Communication processing methods, first network element, second network elements and core network devices

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to communication processing methods, a first network element, second network elements and core network devices. A method comprises: a second network element receives first information sent by a first network element, the first information being used for indicating that the second network element corresponding to a session management policy is the same as a third network element corresponding to a terminal policy; on the basis of the first information, determining that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy and the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy are the same network element, so as to enable the second network element to implement a required function of the third network element; and sending second information to the first network element, the second information being used for indicating the terminal policy. The second information is provided to the third network element via the first information, thus avoiding waste of communication resources, and improving communication efficiency.

Description

Communication processing method, first network element, second network element, core network device Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication processing method, a first network element, a second network element, and a core network device. Background Art

[0002] In wireless communications, wireless networks are growing exponentially. Long-Term Evolution (LTE) systems offer high peak data rates, low latency, increased system capacity, and low operating costs due to a simplified network architecture.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to improve the communication efficiency in a wireless communication system, the embodiments of the present disclosure propose a communication processing method, a first network element, a second network element, and a core network device.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication processing method is proposed, which is applied to a second network element, and the method includes: receiving first information sent by a first network element, the first information being used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy; determining, based on the first information, that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element, and implementing the functions required by the third network element by the second network element; and sending second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

[0006] The second information is provided to the third network element through the first information, thereby avoiding waste of communication resources and improving communication efficiency.

[0007] According to the second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication processing method is proposed, which is applied to a first network element, and the method includes: obtaining fourth information, determining first information based on the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the fourth information is used to indicate selection auxiliary information related to the third network element; sending first information to the second network element, wherein the second network element and the third network element are both used for policy control; receiving second information sent by the second network element, and the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

[0008] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication processing method is proposed, including: a first network element obtains fourth information, and determines first information based on the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the fourth information is used to indicate selection auxiliary information related to the third network element; the first network element sends the first information to the second network element; the second network element determines that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element based on the first information, and the second network element implements the functions required by the third network element; the second network element sends second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network element is proposed, including: a transceiver module, receiving first information sent by a first network element, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy; a processing module, used to determine, based on the first information, that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element, and the second network element implements the functions required by the third network element; the transceiver module is also used to send second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is proposed, including: a processing module, used to obtain fourth information, and determine first information based on the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the fourth information is used to indicate selection auxiliary information related to the third network element; a transceiver module, used to send the first information to the second network element, wherein the second network element and the third network element are both used for policy control; and receive second information sent by the second network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

[0011] According to the sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a core network device is proposed, including: a transceiver module, used to obtain fourth information, and determine first information based on the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the fourth information is used to indicate selection auxiliary information related to the third network element; the transceiver module is also used to send the first information to the second network element; a processing module is used to determine that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element based on the first information, and the second network element implements the functions required by the third network element; the transceiver module is also used to send second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network element is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the second network element is used to execute any one of the communication processing methods in the first aspect.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network element is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the second network element is used to execute any one of the communication processing methods in the second aspect.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a core network device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the core network device is used to execute the communication processing method of the third aspect.

[0015] According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, comprising a core network device, wherein the core network device is configured to implement the communication processing method of any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0016] According to an eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, including a first network element device, wherein the first network element device is configured to implement the communication processing method described in any one of the second aspects.

[0017] According to a twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, comprising a second network element device, wherein the second network element device is configured to implement the communication processing method described in any one of the first aspects.

[0018] According to an eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is proposed, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes a communication processing method as described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced. The following drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG1a is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG2 is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication processing method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG3A is a flow chart illustrating a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG3B is a flow chart illustrating a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG4A is a flow chart illustrating a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG4B is a flow chart illustrating a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG5A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG7A is a schematic structural diagram of a first network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG7B is a schematic structural diagram of the first network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG8A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG8B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication processing method, a first network element, a second network element, and a core network device.

[0034] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication processing method, which is applied to a second network element, including: receiving first information sent by a first network element, the first information being used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy; determining, based on the first information, that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element, and implementing the functions required by the third network element by the second network element; and sending second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the second information is provided to the third network element through the first information, thereby avoiding waste of communication resources and improving communication efficiency. Furthermore, the existing first information is used to indicate that the second network element is the same as the third network element, thereby improving information utilization and compatibility of the solution.

[0036] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: in the PDU session of all data network names DNN and / or single network slice selection support information S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element; in the PDU session of a specific S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element; in the PDU session of a specific DNN and S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element.

[0037] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, it also includes: receiving third information sent by the first network element to request the second information through the third network element.

[0038] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second network element implements the functions required by the third network element, including: obtaining parameters corresponding to the second information; generating the second information based on the parameters corresponding to the second information; and sending the second information to the first network element.

[0039] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes a policy control request trigger PCRT, and the second network element implements the functions required by the third network element, including: obtaining PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy; generating PCRT based on the PCRT parameters; and sending the PCRT to the first network element.

[0040] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information is carried by the PCRT.

[0041] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate that it is necessary to request transmission of a User Routing Policy (URSP) in an Evolved Packet System (EPS).

[0042] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method is applied in a scenario where a URSP is provided in the EPS.

[0043] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information is the URSP.

[0044] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the scenario in which the URSP is provided in the EPS includes any one of the following scenarios: establishing a packet data network PDN connection in the EPS to provide the URSP in the EPS; providing the URSP in the EPS during mobility from the 5G system to the EPS.

[0045] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is a network element composed of a session management function SMF and a packet data network gateway PGW-C.

[0046] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second network element and the third network element are both policy control function network elements PCF.

[0047] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication processing method, which is applied to a first network element, including: obtaining fourth information, determining first information based on the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the fourth information is used to indicate selection auxiliary information related to the third network element; sending first information to the second network element, wherein the second network element and the third network element are both used for policy control; receiving second information sent by the second network element, and the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

[0048] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, obtaining the fourth information includes at least one of the following: receiving the fourth information sent by the fourth network element; obtaining pre-configured fourth information.

[0049] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, obtaining the fourth information includes at least one of the following: receiving the fourth information sent by the fourth network element; obtaining pre-configured fourth information.

[0050] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information is included in the user subscription data, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: in all PDU sessions supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element; in the PDU session of a specific S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element; in the PDU session of a specific DNN and S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: sending third information to the second network element, wherein the third information is used to instruct the second network element to request the second information through the third network element. In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes a policy control request trigger (PCRT).

[0052] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, receiving the second information sent by the second network element includes: receiving a PCRT sent by the second network element, wherein the second information is carried by the PCRT.

[0053] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate that it is necessary to request transmission of the URSP in the EPS.

[0054] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method is applied to a scenario where a URSP is provided in the EPS.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information is the URSP.

[0056] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the scenario in which the URSP is provided in the EPS includes any one of the following scenarios: establishing a packet data network PDN connection in the EPS to provide the URSP in the EPS; during the movement from the 5G system 5GS to the EPS, to provide the URSP in the EPS.

[0057] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is a network element composed of a session management function SMF and a packet data network gateway PGW-C.

[0058] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second network element and the third network element are both policy control function network elements PCF, and the fourth network element is a unified data management function UMD network element or a unified data storage UDR network element.

[0059] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication processing method, including: a first network element obtains fourth information, and determines first information based on the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the fourth information is used to indicate selection auxiliary information related to the third network element; the first network element sends the first information to the second network element; the second network element determines that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element based on the first information, and the second network element implements the functions required by the third network element; the second network element sends second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

[0060] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the first network element is used to execute optional implementation methods of the second and third aspects.

[0061] In the fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second network element, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the second network element is used to execute optional implementation methods of the first and third aspects.

[0062] In the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a core network device, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the core network device is used to execute the optional implementation method of the third aspect.

[0063] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the above-mentioned first network element is used to execute the optional implementation methods of the second aspect and the fifth aspect.

[0064] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the above-mentioned second network element is used to execute the optional implementation methods of the first aspect and the sixth aspect.

[0065] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a core network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the above-mentioned core network device is used to execute the optional implementation method of the third aspect.

[0066] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which includes: a core network device; wherein the core network device is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0067] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0068] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0069] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the third aspect.

[0070] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, which includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0071] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminal, access network device, first network element, second network element, core network device, communication system, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip or chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding method and will not be repeated here.

[0072] The present disclosure provides a communication processing method, a first network element, a second network element, and a core network device. In some embodiments, the terms "communication processing method" and "information processing method" and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "device" and "information processing device" and "communication device" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system" and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English are used in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0077] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0078] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0079] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0080] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0086] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0087] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and / or reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0088] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "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.

[0089] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0090] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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 includes a terminal 101 , an access network device 102 , and a core network device 103 .

[0093] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, 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.

[0094] In some embodiments, the access network device 102 is, for example, a node or device that accesses a 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 Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0095] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0096] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0097] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a single device including a first network element 1031, a second network element 1032, etc., or may be a plurality of devices or a device group including all or part of the first network element 1031, the second network element 1032, etc. 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).

[0098] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 is used for session management, and the name is not limited thereto.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 is, for example, a session management function (SMF).

[0100] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 is, for example, a packet data network gateway (PGW-C).

[0101] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 is, for example, a network element obtained by combining SMF and PGW-C, that is, SMF+PGW-C.

[0102] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 is, for example, a policy control function (PCF) related to a session policy.

[0103] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 is used for "control strategy", but the name is not limited thereto.

[0104] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 is, for example, a terminal policy-related PCF.

[0105] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 is used for "control strategy", and the name is not limited thereto.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may be independent of the core network device 103 .

[0107] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may be part of the core network device 103 .

[0108] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1034 is used to "store data", but the name is not limited thereto.

[0109] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1034 is, for example, a unified data management function (UDM), a unified data repository (UDR), or UDM+UDR.

[0110] In some embodiments, the first network element is directly connected to the access network.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first network element is not directly connected to the access network.

[0112] In some embodiments, the first network element is not directly connected to the access network, and the connection mode is RAN-Mobility Management Entity (MME)-PGW-c (EPS), or RAN-AMF-SMF (5G). It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is to more clearly illustrate 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. Those skilled in the art will 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.

[0113] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0114] The embodiments of the present disclosure can 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 802.20, 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 communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0115] In one possible embodiment, in the session management process defined in 5G, the UE's AMF supports selecting the same PCF for the requested DNN and S-NSSAI and the SMF for the PDU session of the requested DNN and S-NSSAI.

[0116] In one embodiment provided in the present application, when the PCF for PDU session management receives a UE policy container from the PCF for UE policy management (i.e., UE-PCF), it forwards the UE policy container to the SMF+PGW via Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify. The PCF for PDU session management obtains the PCRT of the UE policy using the PCF for UE policy management and subscribes to the appropriate PCRT in the EPC from the SMF+PGW-C.

[0117] In one embodiment provided in this application, in the following two scenarios, and when URSP provisioning is supported in EPS, the PCF for PDU session management may establish a UE policy association with the PCF for UE policy management:

[0118] In the EPS initial attach procedure of a UE carrying a default Packet Data Network (PDN) connection establishment, or in the procedure when the UE first requests PDN connection establishment in EPS, when the first UE policy container is received from the UE for SM policy association and forwarded to the PCF for UE policy management through the Npcf_UEPolicyControl_Create request.

[0119] During 5GS to EPS mobility supported via N26, when the SMF+PGW-C notifies the PCF for PDU session management via Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update to inform it that the associated Radio Access Type (RAT) has changed.

[0120] In one embodiment, the PCF for UE policy management generates a URSP and sends the URSP to the PCF for PDU session management via the UE policy container of the Npcf_UEPolicyControl_UpdateNotify request. When an event that meets the triggering conditions occurs in the PCF for PDU session management, the PCF for UE policy management triggers a re-evaluation of the URSP and determines that the UE needs to update the URSP. Optionally, the UE-PCF can be the same PCF as the PCF for PDU session management, or a PCF independent of the SM-PCF.

[0121] In a possible embodiment, the SM-PCF and the PCF for the PDU session may be identical.

[0122] Figure 1a is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1a, during the PDU session establishment process, an SM-PCF is selected, which is used to perform policy management for the PDU session. It also supports the UE's Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) to select the same PCF for requesting a Data Network Name (DNN) and Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI).

[0123] During the interaction between AMF and SMF: the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request sent contains the PCF ID and the same PCF selection indication. The same PCF selection indication is used to indicate the selection of the same PCF as the SM-PCF and UE-PCF.

[0124] In non-roaming situations, for PDU sessions with a request type of "initial request", the AMF checks whether the PCF Selection Assistance info from the UDM indicates that the requested DNN and S-NSSAI require the same PCF. If the same PCF is required, the AMF Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request includes the same PCF selection indication and the PCF ID selected by the AMF. The PCF corresponding to this PCF ID is the H-PCF.

[0125] If no PCF selection assistance information is received from the UDM, the AMF may include the PCF ID in the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request based on operator policy. This PCF ID is used to identify the H-PCF in non-roaming cases and the V-PCF in local offload roaming.

[0126] The PCF selection assistance information is defined as part of the AM subscription data, that is, the part of the AM subscription data used for the AMF. Optionally, the PCF selection assistance information in the AM subscription data includes a combined list of DNN and S-NSSAI to indicate that the same PCF needs to be selected for both AM policy control and SM policy control.

[0127] In one possible embodiment, in the interaction process of providing URSP in EPS, the UE policy association process with UE-PCF defined in 5G can be applied, with the following main differences:

[0128] Providing a consistent User Route Selection Policy (URSP) for UEs in the 5G system (5GS) and the Evolved Packet System (EPS) is the subject of research in the Enhancement of 5G UE Policy (eUEPO) project.

[0129] To support URSP provision in EPS, the SMF+PGW-C receives the URSP provision support indication and the extended Protocol Configuration Option (ePCO) support indication in the EPS Protocol Configuration Option (PCO) from the UE. If the SMF+PGW-C also supports URSP provision and ePCO, it selects a PCF that also supports URSP provision in EPS to establish a session management (SM) policy association based on the URSP provision support indication and local configuration received in the EPS PCO.

[0130] In one embodiment provided in the present application, when the SMF+PGW-C receives the UE policy container ePCO in the bearer resource command in the bearer resource modification process requested by the UE, it transparently forwards the UE policy container to the PCF for packet data unit (PDU) session management (the PCF for the PDU), that is, the PCF that provides session-related policies (ie, SM-PCF), through the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update request, including a policy control request trigger (PCRT) indicating that "UE policy container has been received".

[0131] In the process of providing URSP in EPS, it is the PCF for PDU session management, not the AMF, that interacts with the UE-PCF.

[0132] The transfer of the UE policy container from the PCF for UE policy management to the PCF for PDU session management is done through the Npcf_UEPolicyControl service rather than through the UE configuration update procedure.

[0133] In one possible embodiment, the PCF for PDU session management determines the PCF for UE policy management by querying the Binding Support Function (BSF) network element and using the SUPI received in the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create request. If no result is obtained from the BSF, the PCF for PDU session management will select a PCF for the UE by querying the Network Function Repository Function (NRF).

[0134] In one possible embodiment, during 5GS to EPS mobility, the PCF for PDU Session Management decides whether to establish a UE policy association with the PCF for UE Policy Management in order to provide URSP in EPS. During EPS to 5GS mobility, if the PCF for PDU Session Management establishes an association with the PCF for UE Policy Management during 5GS to EPS mobility, the PCF for PDU Session Management shall terminate the UE policy association with the PCF for UE Policy Management.

[0135] In one possible embodiment, for Local Break Out (LBO) roaming, the V-PCF for PDU session management cannot access the UDR and cannot determine whether the UE supports the URSP rules provided in the EPC. In this case, the V-PCF for PDU session management determines whether to establish a UE policy association with the V-PCF for UE policy management based on local configuration.

[0136] For non-roaming and locally routed roaming, the PCF for PDU Session Management (H-PCF) discovers the PCF for UE Policy Management by querying the BSF using the UE's SUPI.

[0137] In summary, for the interaction between the PCF for PDU session management and the PCF for UE policy management in providing URSP in EPS, the SMF+PGW-C discovers the PCF for PDU session management, and the PCF for PDU session management discovers the PCF for UE policy management.

[0138] EPS supports two cases in the URSP process: the PCF used for PDU session management is the same as the PCF used for UE policy management, and the PCF used for PDU session management is different from the PCF used for UE policy management.

[0139] However, for the process of providing URSP in EPS, how to discover that the same PCF is used for PDU session management and PCF for UE policy management has not yet been determined.

[0140] FIG2 is an interactive diagram of a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication processing method, which includes:

[0141] Step S2101: The fourth network element sends fourth information.

[0142] In some embodiments, the first network element receives fourth information.

[0143] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to "indicate selection assistance information related to the third network element."

[0144] In some embodiments, the fourth information is selection assistance information.

[0145] In some embodiments, the first network element is a network element composed of a session management function SMF and a packet data network gateway PGW-C.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first network element is an SMF.

[0147] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is a UMD network element or a UDM and UDR network element.

[0148] In some embodiments, the selection assistance information is PCF selection assistance information.

[0149] In some embodiments, the selection assistance information is used to assist in selecting a PCF, and the selected PCF is used as the SM-PCF for session management or the UE-PCF corresponding to the terminal.

[0150] In some embodiments, the fourth information is included in user subscription data. The type of user subscription data includes SM subscription data for SMF.

[0151] In some embodiments, UE-level PCF selection assistance information is included in the SM subscription data for the SMF.

[0152] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information includes PCF selection assistance information at the S-NSSAI level, or PCF selection assistance information at the DNN and S-NSSAI levels.

[0153] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information may indicate different levels, all of which are used to indicate that the PCF used for PDU session management is the same as the PCF corresponding to the terminal UE policy. The levels include UE level, S-NSSAI level, and DNN / S-NSSAI level.

[0154] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information is at the UE level, and the PCF selection assistance information may be applied to all supported PDU sessions.

[0155] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information is at the S-NSSAI level, and the PCF selection assistance information may be applied to PDU sessions supported in a specific S-NSSAI.

[0156] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information is at the DNN / S-NSSAI level, and the PCF selection assistance information can be applied to PDU sessions supported in a specific DNN / S-NSSAI.

[0157] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information is at the DNN / S-NSSAI level, and the PCF selection assistance information can be applied to PDU sessions supported in the system default DNN / S-NSSAI.

[0158] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: in the PDU sessions of all data network names DNN and / or network slice fourth information S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy; in the PDU sessions of the specific S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy; in the PDU sessions of the specific DNN / S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy.

[0159] Step S2102: The first network element determines first information.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first information is used to "indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy."

[0161] In some embodiments, the first information is determined by the first network element based on the received fourth information.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first information is determined by the first network element according to a preconfigured PCF selection policy, for example, and the configured fourth information.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that the second network element and the third network element are the same in all PDU sessions supported by the terminal.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that in all PDU sessions of DNN and S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element.

[0165] In some embodiments, when network slicing is not supported, all PDU sessions supported by the terminal refer to PDU sessions of all DNNs to which the terminal can connect.

[0166] In some embodiments, when network slicing is supported, all PDU sessions supported by the terminal refer to PDU sessions of all DNNs and S-NSSAIs to which the terminal can connect.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate that in all PDU sessions supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a specific S-NSSAI PDU session supported by the terminal, and the second network element is the same as the third network element.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a specific DNN and S-NSSAI PDU session supported by the terminal, and the second network element is the same as the third network element.

[0170] In step S2103 , the first network element sends the first information and the third information together to the second network element.

[0171] In some embodiments, the first network element sends the first information and the third information to the second network element respectively.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first network element sends the first information to the second network element alone.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first network element sends the third information separately to the second network element.

[0174] In some embodiments, the second network element receives the first information and the third information sent by the first network element respectively.

[0175] In some embodiments, the second network element is a network element corresponding to the session management policy.

[0176] In some embodiments, the second network element is a PCF network element.

[0177] In some embodiments, the second network element is an SM-PCF network element.

[0178] In some embodiments, the second network element is a network element corresponding to the PDU session.

[0179] In some embodiments, the network elements corresponding to the SM-PCF and the PDU session are identical.

[0180] In some embodiments, the second network element receives third information.

[0181] In some embodiments, the third information is used to instruct the second network element to request the third network element to provide the second information.

[0182] In some embodiments, the second network element confirms that the second network element is the same as the third network element based on the first information, and then the second network element provides the second information to the first network element based on the third information.

[0183] In some embodiments, the second information is used to “indicate terminal policy”.

[0184] In some embodiments, the second information is terminal-related policy information.

[0185] In some embodiments, the second information may include, in addition to terminal-related policy information, session management policy information.

[0186] In some embodiments, the second information is used to provide a policy for wireless communication.

[0187] Step S2104: The second network element determines the third network element.

[0188] In some embodiments, the third network element is a network element corresponding to the terminal policy.

[0189] In some embodiments, the third network element is used to control the policy corresponding to the terminal.

[0190] In some embodiments, the second network element determines the third network element based on the first information.

[0191] In some embodiments, the second network element autonomously selects the third network element.

[0192] In some embodiments, the second network element confirms, based on the first information, that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the second network element is configured to execute the steps of the third network element to implement the functions of the third network element.

[0193] Step S2105: The second network element obtains policy-related parameters.

[0194] In some embodiments, the policy-related parameters include terminal policy-related parameters.

[0195] In some embodiments, the policy-related parameters include session management policy-related parameters.

[0196] In some embodiments, the policy-related parameters are PCRT parameters.

[0197] In some embodiments, PCRT parameters are used to generate the PCRT.

[0198] In some embodiments, the second network element obtains the PCRT parameters from locally stored data.

[0199] In some embodiments, the second network element sends a request to other network elements to obtain PCRT parameters.

[0200] In some embodiments, the PCRT parameters include PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy.

[0201] In some embodiments, the PCRT parameters further include PCRT parameters corresponding to the session management policy.

[0202] In some embodiments, the second information is policy information for “providing a communication policy”.

[0203] In some embodiments, the policy information is a URSP. The URSP describes the routing policy of the application, and the terminal can select an appropriate routing path, such as an appropriate PDU session, for the application according to the URSP rules.

[0204] Step S2106: The second network element generates second information.

[0205] In some embodiments, the second information is policy-related information.

[0206] In some embodiments, the second network element generates policy-related information based on policy-related parameters.

[0207] In some embodiments, the terminal policy information is generated according to parameters corresponding to the terminal policy. Optionally, the second information is the terminal policy information.

[0208] In some embodiments, policy-related information is generated based on parameters corresponding to the terminal policy and parameters corresponding to the session management policy. Optionally, the information sent by the second network element to the first network element includes terminal policy information and session management policy information, wherein the second information is terminal policy information.

[0209] In some embodiments, the second network element obtains parameters corresponding to the second information.

[0210] In some embodiments, the second network element generates the second information according to parameters corresponding to the second information.

[0211] In some embodiments, the parameter corresponding to the second information is a policy-related parameter.

[0212] In some embodiments, the PCRT parameters include PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy.

[0213] In some embodiments, the PCRT parameters further include PCRT parameters corresponding to the session management policy.

[0214] In some embodiments, PCRT is used to carry the second information.

[0215] In some embodiments, the second information is PCRT.

[0216] In some embodiments, the second information is a parameter or information included in the PCRT.

[0217] In some embodiments, the PCRT is generated according to PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy. Optionally, the second information is the PCRT corresponding to the terminal policy.

[0218] In some embodiments, the PCRT is generated based on the PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy and the PCRT parameters corresponding to the session management policy. Optionally, the information sent by the second network element to the first network element includes the PCRT corresponding to the terminal policy and the PCRT corresponding to the session management policy, and the second information is the PCRT corresponding to the terminal policy.

[0219] In some embodiments, the second information is a URSP. The URSP describes the routing policy of the application, and the terminal can select an appropriate routing path, such as an appropriate PDU session, for the application according to the URSP rules.

[0220] In some embodiments, the second information is a URSP, or the second information includes a URSP.

[0221] In some embodiments, URSP is used to indicate the "routing selection policy of the application". The terminal can select an appropriate routing path for the application according to the URSP rules. Optionally, the routing path includes a PDU session.

[0222] Step S2107: The second network element sends second information.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the second information.

[0224] In some embodiments, the second information is carried by a PCRT.

[0225] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0226] In some embodiments, terms such as "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "downlink", "downlink", "physical downlink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "side", "sidelink", "side communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", "direct link communication" can be interchangeable with each other.

[0227] In some embodiments, the terms "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0228] In some embodiments, the terms "search space", "search space set", "search space configuration", "search space set configuration", "control resource set (CORESET)", "CORESET configuration" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0229] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0230] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0231] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "a certain", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "a certain A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0232] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2108. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 1+3 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S2101+S2102+S2103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0233] In some embodiments, steps S2101 and S2102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0234] In some embodiments, steps S2103 and S2105 are implemented in combination, and then step S2104 and other steps are performed.

[0235] In some embodiments, steps S2103 and S2104 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0236] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2 .

[0237] FIG3A is a flow chart of a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication processing method (on the second network element side), the method comprising:

[0238] Step S3101, receiving first information and third information.

[0239] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0240] In some embodiments, the second network element receives the first information and the third information together from the first network element.

[0241] In some embodiments, the second network element receives the first information and the third information sent by the first network element respectively.

[0242] In some embodiments, the second network element obtains first information specified by the protocol.

[0243] In some embodiments, the second network element performs processing to obtain the first information.

[0244] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, the second network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the above function is default or by default.

[0245] Step S3102: Determine that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element.

[0246] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0247] Step S3103: Obtain policy-related parameters.

[0248] The optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0249] Optionally, the second network element may also obtain PCRT parameters corresponding to the session management policy.

[0250] Step S3104: Generate second information according to policy-related parameters.

[0251] The optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0252] Optionally, a PCRT is generated based on policy-related parameters.

[0253] Optionally, the PCRT generated in this step is used to carry the second information.

[0254] Step S3105, sending the second information.

[0255] The optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0256] Optionally, the second network element sends a PCRT to the first network element, where the PCRT includes the second information.

[0257] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3105. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101+S3103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S3101+S3102+S3103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0258] In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3103 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0259] In some embodiments, step S3102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0260] In some embodiments, step S3103 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0261] FIG3B is a flow chart of a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication processing method (on the first network element side), the method comprising:

[0262] Step S3201: Implement the functions required by the third network element.

[0263] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to step S2106, step S2107 in Figure 2, step S3104 in Figure 3A, the optional implementation of step S3105, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0264] Step S3202: Generate second information.

[0265] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2, steps S3103 and S3104 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0266] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 and S3202. For example, step S3201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S3201+S3202 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0267] In some embodiments, steps S3201 and S3202 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0268] In some embodiments, step S3201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0269] In some embodiments, step S3202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0270] FIG4A is a flow chart of a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication processing method (on the first network element side), the method comprising:

[0271] Step S4101: Receive fourth information sent by a fourth network element.

[0272] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0273] In some embodiments, preconfigured fourth information is obtained.

[0274] Step S4102: Determine the first information based on the fourth information.

[0275] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0276] Step S4103: Send the first information and the third information together to the second network element.

[0277] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first information and the third information are sent to the second network element separately.

[0279] Step S4104, receiving the second information.

[0280] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0281] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4105. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S4101+S4103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S4101+S4102+S4103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0282] In some embodiments, steps S4101 and S4102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0283] In some embodiments, step S4101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0284] In some embodiments, step S4102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0285] FIG4B is a flow chart of a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication processing method (on the first network element side), the method comprising:

[0286] Step S4201, determine the fourth information.

[0287] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2, the optional implementation of step S4101 in Figure 4A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4A, which will not be repeated here.

[0288] Step S4202, determine the second information.

[0289] The optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2, the optional implementation of step S4104 in Figure 4A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4A, which will not be repeated here.

[0290] The communication 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 steps S4201+S4202 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0291] In some embodiments, steps S4201 and S4202 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0292] In some embodiments, step S4201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0293] In some embodiments, step S4202 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0294] FIG5A is an interactive diagram of a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication processing method, which includes:

[0295] Step S5101: The first network element obtains fourth information.

[0296] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2, step S4101 in Figure 4, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0297] Step S5102: The first network element determines the first information.

[0298] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2, the optional implementation of step S4102 in Figure 4, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0299] Step S5103: The first network element sends the first information and the third information together to the second network element.

[0300] The optional implementation of step S5103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2, step S4103 in Figure 4, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0301] In some embodiments, the first network element sends the first information and the third information to the second network element respectively.

[0302] Step S5104: The second network element obtains second information.

[0303] Optional implementations of step S5104 may refer to steps S2105 and S2106 of FIG. 2 , steps S3104, S3105 and S3106 of FIG. 3 , and other related parts of the embodiments involved in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , which will not be described in detail here.

[0304] Step S5105: The first network element receives the second information sent by the second network element.

[0305] The optional implementation of step S5105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2, step S4106 in Figure 4, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2 and 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0306] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication processing method, which includes:

[0307] Step S6101: UDM or UDR sends PCF selection assistance information to SMF+PGW-C.

[0308] Optionally, the PCF selection auxiliary information is included in the user subscription data, and the type of the user subscription data includes SM subscription data for SMF.

[0309] In some embodiments, UE-level PCF selection assistance information is included in the SM subscription data for the SMF.

[0310] In some embodiments, the SM subscription data for the SMF includes PCF selection assistance information at the S-NSSAI level, or PCF selection assistance information at the DNN and S-NSSAI levels. Optionally, multiple levels of PCFs are included, each indicating that the PCF of the PDU session is the same as the PCF of the UE. The levels include UE level, S-NSSAI level, and DNN / S-NSSAI level.

[0311] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information is at the UE level, and the PCF selection assistance information can be applied to all supported PDU sessions of all supported DNN / S-NSSAI.

[0312] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information is at the S-NSSAI level, and the PCF selection assistance information may be applied to PDU sessions supported in a specific S-NSSAI.

[0313] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information is at the DNN / S-NSSAI level, and the PCF selection assistance information can be applied to PDU sessions supported in a specific DNN / S-NSSAI.

[0314] In some embodiments, the PCF selection assistance information is at the DNN / S-NSSAI level, and the PCF selection assistance information can be applied to PDU sessions supported in the system default DNN / S-NSSAI.

[0315] In some embodiments, the selection auxiliary information is used to indicate at least one of the following: in the PDU sessions of all data network names DNN and / or network slice selection auxiliary information S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the SM-PCF corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the UE-PCF corresponding to the terminal policy; in the PDU sessions of the specific S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the SM-PCF corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the UE-PCF corresponding to the terminal policy; in the PDU sessions of the specific DNN / S-NSSAI supported by the terminal, the SM-PCF corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the UE-PCF corresponding to the terminal policy.

[0316] In some embodiments, SMF+PGW-C is the above-mentioned first network element, UDM or UDR is the above-mentioned fourth network element, and the auxiliary information is selected as the above-mentioned fourth information.

[0317] Step S6102: SMF+PGW-C selects auxiliary information based on PCF to determine the first information.

[0318] Optionally, the first information is used to "indicate that the SM-PCF corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the UE-PCF corresponding to the terminal policy."

[0319] In step S6103, the SMF+PGW-C sends the first information and the third information together to the SM-PCF.

[0320] Optionally, the third information is used to instruct the SM-PCF to request the UE-PCF to provide the second information.

[0321] In some embodiments, the first information and the third information may be sent to the SM-PCF together through one message, or sent to the SM-PCF separately through different messages.

[0322] In some embodiments, the second information is terminal policy related information.

[0323] In some embodiments, the second information is used to provide a policy for wireless communication.

[0324] Optionally, the third information is used to indicate that it is necessary to request transmission of a User Routing Policy URSP in an Evolved Packet System EPS.

[0325] Step S6104: The SM-PCF determines, based on the first information, that the SM-PCF and the UE-PCF are the same network element.

[0326] Optionally, this step is applied to a scenario where URSP is provided in EPS.

[0327] In some embodiments, in a scenario where URSP is provided in EPS, to support URSP provision in EPS, the SMF+PGW-C receives from the UE an EPS PCO including a URSP provision support indication and an ePCO support indication. If the SMF+PGW-C also supports sending URSP configuration in EPS and ePCO, it also selects a PCF that supports delivering URSP configuration in EPS to establish an SM policy association based on the received EPS PCO and the URSP provision support indication in the local configuration. In some embodiments, in a scenario where URSP is provided in EPS, when the SMF+PGW-C receives a UE policy container ePCO in a Bearer Resource Command during a UE-requested Bearer Resource Modification procedure, it transparently forwards the UE policy container to the PCF for PDU Session Management via an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update request, which includes an indication that the "UE Policy Container Received" PCRT is satisfied.

[0328] In some embodiments, if the third information is used to indicate that the SM-PCF has received a UE policy container, and the UE policy container exists in the third information, it is determined that the interaction intention of the SM-PCF is to establish a policy association.

[0329] In some embodiments, the SM-PCF is the aforementioned second network element and the UE-PCF is the aforementioned third network element.

[0330] Step S6105: The SM-PCF obtains PCRT parameters.

[0331] Optionally, the SM-PCF obtains PCRT parameters from locally stored data.

[0332] Optionally, the SM-PCF sends a request to other network elements to obtain PCRT parameters.

[0333] In some embodiments, the PCRT parameters include PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy. Optionally, the PCRT parameters also include PCRT parameters corresponding to the session management policy.

[0334] The PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy must be obtained. If there are only PCRT parameters corresponding to the session management policy but no PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy, the corresponding PCRT cannot be generated based on the PCRT parameters.

[0335] Optionally, scenarios in which URSP is provided in EPS include: in the EPS initial attachment process of the UE carrying the default packet data network (PDN) connection establishment, or in the process in which the UE first requests PDN connection establishment in EPS, when the first UE policy container is received from the UE for SM policy association and the UE policy container is forwarded to the PCF for UE policy management through the first information request.

[0336] Optionally, the scenario of providing URSP in EPS also includes: during mobility from 5GS to EPS and N26, when SMF+PGW-C notifies the PCF for PDU session management through Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update to inform it that the relevant RAT has changed.

[0337] In some embodiments, in a scenario where a packet data network (PDN) connection is established in the EPS to provide a URSP in the EPS, the SM-PCF determines a policy association for providing URSP rules to the terminal by inspecting a UE policy container received from the SM-PCF in the first message.

[0338] Optionally, the PCRT parameter is a parameter corresponding to the aforementioned second information, and PCRT is the aforementioned second information.

[0339] Step S6106: The SM-PCF generates a PCRT according to the PCRT parameters.

[0340] Optionally, if the SM-PCF and UE-PCF are the same, the SM-PCF obtains the PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy.

[0341] Optionally, when the SM-PCF and the UE-PCF are the same, the SM-PCF obtains the PCRT parameters corresponding to the session management policy.

[0342] In some embodiments, PCRT is used to carry the second information.

[0343] In some embodiments, the second information is PCRT.

[0344] In some embodiments, the second information is a parameter or information included in the PCRT.

[0345] In some embodiments, the second information is a URSP, or the second information includes a URSP.

[0346] In some embodiments, URSP is used to indicate the "routing selection policy of the application". The terminal can select an appropriate routing path for the application according to the URSP rules. Optionally, the routing path includes a PDU session.

[0347] Step S6107: SM-PCF sends the PCRT to SMF+PGW-C.

[0348] In some embodiments, the SM-PCF receives the PCRT.

[0349] In some embodiments, the second information is carried by a PCRT.

[0350] In some embodiments, the SM-PCF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Updateresponse to the SMF+PGW-C.

[0351] In some embodiments, the aforementioned second information, terminal policy-related information, terminal policy information, and terminal-related policy information are equivalent.

[0352] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S6101 to S6107. For example, step S6101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S6102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S6101+S6103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S6101+S6102+S6103 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0353] In some embodiments, steps S6104 and S6105 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0354] In some embodiments, steps S6106 and S6107 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0355] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0356] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0357] 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.

[0358] 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.

[0359] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7A, the first network element 7100 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 7101, a processing module 7102, etc. In some embodiments, the processing module 7102 is used to obtain fourth information and determine first information based on the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy; the transceiver module 7101 is used to send the first information to the second network element, wherein the second network element and the third network element are both used for policy control; and receive second information sent by the second network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first network element in any of the above methods (for example, step S2101, step S2103, step S2107, but not limited thereto), which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the above-mentioned processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (such as step S2102, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, but not limited to these) performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0360] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7B, the second network element 7200 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 7201 and a processing module 7202. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 is configured to receive first information sent by the first network element, where the first information indicates that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy; the processing module 7202 is configured to determine, based on the first information, that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element, and have the second network element implement the functions required by the third network element; the transceiver module 7201 is further configured to send second information to the first network element, where the second information indicates the terminal policy. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to execute at least one of the communication steps (such as sending and / or receiving) executed by the second network element in any of the above methods (for example, step S2101, step S2103, step S2107, but not limited thereto), which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the above-mentioned processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (such as step S2102, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, but not limited to these) performed by the second network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0361] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0362] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0363] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 8100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0364] As shown in Figure 8A, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 8100 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 8101 are used to call instructions to enable the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0365] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8102. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8102, the transceiver 8102 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., step S2101, step S2103, step S2107, but not limited thereto), and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., step S2102, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, but not limited thereto). In an optional embodiment, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface may be interchangeable, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be interchangeable, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be interchangeable.

[0366] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8103 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8103 may be located outside the communication device 8100. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuits 8104 are connected to the memory 8102 and may be configured to receive data from the memory 8102 or other devices, or to send data to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8104 may read data stored in the memory 8102 and send the data to the processor 8101.

[0367] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 8A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0368] FIG8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG8B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0369] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201. The chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0370] In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 8203 may be located external to chip 8200. Optionally, interface circuit 8202 is connected to memory 8203 and may be used to receive data from memory 8203 or other devices, or may be used to send data to memory 8203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 8202 may read data stored in memory 8203 and send the data to processor 8201.

[0371] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S2101, step S2103, and step S2107) of the aforementioned method. The interface circuit 8202 performing the communication steps (e.g., step S2101, step S2103, and step S2107) of the aforementioned method, for example, means that the interface circuit 8202 performs data exchange between the processor 8201, chip 8200, memory 8203, or a transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., step S2102, step S2104, step S2105, and step S2106, but not limited thereto).

[0372] The modules and / or devices described in various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be arbitrarily combined or separated according to circumstances. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0373] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0374] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0375] 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.

Claims

1. A communication processing method, characterized in that: Applied to a second network element, the method comprises: receiving first information sent by a first network element, wherein the first information is used to indicate that a second network element corresponding to a session management policy is the same as a third network element corresponding to a terminal policy; Determine, according to the first information, that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element, and implement the function required by the third network element by the second network element; Sending second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate a terminal policy.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: In the PDU session supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element; In a specific S-NSSAI PDU session supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element; In a specific DNN and S-NSSAI PDU session supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive third information sent by the first network element to request the second information through the third network element.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The second network element implements the functions required by the third network element including: Obtaining parameters corresponding to the second information; generating the second information according to the parameter corresponding to the second information; The second information is sent to the first network element.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The second information includes a policy control request trigger PCRT, The second network element implements the functions required by the third network element including: Get the PCRT parameters corresponding to the terminal policy; Generate a PCRT according to the PCRT parameters; The PCRT is sent to the first network element.

6. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that: The second information is carried by the PCRT.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The third information is used to indicate that it is necessary to request transmission of a User Routing Policy URSP in an Evolved Packet System EPS.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method is applied in a scenario where URSP is provided in the EPS.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The second information is the URSP.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The scenario of providing the URSP in the EPS includes any one of the following scenarios: Establishing a packet data network PDN connection in EPS to provide URSP in EPS; During the mobility process from the 5G system to the EPS, URSP is provided in the EPS.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The first network element is a network element composed of a session management function SMF and a packet data network gateway PGW-C.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The second network element and the third network element are both policy control function network elements PCF.

13. A communication processing method, characterized in that: Applied to a first network element, the method includes: Acquire fourth information, and determine first information according to the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the fourth information is used to indicate selection auxiliary information related to the third network element; sending the first information to the second network element, wherein the second network element and the third network element are both used for policy control; Second information sent by the second network element is received, where the second information is used to indicate a terminal policy.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The obtaining of the fourth information includes at least one of the following: receiving fourth information sent by a fourth network element; The preconfigured fourth information is obtained.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The fourth information is included in the user subscription data, and the fourth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: In all PDU sessions supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element; In a specific S-NSSAI PDU session supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element; In a specific DNN and S-NSSAI PDU session supported by the terminal, the second network element is the same as the third network element.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending third information to the second network element, wherein the third information is used to instruct the second network element to request the second information through the third network element.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that The second information includes a policy control request trigger PCRT.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that: The receiving the second information sent by the second network element includes: Receive a PCRT sent by the second network element, wherein the second information is carried by the PCRT.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that: The third information is used to indicate that it is necessary to request transmission of the URSP in the EPS.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that The method is applied in a scenario where URSP is provided in the EPS.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The second information is the URSP.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The scenario of providing the URSP in the EPS includes any one of the following scenarios: Establishing a packet data network PDN connection in EPS to provide URSP in EPS; During the mobility process from the 5G system 5GS to EPS, URSP is provided in EPS.

23. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that The first network element is a network element composed of a session management function SMF and a packet data network gateway PGW-C.

24. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 23, characterized in that The second network element and the third network element are both policy control function network elements PCF, and the fourth network element is a unified data management function UMD network element or a unified data storage UDR network element.

25. A communication processing method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first network element obtains fourth information, and determines first information according to the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy; The first network element sends the first information to the second network element; The second network element determines, according to the first information, that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element, and the second network element implements the function required by the third network element; The second network element sends second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate a terminal policy.

26. A second network element, characterized in that: The device comprises: A transceiver module, configured to receive first information sent by a first network element, wherein the first information is used to indicate that a second network element corresponding to a session management policy is the same as a third network element corresponding to a terminal policy; a processing module, configured to determine, according to the first information, that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element, and to implement the function required by the third network element by the second network element; The transceiver module is further used to send second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate a terminal policy.

27. A first network element, characterized in that: The device comprises: a processing module, configured to obtain fourth information, and determine first information according to the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the fourth information is used to indicate selection auxiliary information related to the third network element; The transceiver module is used to send the first information to the second network element, wherein the second network element and the third network element are both used for policy control; and receive the second information sent by the second network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate the terminal policy.

28. A core network device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a transceiver module, configured to obtain fourth information, and determine first information according to the fourth information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session management policy is the same as the third network element corresponding to the terminal policy, and the fourth information is used to indicate selection auxiliary information related to the third network element; The transceiver module is further used to send the first information to the second network element; a processing module, configured to determine, according to the first information, that the second network element and the third network element are the same network element, and to implement the function required by the third network element by the second network element; The transceiver module is further used to send second information to the first network element, wherein the second information is used to indicate a terminal policy.

29. A second network element, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The second network element is used to execute the communication processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

30. A second network element, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The second network element is used to execute the communication processing method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

31. A core network device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; Wherein, the core network device is used to execute the communication processing method described in claim 25.

32. A communication system, characterized in that: It comprises a first network element and a second network element, wherein the first network element is configured to implement the communication processing method described in any one of claims 13-24, and the second network element is configured to implement the communication processing method described in any one of claims 1-12.

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 communication processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or claims 12 to 24.

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