public networks that depend on the public network PLMN #1. In other words, Network #2, Network #3, and Network #5 use the network resources of the public network PLMN #1.

[0136] Network #4 and Network #6 are non-public networks whose identity is located in the public network of PLMN #2, i.e., they are non-public networks that depend on the public network PLMN #2, in other words, they use the network resources of the public network PLMN #2.

[0137] The MCC of network #7 is 999, which indicates that network #7 does not use network resources of a public network. In other words, network #7 does not depend on a public network. For example, network #7 may be a non-public network deployed by an enterprise or the like.

[0138] [Table 1]

[0139] In a network sharing scenario, a terminal device may know that a cell is in a network sharing state by reading a system broadcast of the cell. For example, a terminal device in a cell may read SIB1, which includes the identity of a public network and the identity of a non-public network in the cell. Optionally, SIB1 may further include information such as an index of a public network and an index of a non-public network in the cell. It is understood that the terminal device may alternatively determine the index of a public network and a non-public network based on the position of the identity of the public network and the identity of the non-public network in the network identity list. In one example, Table 1 shows a network list of a cell, which is determined by the terminal device based on the network identity list of SIB1 broadcast by the cell, and the network list includes the seven networks mentioned above.

[0140] For a cell with network sharing, after an idle mode terminal device accesses a CAG network (e.g., network #2) in the cell, the terminal device needs to report the identity of the CAG network to the base station via an RRC setup complete message, so that the base station can know the connection status between the CAG network and the terminal device (e.g., know the number of accessed terminal devices). The base station may determine whether to allow the new terminal device to access the CAG network based on the connection status, and may appropriately allocate resources to the terminal device in the CAG network based on the connection status.

[0141] However, the RRC setup complete message is not encrypted. Therefore, the identity of the CAG network reported by the terminal device may be intercepted by criminals. Criminals may determine the identity of the user based on the intercepted CAG network identity (e.g., determine that the user is an employee of a company), and then intentionally perform further illegal activities such as monitoring and tracking. This results in a significant security risk and does not comply with the privacy requirements of non-public networks.

[0142] Based on the above problem, the present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus for indicating to a base station a non-public network to be accessed by a terminal device in a secure and reliable manner.

[0143] It will be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, a terminal device and / or a network device (e.g., an access network device and / or a core network device) may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These procedures or operations are merely examples. Other operations or variations of various operations may alternatively be performed in the embodiments of the present application. In addition, steps may be performed in an order different from that presented in the embodiments of the present application, and all operations in the embodiments of the present application may not be performed.

[0144] Hereinafter, a communication method in an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. An access network device in the embodiment may be the access network device 101 in Fig. 1, a terminal device in the embodiment may be the terminal device 102 in Fig. 1, and a core network device in the embodiment may be the core network device 103 in Fig. 1.

[0145] 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 300 according to the present application. The communication method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application is described below with reference to FIG 5. The method 300 includes the following steps:

[0146] Step 310: The terminal device generates first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, and the first non-public network is a network to which the terminal device requests access.

[0147] Step 320: The terminal device sends first indication information to the access network device.

[0148] Correspondingly, in step 320, the access network device receives first indication information sent by the terminal device.

[0149] Step 330: The access network device determines second indication information based on the first indication information, where the second indication information indicates a plurality of non-public networks.

[0150] Specifically, the method 300 provided in this embodiment of the present application may be applied to a network sharing scenario. The access network device may have multiple non-public networks simultaneously in one cell (represented by cell #A), and the types of the multiple non-public networks may include at least one of a standalone non-public network and a non-standalone non-public network. Optionally, cell #A may further include at least one public network.

[0151] In order to more simply and efficiently describe the technical solution of the present application, by way of example and not limitation, cell #A may include the nine networks listed in Table 2. Table 2 is a list of networks included in cell #A in a network sharing scenario.

[0152] From Table 2, it can be seen that cell #A is shared by nine networks, including two public networks, four non-standalone non-public networks, and three standalone non-public networks. The terminal device can determine an index corresponding to each network based on the position of the network's network identity in the network identity list.

[0153] Based on the network identity of each non-public network in Table 2, it can be seen that non-standalone non-public networks #1, #2, and #3 are all dependent on network PLMN #1, non-standalone non-public network #4 is dependent on network PLMN #2, standalone non-public network #1 is dependent on network PLMN #1, and standalone non-public networks #2 and #3 are dependent on network PLMN #2.

[0154] [Table 2]

[0155] The terminal device is a user in cell #A that camps on cell #A. When the terminal device requests access to a non-public network (e.g., a first non-public network), the terminal device needs to give instructions to the access network device.

[0156] The first non-public network is one of a plurality of non-public networks deployed by the access network device in cell #A. For example, the first non-public network may be any one of the seven non-public networks in Table 2. When requesting access to the first non-public network, the terminal device may generate and instruct the access network device to generate first indication information. Here, requesting access to the first non-public network may be understood as requesting the setup of an RRC connection to the first non-public network.

[0157] In this embodiment of the present application, the first instruction information is used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks including the first non-public network, and the content of the first instruction information alone cannot be used to determine which of the plurality of non-public networks is the first non-public network. In this way, even if the first instruction information is intercepted by a criminal, the criminal cannot determine the specific network that the terminal device requests to access, so that the user's identity is not exposed, and the network usage security is improved.

[0158] For example, the first non-public network may be the non-standalone non-public network #1 in Table 2, and the first instruction information may be used to indicate the non-standalone non-public networks #1, #2, and #3 in Table 2. In this way, even if the first instruction information is intercepted by a criminal, it cannot determine which of the non-standalone non-public networks #1, #2, and #3 is the network that the terminal device specifically requests to access. This protects the user's privacy and improves security.

[0159] In addition to the first non-public network, the multiple non-public networks further include at least one other non-public network. The types, number, etc. of the multiple non-public networks are not limited in this application.

[0160] Optionally, all of the multiple non-public networks may be non-standalone non-public networks.

[0161] Optionally, all of the multiple non-public networks may be stand-alone non-public networks.

[0162] Optionally, the plurality of non-public networks may include both non-standalone non-public networks and stand-alone non-public networks.

[0163] Optionally, multiple non-public networks may depend on the same public network.

[0164] Optionally, multiple non-public networks may depend on different public networks.

[0165] In step 310, the terminal device generates a first indication.

[0166] The manner in which the terminal device generates the first indication information is not limited in the present application. For example, the terminal device may generate the first indication information in at least one of the following manners:

[0167] Method 1: The terminal device generates first indication information based on a plurality of non-public networks.

[0168] Before the terminal device generates the first indication information, the terminal device may first determine a plurality of non-public networks, and generate the first indication information based on the plurality of non-public networks.

[0169] Specifically, in addition to the first non-public network, the multiple non-public networks further include at least one other non-public network. Therefore, the terminal device may first determine another non-public network from the multiple non-public networks. The terminal device may randomly determine the other non-public network, which is not limited in the present application.

[0170] Optionally, a non-public network other than the first non-public network in the cell #A may be determined as another non-public network. For example, when the first non-public network is a non-standalone non-public network #1, the terminal device may determine one or more of the non-standalone non-public networks #2, #3, and #4, and the standalone non-public networks #1, #2, and #3 as another non-public network.

[0171] Optionally, in the non-public networks other than the first non-public network in the cell #A, a non-public network of the same type as the first non-public network may be determined as another non-public network. For example, when the first non-public network is a non-standalone non-public network #1, the terminal device may determine one or more of the non-standalone non-public networks #2, #3, and #4 as the other non-public network.

[0172] Optionally, in the non-public networks other than the first non-public network in the cell #A, a non-public network that is dependent on the same network as the first non-public network may be determined as another non-public network. For example, when the first non-public network is a non-standalone non-public network #1, the first non-public network is dependent on the network PLMN #1. In this case, the terminal device may determine one or more of the non-standalone non-public networks #2 and #3, which are dependent on PLMN #1, and the standalone non-public network #1 as another non-public network.

[0173] Optionally, in the non-public networks other than the first non-public network in the cell #A, a non-public network that is of the same type as the first non-public network and is dependent on the same network as the first non-public network may be determined as another non-public network. For example, when the first non-public network is a non-standalone non-public network #1, the first non-public network is dependent on the network PLMN #1. In this case, the terminal device may determine one or more of the non-standalone non-public networks #2 and #3 that are dependent on the PLMN #1 as another non-public network.

[0174] As an example and not by way of limitation, a terminal device may receive a broadcast message in cell #A and determine another non-public network other than the first non-public network from a plurality of non-public networks based on a system information block (e.g., SIB1) in the broadcast message.

[0175] Specifically, the system information block in the broadcast message includes relevant information of each network included in cell #A (for example, the information in Table 2). The terminal device may obtain relevant information of another non-public network in cell #A based on the system information block, and then determine the other non-public network.

[0176] In method 1, the terminal device first determines a plurality of non-public networks, and then determines first indication information based on the plurality of non-public networks, based on which the terminal device can directly indicate the plurality of non-public networks.

[0177] Optionally, the first indication information may include indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0178] Optionally, the indication of each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network.

[0179] For example, the first non-public network may be non-standalone non-public network #1, and the other non-public networks are non-standalone non-public networks #2 and #3. In this case, the first indication information may include identities of three non-public networks, namely PLMN #1 and CAG #1, PLMN #1 and CAG #2, and PLMN #1 and CAG #3. Based on the identities of the three non-public networks, the access network device can determine that the three non-public networks indicated in the first indication information are non-standalone non-public networks #1, #2, and #3.

[0180] Additionally, assuming multiple non-public networks rely on the same network (i.e., the PLMN IDs of the non-public network identities are the same), the identity of only one network may be reported, which helps to reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted, which further helps to reduce signaling overhead.

[0181] Optionally, the indication information of each non-public network may include an index of the non-public network. After receiving the first indication information, the access network device can determine the multiple non-public networks based on the index in the first indication information.

[0182] For example, the first non-public network may be non-standalone non-public network #1, and the other non-public networks are non-standalone non-public networks #2 and #3. In this case, the first indication information may include indexes of three non-public networks, namely, 3, 4, and 5. The access network device may determine, in the corresponding network list based on the indexes, that the three non-public networks indicated in the first indication information are non-standalone non-public networks #1, #2, and #3.

[0183] Additionally, hybrid reporting may be used as an alternative, in which some of the non-public networks are indicated using non-public network identities and the remaining non-public networks are indicated using non-public network indexes, although this is not a limitation of the present application.

[0184] In step 320, the terminal device transmits first indication information to the access network device.

[0185] Optionally, the first indication information is transmitted in an RRC setup complete message.

[0186] Optionally, the first indication information may be transmitted in other signaling or may be transmitted separately, which is not limited in this application.

[0187] For method 1, in step 330, the access network device determining the second indication information based on the first indication information may be that after receiving the first indication information, the access network device reads the content of the first indication information, determines which non-public network is specifically the multiple non-public networks, and then generates the second indication information, where the second indication information includes indication information for each of the multiple non-public networks.

[0188] Optionally, the second indication information may include indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0189] Optionally, the indication of each non-public network includes an identity or index of the non-public network.

[0190] Optionally, the content of the second indication information may be the same as the content of the first indication information, in which case the access network device may play a "forwarding" role.

[0191] Optionally, the content of the second instruction information may alternatively be different from the content of the first instruction information.

[0192] Optionally, the first indication information and the second indication information may be transmitted using a non-access stratum (NAS). Specifically, the terminal device transparently transmits the indication information of the multiple non-public networks to the core network device through the access network device. In this case, the access network device does not recognize the content of the indication information.

[0193] For example, the first instruction information may include an index of a plurality of non-public networks, while the second instruction information may include an identity of a plurality of non-public networks, which is not limited in this application.

[0194] Method 2: The terminal device generates first indication information based on a first non-public network.

[0195] Specifically, the terminal device determines a type of a first non-public network, and determines access indication information of the non-public network based on the type of the first non-public network. The access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network (i.e., the first non-public network) to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network. Optionally, the access indication information of the non-public network may be further used to indicate the type of the non-public network to which the terminal device requests access. Furthermore, the terminal device determines that the network on which the first non-public network relies is a first network, and determines indication information of the first network based on the first network. The indication information of the first network is used to determine the first network, or to determine the type of the first network and the non-public network in the first network.

[0196] The first indication information includes access indication information of the non-public network and indication information of the first network. Optionally, the plurality of non-public networks are non-public networks dependent on the first network.

[0197] After receiving the first indication information, the access network device can determine that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network based on the access indication information of the non-public network, and can determine the first network on which the non-public network relies based on the indication information of the first network. Furthermore, the access network device can determine the non-public network in the first network, or the same kind of non-public networks in the first network as multiple non-public networks. In other words, the first indication information can indirectly indicate multiple non-public networks.

[0198] Optionally, the type of the first non-public network is a non-standalone non-public network, and the access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-standalone non-public network. After receiving the first indication information, the access network device determines all of the non-standalone non-public networks that depend on the first network in the cell #A as a plurality of non-public networks.

[0199] Optionally, the type of the first non-public network is a standalone non-public network, and the access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a standalone non-public network. After receiving the first indication information, the access network device determines all of the standalone non-public networks dependent on the first network in the cell #A as a plurality of non-public networks.

[0200] Optionally, the access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network (i.e., the network is merely indicated as a non-public network, and not specifically indicated as a non-standalone non-public network or a stand-alone non-public network), and the indication information of the first network is used to determine the first network. After receiving the first indication information, the access network device determines all of the non-public networks dependent on the first network in the cell #A as a plurality of non-public networks.

[0201] Optionally, the access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network (i.e., the network is simply indicated as a non-public network and not specifically indicated as a non-standalone non-public network or a stand-alone non-public network), and the indication information of the first network is used to determine the first network to which the terminal device requests access and the type of the non-public network within the first network. The access network device receives the first indication information and the indication information of the first network, and determines the corresponding non-public networks dependent on the first network in cell #A as multiple non-public networks.

[0202] Optionally, according to the protocol or system specification, the non-public network access indication information may be a string of a specific code, or may be a single bit of "0" or "1".

[0203] For example, a bit of "1" may be used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-standalone non-public network. Optionally, a bit of "0" may be used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a stand-alone non-public network. After receiving the non-public network access indication information, the access network device determines whether the network to which the terminal device requests access (i.e., the first non-public network) is a non-standalone non-public network or a stand-alone non-public network based on the value of the corresponding bit.

[0204] In addition, the access instruction information of the non-public network may alternatively be an implicit instruction, which is not limited in this application.

[0205] Optionally, whether the network to which the terminal device requests access (i.e., the first non-public network) is a non-public network may alternatively be indicated based on whether the first indication information includes access indication information for the non-public network.

[0206] The first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, for example, the first network may be a public network.

[0207] Optionally, the indication information of the first network may include an identity or index of the first network. Alternatively, the indication information of the first network may include an identity of the first network and an identity of any non-public network within the identity of the first network, or a corresponding index. Alternatively, the indication information of the first network may include an identity of the first network and an identity of a non-public network similar to the first non-public network, or a corresponding index.

[0208] Optionally, the first network indication information may include the identity of a non-public network other than the first non-public network in the first network in cell #A. According to the provisions of the system or protocol, after receiving the first network indication information, the access network device determines the first network based on the PLMN ID in the first network indication information and automatically ignores the subsequent CAG ID or NID. The advantage of the above-mentioned configuration is that it can confuse criminals, and they will be shown the wrong non-public network identity, making them believe the falsehood to be true.

[0209] In a specific example, the first non-public network may be a non-standalone non-public network #1, the identity of the first network that the first non-public network relies on is PLMN #1, and the indication information of the first network may include the identity of the non-public network PLMN #1 and the CAG #2 of the non-standalone non-public network #2, or the corresponding index 4. After receiving the indication information of the first network, the access network device determines that the first network is a network with the identity PLMN #1, and automatically ignores the subsequent CAG #2. Optionally, the access network device may further determine the type of the non-public network as a CAG.

[0210] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the "protocol" may be a standard protocol in the communication field, for example, may include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems, which is not limited in the present application.

[0211] For method 2, in step 330, the access network device determining the second indication information based on the first indication information may be that after receiving the first indication information, the access network device reads the content of the first indication information, determines which non-public network is specifically the multiple non-public networks, and then generates the second indication information, where the second indication information includes indication information for each of the multiple non-public networks.

[0212] For a related process in which the access network device determines a plurality of non-public networks based on the first indication information, please refer to the above description, and the details will not be repeated here.

[0213] Optionally, the second indication information may include indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0214] Optionally, the indication of each non-public network includes an identity or index of the non-public network.

[0215] Method 2 will now be described with reference to a specific example.

[0216] In one example, when the first non-public network is a non-standalone non-public network #1, the identity of the non-standalone non-public network #1 is PLMN #1 and CAG #1. The terminal device determines, based on the first non-public network, that the access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-standalone non-public network. The terminal device may further determine that the indication information of the first network may include the identity of the first network PLMN #1, or may include at least one of indexes 3, 4, and 5. After receiving the first indication information, the access network device determines second indication information. The second indication information may include the identities of all non-standalone non-public networks in the network whose identity is PLMN #1. In other words, PLMN #1 and non-standalone non-public networks #1, #2, and #3 may be held in the second indication information.

[0217] In another example, the first non-public network may be a non-standalone non-public network #4, whose identity is PLMN #2 and CAG #1. In this case, the terminal device learns by reading the network list of cell #A that the network with the identity of PLMN #2 has only one non-standalone non-public network and has two more standalone non-public networks. Therefore, the terminal device may determine based on the first non-public network that the access indication information of the non-public network is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network (i.e., the network is simply indicated as a non-public network and is not specifically indicated as a non-standalone non-public network or a standalone non-public network), and the indication information of the first network may include the identities of the standalone non-public network #2, PLMN #2 and NID #1. The multiple non-public networks are all non-public networks whose identities depend on the network of PLMN #2, namely, the non-standalone non-public network #4, and the standalone non-public networks #2 and #3. After receiving the first indication information, the access network device determines that the multiple non-public networks are all non-public networks in a network whose identity is PLMN #2, i.e., non-standalone non-public network #4, and standalone non-public networks #2 and #3.

[0218] In step 340, the access network device transmits a second indication to the core network device.

[0219] Correspondingly, in step 340, the core network device receives second indication information sent by the access network device.

[0220] In step 350, the core network device determines a first non-public network based on the plurality of non-public networks and subscription information of the terminal device.

[0221] Optionally, in step 360, the core network device sends third indication information to the access network device, the third indication information indicating the first non-public network.

[0222] Correspondingly, in step 360, the access network device receives third indication information sent by the core network device.

[0223] Specifically, referring to the above description, it can be seen that the access network device may determine the multiple non-public networks based on the first indication information, but the access network device cannot determine which of the multiple non-public networks is the first non-public network, i.e., cannot determine the specific network to which the terminal device requests access. In this case, the terminal device may send second indication information to the core network device, where the second indication information indicates the multiple non-public networks, and may be assisted by the core network device to determine which of the multiple non-public networks is the first non-public network.

[0224] Optionally, the second indication information may be transmitted in an initial terminal device message (initial UE message).

[0225] Optionally, the second indication information may be transmitted in other RRC signaling or may be sent separately, which is not limited in this application.

[0226] In step 350, the core network device determines a first non-public network based on the plurality of non-public networks indicated by the second indication information and subscription information of the terminal device.

[0227] Specifically, the core network device may obtain subscription information of the terminal device, and based on the subscription information, the core network device can determine a particular network in cell #A to which the terminal device is authenticated or to which the terminal device can access in cell #A, including a public network, a non-standalone non-public network, a standalone non-public network, etc.

[0228] Generally, in the case of a cell #A having multiple non-public networks, a terminal device is normally authenticated in only one non-public network, i.e. in other words, a terminal device can normally access only one non-public network in cell #A.

[0229] Thus, in step 350, after obtaining the subscription information of the terminal device, the core network device determines, based on the subscription information, a specific non-public network that is among the multiple non-public networks indicated by the second indication information and to which the terminal device is authenticated. The core network device may determine that the non-public network to which the terminal device is authenticated is a first non-public network, and indicate the non-public network to the access network device. Hereinafter, the aforementioned first non-public network determination process will be described based on a specific example.

[0230] In one example, the first non-public network may be non-standalone non-public network #1, and the multiple non-public networks may be non-standalone non-public networks #1, #2, and #3. Based on the subscription information of the terminal device, the terminal device may determine that among the three non-public networks, the terminal device is only authenticated with non-standalone non-public network #1. In this case, the core network device may determine the non-standalone non-public network #1 as the first non-public network and indicate the non-standalone non-public network #1 to the access network device.

[0231] The following uses an example to describe how a core network device obtains subscription information of a terminal device.

[0232] The core network device receives second indication information sent by the access network device. The second indication information includes an identifier of the terminal device. For example, the identifier may be a 5Gs-temporary mobile subscriber identity (5G-S-TMSI). The terminal device determines an identity of the terminal device based on the identifier and identifies an international mobile subscriber identity (ISMI) of the terminal device. The core network device may obtain subscription information of the terminal device from a home subscriber server (HSS) based on the ISMI.

[0233] Optionally, the core network device may be an access and mobility management function AMF entity. Alternatively, the core network device may be any other entity or network element capable of realizing the corresponding function, which is not limited in this application.

[0234] In step 360, the core network device sends third indication information to the access network device, the third indication information indicating the first non-public network.

[0235] After receiving the third indication information, the access network device determines the non-public network indicated by the third indication information as the non-public network to which the terminal device requests access. In other words, the access network device determines that the network to which the terminal device requests access is the first non-public network. The access network device may further determine a connection status between the first non-public network and the terminal device (e.g., determine the number of terminal devices accessing). The access network device may determine whether to allow the new terminal device to access the first non-public network based on the connection status, and may appropriately allocate resources to the terminal device in the first non-public network based on the connection status.

[0236] In step 360, the core network device sends third instruction information to the access network device, where the third instruction information indicates the first non-public network. Since data transmission between the core network device and the access network device is more secure and reliable (e.g., the transmission is performed in a wired manner), criminals cannot know the specific network to which the terminal device truly needs access. Thus, the user's privacy is protected and the network usage security is improved.

[0237] Optionally, the third indication information is carried in the initial context setup request message.

[0238] Optionally, the third indication information may be transmitted in other RRC signaling or may be sent separately, which is not limited in this application.

[0239] Optionally, the third indication information includes an identity or index of the first non-public network.

[0240] In rare cases, in a cell #A having multiple non-public networks, a terminal device may be authenticated to more than one non-public network. The core network device may erroneously consider a non-public network other than the first non-public network (denoted as a second non-public network) as a network to which the terminal device requests access, and may indicate the non-public network to the access network device. In this case, the access network device also erroneously determines the second non-public network as the non-public network to which the terminal device requests access. In this case, after the terminal device enters a connected mode and transmits encrypted data, the terminal device may communicate with the access network device using a message such as a terminal device configuration, and the terminal device may inform the access network device and the core network device of the indication information of the first non-public network. Alternatively, the terminal device may leave the first non-public network and set up a connection to the second non-public network.

[0241] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 according to the present application. The embodiment shown in Figure 6 may be considered as a variation of the embodiment shown in Figure 5. The communication method 400 provided in this embodiment of the present application is described below with reference to Figure 6. The method 400 includes the following steps:

[0242] Step 410: The terminal device generates first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, where the plurality of non-public networks includes a first non-public network, and the first non-public network is a network to which the terminal device requests access.

[0243] Step 420: The terminal device sends first indication information to the access network device.

[0244] Correspondingly, in step 420, the access network device receives first indication information sent by the terminal device.

[0245] Step 430: The access network device determines a plurality of non-public networks based on the first indication information.

[0246] Step 440: The access network device sends request information for subscription information of the terminal device to the core network device.

[0247] In response, in step 440, the core network device receives request information for subscription information sent by the access network device.

[0248] Step 450: The core network device sends response information about the subscription information of the terminal device to the access network device.

[0249] In response, in step 450, the access network device receives response information sent by the core network device to the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0250] In step 460, the access network device determines, based on the plurality of non-public networks and the subscription information of the terminal device, that a first non-public network is a network to which the terminal device requests access.

[0251] The above steps 410, 420, and 430 can be understood with reference to steps 310, 320, and 330 of method 300, where differences are explained.

[0252] In this embodiment of the present application, the difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is mainly that in the previously described embodiment, the core network device determines the first non-public network and then transmits the first non-public network to the access network device. However, in this embodiment, the access network device determines the first non-public network. In the previously described embodiment, the core network device can recognize the first non-public network. However, in this embodiment, the core network device cannot recognize the first non-public network.

[0253] Specifically, in this embodiment of the present application, the access network device sends request information for subscription information of the terminal device to the core network device to request the subscription information of the terminal device. After receiving the request information, the core network device sends the subscription information to the access network device. The access network device autonomously determines a first non-public network.

[0254] Optionally, the request information for subscription information of the terminal device may be transmitted in an initial terminal device message.

[0255] Optionally, answer information about the subscription information of the terminal device may be transmitted in the initial context setup request message.

[0256] Optionally, there is no logical order relationship between step 430 and the combination of step 440 and step 450. Therefore, the order relationship between step 430 and the combination of step 440 and step 450 is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0257] For example, step 430 may be performed before step 440.

[0258] As another example, step 430 may be performed between steps 440 and 450.

[0259] As another example, step 430 may be performed after step 450.

[0260] As another example, step 430 may be performed in conjunction with step 440 or step 450.

[0261] In step 460, the access network device determines, based on the plurality of non-public networks and the subscription information of the terminal device, that the first non-public network is the non-public network to which the terminal device requests access. Step 460 can be understood with reference to steps 350 and 360 of method 300, and will not be described in detail again here.

[0262] The above describes in detail the communication method in the embodiment of the present application with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Hereinafter, the apparatus of the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 to 12. It should be understood that the apparatus shown in Figures 7 to 12 can implement one or more steps of the method procedure shown in Figure 5 or Figure 6. To avoid repetition, the details will not be described again here.

[0263] 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the device 500 includes a generating unit 510 and a sending unit 520.

[0264] The generating unit 510 is configured to generate first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, where the plurality of non-public networks includes a first non-public network, where the first non-public network is a network to which the communication device requests access.

[0265] The sending unit 520 is configured to send the first indication information to the access network device.

[0266] Optionally, the first indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0267] Optionally, the indication of each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

[0268] Optionally, the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, where the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the communication device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network.

[0269] Specifically, the communication device 500 may correspond to the terminal device of the communication method 300 or 400 according to the embodiment of the present application, or a chip disposed in the terminal device. The communication device 500 may include a unit configured to perform the method performed by the terminal device in the communication method 300 of FIG. 5 or the communication method 400 of FIG. 6. Furthermore, the units in the communication device 500 and other operations and / or functions described above are used separately to implement the corresponding procedures of the communication method 300 of FIG. 5 or the communication method 400 of FIG. 6. The specific processes for the units to perform the corresponding steps described above are described in detail in the method 300 and the method 400. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again here.

[0270] The communication device 500 may be an intelligent terminal, a wearable device, etc., and the transmitting unit 520 may be a transceiver or a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the transceiver may alternatively be an input / output circuit or an input / output interface.

[0271] The communication device 500 may alternatively be a chip, and the sending unit 520 may be an input / output circuit or an interface of the chip.

[0272] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus 500 may be a terminal device 50. The function of the generating unit 510 may be implemented by a processor 502 of the terminal device 50, and the function of the transmitting unit 520 may be implemented using a transceiver 501 (i.e., a combination of a control circuit and an antenna) of the terminal device. In the following, the structure of the terminal device of one embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0273] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. The terminal device is applicable to the system shown in FIG. 1 and performs the functions of the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments. For ease of explanation, FIG. 8 only shows the main components of the terminal device. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 50 includes a processor, a memory, a control circuit, an antenna, and an input / output device. The processor is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire terminal device, execute software programs, process data of the software programs, and is configured to support the terminal device in performing the operations described in the aforementioned method embodiments, for example. The memory is mainly configured to store software programs and data. The control circuit is mainly configured to convert between baseband signals and radio frequency signals, and process radio frequency signals. The combination of the control circuit and the antenna may be referred to as a transceiver, which is mainly configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input / output device, such as a touch screen, a display, or a keyboard, is mainly configured to receive data input by a user and output data to the user.

[0274] After the terminal device is powered on, the processor can read the software program in the memory, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, and then outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. After performing radio frequency processing on the baseband signal, the radio frequency circuit transmits the radio frequency signal in the form of electromagnetic waves through an antenna. When data is transmitted to the terminal device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor, and the processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0275] Those skilled in the art can understand that for ease of explanation, FIG. 8 shows only one memory and one processor. In an actual terminal device, there may be multiple processors and multiple memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium, a storage device, etc. The memory may be a storage element located on the same chip as the processor, i.e., an on-chip storage element, or an independent storage element. This is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

[0276] In an optional implementation, the terminal device may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit. The baseband processor is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processing unit is mainly configured to control the entire terminal device, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs. The functions of the baseband processor and the central processing unit may be integrated into the processor in FIG. 8. Those skilled in the art can understand that the baseband processor and the central processing unit may be independent processors, and are interconnected using a technology such as a bus. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terminal device may include multiple baseband processors to accommodate different network standards, that the terminal device may include multiple central processing units to improve the processing capabilities of the terminal device, and that the components of the terminal device may be connected via various buses. The baseband processor may be expressed as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processing unit may be expressed as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing the communication protocol and the communication data may be incorporated in the processor or may be stored in the memory in the form of a software program. The processor executes the software program to implement the baseband processing function.

[0277] In this embodiment of the present application, the control circuitry and antenna having transceiver capabilities may be regarded as the transceiver unit 501 of the terminal device 50. For example, the transceiver unit 501 is configured to support the terminal device in performing receiving and transmitting functions. The processor 502 having processing capabilities is regarded as the processing unit 502 of the terminal device 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 50 includes a transceiver unit 501 and a processing unit 502. The transceiver unit may also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. In some cases, a component configured to implement a receiving function in the transceiver unit 501 may be regarded as a receiving unit, and a component configured to implement a transmitting function in the transceiver unit 501 may be regarded as a transmitting unit. In other words, the transceiver unit 501 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, an input port, a receiving circuit, etc. The transmitting unit may also be referred to as a transmitting device, a transmitter, a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0278] The processor 502 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory and control the transceiver unit 501 to receive signals and / or transmit signals to complete the functions of the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The processor 502 further comprises an interface configured to perform signal input / output functions. In one embodiment, the functions of the transceiver unit 501 may be implemented using a transceiver circuit or a dedicated transceiver chip.

[0279] 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the device 600 includes a receiving unit 610, a determining unit 620, and a sending unit 630.

[0280] The receiving unit 610 is configured to receive first indication information sent by the terminal device, the first indication information is used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, and the first non-public network is a network to which the terminal device requests access.

[0281] The determining unit 620 is configured to determine second indication information based on the first indication information, where the second indication information indicates a plurality of non-public networks.

[0282] The sending unit 630 is configured to send second indication information to the core network device.

[0283] The receiving unit 610 is further configured to receive third indication information sent by the core network device, where the third indication information indicates the first non-public network.

[0284] Optionally, the first indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0285] Optionally, the indication information for each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

[0286] Optionally, the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks dependent on the first network, and the determining unit 620 is further configured to determine the multiple non-public networks based on the non-public network access indication information and the first network indication information.

[0287] Optionally, the second indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0288] Specifically, the communication device 600 may correspond to an access network device of the communication method 300 or 400 according to an embodiment of the present application, or a chip disposed in the access network device. The communication device 600 may include a unit configured to perform a method performed by an access network device in the communication method 300 of FIG. 5 or the communication method 400 of FIG. 6. Furthermore, the units in the communication device 600 and other operations and / or functions described above are used separately to implement the corresponding procedures of the communication method 300 of FIG. 5 or the communication method 400 of FIG. 6. The specific processes by which the units perform the corresponding steps described above are described in detail in the method 300 and the method 400. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again here.

[0289] In a possible implementation, the communication device 600 may be a base station, a gNB, a TRP, a DU, a CU, a CU-CP (control plane), a CU-UP (user plane), etc. The receiving unit 610 and the transmitting unit 630 may be a transceiver or a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the transceiver may be an input / output circuit or an input / output interface.

[0290] The communication device 600 may alternatively be a chip, and the receiving unit 610 and the transmitting unit 630 may be input / output circuits or interfaces of the chip.

[0291] In a possible implementation, the communication device 600 may be an access network device, such as a base station 60 described below. The function of the determining unit 620 may be implemented using a processor 6022 of the base station, and the functions of the receiving unit 610 and the transmitting unit 630 may be implemented using an RRU 601 of the base station 60. In the following, the structure of the network device of one embodiment of the present application is described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0292] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application, which may be, for example, a schematic diagram of the structure of a base station. As shown in FIG. 10, the base station may be used in the system shown in FIG. 1 to perform the functions of the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiment. The base station 60 may include one or more radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU) 601, and one or more baseband units (BBUs) 602 (which may also be referred to as digital units, DUs). The RRU 601 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, transceiver, etc., and may include at least one antenna 6011 and a radio frequency unit 6012. The RRU 601 is mainly configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals and perform conversion between radio frequency signals and baseband signals, for example, configured to transmit signaling messages in the aforementioned embodiment to terminal devices. The BBU 602 is mainly configured to perform baseband processing, control the base station, etc. The RRU 601 and the BBU 602 may be physically co-located or may be physically separated, i.e., located in distributed base stations.

[0293] The BBU 602 is the control center of the base station, and may also be called a processing unit, and is mainly configured to implement baseband processing functions such as channel coding, multiplexing, modulation, or spectrum spreading, etc. For example, the BBU (processing unit) 602 may be configured to control the base station to execute the operation procedures of the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0294] In one example, the BBU 602 may include one or more boards. The multiple boards may jointly support a radio access network of a single access standard (such as an LTE network) or individually support radio access networks of different access plans (such as an LTE network, a 5G network, or another network). The BBU 602 further includes a memory 6021 and a processor 6022, where the memory 6021 is configured to store necessary instructions and data. For example, the memory 6021 stores the correspondence between the codebook index and the precoding matrix in the above-mentioned embodiment. The processor 6022 is configured to control the base station to perform necessary operations, for example, to control the base station to perform the operation procedure of the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The memory 6021 and the processor 6022 may provide services to one or more boards. Specifically, the memory and the processor may be provided on each board. Alternatively, the multiple boards may share the same memory and processor. In addition, necessary circuits may be further disposed on each board.

[0295] 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11, the device 700 includes a receiving unit 710, a determining unit 720, and a sending unit 730.

[0296] The receiving unit 710 is configured to receive second indication information sent by the access network device, the second indication information indicating a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access.

[0297] The determining unit 720 is configured to determine a first non-public network based on the plurality of non-public networks and subscription information of the terminal device.

[0298] The sending unit 730 is configured to send third indication information to the access network device, where the third indication information indicates the first non-public network.

[0299] Optionally, the second indication information includes indication information for each of a plurality of non-public networks.

[0300] Optionally, the third indication information includes an identity or index of the first non-public network.

[0301] Specifically, the communication apparatus 700 may correspond to a core network device or a chip disposed in the core network device of the communication method 300 or 400 according to the embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 700 may include a unit configured to perform a method performed by the core network device in the communication method 300 of FIG. 5 or the communication method 400 of FIG. 6. Furthermore, the units in the communication apparatus 700 and other operations and / or functions described above are used separately to implement the corresponding procedures of the communication method 300 of FIG. 5 or the communication method 400 of FIG. 6. The specific processes by which the units perform the corresponding steps described above are described in detail in the method 300 and the method 400. For the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again here.

[0302] In a possible implementation, the communication device 700 may be a core network device such as an AMF entity, and the receiving unit 710 and the transmitting unit 730 may be a transceiver or a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the transceiver may be an input / output circuit or an input / output interface.

[0303] The communication device 700 may alternatively be a chip, and the receiving unit 710 and the transmitting unit 730 may be input / output circuits or interfaces of the chip.

[0304] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus 700 may be a core network device, such as the core network device 80 described below. The functions of the determining unit 820 may be implemented using a processor 801 of the core network device 80, and the functions of the receiving unit 710 and the sending unit 730 may be implemented using a transceiver 802 of the core network device 80. In the following, the structure of the core network device of one embodiment of the present application is described with reference to Fig. 12 .

[0305] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, the core network device 80 includes a processor 801 and a transceiver 802. Optionally, the core network device 80 further includes a memory 803. The processor 801, the transceiver 802, and the memory 803 communicate with each other via an internal connection path to transfer control signals and / or data signals. The memory 803 is configured to store a computer program. The processor 801 is configured to call the computer program from the memory 803, execute the computer program, and control the transceiver 802 to transmit and receive signals.

[0306] The processor 801 and the memory 803 may be integrated into one processing unit. The processor 801 is configured to execute program codes stored in the memory 803 to implement the above-mentioned functions. During certain implementations, the memory 803 may alternatively be integrated into the processor 801 or may be separate from the processor 801.

[0307] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The processor may alternatively be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0308] It should be further understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be volatile or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) may be used, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (DR RAM).

[0309] 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, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0310] 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 is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6.

[0311] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a system including the aforementioned one or more terminal devices, one or more access network devices, and one or more core network devices.

[0312] All or part of the above embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the embodiments, all or part of the above embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded into a computer and executed, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or may be transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, or microwave) manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or data center, incorporating one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium may be a solid-state drive.

[0313] For ease of understanding, the following describes the terms used in the process of describing the solution of the present application.

[0314] In the embodiment of the present application, the "indication" may include direct indication and indirect indication, or may include explicit indication and implicit indication. Information indicated using one piece of information (e.g., the indication information described above) is called referent information. In a specific implementation process, the referent information may be indicated in multiple ways, for example, but not limited to, a way of directly indicating the referent information, for example, by directly indicating the referent information or an index of the referent information. Alternatively, the referent information may be indicated indirectly by indicating other information, and there is an association relationship between the other information and the referent information. Alternatively, only a part of the information to be indicated may be indicated, and the other part of the information to be indicated is known or pre-agreed. For example, the specific information may alternatively be indicated using a pre-agreed arrangement sequence of multiple pieces of information (e.g., specified in a protocol) to reduce indication overhead to some extent.

[0315] In the embodiments of the present application, terms and English acronyms such as public network (PLMN), non-standalone non-public network (CAG), standalone non-public network (SNPN), radio resource control (RRC), and system information block (SIB) are all examples provided for ease of explanation and do not constitute limitations on the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms that may implement the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0316] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", "third" and various numerical values ​​are used merely for distinction purposes for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, for example, these terms are used to distinguish different instruction information or messages.

[0317] In the embodiment of the present application, the "communication protocol" may be a standard protocol in the communication field, for example, may include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems, which is not limited in the present application.

[0318] The term "and / or" in this specification describes only a relational relationship to describe related objects, and indicates that three relations may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. In addition, the symbol " / " in this specification generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects.

[0319] In this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. The term "at least one of the following items" or similar expressions refer to any combination of items, including any combination of single items or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can refer to a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0320] The sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the execution order in various embodiments of the present application. The execution order of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes, and should not be construed as limiting the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0321] Those skilled in the art can realize that in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the steps of the units and algorithms can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functions using different methods for each specific application, but the implementation form should not be considered to go beyond the scope of this application.

[0322] It is clearly understood by those skilled in the art that for the purpose of convenience, detailed operation processes of the above-mentioned systems, devices and units can be referred to corresponding processes in the method embodiments, and the details will not be repeated here.

[0323] In some embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device, and method can 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. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the shown or described mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be implemented through some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0324] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separated, and the parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, and may be located in one location or distributed across 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.

[0325] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each of these units may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0326] When a 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 a part of the technical solution may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes some instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc.) to execute 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.

[0327] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any variations or replacements that are easily conceived by those 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]

[0328] 50 Terminal Devices 60 base station 80 Core Network Devices 100 Communication Systems 101 Access Network Devices 102 Terminal Devices 103 Core Network Devices 300 Communication Method 400 Communication Method 500 Communication Equipment 501 Transmitter / Receiver Unit 502 processor, processing unit 510 Generator Unit 520 Transmitter Unit 600 Communication Equipment 601 Remote Radio Unit (RRU) 602 Baseband Unit (BBU) 610 Receiver Unit 620 Decision Unit 630 Transmitter Unit 700 Communication Equipment 710 Receiver Unit 720 Decision Unit 730 Sending Unit 801 Processor 802 Transceiver 803 Memory 820 Decision Unit 6011 Antenna 6012 Radio Frequency Unit 6021 Memory 6022 Processor

Claims

1. generating, by a terminal device, first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network and a second non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, and the second non-public network being a network to which the terminal device does not request access; sending, by the terminal device, the first indication information to an access network device; obtaining, by the access network device, information indicative of the first non-public network based on the first indication information; A communication method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first indication information includes indication information for each of the plurality of non-public networks.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the indication information for each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network.

5. receiving, by an access network device, first indication information sent by a terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network and a second non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, and the second non-public network being a network to which the terminal device does not request access; determining, by the access network device, second indication information based on the first indication information, the second indication information indicating the plurality of non-public networks; sending, by the access network device, the second indication information to a core network device; receiving, by the access network device, third indication information sent by the core network device, the third indication information indicating the first non-public network; A communication method comprising:

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first indication information includes indication information for each of the plurality of non-public networks.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the indication information for each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

8. The first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network; The step of determining, by the access network device, second indication information based on the first indication information, comprises:

6. The method of claim 5, comprising determining, by the access network device, the plurality of non-public networks based on access indication information of the non-public network and the indication information of the first network.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second instruction information includes the instruction information for each of the plurality of non-public networks.

10. A terminal device, comprising: A processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory being configured to, when executed by the processor, provide to the terminal device: generating first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network and a second non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, and the second non-public network being a network to which the terminal device does not request access; and transmitting the first indication to an access network device. A terminal device, wherein the access network device is configured to obtain information indicative of the first non-public network based on the first indication information.

11. The terminal device of claim 10 , wherein the first indication information includes indication information for each of the plurality of non-public networks.

12. The terminal device of claim 11, wherein the indication information of each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

13. The terminal device of claim 10, wherein the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network.

14. 1. An access network device, comprising: A processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory being configured, when executed by the processor, to provide to the access network device: receiving first indication information sent by a terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network and a second non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, and the second non-public network being a network to which the terminal device does not request access; determining second indication information based on the first indication information, the second indication information indicating the plurality of non-public networks; sending the second indication to a core network device; and a memory including instructions that cause the access network device to perform a method including the steps of: receiving third indication information sent by the core network device, the third indication information indicating the first non-public network.

15. 15. The access network device of claim 14, wherein the first indication information includes indication information for each of the plurality of non-public networks.

16. 16. The access network device of claim 15, wherein the indication information of each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

17. The first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network; The access network device of claim 14, further configured to determine the plurality of non-public networks based on access indication information of the non-public network and the indication information of the first network.

18. 15. The access network device of claim 14, wherein the second indication information includes the indication information for each of the plurality of non-public networks.

19. When executed by a processor of a terminal device, the terminal device generating first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network and a second non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, and the second non-public network being a network to which the terminal device does not request access; transmitting the first indication information to an access network device, the access network device being configured to obtain information indicative of the first non-public network based on the first indication information.

20. 20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the first instructional information includes instructional information for each of the plurality of non-public networks.

21. 21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the indication information for each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

22. 20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, the non-public network access indication information is used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network is a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks are non-public networks that depend on the first network.

23. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of an access network device, cause the access network device to perform the method of any one of claims 5 to 9.

24. When executed by a processor of a terminal device, the terminal device generating first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a plurality of non-public networks, the plurality of non-public networks including a first non-public network and a second non-public network, the first non-public network being a network to which the terminal device requests access, and the second non-public network being a network to which the terminal device does not request access; and a step of transmitting the first indication information to an access network device, the access network device being configured to obtain information indicative of the first non-public network based on the first indication information.

25. 25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein the first instructional information includes instructional information for each of the plurality of non-public networks.

26. 26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the indication of each non-public network includes an identity of the non-public network or an index of the non-public network.

27. 25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein the first indication information specifically includes non-public network access indication information and first network indication information, the non-public network access indication information being used to indicate that the network to which the terminal device requests access is a non-public network, the first network being a network on which the first non-public network depends, and the multiple non-public networks being non-public networks that depend on the first network.

28. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of an access network device, cause the access network device to perform a method according to any one of claims 5 to 9.

29. A communication system, characterized in that it comprises a terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 13 and an access network device according to any one of claims 14 to 18.

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