Communication methods, equipment, and storage media

Abstract

A communication method, apparatus, and storage medium. The communication method applied to a first network element includes receiving a global unique AMF identifier of a first access and mobility management function (AMF) fed back from a second network element, transmitting the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to a third network element, and when an abnormality occurs in the first AMF, receiving a service address of a second AMF which is a standby AMF of the first AMF fed back from the third network element.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, for example, communication methods, devices, and storage media.

Background Art

[0002] When a user equipment (UE) accesses an operator network, positioning of the UE can be performed according to the 5th-Generation Core Mobile-Termination Location Request (5GC MT-LR) for the UE. In the procedure of positioning the UE, if an abnormality occurs in the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the positioning flow is likely to fail.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this application provide a channel state information processing method, apparatus, communication node, and storage media for avoiding the failure of the positioning flow due to an abnormality in the AMF.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] Embodiments of this application are communication methods applied to a first network element, including receiving a global unique AMF identifier of a first Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) fed back from a second network element, sending the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to a third network element, and receiving a service address of a second AMF, which is a standby AMF of the first AMF, fed back from the third network element when an abnormality occurs in the first AMF. A communication method is provided.

[0005] The embodiments of this application are as follows: A communication method applied to a second network element, The first network element transmits the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the third network element, and if an abnormality occurs in the AMF, the first network element transmits the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the first network element so that it receives the service address of the second AMF, which has been fed back from the third network element. Provide a communication method.

[0006] The embodiments of this application are as follows: A communication method applicable to a third network element, The system includes receiving a global unique AMF identifier of a first AMF transmitted from a first network element, obtaining the service address of the first AMF by querying using the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF, and, if an anomaly is detected in the first AMF, querying the second AMF corresponding to the first AMF based on the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF, and feeding back the service address of the second AMF to the first network element. Provide a communication method.

[0007] The embodiments of this application are as follows: The system comprises memory and one or more processors, wherein the memory is configured to store one or more programs, and when the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the communication method described in any of the above embodiments. We provide communication equipment.

[0008] The embodiments of this application are as follows: When executed by the processor, a computer program is stored that implements the communication method described in any of the above embodiments. Provide a storage medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of 5G positioning networking after geographical disaster recovery of AMF according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of yet another communication method relating to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a positioning flowchart for 5GC MT-LR related technologies. [Figure 6] This is a positioning flowchart for the 5GC MT-LR according to the embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] This is a structural block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a structural block diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a structural block diagram of yet another communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below will be described with reference to the drawings, and the examples given are for the purpose of interpreting this application.

[0011] In the information society, accurate human-perceived location and positioning are fundamental requirements for the proper functioning of all social structures. Generally, the information we encounter in our daily lives is closely related to spatial information, and location information is a crucial component of the overall social information stream.

[0012] Base station positioning technology is a technology in which operators, during the process of building a wireless network, provide voice, messaging, and data connectivity to users while outputting positioning capabilities via an Application Program Interface (API). Here, the API can be invoked for a variety of positioning applications, eliminating the need for users to independently build a positioning capability platform. It is a positioning technology that can be replicated and disseminated on a large scale, can be applied to multiple industries and customers, has very low margin costs, and is a positioning technology that telecommunications carriers should focus on developing.

[0013] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) defines 5G positioning, and for the 5GC MT-LR flow, the AMF receives a request for a location service related to a specific target UE from the Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC), and then transmits the location service request to the Location Management Function (LMF). The LMF processes the location service request, which may include transmitting support data to the target UE for UE-assisted positioning and / or positioning of the target UE. The LMF then returns the result of the positioning service to the AMF (e.g., location estimation for the UE).

[0014] With the construction of the coverage area of the 5G network, corresponding solutions were proposed for the geographical disaster recovery situation of the AMF. According to the definition by 3GPP, when an AMF is registered with the NRF, the backupInfoAmfFailure can indicate which AMF it is a backup of. For example, when a standby AMF is registered with the NRF, it registers that it is a backup of the primary AMF, that is, "backupInfoAmfFailure": [{"plmnId": {"mcc": "234", "mnc": "15"}, "amfId": "GUAMI of the primary AMF"}].

[0015] Regarding the 5GC MT-LR positioning flow, considering that there are scenarios where the UE accesses the operator network by 3GPP or Non3GPP, when the GMLC obtains the AMF information currently serving the UE from the Unified Data Management (UDM), it is necessary to use the Location Information Retrieval interface. However, the GMLC can only obtain the NF Instance ID of the AMF using the Location Information Retrieval interface. When querying the AMF in the Network Repository Function (NRF) using the Instance ID of the AMF, the NRF does not return the backup AMF information, and the NRF performs disaster recovery based on the GUAMI. If the GMLC can only obtain the Instance ID of the AMF through the Location Information Retrieval interface, it cannot support the disaster recovery of the AMF.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of 5G positioning networking after the geographical disaster recovery of the AMF according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, after the geographical disaster recovery of the AMF, the network elements related to 5G positioning are networked. Here, AMF1 is the primary AMF, and AMF2 is the standby AMF. If a failure occurs in AMF1, the 5G positioning procedure may be executed using AMF2. In the embodiment of the present application, in the case of the disaster recovery of the AMF in the 5GC MT-LR positioning procedure, the 5GC MT-LR positioning procedure will be described according to the networking diagram shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] In one embodiment, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applicable to the case of the disaster recovery of the AMF in the 5GC MT-LR positioning procedure. This embodiment may be executed by a first network element. Exemplarily, the first network element may be a GMLC. As shown in FIG. 2, this embodiment includes S210 to S230.

[0018] S210, receive the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF fed back from a second network element.

[0019] The second network element refers to the UDM. In the embodiment, the first AMF refers to the currently serving AMF, that is, the AMF that has established a communication connection with the first network element, the third network element, and the LMF in the 5G positioning procedure. In the embodiment, the second network element returns the global unique AMF identifier of the currently serving first AMF to the first network element. Here, the global unique AMF identifier refers to GUAMI (Globally Unique AMF Identifier).

[0020] S220, transmit the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to a third network element.

[0021] The third network element refers to the NRF. In this embodiment, the first network element sends the GUAMI of the first AMF to the third network element so that the third network element queries the service address of the first AMF using the GUAMI of the first AMF.

[0022] If an abnormality occurs in the first AMF, S230 receives the service address of the second AMF, which has been fed back from the third network element.

[0023] The second AMF is the standby AMF of the first AMF. In this embodiment, an abnormality in the first AMF may be understood as a failure in the first AMF, and for example, an abnormality in the first AMF may include, but is not limited to, a communication failure in the first AMF or a data processing failure in the first AMF. In this embodiment, if an abnormality occurs in the first AMF, the third network element queries the first AMF based on its GUAMI, obtains the standby AMF of the first AMF, i.e., the second AMF, and returns the service address of the second AMF to the first network element, thereby avoiding the phenomenon in which the positioning flow fails when an abnormality occurs in the first AMF.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first network element further includes sending a location information retrieval request message carrying a target user identifier to the second network element before receiving the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF fed back from the second network element, where the target user identifier refers to the identifier of the target UE to be located. Each target UE is assigned one corresponding target user identifier. In the embodiment, after the first network element finds the second network element to which the corresponding target UE belongs based on the target user identifier, it invokes a Location Information Retrieval interface to the second network element to which the target UE belongs and sends a location information retrieval request message to the second network element via the location information retrieval interface. After receiving the location information retrieval request message, the second network element returns a GUAMI of the first AMF serving the target UE to the first network element.

[0025] In one embodiment, the bearer message of the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF includes a positioning information retrieval response message. In this embodiment, the second network element bears the GUAMI of the first AMF by the positioning information retrieval response message and feeds the positioning information retrieval response message back to the first network element.

[0026] In one embodiment, the positioning information search response message further bears a network function instance identifier. In this embodiment, the network function instance identifier refers to the NF Instance ID. In this embodiment, the second network element returns the GUAMI of the first AMF to the first network element, while also returning the NF Instance ID of the first AMF to the first network element. The NF Instance ID is then carried by the positioning information search response message.

[0027] In one embodiment, after receiving the service address of the second AMF fed back from the third network element, the first network element further includes sending a positioning request message to the second AMF to initiate a "Network Triggered Service Request" procedure and establish a signaling connection with the user device corresponding to the target user identification. In the embodiment, after the first network element obtains the service address of the second AMF, the second AMF establishes a communication connection with the LMF. In the embodiment, the first network element sends a positioning request message to the second AMF to request the current location of the target UE, and if the target UE is idle, the second AMF initiates a "Network Triggered Service Request" procedure to establish a signaling connection with the target UE.

[0028] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network element further includes receiving a positioning response message fed back from the second AMF so that the current location of a user device corresponding to a target user identification can be obtained. In the embodiment, after the second AMF establishes a signaling connection with the target UE, it calls a positioning determination request to the LMF to request the current location of the target UE so that the LMF performs a positioning operation on the target UE, and after determining the location of the target UE, the LMF returns a positioning determination response to the second AMF to return the current location of the target UE, and the second AMF returns a positioning response message to the first network element so that the first network element can obtain the current location of the target UE (including the New Radio Cell Global Identifier, NCGI).

[0029] In one embodiment, Figure 3 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to the case of disaster recovery of the AMF in the 5GC MT-LR positioning procedure. This embodiment may be performed by a second network element. Exemplarily, the second network element may be a UDM. As shown in Figure 3, this embodiment includes S310.

[0030] S310, the first network element transmits the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the third network element, and if an abnormality occurs in the first AMF, the first network element transmits the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the first network element so that it can receive the service address of the second AMF, which has been fed back from the third network element.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first network element queries the third network element for the service address of the first AMF based on the GUAMI of the first AMF, and if an abnormality occurs in the first AMF, the third network element queries the standby AMF of the first AMF based on the GUAMI of the first AMF and sends the service address of the second AMF to the first network element, so that the second network element sends the GUAMI of the first AMF currently servicing the target UE to the first network element.

[0032] In one embodiment, the system further includes receiving a positioning information retrieval request message carrying a target user identifier transmitted from the first network element, before transmitting the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the first network element.

[0033] In one embodiment, the bearer message of the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF includes a positioning information retrieval response message.

[0034] In one embodiment, the positioning information search response message is further bearered with a network function instance identifier.

[0035] The interpretation of the first AMF, second AMF, GUAMI, positioning information retrieval request message, positioning information retrieval response message, and other parameters in the communication method applied to the second network element is not repeated here; please refer to the description of the corresponding parameters in the embodiment of the communication method applied to the first network element described above.

[0036] In one embodiment, Figure 4 is a flowchart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is applied to the case of AMF disaster recovery in the 5GC MT-LR positioning procedure. This embodiment may be performed by a second network element. As shown in Figure 3, this embodiment includes S410 to S440.

[0037] S410 receives the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF transmitted from the first network element.

[0038] S420 retrieves the service address of the first AMF by querying it using the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF.

[0039] S430, if an abnormality is detected in the first AMF, the second AMF corresponding to the first AMF is queried based on the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF.

[0040] S440 feeds back the service address of the second AMF to the first network element.

[0041] In one embodiment, the bearer message of the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF includes a positioning information retrieval response message.

[0042] In one embodiment, the positioning information search response message is further bearered with a network function instance identifier.

[0043] The interpretation of the first AMF, second AMF, GUAMI, positioning information retrieval request message, positioning information retrieval response message, and other parameters in the communication method applied to the third network element is not repeated here; please refer to the description of the corresponding parameters in the embodiment of the communication method applied to the first network element described above.

[0044] The positioning procedure for 5GC MT-LR will be explained using the example where the first network element is GMLC, the second network element is UDM, and the third network element is NRF. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the 5GC MT-LR positioning procedure related to the relevant technology, and as shown in Figure 5, the 5GC MT-LR positioning procedure in the relevant technology includes the following.

[0045] S510 sends a Location Services (LCS) service request.

[0046] In this embodiment, the LCS client sends an LCS service request to the GMLC to request the location of the UE to be measured from the GMLC.

[0047] S520 sends an NF discovery request message that carries the query UDM.

[0048] In this embodiment, GMLC sends an NF discovery request message (Nnrf_NFDiscovery Request) to the NRF to query the UDM to which the target UE belongs.

[0049] S530 receives an NF discovery response message that the UE home UDM is carrying.

[0050] In this embodiment, the NRF returns the UDM to which the UE belongs to the GMLC via an NF discovery response message (Nnrf_NFDiscovery Response).

[0051] S540 sends a positioning information search request message.

[0052] In this embodiment, the GMLC calls the Location Information Retrieval interface of the Nudm_UECM_Get service to the UDM to which the target UE belongs, and sends a location information retrieval request message via the location information retrieval interface.

[0053] S550 receives a positioning information search response message that carries the NF Instance ID of the AMF.

[0054] In this example, the UDM returns the NF Instance ID of the AMF currently in service to the GMLC.

[0055] S560 sends an NF discovery request message that carries the NF Instance ID of the AMF.

[0056] In the embodiment, GMLC queries the NRF for the AMF address using the AMF's NF Instance ID. In the embodiment, GMLC sends an NF discovery request message to the NRF, which carries the NF Instance ID, so that the NRF queries the AMF's service address by the NF Instance ID.

[0057] S570 receives an NF discovery response message that carries the service address of AMF.

[0058] In the embodiment, the NRF returns the AMF service address to the GMLC in an NF discovery response message.

[0059] S580 sends a positioning request message.

[0060] In the example, GMLC calls the Namf_Location_RequestPosInfo Request service to AMF to request the current location of the target UE.

[0061] S590, initiate the "Network Triggered Service Request" procedure.

[0062] In this embodiment, when the target UE is in a Connection Management Idle (CM IDLE) state, the AMF initiates a "Network Triggered Service Request" procedure to establish a signaling connection with the UE.

[0063] S5100 transmits a positioning determination request.

[0064] In the example, the AMF sends an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request to the LMF to request the current location of the target UE.

[0065] S5110 and LMF position the target UE.

[0066] S5120 transmits a positioning determination response to the AMF.

[0067] In this embodiment, the LMF transmits a positioning determination response to the AMF so that the positioning result is fed back to the AMF.

[0068] S5130 sends a positioning response message to the GMLC.

[0069] In the example, the AMF returns a Namf_Location_ProvidePosInfo response to the GMLC to return the current location of the UE.

[0070] S5140, sends LCS service response to LCS client.

[0071] In one embodiment, the positioning procedure for the 5GC MT-LR is described using the example that the first network element is a GMLC, the second network element is a UDM, the third network element is an NRF, the first AMF (i.e., primary AMF) is AMF1, and the second AMF (i.e., standby AMF) is AMF2. Figure 6 is a positioning flowchart for the 5GC MT-LR related to the relevant technology. If AMF1 is currently used for the target UE and AMF2 is registered in the NRF, register that AMF2 is a backup for AMF1, i.e., set AMF backupInfoAmfFailure”:[{”plmnId”:{”mcc”:”234”,”mnc”:”15”},”amfId”:”GUAMI of the primary AMF”}.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6, the positioning procedure for the 5GC MT-LR in this embodiment includes steps S610 to S6140.

[0073] S610 sends LCS service request.

[0074] In this embodiment, the LCS client sends an LCS service request to the GMLC to request the location of the UE to be measured from the GMLC.

[0075] S620 sends an NF discovery request message that carries the query UDM.

[0076] In this embodiment, GMLC sends an NF discovery request message (Nnrf_NFDiscovery Request) to the NRF to query the UDM to which the target UE belongs.

[0077] S630 receives an NF discovery response message that the UE home UDM is carrying.

[0078] In this embodiment, the NRF returns the UDM to which the UE belongs to the GMLC via an NF discovery response message (Nnrf_NFDiscovery Response).

[0079] S640 sends a positioning information search request message.

[0080] In this embodiment, the GMLC calls the Location Information Retrieval interface of the Nudm_UECM_Get service to the UDM to which the target UE belongs, and sends a location information retrieval request message via the location information retrieval interface.

[0081] S650 receives a positioning information search response message from GUAMI, which is carried by AMF1.

[0082] In this example, the UDM returns the GUAMI of the AMF1 currently in service to the GMLC.

[0083] S660 sends an NF discovery request message with GUAMI on AMF1.

[0084] In the example, GMLC queries the NRF for the AMF address using the GUAMI of AMF1. In the example, GMLC sends an NF discovery request message, which carries the GUAMI, to the NRF so that the NRF queries the service address of AMF1 using the GUAMI.

[0085] S670 receives an NF discovery response message that carries the service address of AMF1.

[0086] In the embodiment, the NRF detects an anomaly in AMF1, queries AMF2 to determine that its standby AMF is based on AMF1's GUAMI, and returns the service address of AMF2 to the GMLC via an NF discovery response message.

[0087] S680 sends a positioning request message.

[0088] In the example, GMLC calls the Namf_Location_RequestPosInfo Request service to AMF2 to request the current location of the target UE.

[0089] S690, initiate the "Network Triggered Service Request" procedure.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the target UE is in the CM IDLE state, AMF2 initiates a "Network Triggered Service Request" procedure to establish a signaling connection with the UE.

[0091] S6100 transmits a positioning determination request.

[0092] In the example, AMF2 sends an Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request to LMF to request the current location of the target UE.

[0093] S6110 and LMF position the target UE.

[0094] S6120 transmits a positioning determination response to AMF2.

[0095] In this embodiment, the LMF transmits a positioning determination response to the AMF2 so that the positioning result is fed back to the AMF2.

[0096] S6130 sends a positioning response message to GMLC.

[0097] In the example, AMF2 returns a Namf_Location_ProvidePosInfo response to GMLC to return the current location of the UE.

[0098] S6140 sends an LCS service response to the LCS client.

[0099] When a UE accesses the operator's 5G network via 3gpp or non-3gpp, disaster recovery of the AMF can be supported when performing the 5GC MT-LR positioning flow to the UE. If AMF1 fails, MT-LR positioning can be supported by the standby AMF (i.e., AMF2), thus avoiding positioning flow failure due to the failure of AMF1.

[0100] In one embodiment, Figure 7 is a structural block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a first network element. As shown in Figure 7, the communication device in this embodiment comprises a first receiver 710, a first transmitter 720, and a second receiver 730.

[0101] The first receiver 710 is configured to receive the global unique AMF identifier of the first access and mobility management function AMF, which is fed back from the second network element.

[0102] The first transmitter 720 is configured to transmit the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the third network element.

[0103] The second receiver 730 is configured to receive the service address of the second AMF, which is the standby AMF of the first AMF, as feedback from the third network element when an abnormality occurs in the first AMF.

[0104] In one embodiment, before receiving the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF fed back from the second network element, the communication device applied to the first network element, The system further includes a second transmitter configured to transmit a positioning information retrieval request message, which carries a target user identifier, to a second network element.

[0105] In one embodiment, the bearer message of the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF includes a positioning information retrieval response message.

[0106] In one embodiment, the positioning information search response message is further bearered with a network function instance identifier.

[0107] In one embodiment, after receiving the service address of the second AMF fed back from the third network element, the communication device applied to the first network element is: The system further includes a third transmitter configured to send a positioning request message to the second AMF so that the second AMF initiates a "Network Triggered Service Request" procedure and establishes a signaling connection with the user device corresponding to the target user identification.

[0108] In one embodiment, the communication device applied to the first network element is: The system further includes a third receiver configured to receive a positioning response message fed back from the second AMF so that the current location of the user device corresponding to the target user identification can be obtained.

[0109] The communication device according to this embodiment is configured to implement the communication method applied to the first network element of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, and its implementation principle and technical effects are the same and will not be explained again here.

[0110] In one embodiment, Figure 8 is a structural block diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a second network element. As shown in Figure 8, the communication device in this embodiment includes a first transmitter 810.

[0111] The first transmitter 810 is configured to transmit the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the third network element via the first network element, and to transmit the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the first network element so that, if an abnormality occurs in the AMF, the first network element receives the service address of the second AMF, which has been fed back from the third network element.

[0112] In one embodiment, before transmitting the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the first network element, the communication device applied to the second network element, The system further includes a receiver configured to receive a positioning information retrieval request message carrying a target user identifier transmitted from a first network element.

[0113] In one embodiment, the bearer message of the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF includes a positioning information retrieval response message.

[0114] In one embodiment, the positioning information search response message is further bearered with a network function instance identifier.

[0115] The communication device according to this embodiment is configured to implement the communication method applied to the second network element of the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and its implementation principle and technical effects are the same and will not be explained again here.

[0116] In one embodiment, Figure 9 is a structural block diagram of yet another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a third network element. As shown in Figure 9, the communication device in this embodiment comprises a first receiver 910, a first query unit 920, a second query unit 930, and a feedback module 940.

[0117] The first receiver 910 is configured to receive the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF transmitted from the first network element.

[0118] The first query unit 920 is configured to query using the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to obtain the service address of the first AMF.

[0119] The second query unit 930 is configured to query the second AMF corresponding to the first AMF based on the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF when it detects that an anomaly has occurred in the first AMF.

[0120] The feedback module 940 is configured to feed back the service address of the second AMF to the first network element.

[0121] In one embodiment, the bearer message of the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF includes a positioning information retrieval response message.

[0122] In one embodiment, the positioning information search response message is further bearered with a network function instance identifier.

[0123] The communication device according to this embodiment is configured to implement the communication method applied to the third network element of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, and its implementation principle and technical effects are the same and will not be explained again here.

[0124] In one embodiment, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the device according to the present application comprises a processor 1010 and a memory 1020. The number of processors 1010 in the device may be one or more, but in Figure 10, one processor 1010 is used as an example. The number of memory 1020 in the device may be one or more, but in Figure 10, one memory 1020 is used as an example. The processor 1010 and memory 1020 of the device may be connected by a bus or by other means, but in Figure 10, they are connected by a bus as an example. In this embodiment, the device may be a first network element.

[0125] Memory 1020 may be configured as a computer-readable storage medium to store software programs, computer-executable programs and modules, such as program instructions / modules corresponding to the equipment of any embodiment of the present application (e.g., the first receiver 710, the first transmitter 720, and the second receiver 730 in a communication device). Memory 1020 may include a program storage area capable of storing an operating system and application programs required for at least one function, and a data storage area capable of storing data created by the use of the equipment. Memory 1020 may also include high-speed random-access memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage device. In some examples, memory 1020 may include memory remotely provided to the processor 1010, and these remote memories may be connected to the equipment via a network. Examples of the network include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0126] If the communication device is a first network element, the device provided above may be configured to perform a communication method applicable to the first network element according to any embodiment above, and to have corresponding functions and effects.

[0127] If the communication device is a second network element, the device provided above may be configured to perform a communication method applicable to the second network element according to any embodiment above, and to have corresponding functions and effects.

[0128] If the communication device is a third network element, the device provided above may be configured to perform a communication method applicable to the third network element according to any of the embodiments above, and to have corresponding functions and effects.

[0129] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a communication method applied to a network element, which, when executed by a computer processor, includes receiving a global unique AMF identifier of a first access and mobility management function AMF fed back from a second network element; transmitting the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to a third network element; and, if a failure occurs in the first AMF, receiving a service address of a second AMF, which is a standby AMF of the first AMF, fed back from the third network element.

[0130] Embodiments of the present application further provide a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a communication method applied to a second network element, the method including the first network element transmitting the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the third network element, and, if an abnormality occurs in the AMF, receiving the service address of the second AMF fed back from the third network element.

[0131] Embodiments of the present application further provide a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions for performing a communication method applied to a third network element, which, when executed by a computer processor, includes: receiving a global unique AMF identifier of a first AMF transmitted from a first network element; obtaining a service address of the first AMF by querying using the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF; detecting an anomaly in the first AMF, querying a second AMF corresponding to the first AMF based on the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF; and feeding back the service address of the second AMF to the first network element.

[0132] Those skilled in the art should understand that the term "user terminal" covers all suitable types of wireless user devices, such as mobile phones, portable data processing devices, portable web browsers, or mobile stations mounted in vehicles.

[0133] Generally, the various embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware, dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware, while others may be implemented in firmware or software executable by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device.

[0134] Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a data processor in a mobile device executing computer program instructions, which may be implemented by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware, for example, in the processor entity. Computer program instructions may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or target code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0135] Any block diagram of a logic flow in the drawings of this application may represent a program operation, or an interconnected logic circuit, module, and function, or a combination of a program operation and a logic circuit, module, and function. The computer program may be stored in memory. The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technology environment and may be implemented using any suitable data memory technology, such as, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), optical memory devices and systems (digital video disc (DVD) or compact disc (CD)), etc. The computer-readable medium may include non-temporary storage media. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technology environment, such as, but not limited to, a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a processor with a multi-core processor architecture.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a first network element, Receiving the global unique AMF identifier of the first access and mobility management function AMF, which is fed back from the second network element, Transmitting the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the third network element, If an abnormality occurs in the first AMF, the system includes receiving the service address of the second AMF, which is a standby AMF of the first AMF, as fed back from the third network element. The service address of the second AMF is determined by the third network element based on the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF. The first network element is a gateway mobile positioning center (GMLC), the second network element is an integrated data management (UDM), and the third network element is a network warehouse function (NRF). Communication method.

2. Before receiving the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF, which has been fed back from the second network element, The further includes sending a positioning information retrieval request message carrying a target user identifier to the second network element. The method according to claim 1.

3. The bearer message of the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF is a positioning information retrieval response message. The method according to claim 1.

4. The positioning information search response message further bears a network function instance identifier. The method according to claim 3.

5. After receiving the service address of the second AMF that has been fed back from the third network element, The process further includes sending a positioning request message to the second AMF to initiate a "Network Triggered Service Request" procedure and to establish a signaling connection with a user device corresponding to the target user identification. The method according to claim 1.

6. The further includes receiving a positioning response message fed back from the second AMF so as to obtain the current location of the user device corresponding to the target user identification, The method according to claim 5.

7. A communication method applicable to a second network element, The first network element transmits the global unique AMF identifier of the first access and mobility management function AMF to the third network element, and if an abnormality occurs in the AMF, the first network element transmits the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the first network element so that the first network element can receive the service address of the second AMF that has been fed back from the third network element. The second AMF is a standby AMF of the first AMF, and the service address of the second AMF is determined by the third network element based on the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF. The first network element is a gateway mobile positioning center (GMLC), the second network element is an integrated data management (UDM), and the third network element is a network warehouse function (NRF). Communication method.

8. Before transmitting the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF to the first network element, The further includes receiving a positioning information retrieval request message carrying a target user identifier transmitted from the first network element, The method according to claim 7.

9. The bearer message of the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF is a positioning information retrieval response message. The method according to claim 7.

10. A communication method applicable to a third network element, Receiving the global unique AMF identifier of the first access and mobility management function AMF transmitted from the first network element and fed back to the first network element by the second network element, The service address of the first AMF is obtained by querying using the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF, If an abnormality is detected in the first AMF, the second AMF corresponding to the first AMF is queried based on the global unique AMF identifier of the first AMF, This includes feeding back the service address of the second AMF to the first network element, The second AMF is a standby AMF for the first AMF, The first network element is a gateway mobile positioning center (GMLC), the second network element is an integrated data management (UDM), and the third network element is a network warehouse function (NRF). Communication method.

11. It has memory and at least one processor, The memory is configured to store at least one program, When the at least one program is executed by the at least one processor, the one or more processors implement the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the communication method described in any one of claims 7 to 9, or the communication method described in claim 10. Communication equipment.

12. When executed by the processor, a computer program is stored which implements the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, the communication method described in any one of claims 7 to 9, or the communication method described in claim 10. storage medium.

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