Communication control method and apparatus, core network device, communication device, communication system, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication control method and apparatus, a core network device, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. The method comprises: a first network element receives first information related to a user plane path sent by a second network element, the user plane path being used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection being used for a first service. The method of the present disclosure enables a user plane connection established on the basis of the user plane path to support effective implementation of the first service.

Description

Communication control method and device, core network equipment, communication equipment, communication system, storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication control method and apparatus, core network equipment, communication equipment, a communication system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In communication systems, positioning services include regulatory positioning services and commercial positioning services. For non-regulatory positioning services, positioning can be supported on the user plane connection between the terminal and the core network element. The terminal and the core network element can use the user plane connection to transmit auxiliary service information and Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) messages.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication control method, apparatus, core network device, device, chip system, storage medium, computer program and computer program product, which can be applied in the field of communication technology to solve the technical problem that "the user plane connection established based on the user plane path cannot support the effective implementation of the first service."

[0005] The present disclosure provides a communication control method and apparatus, core network equipment, communication equipment, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication control method is proposed, which is executed by a first network element, including: receiving first information related to a user plane path sent by a second network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

[0007] According to the second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication control method is proposed, which is executed by a second network element, including: sending first information related to a user plane path to a first network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

[0008] According to the third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication control device is proposed, including: a transceiver module, used to receive first information related to a user plane path sent by a second network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

[0009] According to the fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication control device is proposed, including: a transceiver module, used to send first information related to a user plane path to a first network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

[0010] According to the fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a core network device is proposed, including: a first network element and a second network element; wherein, the second network element is used to send first information related to a user plane path to the first network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service; the first network element is used to receive the first information related to the user plane path sent by the second network element.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the communication control method of any one of the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0012] According to the seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, characterized in that it includes a first network element, a second network element, a third network element, a fourth network element and / or a terminal, wherein the first network element is configured to implement the communication control method of the first aspect, and the second network element is configured to implement the communication control method of the second aspect.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is proposed, which stores instructions, and is characterized in that when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes a communication control method as described in any one of the first and second aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background technology will be described below.

[0015] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG2A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG2B is an interactive diagram illustrating a communication control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG2C is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG3A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG3B is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG3C is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG3D is an interactive diagram illustrating a communication control method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG4A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG4B is an interactive diagram illustrating a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG4C is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG4D is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication control method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG5A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG5B is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG5C is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG6A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication control device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG6B is a schematic structural diagram of a communication control device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a core network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG8A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present disclosure provides a communication control method and apparatus, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication control method," "information processing method," and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "communication control apparatus," "information processing apparatus," and "communication apparatus" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system," "communication system," and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0036] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0037] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0038] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0039] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0040] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0041] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "at least one of", "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0042] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, descriptions such as “at least one of A, B, C…”, “A and / or B and / or C…”, etc. include the situation where any one of A, B, C… exists alone, and also include any combination of any multiple of A, B, C…, and each situation can exist alone; for example, “at least one of A, B, C” includes the situation where A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, the combination of A and B, the combination of A and C, the combination of B and C, and the combination of A, B, and C; for example, A and / or B includes the situation where A exists alone, B exists alone, and the combination of A and B.

[0043] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "in one case A, in another case B," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B," may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: executing A independently of B (in some embodiments, A); executing B independently of A (in some embodiments, B); selectively executing A and B (in some embodiments, selecting between A and B); and executing both A and B (in some embodiments, A and B). The same applies when there are more branches, such as A, B, and C.

[0044] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0045] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0046] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0047] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0048] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0049] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0050] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0051] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0052] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0053] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0054] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0055] The correspondences shown in the tables of the present disclosure can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values, which are not limited by the present disclosure. When configuring the correspondences between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, in the tables of the present disclosure, the correspondences shown in certain rows may not be configured. For another example, appropriate deformation adjustments can be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the titles of the above tables may also adopt other names that can be understood by the communication device, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters may also adopt other values ​​or representations that can be understood by the communication device. When implementing the above tables, other data structures may also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables or hash tables, etc.

[0056] The predefined in the present disclosure may be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0057] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 may include a terminal 101 and a core network device 102 .

[0058] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 may include, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0059] In some embodiments, the core network device 102 may be a single device including a first network element 1021, a second network element 1022, a third network element 1023, a fourth network element 1024, etc., or may be a plurality of devices or a device group including all or part of the first network element 1021, the second network element 1022, the third network element 1023, and the fourth network element 1024. The network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next generation core (NGC).

[0060] In some embodiments, the first network element 1021 and the third network element 1023 may be connected or not connected.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first network element 1021 is, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first network element 1021 is used to provide access and mobility management functions, and the name is not limited thereto.

[0063] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 is, for example, a session management function (SMF) network element.

[0064] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 is used to provide session management functions, and the name is not limited thereto.

[0065] In some embodiments, the third network element 1023 is, for example, a user plane function (UPF) network element.

[0066] In some embodiments, the third network element 1023 is used to provide user plane functions, and the name is not limited thereto.

[0067] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1024 is, for example, a location management function (LMF) network element that provides positioning services.

[0068] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1024 is used to provide a location management function, and the name is not limited thereto.

[0069] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and the UPF network element may be connected or not connected.

[0070] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 and the core network device 102 can be connected through an access network device. Optionally, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses the terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, but is not limited thereto.

[0071] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0072] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in Figure 1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in Figure 1, or may include other entities outside of Figure 1. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0073] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G New Radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.18 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other user plane connection establishment methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these systems. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0074] To facilitate understanding, the terms involved in this disclosure are first introduced.

[0075] 1. Access and mobility management function (AMF) network element.

[0076] The AMF network element is a logical node function network element on the core network side. It is the access point for the terminal and wireless core network control plane. It receives all connection and session related information from the user equipment and performs registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management. In addition, the AMF network element provides a session management message transmission channel for the terminal equipment and the session management function (SMF) device, providing authentication and authorization functions for user access.

[0077] 2. Location management function (LMF) network element.

[0078] The LMF is located in the local radio access network (RAN) or the core network (CN) side and is used to provide location management function services to the UE.

[0079] 3. User plane function (UPF) network elements, including routing and forwarding of user data packets, data interaction with external data networks, user plane quality of service (QoS) processing, and flow control rule implementation (such as gating, redirection, and traffic steering).

[0080] In the communication system, positioning services include regulatory positioning services and commercial positioning services. For non-regulatory positioning services, positioning can be supported on the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF. The LMF and UE can use the user plane connection to transmit auxiliary service information and Long Term Evolution LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) messages.

[0081] Optionally, positioning can be achieved through a user plane connection. The LMF can act as an application server and be deployed within the 5GC. The user plane connection between the terminal and the LMF can be established within a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session. The user plane path between the terminal and the LMF is used to establish the user plane connection.

[0082] Optionally, the UE can establish a PDU session for user plane positioning based on local configuration or UE Routing Selection Policy (URSP) using PDU session parameters related to user plane positioning services (such as dedicated data network name (DNN) and single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI)).

[0083] Optionally, the SMF may select a PDU session anchor UPF (PDU session anchor UPF, PSA UPF, located at a central site or a local site) connected to the LMF for this PDU session based on the S-NSSAI, DNN and UE location information.

[0084] Optionally, the selection of the local PSA for user plane positioning can be determined by the Internet Protocol Address (IP address), network prefix and Data Network Access Identifier (DNAI) of the local LMF for positioning services within a specific service area pre-configured in the SMF.

[0085] It can be seen that the PDU session used for user plane positioning is managed by SMF, and LMF is selected by AMF. Therefore, there may be a misalignment between the user plane path managed by SMF and the LMF selected by AMF, resulting in the user plane path managed by SMF being unable to be effectively connected to the LMF network element, which will affect the effective implementation of the services supported by the user plane connection.

[0086] FIG2A is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2A , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a communication system 100. The method includes:

[0087] Step S2101: A first network element sends a first message to a second network element.

[0088] The first message is used to create a session management (SM) context for a protocol data unit (PDU) session, and the PDU session can be used to access the first service.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first network element is, for example, an AMF network element.

[0090] In some embodiments, the second network element is, for example, an SMF network element.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first network element may send a first message to the second network element.

[0092] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may send a first message to the SMF network element.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first message may be, for example, Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request, which may include first information, and the first information may be, for example, LMF information.

[0094] In some embodiments, the PDU session may be initiated and established by the terminal.

[0095] Step S2102: The second network element receives the first message sent by the first network element.

[0096] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may receive a first message sent by the AMF network element.

[0097] In some embodiments, the second network element may determine to indicate first information related to the user plane path to the first network element.

[0098] Step S2103: The second network element sends a second message to the first network element by calling the N1N2 interactive message forwarding service of the first network element.

[0099] In some embodiments, the second message includes: first information related to the user plane path and a PDU session establishment accept message.

[0100] In some embodiments, the second message is, for example, a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message, and the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message may carry the first information related to the user plane path.

[0101] In some embodiments, the user plane path refers to the user plane path established by the SMF network element.

[0102] In some embodiments, the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for the first service.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first service is a user plane positioning service. Of course, the first service may also be any other possible service.

[0104] In some embodiments, the positioning service may share the DNN and S-NSSAI with other services, that is, the positioning service may be deployed on the same DNN and / or S-NSSAI as other services.

[0105] In some embodiments, if the first service is a user plane positioning service, the user plane connection established based on the user plane path can be enabled to support effective implementation of the user plane positioning service.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to select a fourth network element adapted to the user plane path.

[0107] In some embodiments, the first information may be referenced in the process of selecting the fourth network element adapted to the user plane path.

[0108] In some embodiments, the fourth network element adapted to the user plane path may refer to a fourth network element to which the user plane path can be effectively connected.

[0109] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is, for example, a LMF network element.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to describe information related to a user plane path.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to initially select a LMF or to modify the LMF.

[0112] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can initially select LMF or modify LMF based on the first information sent by the SMF network element.

[0113] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: a data network access identifier (DNAI) associated with a third network element, wherein the third network element is selected for a protocol data unit (PDU) session for the first service; an Internet Protocol (IP) address range accessible to the third network element; and user plane information of a fourth network element currently selected for the first service, so that the first network element can accurately obtain information about the user plane path established by the second network element.

[0114] Step S2104: The first network element receives the second message sent by the second network element.

[0115] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may receive a second message sent by the SMF network element.

[0116] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can obtain the first information related to the user plane path from the second message.

[0117] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can determine, based on the first information related to the user plane path, a fourth network element to which the user plane path can be effectively connected, which may be a fourth network element suitable for the user plane path.

[0118] Step S2105: The first network element updates the locally stored information related to the fourth network element according to the user plane information, wherein the first information is the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

[0119] In some embodiments, the first information may be user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

[0120] In some embodiments, the first network element may pre-store some information related to the fourth network element locally. Therefore, if it is determined that the first information is the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service, the first network element may modify the locally stored information related to the fourth network element to the user plane information of the fourth network element.

[0121] In some embodiments, the currently selected fourth network element may be, for example, the fourth network element that has been selected for the first service.

[0122] In some embodiments, the fourth network element selected in the process of executing the user plane positioning service last time may be used as the currently selected fourth network element.

[0123] In some embodiments, the second network element may also determine the user plane path for the first service when accepting the establishment of the PDU session, and the LMF network element connected to the user plane path may also be used as the currently selected fourth network element.

[0124] In some embodiments, the currently selected fourth network element is, for example, the currently selected LMF network element.

[0125] In some embodiments, the user plane information may be, for example, the user plane location address of the LMF network element, security-related information, etc.

[0126] In some embodiments, if the first information is user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service, the user plane information can be directly stored locally in the AMF network element.

[0127] In some embodiments, if the first information is user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service, the information related to the LMF network element stored locally in the AMF network element can be updated to user plane information.

[0128] Therefore, when the first information is the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service, the first network element updates the locally stored information related to the fourth network element according to the user plane information, so that the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service is locally stored in the first network element, which can improve the accuracy of establishing the user plane connection for the first service to support the effective implementation of the first service.

[0129] Step S2106: The first network element selects or reselects a target fourth network element based on the first information, wherein the first information includes: a DNAI associated with the third network element, and / or an IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0130] In some embodiments, if the first information does not include the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service, it means that the target fourth network element may not have been selected yet, or the currently selected fourth network element may not necessarily be adapted to the user plane path managed by the second network element. In this case, a target fourth network element can be selected or reselected, and the DNAI associated with the third network element and / or the IP address range accessible to the third network element can be considered during the selection or reselection process, so that the selected or reselected target fourth network element is adapted to the user plane path managed by the second network element.

[0131] In some embodiments, the currently selected fourth network element and the target fourth network element may be different.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first information may be a DNAI associated with the third network element.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first information may be an IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first information may include a DNAI associated with the third network element and an IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0135] In some embodiments, if the first information includes a DNAI associated with a third network element and / or an IP address range accessible to the third network element, the first network element may select or reselect a target fourth network element based on the first information.

[0136] In some embodiments, the target fourth network element may be a fourth network element adapted to the user plane path.

[0137] In some embodiments, the target fourth network element may be a LMF network element adapted to the user plane path.

[0138] In some embodiments, selecting a target fourth network element may be understood as preliminarily selecting a target fourth network element from a plurality of candidate fourth network elements.

[0139] In some embodiments, reselecting a target fourth network element may be understood as reselecting a target fourth network element from a plurality of candidate fourth network elements.

[0140] In some embodiments, selecting or reselecting the target fourth network element may be implemented locally in the first network element.

[0141] In some embodiments, the target fourth network element is selected or reselected by the fifth network element, wherein the fifth network element is used to provide a network storage function.

[0142] In some embodiments, the fifth network element may provide an interface service, and the first network element may call the interface service to select or reselect the target fourth network element through the fifth network element.

[0143] In some embodiments, the fifth network element may be, for example, a Network Repository Function (NRF) network element.

[0144] In some embodiments, if reselection is performed through the NRF network element, the AMF network element can call the Nnrf_NFDiscovery service and refer to the user plane path information during the LMF network element selection process.

[0145] Therefore, the flexibility of selecting or reselecting the target fourth network element can be effectively improved, and the system can be effectively applied to personalized communication scenarios.

[0146] In some embodiments, if the first information is a DNAI associated with a third network element, a candidate fourth network element corresponding to the DNAI associated with the third network element can be selected or reselected from multiple candidate fourth network elements, and the corresponding candidate fourth network element can be used as the target fourth network element, thereby accurately and conveniently selecting or reselecting the target fourth network element based on the DNAI associated with the third network element.

[0147] In some embodiments, each candidate fourth network element can correspond to a candidate DNAI, and the DNAI associated with the third network element can be matched with the candidate DNAI, and a matching candidate DNAI can be selected or reselected from multiple candidate DNAIs, and the candidate fourth network element corresponding to the matching candidate DNAI can be used as the target fourth network element.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first information is the IP address range accessible to the third network element. A candidate fourth network element to which the IP address belongs within the IP address range can be selected or reselected from multiple candidate fourth network elements, and the candidate fourth network element can be used as the target fourth network element, thereby accurately and conveniently selecting or reselecting the target fourth network element based on the IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0149] In some embodiments, each candidate fourth network element may correspond to an IP address, and an IP address belonging to an IP address range may be determined, and the candidate fourth network element to which the IP address belongs may be used as the target fourth network element.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first information includes: the DNAI associated with the third network element and the IP address range accessible to the third network element. Then, a candidate fourth network element corresponding to the DNAI associated with the third network element and whose IP address belongs to the IP address range can be selected or reselected from multiple candidate fourth network elements, and the selected or reselected candidate fourth network element can be used as the target fourth network element, so as to accurately and conveniently select or reselect the target fourth network element based on the DNAI associated with the third network element and the IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0151] Step S2107: The first network element sends a sixth message to the target fourth network element, where the sixth message is used to request the target fourth network element to establish a user plane connection.

[0152] In some embodiments, the message used to request the target fourth network element to establish a user plane connection may be referred to as a sixth message.

[0153] In some embodiments, after selecting or reselecting the target fourth network element, the first network element may also send a sixth message to the target fourth network element, wherein the sixth message is used to request the target fourth network element to establish a user plane connection, so as to timely establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the target fourth network element to support the first service based on the user plane connection.

[0154] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may send a sixth message to the selected or reselected LMF network element to request the selected or reselected LMF network element to establish a user plane connection.

[0155] Step S2108: The first network element sends user plane information related to the target fourth network element to the terminal.

[0156] In some embodiments, the user plane information is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the target fourth network element.

[0157] In some embodiments, the user plane information related to the target fourth network element may be, for example, the user plane location address, security-related information, etc. of the target fourth network element.

[0158] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can send the user plane location address, security-related information, etc. of the selected or reselected target LMF network element to the terminal to trigger the establishment of a user plane connection between the terminal and the target fourth network element, so as to timely establish the user plane connection between the terminal and the target fourth network element to support the first service based on the user plane connection.

[0159] The communication control method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2108. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Steps S2101+S2102 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S2101+S2102+S2103 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0160] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0161] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first information related to the user plane path is managed during the PDU session establishment process. The first information related to the user plane path can be updated locally in the first network element during the PDU session establishment process, or the selection or reselection of the fourth network element can be performed with reference to the first information related to the user plane path during the PDU session establishment process, so that the selected or reselected fourth network element can support the effective connection of the user plane path, and the user plane connection established based on the user plane path can support the effective implementation of the first service.

[0162] FIG2B is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2B , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a communication system 100. The method includes:

[0163] Step S2201: The first network element sends a third message to the second network element.

[0164] In some embodiments, the third message is used to request an update of the SM context for a PDU session, and the PDU session can be used to access the first service.

[0165] In some embodiments, the third message may be, for example, a Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message.

[0166] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may send an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message to the SMF network element.

[0167] Step S2202: The second network element receives the third message sent by the first network element.

[0168] In some embodiments, the second network element may receive a third message sent by the first network element.

[0169] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may receive the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message sent by the AMF network element.

[0170] Step S2203: The second network element sends a fourth message to the first network element.

[0171] In some embodiments, the fourth message is used to indicate a response to update the SM context for the PDU session.

[0172] In some embodiments, the fourth message may carry first information related to the user plane path.

[0173] In some embodiments, the fourth message may be, for example, an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response message.

[0174] In some embodiments, the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response message may carry first information related to the user plane path.

[0175] In some embodiments, the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for the first service.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first service is a user plane positioning service. Of course, the first service may also be any other possible service.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to select a fourth network element adapted to the user plane path.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first information may be referenced in the process of selecting the fourth network element adapted to the user plane path.

[0179] In some embodiments, the fourth network element adapted to the user plane path may refer to a fourth network element to which the user plane path can be effectively connected.

[0180] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is, for example, a LMF network element.

[0181] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to describe information related to a user plane path.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to initially select a LMF or to modify the LMF.

[0183] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can initially select LMF or modify LMF based on the first information sent by the SMF network element.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: a data network access identifier DNAI associated with a third network element, wherein the third network element is selected for a protocol data unit PDU session for the first service; an Internet Protocol IP address range accessible to the third network element; and user plane information of a fourth network element currently selected for the first service, so that the first network element can accurately obtain information about the user plane path established by the second network element.

[0185] Step S2204: The first network element receives the fourth message sent by the second network element.

[0186] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may receive the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response message sent by the SMF network element.

[0187] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may obtain first information related to the user plane path based on the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response message.

[0188] Step S2205: The first network element updates the locally stored information related to the fourth network element according to the user plane information, wherein the first information is the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

[0189] Step S2206: The first network element selects or reselects a target fourth network element based on the first information, where the first information includes: a DNAI associated with the third network element, and / or an IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0190] In some embodiments, the currently selected fourth network element and the target fourth network element may be different.

[0191] Step S2207: The first network element sends a sixth message to the target fourth network element, where the sixth message is used to request the target fourth network element to establish a user plane connection.

[0192] Step S2208: The first network element sends user plane information related to the target fourth network element to the terminal.

[0193] In some embodiments, the user plane information is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the target fourth network element.

[0194] For the description of steps S2205 to S2208, please refer to the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0195] The communication control method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2208. For example, step S2201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Steps S2201+S2202 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S2201+S2202+S2203 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0196] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0197] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first information related to the user plane path is managed during the PDU session modification process. The first information related to the user plane path can be updated locally in the first network element during the PDU session modification process, or the selection or reselection of the fourth network element can be performed with reference to the first information related to the user plane path during the PDU session modification process, so that the selected or reselected fourth network element can support the effective connection of the user plane path, and the user plane connection established based on the user plane path can support the effective implementation of the first service.

[0198] FIG2C is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2C , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a communication system 100. The method includes:

[0199] Step S2301: The second network element sends a fifth message to the first network element.

[0200] In some embodiments, the fifth message is used to notify the status of the PDU session SM context or to notify the PDU session status. The PDU session can be used to access the first service. The fifth message includes: first information related to the user plane path.

[0201] In some embodiments, if a third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element migrates, the second network element may send a fifth message to the first network element.

[0202] In some embodiments, if the UPF network element associated with the currently selected LMF network element migrates, the SMF network element may send an Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify message to the AMF network element.

[0203] In some embodiments, the Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify message may carry first information related to the user plane path.

[0204] In some embodiments, the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for the first service.

[0205] In some embodiments, the first service is a user plane positioning service. Of course, the first service may also be any other possible service.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to select a fourth network element adapted to the user plane path.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first information may be referenced in the process of selecting the fourth network element adapted to the user plane path.

[0208] In some embodiments, the fourth network element adapted to the user plane path may refer to a fourth network element to which the user plane path can be effectively connected.

[0209] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is, for example, a LMF network element.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to describe information related to a user plane path.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to initially select a LMF or to modify the LMF.

[0212] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can initially select LMF or modify LMF based on the first information sent by the SMF network element.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: a data network access identifier DNAI associated with a third network element, wherein the third network element is selected for a protocol data unit PDU session for the first service; an Internet Protocol IP address range accessible to the third network element; and user plane information of a fourth network element currently selected for the first service, so that the first network element can accurately obtain information about the user plane path established by the second network element.

[0214] Step S2302: The first network element receives the fifth message sent by the second network element.

[0215] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may receive the Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify message sent by the SMF network element.

[0216] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can obtain the first information related to the user plane path from the Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify message.

[0217] Step S2303: The first network element updates the locally stored information related to the fourth network element according to the user plane information, wherein the first information is the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

[0218] Step S2304: The first network element selects or reselects a target fourth network element based on the first information, where the first information includes: a DNAI associated with the third network element, and / or an IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0219] In some embodiments, the currently selected fourth network element and the target fourth network element may be different.

[0220] Step S2305: The first network element sends a sixth message to the target fourth network element, where the sixth message is used to request the target fourth network element to establish a user plane connection.

[0221] Step S2306: The first network element sends user plane information related to the target fourth network element to the terminal.

[0222] In some embodiments, the user plane information is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the target fourth network element.

[0223] For the description of steps S2303 to S2306, please refer to the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0224] The communication control method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2301 to S2306. For example, step S2301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but are not limited thereto. Steps S2301+S2302 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S2301+S2302+S2303 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0225] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0226] Therefore, in this embodiment, if the third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element migrates, the second network element may send a fifth message to the first network element, the fifth message including the first information related to the user plane path, so as to manage the first information related to the user plane path when the third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element migrates. When the third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element migrates, the first information related to the user plane path may be updated locally on the first network element, or when the third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element migrates, the fourth network element may be selected or reselected with reference to the first information related to the user plane path, so that the selected or reselected fourth network element can support the effective connection of the user plane path, and the user plane connection established based on the user plane path can support the effective implementation of the first service.

[0227] FIG3A is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a first network element. The method includes:

[0228] Step S3101: Receive first information related to a user plane path sent by a second network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

[0229] The communication control method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include step S3101. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0230] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0231] FIG3B is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a first network element. The method includes:

[0232] Step S3201: Send a first message to a second network element, where the first message is used to create a session management (SM) context for a PDU session, and the PDU session is used for a first service.

[0233] Step S3202: Receive a second message sent by the second network element, wherein the second message is sent by the second network element by calling the N1N2 interactive message forwarding service of the first network element, and the second message includes the first information and a PDU session establishment acceptance message.

[0234] Step S3203: Update the locally stored information related to the fourth network element according to the user plane information, wherein the first information is the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

[0235] Step S3204: Select or reselect the target fourth network element based on the first information, wherein the currently selected fourth network element and the target fourth network element are different, and the first information includes: the DNAI associated with the third network element, and / or the IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0236] The communication control method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 to S3204. For example, step S3201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto. Steps S3201+S3202 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and so on, but are not limited thereto.

[0237] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0238] FIG3C is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3C , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a first network element. The method includes:

[0239] Step S3301: Send a third message to the second network element, where the third message is used to request to update the SM context for the PDU session, and the PDU session is used for the first service.

[0240] Step S3302: Receive a fourth message sent by the second network element, where the fourth message is used to indicate a response to updating the SM context for the PDU session, and the fourth message includes: first information.

[0241] Step S3303: Update the locally stored information related to the fourth network element according to the user plane information, wherein the first information is the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

[0242] Step S3304: Select or reselect the target fourth network element based on the first information, wherein the currently selected fourth network element and the target fourth network element are different, and the first information includes: the DNAI associated with the third network element, and / or the IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0243] The communication control method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3301 to S3304. For example, step S3301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Steps S3301+S3302 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and so on, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0244] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0245] FIG3D is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3D , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a first network element. The method includes:

[0246] Step S3401, receive the fifth message sent by the second network element, wherein the third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element migrates, the fifth message is used to notify the status of the PDU session SM context or to notify the PDU session status, the PDU session is used for the first service, and the fifth message includes: the first information.

[0247] Step S3402: Update locally stored information related to the fourth network element according to the user plane information, wherein the first information is the user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

[0248] Step S3403: Select or reselect the target fourth network element based on the first information, wherein the currently selected fourth network element and the target fourth network element are different, and the first information includes: the DNAI associated with the third network element, and / or the IP address range accessible to the third network element.

[0249] The communication control method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3401 to S3403. For example, step S3401 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3402 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Steps S3401+S3402 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and so on, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0250] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0251] FIG4A is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a second network element. The method includes:

[0252] Step S4101: Send first information related to a user plane path to a first network element, where the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

[0253] The communication control method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include step S4101. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0254] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0255] FIG4B is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a second network element. The method includes:

[0256] Step S4201: Receive a first message sent by a first network element, where the first message is used to create a session management (SM) context for a PDU session, and the PDU session is used for a first service.

[0257] Step S4202: Send a second message to the first network element by calling the N1N2 interactive message forwarding service of the first network element, wherein the second message includes the first information and a PDU session establishment acceptance message.

[0258] The communication control method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4201 and S4202. For example, step S4201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto. Steps S4201+S4202 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0259] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0260] FIG4C is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4C , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a second network element. The method includes:

[0261] Step S4301: Receive a third message sent by a first network element, where the third message is used to request an update of an SM context for a PDU session, and the PDU session is used for a first service.

[0262] Step S4302: Send a fourth message to the first network element, where the fourth message is used to indicate a response to updating the SM context for the PDU session, and the fourth message includes: first information.

[0263] The communication control method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4301 and S4302. For example, step S4301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto. Steps S4301+S4302 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0264] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0265] FIG4D is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4D , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication control method that can be used in a second network element. The method includes:

[0266] Step S4401, send the fifth message to the first network element, wherein the third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element migrates, the fifth message is used to notify the status of the PDU session SM context or to notify the PDU session status, the PDU session is used for the first service, and the fifth message includes: the first information.

[0267] The communication control method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include step S4401. For example, step S4401 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0268] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0269] The following is an exemplary introduction to the above method.

[0270] Optional embodiment:

[0271] As shown in Figure 5A, Figure 5A is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5A, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element is an AMF network element, the second network element is an SMF network element, the third network element is a UPF network element, the fourth network element is an LMF network element, and the terminal is a UE. Figure 5A also includes a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN).

[0272] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF network element is triggered by the LMF network element. The LMF network element may trigger the establishment of the user plane connection after receiving a location request from the AMF network element, wherein the location request may be initiated by the UE or the network or the application function (AF) network element.

[0273] In this embodiment, the relevant PDU session has not been established when the user plane positioning service is triggered. Therefore, a user plane connection to a dedicated DNN and / or S-NSSAI and a PDU session supporting positioning can be established first.

[0274] Such methods may include:

[0275] 1. The LMF network element determines to use the user plane for positioning.

[0276] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may decide whether to perform the positioning process via a user plane connection between the UE and the LMF network element.

[0277] 2. Send Namf_Communication_N1N2Transfer message (including user plane information).

[0278] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may send a Namf_Communication_N1N2Transfer message to the AMF network element, which may include user plane information (User Plane Information).

[0279] In some embodiments, the user plane information may be used to instruct the UE to perform positioning using the user plane on the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol.

[0280] In some embodiments, the user plane information may include the user plane location address and security-related information of the LMF network element.

[0281] 3. Send DL NAS TRANSPORT message (including user plane information).

[0282] In some embodiments, the DL NAS TRANSPORT message refers to a downlink non-access layer transport message, and the DL NAS TRANSPORT message includes user plane information of a LMF network element providing a positioning service.

[0283] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may send a DL NAS TRANSPORT message to the terminal.

[0284] 4. Send PDU Session Establishment Request message.

[0285] In some embodiments, the PDU Session Establishment Request message is, for example, a PDU session establishment request message.

[0286] In some embodiments, if an applicable PDU session has not yet been established for the user plane positioning service, the UE may use the URSP to establish a PDU session that supports the user plane positioning service. The URSP includes PDU session parameters related to user plane positioning, such as a dedicated DNN, S-NSSAI, etc.

[0287] 5. Send Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request message.

[0288] In some embodiments, the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request message may be used to request creation of a session management (SM) context for a PDU session.

[0289] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may request the SMF network element to create an SM context for the PDU session based on the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request message.

[0290] 6. Send Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response message.

[0291] In some embodiments, the SMF network element can create an SM context.

[0292] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may send an Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Response message to the AMF network element.

[0293] 7. Establish user plane path.

[0294] In some embodiments, the SMF network element can select a UPF based on the locally configured IP address and / or network prefix of the LMF network element used for positioning services within a specific service area and the DNAI to establish a user plane path for a dedicated PDU session within a specific service area configured in the SMF network element.

[0295] In some embodiments, the SMF network element can establish a user plane path based on the selected UPF.

[0296] In some embodiments, the SMF network element can interact with the selected UPF network element to establish a user plane path based on the selected UPF network element.

[0297] 8. Send Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message (including user plane path information).

[0298] In some embodiments, the first information related to the user plane path may be, for example, UP path Info.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first information related to the user plane path may also be referred to as user plane path information.

[0300] In some embodiments, when the SMF network element accepts the establishment of a PDU session, it may call the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service to send a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message, and the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message may include first information related to the user plane path.

[0301] In some embodiments, the first information related to the user plane path can be the DNAI of the protocol data unit session anchor user plane function PSA UPF network element, or it can be the IP address range that can be accessed by the PSA UPF network element. The PSA UPF network element is selected for the PDU session located for the user plane of the LMF network element accessing the current location, or the first information related to the user plane path can also be the user plane information of the LMF network element.

[0302] In some embodiments, if the first information related to the user plane path is the user plane information of the LMF network element, the AMF network element can update the locally stored LMF information based on the user plane information received from the LMF network element, and step 10 may not be executed, and steps 11 and 12 may be executed or not.

[0303] In some embodiments, if the first information related to the user plane path is the DNAI of the protocol data unit session anchor user plane function PSA UPF network element, or the IP address range accessible to the PSA UPF network element, or both, steps 10 to 12 can be performed as needed to reselect the LMF network element.

[0304] 9. Send PDU Session Establishment Accept message.

[0305] In some embodiments, the PDU Session Establishment Accept message is, for example, a PDU Session Establishment Accept message.

[0306] In some embodiments, the AMF network element sends a PDU Session Establishment Accept message to the UE.

[0307] 10. Select or reselect the LMF network element based on the user plane path information.

[0308] In some embodiments, the AMF network element performs LMF reselection based on the user plane path information received in the above step 8, where the LMF reselection can be determined by the local or NRF network element.

[0309] In some embodiments, if reselection is performed through the NRF network element, the AMF network element can call the Nnrf_NFDiscovery service and refer to the user plane path information during the LMF network element selection process.

[0310] 11. Send Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Request message.

[0311] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may send an Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request message to the LMF network element to request establishment of a positioning service user plane connection.

[0312] In some embodiments, the location service user plane connection may be expressed as Location Service-UP connection (LCS-UP connection).

[0313] 12. Send Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message (including user plane information).

[0314] In some embodiments, if the selected or reselected LMF network element accepts positioning using the user plane and no secure user plane connection is established between the UE and the selected or reselected LMF network element, the selected or reselected LMF network element may send user plane information to the AMF network element, indicating that the UE accepts and uses the user plane for positioning. The user plane information may include the user plane positioning address and security-related information of the selected or reselected LMF network element.

[0315] 13. Send DL NAS TRANSPORT message (including user plane information).

[0316] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may send the user plane information received in step 8 or step 10 to the UE via a DL NAS TRANSPORT message.

[0317] 14. Send UL NAS TRANSPORT message (user plane location confirmation information).

[0318] In some embodiments, the UL NAS TRANSPORT message represents an uplink non-access stratum transport message.

[0319] In some embodiments, the UE may send user plane positioning confirmation information to the LMF network element through the AMF network element, indicating that the user plane connection positioning service is successful or the user plane connection positioning service fails, for example, a suitable PDU session is not established.

[0320] 15. Send Namf_N1MessageNotify message (user plane positioning confirmation information).

[0321] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may send user plane location confirmation information to the LMF network element via a Namf_N1MessageNotify message.

[0322] In some embodiments, the Namf_N1MessageNotify message may represent an N1 interface notification message.

[0323] 16. Notify the UE via the known UE IP address.

[0324] In some embodiments, if the LMF network element knows the IP address of the UE, the LMF network element may notify the UE to establish a user plane connection through the known IP address.

[0325] 17. The UE establishes a user plane connection.

[0326] In some embodiments, the UE may establish a user plane connection with the LMF network element.

[0327] In some embodiments, if the LMF network element sends the FQDN to the UE, a domain name server (DNS) / resolver is used to resolve the IP address of the LMF network element to discover the LMF network element and establish a user plane connection with the discovered LMF network element.

[0328] 18. Send Nlmf_Location_UPNotify message (user plane positioning confirmation information).

[0329] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may indicate to the AMF network element through the Nlmf_Location_UPNotify message that the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF network element has been established.

[0330] 19. Store the location service user plane connection context.

[0331] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may store the LCS-UP connection context as part of the UE context.

[0332] 20. Transmit UE positioning and auxiliary service information through the user plane.

[0333] In some embodiments, LPP information may be transmitted between the UE and the LMF network element, and the LPP information may be used for UE-based positioning, UE-assisted positioning, and delivery of auxiliary information.

[0334] In some embodiments, the auxiliary service event report message from the UE can be transmitted to the LMF network element via the established user plane connection.

[0335] As shown in Figure 5B, Figure 5B is an interactive diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5B, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element is an AMF network element, the second network element is an SMF network element, the third network element is a UPF network element, the fourth network element is an LMF network element, and the terminal is a UE. Figure 5B also includes an NG-RAN.

[0336] In this embodiment, assuming that the user plane positioning service between the terminal and the LMF network element is triggered by a UE request, and it is determined that there is a related PDU session, the PDU session modification process can be triggered to update the SM context for the PDU session.

[0337] The above methods include:

[0338] 1. Send UL NAS TRANSPORT message (start user plane positioning).

[0339] In some embodiments, if the UE decides to prepare a user plane connection for an upcoming positioning request, the UE may send a user plane connection establishment request to the AMF network element via a UL NAS TRANSPORT message.

[0340] 2. Select the LMF network element.

[0341] In some embodiments, if the UE's subscription information indicates that the terminal is authorized to use user plane connection positioning, the AMF network element may select an LMF network element that can establish a user plane positioning session with the UE.

[0342] 3. Send Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request message.

[0343] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may send an Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request message to the LMF network element to request the establishment of an LCS-UP connection.

[0344] 4. Send Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message (including user plane information).

[0345] In some embodiments, if the LMF network element determines to use the user plane for positioning, and no secure user plane connection is established between the UE and the LMF network element, the LMF network element may send user plane information to the AMF network element, indicating that the UE accepts and uses the user plane for positioning.

[0346] In some embodiments, the user plane information may include the user plane location address and security-related information of the LMF network element.

[0347] In some embodiments, steps 2 to 4 above are optional steps.

[0348] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may be selected or reselected after receiving feedback from the SMF network element after step 7.

[0349] 5. Send Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext request message.

[0350] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may request the SMF network element to update the SM context of the PDU session based on the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message.

[0351] 6. Modify the user plane path.

[0352] In some embodiments, the SMF network element can migrate the UPF based on the locally configured IP address and / or network prefix of the LMF network element used for positioning services within a specific service area and the DNAI to establish a user plane path for a dedicated PDU session within a specific service area configured in the SMF network element.

[0353] 7. Send Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response message (including user plane path information).

[0354] 2a. Select or reselect the LMF network element based on the user plane path information.

[0355] In some embodiments, if there is no available LMF information in the AMF network element, the AMF network element may select the LMF network element, for example, steps 2-4 are skipped and not executed, and there is no available LMF information in the AMF network element.

[0356] In some embodiments, if there is available LMF information in the AMF network element, the AMF network element can reselect the LMF.

[0357] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may be selected or reselected with reference to the user plane path information.

[0358] 3a. Send Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request message.

[0359] 4a. Send Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message (including user plane information).

[0360] In some embodiments, the SMF network element can reselect the UPF network element based on the LMF information received from step 5 above and the locally configured IP address and / or network prefix of the LMF used for positioning services within a specific service area and its DNAI.

[0361] 8. Send DL NAS TRANSPORT message (including user plane information).

[0362] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may forward the user plane information to the UE via a DL NAS TRANSPORT message.

[0363] 9. The UE establishes a user plane connection.

[0364] In some embodiments, the UE may establish a user plane connection with the LMF network element.

[0365] 10. Send Nlmf_Location_UPConfig response message.

[0366] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may send an Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Response message to the AMF network element to indicate that the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF network element has been established.

[0367] 11. Store the location service user plane connection context.

[0368] In some embodiments, the location service user plane connection may be expressed as Location Service-UP connection (LCS-UP connection).

[0369] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may store the LCS-UP connection context as part of the UE context.

[0370] 12. Transmit UE positioning and auxiliary service information through the user plane.

[0371] In some embodiments, LPP information may be transmitted between the UE and the LMF network element, and the LPP information may be used for UE-based positioning, UE-assisted positioning, and delivery of auxiliary information.

[0372] In some embodiments, the auxiliary service event report message from the UE can be transmitted to the LMF network element through the established user plane connection.

[0373] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in addition to implementing the determination of utilizing user plane positioning in the LMF as described in the above embodiments, it can also be implemented in the terminal, that is, the terminal determines the need to utilize user plane positioning and triggers the corresponding PDU session establishment or modification.

[0374] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0375] As shown in Figure 5C, Figure 5C is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication control method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5C, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, an example is given in which the first network element is an AMF network element, the second network element is an SMF network element, the third network element is a UPF network element, the target fourth network element is a Target LMF network element, the source fourth network element is a Source LMF network element, and the terminal is a UE.

[0376] In this embodiment, the SMF network element triggers the modification of the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF network element, and determines that the UPF network element is migrated.

[0377] 1a. Send an Nlmf_Location_UPNotify message (including the identifier of the target fourth network element).

[0378] In some embodiments, the Source LMF network element finds that the LMF network element needs to be changed, or the user plane connection between the UE and the LMF network element needs to be re-established, or the user plane connection needs to be terminated.

[0379] In some embodiments, the Source LMF network element may send an Nlmf_Location_UPNotify message to the AMF network element, which includes the identifier of the target LMF and indicates the reason for the modification or termination.

[0380] 1b. Trigger the selection or reselection of LMF network elements.

[0381] In some embodiments, based on the indication of the Source LMF network element, the AMF network element may reselect the target LMF network element for user plane positioning, or when the UE moves to a new location (possibly outside the service area of ​​the Source LMF network element but within the service area of ​​the Target LMF network element), the AMF network element may reselect the LMF network element and select the target LMF network element for the UE based on information such as the LMF service area.

[0382] 1c. Send Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify message (including user plane path information).

[0383] In some embodiments, when the UPF network element is migrated, the SMF network element may send user plane path information related to the target PSA UPF.

[0384] In some embodiments, the Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify service or the Nsmf_PDUSession_StatusNotify service may be called to deliver user plane path information.

[0385] 2. Move the connection to the target LMF network element.

[0386] In some embodiments, the AMF network element, the UE and the target LMF network element interact to execute the process of connecting to the target LMF network element.

[0387] In some embodiments, the UE may also terminate the connection with the Source LMF network element.

[0388] 3. Send Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request message.

[0389] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may send a Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request message to the Source LMF network element.

[0390] In some embodiments, the Nlmf_Location_UPConfig request message may include: a request instructing the Source LMF network element to terminate a specific user plane connection to the UE, and an identifier of the target LMF network element, and may also include information about the reallocation of the AMF network element.

[0391] 4. Send Nlmf_Location_LocationContextTransfer request message.

[0392] 5. Send Nlmf_Location_LocationContextTransfer response message.

[0393] In some embodiments, the Source LMF network element may call the Nlmf_Location_LocationContextTransfer request service to provide the target LMF network element with the current location context of the UE.

[0394] In some embodiments, if there is a periodically triggered UE location event reporting context, the target LMF network element may notify the source LMF network element of the location context transmission operation result.

[0395] 6. Terminate the connection with the UE.

[0396] In some embodiments, if the user plane connection with the Source LMF network element is still active, the Source LMF network element may terminate the connection with the terminal.

[0397] 7. Send Nlmf_Location_UPConfig response message.

[0398] In some embodiments, the LMF network element may send an Nlmf_Location_UPConfig Response message to the AMF network element to confirm the connection termination or to confirm the change of the AMF network element. If this procedure is used to confirm the connection termination, the AMF network element may release the LCS-UP connection context after receiving the response message.

[0399] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication control device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6A, the communication control device includes: a transceiver module configured to receive first information related to a user plane path sent by a second network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for the first service.

[0400] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to execute the relevant steps performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0401] Optionally, the communication control device also includes at least one of a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to execute the steps related to sending performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, and the receiving module is used to execute the steps related to receiving performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0402] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication control device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6B, the communication control device includes: a transceiver module configured to send first information related to a user plane path to a first network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

[0403] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to execute the relevant steps performed by the second network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0404] Optionally, the communication control device also includes at least one of a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to execute the steps related to sending performed by the second network element in any of the above methods, and the receiving module is used to execute the steps related to receiving performed by the second network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0405] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0406] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a core network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0407] As shown in FIG7 , the core network device 70 includes: a first network element 701 and a second network element 702; wherein,

[0408] The second network element is configured to send first information related to a user plane path to the first network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for the first service;

[0409] The first network element is configured to receive first information related to a user plane path sent by the second network element.

[0410] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0411] a data network access identifier DNAI associated with a third network element, wherein the third network element is selected for a protocol data unit PDU session for the first service;

[0412] The range of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses accessible to the third network element;

[0413] The user plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

[0414] In some embodiments, wherein

[0415] The first network element is further configured to send a first message to the second network element, wherein the first message is used to create a session management (SM) context for a PDU session, where the PDU session is used for the first service;

[0416] The second network element is further configured to receive the first message sent by the first network element, and send a second message to the first network element by invoking the N1N2 interactive message forwarding service of the first network element, wherein the second message includes the first information and a PDU session establishment accept message;

[0417] The first network element is further configured to receive a second message sent by the second network element.

[0418] In some embodiments, wherein

[0419] The first network element is further configured to send a third message to the second network element, wherein the third message is used to request an update of the SM context for the PDU session, where the PDU session is used for the first service;

[0420] The second network element is further configured to receive a third message sent by the first network element, and send a fourth message to the first network element, wherein the fourth message is used to indicate a response to updating the SM context for the PDU session, and the fourth message includes: the first information;

[0421] The first network element is further configured to receive a fourth message sent by the second network element.

[0422] In some embodiments, wherein

[0423] The second network element is further configured to send a fifth message to the first network element, wherein a third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element is migrated, the fifth message is used to notify a state of a PDU session SM context or to notify a PDU session state, the PDU session is used for the first service, and the fifth message includes: the first information;

[0424] The first network element is further configured to receive a fifth message sent by the second network element.

[0425] As shown in Figure 8A, Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 8101 is used to call instructions to enable the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0426] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 may be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0427] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 8103, and the other steps are performed by the processor 8101.

[0428] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0429] Optionally, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more interface circuits 8104, which are connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuits 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8104 can read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0430] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 8A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0431] FIG8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG8B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0432] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201, and the processor 8201 is used to call instructions so that the chip 8200 executes any of the above methods.

[0433] In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202, which are connected to memory 8203. Interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from memory 8203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 8203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in memory 8203 and send the instructions to processor 8201. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver are interchangeable.

[0434] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

[0435] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0436] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0437] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0438] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

[0439] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0440] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0441] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0442] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, but the scope of protection of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this disclosure should be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication control method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first network element and includes: First information related to a user plane path sent by a second network element is received, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following: a data network access identifier DNAI associated with a third network element, wherein the third network element is selected for a protocol data unit PDU session for the first service; An Internet Protocol IP address range accessible to the third network element; User plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending a first message to the second network element, wherein the first message is used to create a session management SM context for a PDU session, and the PDU session is used for the first service; The receiving first information related to the user plane path sent by the second network element includes: Receive a second message sent by the second network element, wherein the second message is sent by the second network element by calling the N1N2 interactive message forwarding service of the first network element, and the second message includes: the first information and a PDU session establishment acceptance message.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending a third message to the second network element, wherein the third message is used to request updating the SM context for the PDU session, and the PDU session is used for the first service; The receiving first information related to the user plane path sent by the second network element includes: Receive a fourth message sent by the second network element, wherein the fourth message is used to indicate the response to updating the SM context for the PDU session, and the fourth message includes: the first information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The receiving first information related to the user plane path sent by the second network element includes: Receive the fifth message sent by the second network element, wherein the third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element migrates, the fifth message is used to notify the status of the PDU session SM context or to notify the PDU session status, the PDU session is used for the first service, and the fifth message includes: the first information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first information is user plane information of a fourth network element currently selected for the first service; the method further includes: According to the user plane information, locally stored information related to the fourth network element is updated.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first information includes: a DNAI associated with a third network element, and / or an IP address range accessible to the third network element; the method further includes: According to the first information, a target fourth network element is selected or reselected, wherein the currently selected fourth network element is different from the target fourth network element.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The selecting or reselecting the target fourth network element includes at least one of the following: Selecting or reselecting a target fourth network element locally in the first network element; A target fourth network element is selected or reselected through a fifth network element, wherein the fifth network element is used to provide a network storage function.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The first information is the DNAI associated with the third network element; wherein, selecting or reselecting a target fourth network element according to the first information includes: Select or reselect a candidate fourth network element corresponding to the DNAI associated with the third network element from multiple candidate fourth network elements, and use the corresponding candidate fourth network element as the target fourth network element.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The first information is an IP address range accessible to the third network element; wherein, selecting or reselecting a target fourth network element according to the first information includes: A candidate fourth network element to which the IP address belonging to the IP address range belongs is selected or reselected from a plurality of candidate fourth network elements, and the candidate fourth network element is used as the target fourth network element.

11. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The first information includes: a DNAI associated with a third network element and an IP address range accessible to the third network element; wherein, selecting or reselecting a target fourth network element according to the first information includes: Select or reselect a candidate fourth network element corresponding to the DNAI associated with the third network element and whose IP address belongs to the IP address range from multiple candidate fourth network elements, and use the selected or reselected candidate fourth network element as the target fourth network element.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A sixth message is sent to the target fourth network element, wherein the sixth message is used to request the target fourth network element to establish the user plane connection.

13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending user plane information related to the target fourth network element to the terminal, wherein the user plane information is used to establish the user plane connection between the terminal and the target fourth network element.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The first service is a user plane positioning service.

15. A communication control method, characterized in that: Executed by the second network element, the method includes: First information related to a user plane path is sent to a first network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following: a data network access identifier DNAI associated with a third network element, wherein the third network element is selected for a protocol data unit PDU session for the first service; An Internet Protocol IP address range accessible to the third network element; User plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

17. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a first message sent by the first network element, wherein the first message is used to create a session management SM context for a PDU session, and the PDU session is used for the first service; The sending the first information related to the user plane path to the first network element includes: A second message is sent to the first network element by invoking the N1N2 interactive message forwarding service of the first network element, wherein the second message includes: the first information and a PDU session establishment acceptance message.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a third message sent by the first network element, wherein the third message is used to request to update the SM context for the PDU session, and the PDU session is used for the first service; The sending the first information related to the user plane path to the first network element includes: A fourth message is sent to the first network element, wherein the fourth message is used to indicate the response to updating the SM context for the PDU session, and the fourth message includes: the first information.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 16, characterized in that: The sending first information related to the user plane path to the first network element includes: A fifth message is sent to the first network element, wherein a third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element is migrated, the fifth message is used to notify the status of the PDU session SM context or to notify the PDU session status, the PDU session is used for the first service, and the fifth message includes: the first information.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that: The first service is a user plane positioning service.

21. A core network device, characterized in that: include: A first network element and a second network element; wherein, The second network element is configured to send first information related to a user plane path to the first network element, wherein the user plane path is to establish a user plane connection, where the user plane connection is used for a first service; The first network element is used to receive first information related to the user plane path sent by the second network element.

22. The core network device according to claim 21, characterized in that: The first information includes at least one of the following: a data network access identifier DNAI associated with a third network element, wherein the third network element is selected for a protocol data unit PDU session for the first service; An Internet Protocol IP address range accessible to the third network element; User plane information of the fourth network element currently selected for the first service.

23. The core network device according to any one of claims 21 to 22, characterized in that: in, The first network element is further used to send a first message to the second network element, wherein the first message is used to create a session management SM context for a PDU session, and the PDU session is used for the first service; The second network element is further configured to receive a first message sent by the first network element, and send a second message to the first network element by calling an N1N2 interactive message forwarding service of the first network element, wherein the second message includes: the first information and a PDU session establishment acceptance message; The first network element is further used to receive a second message sent by the second network element.

24. The core network device according to any one of claims 21 to 22, characterized in that: in, The first network element is further used to send a third message to the second network element, wherein the third message is used to request to update the SM context for the PDU session, and the PDU session is used for the first service; The second network element is further used to receive a third message sent by the first network element, and send a fourth message to the first network element, wherein the fourth message is used to indicate the response of updating the SM context for the PDU session, and the fourth message includes: the first information; The first network element is further used to receive a fourth message sent by the second network element.

25. The core network device according to any one of claims 21-22, characterized in that: in, The second network element is further used to send a fifth message to the first network element, wherein a third network element associated with the currently selected fourth network element is migrated, the fifth message is used to notify the state of the PDU session SM context or to notify the PDU session state, the PDU session is used for the first service, and the fifth message includes: the first information; The first network element is further used to receive a fifth message sent by the second network element.

26. A communication control device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The transceiver module is used to receive first information related to a user plane path sent by a second network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

27. A communication control device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The transceiver module is used to send first information related to a user plane path to a first network element, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection, and the user plane connection is used for a first service.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: include: One or more processors; The processor is used to call instructions so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

29. A communication system, characterized in that: It includes a first network element, a second network element, a third network element, a fourth network element and / or a terminal, wherein the first network element is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 1-14, and the second network element is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 15-20.

30. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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