User plane connection establishment method and apparatus, and communication device, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the present disclosure are a user plane connection establishment method and apparatus, and a communication device, a communication system and a storage medium. The method comprises: a first network element acquiring first information, wherein the first information is used by a terminal to perform online subscription in a common application program interface (API) framework (CAPIF) core function; and establishing a user plane path on the basis of the first information, wherein the user plane path is used for establishing a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function. By means of the method of the present disclosure, a user plane path for connecting a CAPIF core function can be established.

Description

User plane connection establishment method and device, communication equipment, communication system, and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for establishing a user plane connection, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] The architecture, procedures, and information flows required for the Common Application Program Interface Framework (CAPIF) are defined in some communication standard protocols. It can be hosted in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) or a Stand-alone Non-Public Network (SNPN). The CAPIF Core Function (CCF) in the PLMN trusted domain supports service application programming interfaces (APIs) from the PLMN trusted domain and third-party trusted domains that have business relationships with the PLMN. The API caller can exist in the PLMN trusted domain, in a third-party trusted domain, or outside the PLMN trusted domain and third-party trusted domains. The API caller is usually provided by a third-party application provider that has a service agreement with the PLMN operator. The API caller may be located in the same trusted domain as the PLMN operator network. The API caller can be an application on a server or an application on a terminal.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, apparatus, device, chip system, storage medium, computer program, and computer program product for establishing a user plane connection, which can be applied in the field of communication technology to solve the technical problem of "not supporting the establishment of a user plane path connecting to the CAPIF core function."

[0005] The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for establishing a user plane connection, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0006] According to the first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for establishing a user plane connection is proposed, which is executed by a first network element, including: obtaining first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF; establishing a user plane path based on the first information, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0007] According to the second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for establishing a user plane connection is proposed, which is executed by a third network element, including: determining first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF, and the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0008] According to the third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for establishing a user plane connection is proposed, which is executed by a fifth network element, including: determining first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF, and the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0009] According to the fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for establishing a user plane connection is proposed, including: a third network element or a fifth network element determines first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in a common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF core function; the first network element obtains the first information and establishes a user plane path based on the first information, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0010] According to the fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user plane connection establishment device is proposed, including: a transceiver module for obtaining first information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF; a processing module for establishing a user plane path based on the first information, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0011] According to the sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user plane connection establishment device is proposed, including: a processing module for determining first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF core function, the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0012] According to the seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user plane connection establishment device is proposed, including: a processing module for determining first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF core function, the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0013] According to the eighth 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 so that the communication device executes the user plane connection establishment method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect and the third aspect.

[0014] According to the ninth 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, a fifth network element, a sixth network element and / or a terminal, wherein the first network element is configured to implement the user plane connection establishment method of the first aspect, the third network element is configured to implement the user plane connection establishment method of the second aspect, and the fifth network element is configured to implement the user plane connection establishment method of the second aspect.

[0015] According to the tenth 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 user plane connection establishment method as described in any one of the first, second and third aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] 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.

[0017] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG2A is an interactive diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG2B is an interactive diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG2C is an interactive diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG3A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG3B is an interactive diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG3C is an interactive diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG4A is an interactive diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG4B is an interactive diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG5A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG5B is an interactive diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG6 is an interactive diagram illustrating a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG7 is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG8A is a schematic structural diagram of a device for establishing a user plane connection proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG8B is a schematic structural diagram of a device for establishing a user plane connection proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG8C is a schematic structural diagram of a device for establishing a user plane connection proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG9A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG9B 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 user plane connection establishment method and apparatus, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "user plane connection establishment method" and "information processing method" and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "user plane connection establishment apparatus" and "information processing apparatus" and "communication apparatus" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing 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, a fifth network element 1025, a sixth network element 1026, 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, the fourth network element 1024, the fifth network element 1025, and the sixth network element 1026. The network element 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 is, for example, a session management function (SMF) network element, but the name is not limited thereto.

[0061] In some embodiments, the first network element 1021 is used to provide session management functionality.

[0062] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 is, for example, a network exposure function (NEF) network element, but the name is not limited thereto.

[0063] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 is used to provide a network opening function.

[0064] In some embodiments, the third network element 1023 is, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, but the name is not limited thereto.

[0065] In some embodiments, the third network element 1023 is used to provide access and mobility management functions.

[0066] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1024 is, for example, a unified data management (UDM) network element, but the name is not limited thereto.

[0067] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1024 is used to provide unified data management functions.

[0068] In some embodiments, the fifth network element 1025 is, for example, a policy control function (PCF) network element, but the name is not limited thereto.

[0069] In some embodiments, the fifth network element 1025 is used to provide policy control functions.

[0070] In some embodiments, the sixth network element 1026 is, for example, a user plane function (UPF) network element, but the name is not limited thereto.

[0071] In some embodiments, the sixth network element 1026 is used to provide user plane functions.

[0072] In some embodiments, the third network element 1023 and the sixth network element 1026 may be connected or not connected.

[0073] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and the UPF network element may be connected or not connected.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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).

[0078] To facilitate understanding, the terms involved in this disclosure are first introduced.

[0079] 1. Access and mobility management function (AMF) network element.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 2. Location management function (LMF) network element.

[0082] The LMF is located in the local radio access network (RAN) or core network (CN) side and is used to provide location management function services to the UE.

[0083] 3. Application function (AF) network elements, similar to an application server, can interact with other core network control plane network functions (NFs) and provide business services. AF network elements can exist for different application services and can be owned by operators or trusted third parties.

[0084] 4. The Network Exposure Function (NEF) network element, located between the core network and external third-party application functions (possibly also some internal AFs), is responsible for managing all external applications that expose network data to the outside world. The NEF provides security guarantees to ensure the secure access of external applications to the 3GPP network, and offers features such as quality of service (QoS) customization, mobility status event subscription, and AF request distribution.

[0085] 5. 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).

[0086] 6. Unified data management (UDM) network element.

[0087] The UDM network element is responsible for the management of terminal device identification, contract data, authentication data, and service network element registration management of terminal devices (such as the AMF network element that currently provides services to the terminal device. For example, when the terminal device switches the AMF network element it accesses, the UDM network element will also initiate a deregistration message to the old AMF network element, requesting the old AMF network element to delete user-related information).

[0088] 7. Policy control function (PCF) network element, which supports a unified policy framework to manage network behavior, provides policy rules to network entities for implementation, and accesses subscription information in a unified data warehouse.

[0089] 8. Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element, used by UDM network elements to store subscription data or read subscription data and PCF network elements to store policy data or read policy data.

[0090] 9. Radio Access Network (RAN): used to control users' wireless access to the mobile communication network.

[0091] Optionally, the CAPIF Core Function may include:

[0092] (a) Authenticate and authorize API callers.

[0093] (b) Publish, store, and support discovery of service API information.

[0094] (c) Configure / store policy information to control service API access.

[0095] (d) Store service API call logs and provide service API call logs to authorized entities.

[0096] (e) Charges are based on service API call logs.

[0097] (f) Monitoring service API calls.

[0098] (g) Support auditing of access logs.

[0099] Optionally, the API caller (API Invoker) may be a third-party application that needs to call 5G network capabilities, which can be within the PLMN trusted domain or outside the domain. The API exposing function (API Exposing Function) is the provider of the service API and the entry point for API Invoker to communicate with the service API. The API publishing function (API Publishing Function) can publish the service API. The API management function (API Management Function) can monitor and query the calling status of the service API. Optionally, the NEF network element can implement the CAPIF core function, API exposing function, API publishing function and API management function. The CAPIF core function can be used to expose services to the terminal through the user plane of 5GC.

[0100] Optionally, the service may be, for example, ranging or a sidelink (SL) positioning service, and the terminal may be, for example, a SL positioning client terminal that supports the ranging or SL positioning service.

[0101] Optionally, for ranging or SL positioning services open to authorized SL positioning client terminals, the relative position, distance, or direction results between two or more terminals supporting ranging or SL positioning services can be obtained. The following steps can be performed:

[0102] The SL positioning client terminal can provide online contract registration information during the registration process.

[0103] The SL positioning client terminal calls the API opened by the application program at the application layer.

[0104] Authorize the SL positioning client terminal to perform ranging or SL positioning service invocation. For example, check whether the SL positioning client terminal is allowed to obtain the ranging or SL positioning results of the reference terminal (the reference terminal is, for example, the terminal used as a reference in ranging or SL positioning services) and the target terminal (the target terminal is, for example, the terminal being ranged or positioned).

[0105] The embodiments of the present disclosure define how to establish a user plane connection between a terminal as an API caller and a device implementing the CAPIF core function, so as to support the provision of services to the terminal using the CAPIF core function through the user plane of 5GC. The CAPIF core function can be deployed in a core network element, such as an NEF network element, and the CAPIF core function can be implemented based on the NEF network element, or it can be implemented as an independent core network element or a third-party device.

[0106] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, support is provided for establishing a user plane path for a terminal to enable the terminal to use CAPIF core functions. This may include: establishing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the terminal to support access to the device implementing the CAPIF core functions; the SMF network element may obtain online subscription registration information or information about the CAPIF core functions and select a UPF network element to establish the user plane path; and the online subscription process and information flow of the API caller on the CAPIF core functions may be implemented through the established user plane path. When the CAPIF core functions can be implemented by an NEF network element, the user plane connection connects the terminal and the NEF network element. When the CAPIF core functions and the API open functions are deployed on the same Data Network Name (DNN) and / or Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), the user plane path can also be used to call the API for corresponding service access. When both the CAPIF core functions and the API open functions are implemented by the same device, such as an NEF network element, the user plane connection can also be used to call the API for corresponding service access.

[0107] FIG2A is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2A , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a communication system 100. The method includes:

[0108] Step S2101: The third network element determines the first information.

[0109] In some embodiments, the third network element may be, for example, an AMF network element.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF.

[0111] In some embodiments, online signing is for an API caller implemented on a terminal, and the API caller may be related to a first service or multiple services or any service involved in the terminal. In some embodiments, the first service is a user plane positioning service, and of course, the first service may also be any other possible service.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0113] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of an online signing certificate, an address of a CAPIF core function, and a root certificate of the CAPIF core function. This effectively improves the comprehensiveness of the first information indication to support effective establishment of a user plane path.

[0114] In some embodiments, the address of the CAPIF core function is an address of a second network element, where the CAPIF core function is deployed in the second network element. In some embodiments, the CAPIF core function can be deployed in a network element, which can be referred to as the second network element. For example, if the CAPIF core function is deployed in the second network element, the address of the CAPIF core function can be the address of the second network element.

[0115] In some embodiments, the CAPIF core functions may not be deployed in the core network elements, and there is no restriction on this.

[0116] In some embodiments, the second network element is, for example, an NEF network element. For example, the CAPIF core function can be deployed in the NEF network element, and the address of the CAPIF core function can be, for example, the address of the NEF network element. In this case, the NEF network element can be used to implement the CAPIF core function.

[0117] In some embodiments, the third network element may determine the first information from the terminal. That is, the first information may be determined by the terminal, and the terminal may provide the first information to the first network element via the third network element.

[0118] Step S2102: The third network element sends a first message to the first network element, where the first message includes: first information.

[0119] In some embodiments, the first network element may be, for example, an SMF network element.

[0120] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may determine the first information, and then the AMF network element may provide the first information to the SMF network element. For example, the AMF network element may provide the first information to the SMF network element by sending a first message to the SMF network element.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first message is used to create a session management (SM) context for a protocol data unit (PDU) session, where the PDU session is initiated by the terminal and is used to establish a user plane path connecting the CAPIF core function. That is, the UE may provide the first information to the SMF network element through the AMF network element during the PDU session establishment process, and the first information may be determined by the UE and provided to the AMF network element.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first message is used to update the SM context for a PDU session; wherein the PDU session is initiated and established by the terminal, and the PDU session is used to establish a user plane path connecting to the CAPIF core function. That is, the first information can be provided by the UE to the SMF network element through the AMF network element during the PDU session modification process, and the first information can be determined by the UE and provided to the AMF network element.

[0123] In some embodiments, the third network element may only provide the address of the CAPIF core function to the first network element, such as the address of the NEF network element that implements the CAPIF core function.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first message may include only the address of the CAPIF core function, such as the address of the NEF network element that implements the CAPIF core function. In some embodiments, the first message may be, for example, an Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request. In some embodiments, the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request may include only the address of the CAPIF core function, such as the address of the NEF network element that implements the CAPIF core function.

[0125] Step S2103: The first network element obtains first information from the first message.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first network element may receive a first message sent by the third network element and obtain first information from the first message.

[0127] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may receive a first message for creating a session management SM context for a PDU session, or may also receive a first message for updating the SM context for a PDU session and obtain first information from the first message.

[0128] Step S2104: The first network element determines a target sixth network element based on the first information.

[0129] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may reference the first information to select a sixth network element. The selected sixth network element may be referred to as a target sixth network element. For example, the sixth network element is a core network element used to establish a user plane path, such as a UPF network element. The target sixth network element may be a relatively suitable sixth network element selected based on the first information. For example, the target sixth network element may be a target UPF network element, which participates in establishing the user plane path.

[0130] In some embodiments, a target sixth network element is selected from a plurality of candidate sixth network elements based on the first information, thereby achieving accurate and timely selection of a suitable sixth network element for establishing a user plane path.

[0131] In some embodiments, a candidate sixth network element refers to a candidate sixth network element. There may be multiple candidate sixth network elements, each of which may be associated with a piece of information. The type of the associated information may be the same as the specific type of the first information. When selecting a target sixth network element with reference to the first information, associated information matching the first information may be determined, and the candidate sixth network element corresponding to the matched associated information may be selected as the target sixth network element.

[0132] Of course, the first network element may also adopt any other possible manner to determine the target sixth network element according to the first information, and there is no limitation to this.

[0133] Step S2105: The first network element establishes a user plane path associated with the target sixth network element.

[0134] In some embodiments, after selecting the target sixth network element, the first network element may establish a user plane path associated with the target sixth network element. In some embodiments, the first network element may send a message to the target sixth network element, wherein the message is used to request the establishment of the user plane path associated with the target sixth network element.

[0135] Step S2106: The first network element establishes a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function according to the user plane path.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first network element may further establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function based on the user plane path. If the CAPIF core function is deployed in an NEF network element (e.g., the NEF network element is used to implement the CAPIF core function), the user plane connection between the terminal and the NEF network element may also be established using the user plane path.

[0137] In some embodiments, based on the user plane connection, an online contract is signed for the API caller implemented in the terminal in the CAPIF core function, wherein, after the API caller is signed online, the API caller can implement the first service through the CAPIF core function. When the CAPIF core function can be implemented by the NEF network element, the user plane connection connects the terminal and the NEF network element. When the CAPIF core function and the API open function are deployed in the same DNN and / or S-NSSAI, the user plane path can also be used to call the API for corresponding service access. When the CAPIF core function and the API open function are both implemented by the same device, such as the NEF network element, the user plane connection can also be used to call the API for corresponding service access.

[0138] The user plane connection establishment method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2106. 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to establish a user plane path connecting the CAPIF core function during the PDU session establishment process or during the PDU session modification process, so that the user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function established based on the user plane path can support the effective implementation of the first service.

[0141] FIG2B is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2B , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a communication system 100. The method includes:

[0142] Step S2201: The first network element obtains terminal information.

[0143] In some embodiments, the terminal information may be used to identify the terminal. For example, the terminal information may be an identifier of the terminal. The identifier of the terminal may be, for example, a Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI).

[0144] Step S2202: The first network element queries the fourth network element for first information based on the information of the terminal.

[0145] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is used to provide a network storage function.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first network element may query subscription data from the fourth network element according to the terminal information and obtain the first information from the subscription data. For example, the description of the first information can be specifically referred to the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0147] Step S2203: The first network element determines the target sixth network element according to the first information.

[0148] Step S2204: The first network element establishes a user plane path associated with the target sixth network element.

[0149] Step S2205: The first network element establishes a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function according to the user plane path.

[0150] For the description of steps S2203 to S2205, please refer to the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0151] The user plane connection establishment method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2205. 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.

[0152] 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.

[0153] Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to query the fourth network element for first information based on terminal information, thereby supporting establishment of a user plane path connecting to the CAPIF core function based on the first information. This enables the user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function established based on the user plane path to effectively implement the first service. This also effectively increases the flexibility of obtaining the first information, effectively adapting to personalized communication scenarios.

[0154] FIG2C is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2C , the present disclosure embodiment relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a communication system 100. The method includes:

[0155] Step S2301: The first network element obtains third information, where the third information is used to indicate relevant policies of the CAPIF.

[0156] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information may also be obtained from a fifth network element. In some embodiments, the fifth network element is, for example, a PCF network element, but the name is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, relevant CAPIF policies may be used to select a suitable target fifth network element. The target fifth network element may be, for example, a suitable fifth network element selected based on relevant CAPIF policies. The target fifth network element may support obtaining the appropriate first information.

[0157] Step S2302: The first network element determines a target fifth network element based on the third information.

[0158] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may refer to the third information to select a fifth network element. The selected fifth network element may be referred to as a target fifth network element. For example, the target fifth network element may be a relatively suitable fifth network element selected with reference to the third information. For example, the target fifth network element is a target PCF network element, which is used to provide the first information.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first network element may select a target fifth network element from a plurality of candidate fifth network elements based on the third information, wherein the target fifth network element supports the relevant policies of CAPIF, thereby accurately and timely selecting a suitable fifth network element to provide the first information.

[0160] In some embodiments, a candidate fifth network element refers to a candidate fifth network element. There may be multiple candidate fifth network elements, each of which may be associated with a piece of information. The type of the associated information may be the same as the specific type of the third information. When selecting a target fifth network element with reference to the third information, associated information that matches the third information may be determined, and the candidate fifth network element corresponding to the matched associated information may be selected as the target fifth network element.

[0161] Of course, the first network element may also adopt any other possible manner to determine the target fifth network element according to the third information, and there is no limitation to this.

[0162] Step S2303: The first network element sends second information to the target fifth network element.

[0163] The second information is used to indicate the core function of CAPIF.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first network element may further send second information to the target fifth network element, wherein the second information is used to instruct the CAPIF core function to obtain the first information from the target fifth network element.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first network element may send a second message to the target fifth network element, where the second message includes second information; the second information includes at least one of a DNN of a CAPIF core function, an S-NSSAI of the CAPIF core function, and indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the CAPIF core function, thereby improving the accuracy of the first information.

[0166] In some embodiments, the second information is sent to the target fifth network element during the SM policy information acquisition process, or during the SM policy information update process. This supports requesting the first information during the SM policy information acquisition process or the SM policy information update process, thereby improving the timeliness and effectiveness of obtaining the first information.

[0167] Step S2304: The target fifth network element determines the first information based on the second information.

[0168] In some embodiments, after the target fifth network element obtains the second information, it can determine the first information based on the second information.

[0169] In some embodiments, the target fifth network element is an example of a PCF network element. To meet the requirement of querying relevant information from the PCF network element, the relevant information can be stored and / or generated in the PCF network element. The SMF network element can include information for indicating the CAPIF in the request. For example, the information for indicating the CAPIF can be implemented based on a dedicated DNN and / or S-NSSAI. Alternatively, another indication information can be included in the request to indicate the CAPIF.

[0170] In some embodiments, the PCF network element may query relevant information from the UDR network element.

[0171] Step S2305: The target fifth network element sends the first information to the first network element.

[0172] In some embodiments, the PCF network element may include online subscription registration information or only the address of the CAPIF core function in the policy returned to the SMF network element.

[0173] Step S2306: The first network element determines the target sixth network element according to the first information.

[0174] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may obtain the first information from the policy fed back by the PCF network element.

[0175] Step S2307: The first network element establishes a user plane path associated with the target sixth network element.

[0176] Step S2308: The first network element establishes a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function according to the user plane path.

[0177] For the description of steps S2307 to S2308, please refer to the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0178] The user plane connection establishment method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2301 to S2308. For example, step S2301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Steps S2301+S2302 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S2301+S2302+S2303 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0179] 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.

[0180] Thus, in this embodiment, the first information can be obtained from the target fifth network element during the SM policy information acquisition process or the SM policy information update process to support establishment of a user plane path connecting to the CAPIF core function based on the first information. This enables the user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function established based on the user plane path to support the effective implementation of the first service. This also effectively improves the flexibility of obtaining the first information, making it effectively applicable to personalized communication scenarios.

[0181] FIG3A is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a first network element. The method includes:

[0182] Step S3101, obtaining first information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF.

[0183] Step S3102: Establish a user plane path according to the first information, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0184] The user plane connection establishment method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 and S3102. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S3101+S3102 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0185] 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.

[0186] FIG3B is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a first network element. The method includes:

[0187] Step S3201, receiving a first message sent by a third network element, wherein the first message includes: first information; the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF.

[0188] Step S3202: Determine the target sixth network element according to the first information.

[0189] Step S3203: Establish a user plane path associated with the target sixth network element.

[0190] Step S3204: Establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function according to the user plane path.

[0191] The user plane connection establishment method involved in 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, step S3202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S3201+S3202 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0192] 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.

[0193] FIG3C is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3C , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a first network element. The method includes:

[0194] Step S3301: Send second information to the target fifth network element, where the second information is used to indicate the CAPIF core function.

[0195] Step S3302: Receive first information sent by the target fifth network element according to the second information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF.

[0196] Step S3303: Determine the target sixth network element according to the first information.

[0197] Step S3304: Establish a user plane path associated with the target sixth network element.

[0198] Step S3305: Establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function according to the user plane path.

[0199] The user plane connection establishment method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3301 to S3305. For example, step S3301 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3302 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S3301+S3302 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0200] 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.

[0201] FIG4A is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a third network element. The method includes:

[0202] Step S4101, determine the first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF, the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0203] The user plane connection establishment 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.

[0204] 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.

[0205] FIG4B is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a third network element. The method includes:

[0206] Step S4201, determine the first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF core function, the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0207] Step S4202: Send a first message to the first network element, where the first message includes: first information.

[0208] The user plane connection establishment method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4201 and S4202. For example, step S4201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S4201+S4202 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0209] 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.

[0210] FIG5A is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a fifth network element. The method includes:

[0211] Step S5101, determine the first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF core function, the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0212] The user plane connection establishment method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include step S5101. For example, step S5101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0213] 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.

[0214] FIG5B is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a fifth network element. The method includes:

[0215] Step S5201: Receive second information sent by the first network element, where the second information is used to indicate the CAPIF core function.

[0216] Step S5202: Determine the first information based on the second information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF, and the first information is used to establish a user plane path, which is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0217] Step S5203: Send first information to the first network element.

[0218] The user plane connection establishment method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5201 to S5203. For example, step S5201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S5202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S5201+S5202 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0219] 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.

[0220] Figure 6 is an interactive diagram of a method for establishing a user plane connection according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing a user plane connection, which can be used in a communication system, wherein the communication system includes at least: a first network element, a third network element and / or a fifth network element, and a terminal. The above method includes:

[0221] Step S6101: The third network element or the fifth network element determines first information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF.

[0222] In step S6102, the first network element obtains first information and establishes a user plane path according to the first information, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0223] The user plane connection establishment method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S6101 to S6102. For example, step S6101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S6102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S6101+S6102 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0224] 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.

[0225] The following is an exemplary introduction to the above method.

[0226] Optional embodiment:

[0227] As shown in Figure 7, Figure 7 is an interactive diagram of a user plane connection establishment method shown in another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the service is taken as ranging or SL positioning service for example. Including AMF network element, SMF network element, UPF network element, PCF network element, UE (such as client UE), radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN), UDM network element, NEF network element for example. Assume that the NEF network element implements the core functions of CAPIF, and the UE has obtained online contract registration information, such as Internet Protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) address and online contract credentials. The UE can configure the user equipment routing selection policy (UE Routing Selection Policy, URSP) rules to access the NEF network element in order to perform online contract and call related APIs for the relevant API callers of the terminal. Among them, the CAPIF core function is deployed in the dedicated data network name (Data Network Name, DNN) and / or single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI). Figure 7 includes the following steps:

[0228] 0a. The client UE obtains online contract registration information.

[0229] In some embodiments, if the service is ranging or SL positioning service, the client UE may be, for example, a ranging or SL positioning client UE. The client UE may also be a client UE supporting multiple services.

[0230] In some embodiments, the client UE may obtain online contract registration information, where the online contract registration information is, for example, an IP address and an online contract certificate of a CAPIF core function.

[0231] In some embodiments, the online signing credentials may be, for example, onboarding credentials.

[0232] 0b. The UE triggers the online signing of the corresponding API caller (API invoker) in the CAPIF core function, and determines that data needs to be exchanged through the user plane between the UE and the NEF network element.

[0233] In some embodiments, the ranging or SL positioning service can be triggered by the application layer, and the UE decides to onboard the corresponding API caller in the CAPIF core function (CAPIF Core Function). Data exchange is required through the user plane between the UE and the NEF network element that implements the CAPIF core function.

[0234] 1. Send a PDU session establishment request message.

[0235] In some embodiments, the PDU session establishment request message is, for example, a PDU Session Establishment Request.

[0236] In some embodiments, the UE can use relevant PDU session parameters (such as dedicated data network name (DNN) and single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI)) based on local configuration or user equipment routing selection policy (URSP) to establish a PDU session to enable the terminal's API caller to sign in online and call API(s).

[0237] In some embodiments, the CAPIF core function can be deployed in the same data network element (DN) with other services. If the PDU session with the relevant PDU session parameters is not available, the UE can initiate a PDU session establishment request through the relevant PDU session parameters.

[0238] 2a. Send Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request message (including online contract registration information).

[0239] In some embodiments, the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request message is, for example, Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request. The Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request may include online subscription registration information. The online subscription registration information may be, for example, Onboarding Enrolment Information.

[0240] In some embodiments, the AMF network element may receive a PDU session establishment request message sent by the UE.

[0241] In some embodiments, the AMF network element can call Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext to request service. If the PDU session establishment request message includes online contract registration information, the AMF network element will send the online contract registration information to the SMF network element.

[0242] In some embodiments, the online signing registration information includes detailed information of the CAPIF core function (eg, the address and root CA certificate of the CAPIF core function), and may also include online signing credentials (eg, an OAuth 2.0 access token).

[0243] In some embodiments, the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request may only include the address of the CAPIF core function, that is, the address of the NEF network element that implements the CAPIF core function.

[0244] In the service-oriented architecture, sending the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request message is implemented by calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext service.

[0245] 2b. Query and / or update subscription data (including online contract registration information).

[0246] In some embodiments, the SMF network element can query the subscription data corresponding to the UE (for example, it can be queried through the terminal identifier, the terminal identifier is such as the user permanent identifier (SUbscription Permanent Identifier, SUPI)). For example, the SMF network element can query the online contract registration information including detailed information of the CAPIF core function (for example, the address and root CA certificate of the CAPIF core function) and / or online contract credentials (for example, OAuth 2.0 access token) from the UDM network element. In other embodiments, the SMF network element may also only retrieve the address of the CAPIF core function, that is, the address of the NEF network element that implements the CAPIF core function.

[0247] In some embodiments, to enable the query of relevant information from a UDM network element, the relevant information should be stored in the UDM network element and / or the UDR network element. For example, online subscription registration information or online subscription registration information with a SUPI and / or Generic Public Subscription Identity (GPSI) data key can be stored in the UDM network element and / or the UDR network element. For example, the SMF network element can call the Nudm_SDM_Get service to query the information.

[0248] 3. Send Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response message.

[0249] In some embodiments, the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response message may be, for example, Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Response.

[0250] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may send a Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response message to the AMF network element.

[0251] In the service-oriented architecture, sending the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response message is the output of calling the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext service.

[0252] 4. Select the PCF network element.

[0253] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may select a PCF network element and retrieve online subscription registration information from the selected PCF network element. For example, a PCF network element that supports CAPIF core function-related policies may be selected.

[0254] 2c. The SMF network element establishes an SM policy association or initiates modification of the SM policy association (including online contract registration information).

[0255] In some embodiments, the SMF network element can also obtain online contract registration information from the selected PCF network element.

[0256] In some embodiments, the SMF network element can query the SM policy corresponding to the PDU session. And query the online contract registration information from the PCF network element, which may include detailed information of the CAPIF core function (such as the address and root CA certificate of the CAPIF core function) and the online contract credentials (such as OAuth 2.0 access token). In some embodiments, the SMF network element can also only query the address of the CAPIF core function, that is, the address of the NEF network element that implements the CAPIF core function.

[0257] In some embodiments, in order to meet the requirement of querying relevant information from the PCF network element, relevant information can be stored and / or generated in the PCF network element. The SMF network element can include information for indicating CAPIF in the request. For example, the information for indicating CAPIF can be implemented based on a dedicated DNN / S-NSSAI. Or another indication information can be included in the request for indicating CAPIF. In some embodiments, the PCF network element can include online contract registration information or only include the address of the CAPIF core function in the policy returned to the SMF network element.

[0258] In some embodiments, the PCF network element may query relevant information from the UDR network element.

[0259] 5. Select UPF network elements for CAPIF core functions.

[0260] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may also perform UPF selection for the CAPIF core function. For example, UPF selection may be performed based on online subscription registration information or simply the address of the CAPIF core function received from step 2a, 2b, or 2c.

[0261] 6. Establish or modify an N4 session.

[0262] In some embodiments, an N4 session may be established or modified to establish a user plane connection within the core network.

[0263] 7. Send PDU Session Establishment accept message.

[0264] In some embodiments, the PDU Session Establishment accept message is, for example, PDU Session Establishment Accept.

[0265] In some embodiments, the SMF network element may send a PDU Session Establishment accept message to the UE via the AMF network element.

[0266] 8. Establish a user plane connection between the UE and the NEF network element.

[0267] In some embodiments, a user plane connection between the UE and the NEF network element may be established.

[0268] 9. Call the API (Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe service and / or Nnef_EventExposure_Notify service) through the user plane.

[0269] In some embodiments, the online signing of the API caller is performed on the application layer through the user plane between the UE and the NEF network element. After the API caller registers with the CAPIF core function supported by the NEF network element, the client UE can implement the first service through the API caller through CAPIF. When the CAPIF core function and the API exposing function (AEF) are deployed on the same DNN / S-NSSAI, the user plane path can also be used to call the API for corresponding service access. When the CAPIF core function and the API exposing function are both implemented by the same device, such as NEF, the user plane connection can also be used to call the API for corresponding service access. The client UE can send ranging and / or SL positioning service requests to the AEF network element. For example, this can be achieved by calling the Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe service and / or the Nnef_EventExposure_Notify service.

[0270] It should be noted that in a service-based architecture, sending messages between core network elements can be achieved, for example, by invoking corresponding services, and the response to the message can be, for example, the output after the corresponding service is executed. The message can be, for example, the message in steps 1, 2a, 3, and 7 above.

[0271] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a user plane connection establishment device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8A, the user plane connection establishment device includes: a transceiver module for obtaining first information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF; and a processing module for establishing a user plane path based on the first information, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0272] 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.

[0273] Optionally, the user plane connection establishment 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.

[0274] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the user plane connection establishment device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8B, the user plane connection establishment device includes: a processing module for determining first information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF core function, the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0275] Optionally, the above processing module is used to execute the relevant steps performed by the third network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0276] Optionally, the user plane connection establishment 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 third network element in any of the above methods, and the receiving module is used to execute the steps related to receiving performed by the third network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0277] Figure 8C is a schematic diagram of the structure of a user plane connection establishment apparatus proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8C, the user plane connection establishment apparatus includes: a processing module for determining first information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF core function, the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

[0278] Optionally, the above-mentioned processing module is used to execute the relevant steps performed by the fifth network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] Optionally, the user plane connection establishment 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 fifth network element in any of the above methods, and the receiving module is used to execute the steps related to receiving performed by the fifth network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0280] 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.

[0281] As shown in Figure 9A, Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 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 9101 is used to call instructions to enable the communication device 9100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0282] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9102 may be located outside the communication device 9100.

[0283] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9103. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 9103, and the other steps are performed by the processor 9101.

[0284] 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.

[0285] Optionally, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more interface circuits 9104, which are connected to the memory 9102. The interface circuits 9104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 9102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 9102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 9104 can read instructions stored in the memory 9102 and send the instructions to the processor 9101.

[0286] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 9A. 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.

[0287] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 shown in Figure 9B, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201, which are used to call instructions to cause the chip 9200 to execute any of the above methods.

[0288] In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202, which are connected to memory 9203. Interface circuits 9202 can be used to receive signals from memory 9203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 9203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 9202 can read instructions stored in memory 9203 and send the instructions to processor 9201. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver are interchangeable.

[0289] In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 9203 may be located outside the chip 9200.

[0290] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 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.

[0291] 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.

[0292] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 9100, enables the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0293] 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.

[0294] 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)).

[0295] 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.

[0296] 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.

[0297] 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 method for establishing a user plane connection, characterized in that: The method is executed by a first network element, and includes: Acquire first information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in a core function of a common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF; A user plane path is established according to the first information, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following: Online signing certificate; The address of the CAPIF core function; Root certificate for CAPIF core functions.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The address of the CAPIF core function is the address of the second network element, wherein the CAPIF core function is deployed in the second network element.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The obtaining of the first information includes: Receive a first message sent by a third network element, wherein the first message includes: the first information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first message is used to create a session management SM context for a protocol data unit PDU session, or the first message is used to update the SM context for the PDU session; wherein the PDU session is initiated by the terminal, and the PDU session is used to establish a user plane path connecting the CAPIF core function.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The obtaining of the first information includes: Acquiring information of the terminal; The first information is queried from a fourth network element according to the information of the terminal, wherein the fourth network element is used to provide a network storage function.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The obtaining of the first information includes: Sending second information to a target fifth network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the CAPIF core function; Receive the first information sent by the target fifth network element according to the second information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The sending the second information to the target fifth network element includes: Sending a second message to the target fifth network element, wherein the second message includes the second information; and the second information includes at least one of the following: The data network name DNN of the core function of CAPIF; Single network slice selection auxiliary information S-NSSAI of the CAPIF core function; Indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate the CAPIF core function.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that: The sending the second information to the target fifth network element includes at least one of the following: Sending second information to the target fifth network element during the SM policy information acquisition process; Sending second information to the target fifth network element during the SM policy information update process.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Acquire third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate a relevant policy of the CAPIF; The target fifth network element is determined according to the third information.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The determining the target fifth network element according to the third information includes: The target fifth network element is selected from a plurality of candidate fifth network elements according to the third information, wherein the target fifth network element supports relevant policies of the CAPIF.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The establishing a user plane path according to the first information includes: Determining a target sixth network element according to the first information; A user plane path associated with the target sixth network element is established.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The determining, according to the first information, a target sixth network element includes: The target sixth network element is selected from a plurality of candidate sixth network elements according to the first information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A user plane connection is established between the terminal and the CAPIF core function according to the user plane path.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Based on the user plane connection, the terminal is signed online as an API caller in the CAPIF core function.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that: The method further comprises: After the API caller signs an online contract with the terminal, a first service is implemented based on the user plane connection.

17. A method for establishing a user plane connection, characterized in that: The method is performed by a third network element, wherein the third network element is used to provide access and mobility management functions; the method includes: Determine first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF, and the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following: Online signing certificate; The address of the CAPIF core function; Root certificate for CAPIF core functions.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The address of the CAPIF core function is the address of the second network element, wherein the CAPIF core function is deployed in the second network element.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A first message is sent to a first network element, wherein the first message includes: the first information.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein: The first message is used to create a session management SM context for a protocol data unit PDU session, or the first message is used to update the SM context for the PDU session; wherein the PDU session is initiated by the terminal, and the PDU session is used to establish a user plane path connecting the CAPIF core function.

22. A method for establishing a user plane connection, characterized in that: The method is performed by a fifth network element, wherein the fifth network element is used to provide a policy control function; the method includes: Determine first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF, and the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein: The first information includes at least one of the following: Online signing certificate; The address of the CAPIF core function; Root certificate for CAPIF core functions.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein: The address of the CAPIF core function is the address of the second network element, wherein the CAPIF core function is deployed in the second network element.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that The determining of the first information includes: Receiving second information sent by the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the CAPIF core function; determining the first information according to the second information; The method further comprises: Send the first information to the first network element.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein: The receiving second information sent by the first network element includes: receiving a second message sent by the first network element, wherein the second message includes the second information; and the second information includes at least one of the following: The data network name DNN of the core function of CAPIF; Single network slice selection auxiliary information S-NSSAI of the CAPIF core function; Indication information, wherein the indication information is used to indicate the CAPIF core function.

27. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that The receiving the second information sent by the first network element includes at least one of the following: receiving the second information sent by the first network element during the SM policy information acquisition process; The second information sent by the first network element is received during the SM policy information update process.

28. A method for establishing a user plane connection, characterized in that: The method comprises: The third network element or the fifth network element determines the first information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF; The first network element obtains the first information, and establishes a user plane path according to the first information, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

29. A user plane connection establishment device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A transceiver module, used for acquiring first information, wherein the first information is used by the terminal to perform online signing in a core function of a common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF; A processing module is used to establish a user plane path according to the first information, wherein the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

30. A user plane connection establishment device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A processing module is used to determine first information, wherein the first information is used for the terminal to perform online signing in the core function of the common application programming interface API architecture CAPIF, and the first information is used to establish a user plane path, and the user plane path is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal and the CAPIF core function.

31. 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 1-28.

32. A communication system, characterized in that: It includes a first network element, a second network element, a third network element, a fourth network element, a fifth network element, a sixth network element and / or a terminal, wherein the first network element is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 1-16, the third network element is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 17-21, and the fifth network element is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 22-27.

33. 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 28.

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