Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a mobility management function network element determining that a first intermediate session management function network element cannot support a first data network access identifier (DNAI), wherein the first intermediate session management function network element is used for providing a service for a first PDU session, and the first PDU session comprising the first DNAI; the mobility management function network element determining a second intermediate session management function network element, wherein the second intermediate session management function network element supports the first DNAI; and the mobility management function network element sending first identification information and information of the first DNAI to the second intermediate session management function network element, wherein the first identification information is an identifier of the first intermediate session management function network element, or the mobility management function network element sending second identification information and the information of the first DNAI to the first intermediate session management function network element, wherein the second identification information is an identifier of the second intermediate session management function network element.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on October 31, 2023, with application number 202311438315.X and application name “Communication Method and Communication Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) technology migrates computing, storage, and business service capabilities to the edge of the network, eliminating the need to transmit data back to the cloud as much as possible, reducing the waiting time and network costs for data traveling to and from the cloud.

[0004] When a user terminal (UE) uses MEC services, each session management function (SMF) has its own service area. Only when the UE is within the service area of ​​the SMF can the SMF manage the UE's session. When the UE is outside the service area of ​​the SMF, an intermediate session management (I-SMF) network element can be inserted based on the UE's location. The I-SMF is responsible for session management of the local user plane function (UPF) at the UE's location. The I-SMF is inserted between the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the SMF.

[0005] Currently, it is not supported to insert multiple I-SMFs into a single Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session. However, the same PDU session may carry services that require access to different Data Network Access Identifiers (DNAIs), and different DNAIs cannot be covered by the same I-SMF. How to insert multiple I-SMFs into a single PDU session is an urgent problem that needs to be solved.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which select and insert a new I-SMF when it is determined that the current I-SMF cannot serve the target DNAI, thereby supporting multiple I-SMFs in one PDU session.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a mobility management function network element, or can also be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the mobility management function network element, and this application does not limit this.

[0009] The method includes: a mobility management function network element determining that a first intermediate session management function network element cannot support a first data network access identifier DNAI; the mobility management function network element determining a second intermediate session management function network element, wherein the second intermediate session management function network element supports the first DNAI; the mobility management function network element sending first identification information and information about the first DNAI to the second intermediate session management function network element, where the first identification information is an identifier of the first intermediate session management function network element, or the mobility management function network element sending second identification information and information about the first DNAI to the first intermediate session management function network element, where the second identification information is an identifier of the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0010] Through the above solution, when the mobility management function network element determines that the current intermediate session management function network element cannot support a certain DNAI, it can determine a new intermediate session management function network element and support multiple intermediate session management function network elements to jointly provide services.

[0011] It should be understood that the first intermediate session management function network element is an existing intermediate session management function network element, which is used to provide services for the first PDU session, and the first PDU session includes the first DNAI; the second intermediate session management function network element is a new intermediate session management function network element.

[0012] In the above implementation, when the mobility management function network element determines that the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the first DNAI, it determines a new second intermediate session management function network element. In another implementation, the mobility management function network element does not need to determine that the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the first DNAI, but can determine a new second intermediate session management function network element in any scenario where a new second intermediate session management function network element is needed.

[0013] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by an intermediate session management function network element, or can also be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the intermediate session management function network element. This application does not limit this.

[0014] The method includes: a second intermediate session management function network element receiving first identification information and first data network access identification DNAI information sent by a mobility management function network element, where the first identification information is the identification of the first intermediate session management function network element; and the second intermediate session management function network element sending DNAI information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element and second identification information to the first intermediate session management function network element, where the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0015] Alternatively, the method includes: the second intermediate session management function network element receives first identification information and first DNAI information sent by the mobility management function network element, where the first identification information is the identification of the first intermediate session management function network element; the second intermediate session management function network element sends data network access identification DNAI information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element, second downlink tunnel information, and second identification information to the first intermediate session management function network element, where the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element, the second downlink tunnel information is downlink tunnel information corresponding to a second uplink classification point, the second uplink classification point is used for the second intermediate session management function network element to offload traffic, the first intermediate session management function network element is used to provide services for a first PDU session, and the first PDU session includes the first DNAI; the second intermediate session management function network element receives first uplink tunnel information sent by the first intermediate session management function network element, where the first uplink tunnel information is uplink tunnel information corresponding to the first uplink classification point, and the first uplink classification point is used to offload traffic for the first intermediate session management function network element.

[0016] Through the above solution, after receiving the information of the existing intermediate session management function network element, the new intermediate session management function network element can establish a connection with it, thereby supporting multiple intermediate session management function network elements to jointly provide services.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the second intermediate session management function network element sends DNAI information and second identification information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first intermediate session management function network element, including: the second intermediate session management function network element sends the DNAI information and second identification information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first intermediate session management function network element according to the first identification information.

[0018] Optionally, the second intermediate session management function network element sends the second downlink tunnel information to the first intermediate session management function network element according to the first identification information.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the second intermediate session management function network element determining a second local session anchor point and a second uplink classification point according to information of the first data network access identifier DNAI.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the second intermediate session management function network element receives information of the second DNAI; if the second intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, updating the N4 rules of the second local session anchor point and the second uplink classification point; if the second intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, sending information of the second DNAI to the mobility management function network element.

[0021] On the third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by an intermediate session management function network element, or can also be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the intermediate session management function network element. This application does not limit this.

[0022] The method includes: a first intermediate session management function network element receives DNAI information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element and second identification information sent by a second intermediate session management function network element, where the second identification information is an identification of the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0023] Alternatively, the method includes: the first intermediate session management function network element receives the DNAI information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element, the second downlink tunnel information and the second identification information sent by the second intermediate session management function network element, the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element, the second downlink tunnel information is the downlink tunnel information corresponding to the second uplink classification point, the second uplink classification point is used for the second intermediate session management function network element to divert traffic, the first intermediate session management function network element is used to provide services for the first PDU session, and the first PDU session includes the first DNAI; the first intermediate session management function network element sends the first uplink tunnel information to the second intermediate session management function network element, the first uplink tunnel information is the uplink tunnel information corresponding to the first uplink classification point, and the first uplink classification point is used to divert traffic for the first intermediate session management function network element.

[0024] Through the above solution, after receiving the information of the existing intermediate session management function network element, the new intermediate session management function network element can establish a connection with it, thereby supporting multiple intermediate session management function network elements to jointly provide services.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first intermediate session management function network element sending information of the DNAI supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first session management function network element.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first intermediate session management function network element receiving information of the second DNAI; if the first intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, updating the N4 rule of the first local session anchor point and the first uplink classification point; if the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, sending information of the second DNAI to the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0027] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by an intermediate session management function network element, or can also be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the intermediate session management function network element. This application does not limit this.

[0028] The method includes: a first intermediate session management function network element receiving second identification information and information of the first data network access identification DNAI sent by a mobility management function network element, where the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element; the first intermediate session management function network element sending information of the first DNAI and third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element, where the third identification information is the identification of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is a next-level session management function network element to which the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect.

[0029] Alternatively, the method includes: an intermediate session management function network element receives second identification information and first DNAI information sent by a mobility management function network element, where the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element; the first intermediate session management function network element sends first data network access identification DNAI information and third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element, where the third identification information is the identification of the first session management function network element, the first session management function network element is the next-level session management function network element to which the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect, the first intermediate session management function network element is used to provide services for a first PDU session, and the first PDU session includes the first DNAI; the first intermediate session management function network element receives second uplink tunnel information sent by the second intermediate session management function network element, where the second uplink tunnel information is uplink tunnel information corresponding to a second uplink classification point, and the second uplink classification point is used to divert traffic for the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0030] Through the above solution, after receiving the information of the new intermediate session management function network element, the existing intermediate session management function network element can establish a connection with it, thereby supporting multiple intermediate session management function network elements to jointly provide services.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first intermediate session management function network element sends the first DNAI information and the third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element, including: the first intermediate session management function network element sends the first DNAI information and the third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element according to the second identification information.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first intermediate session management function network element receives information of the second DNAI; if the first intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, updating the N4 rule of the first local session anchor point and the first uplink classification point; if the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, sending information of the second DNAI to the mobility management function network element.

[0033] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by an intermediate session management function network element, or can also be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the intermediate session management function network element. This application does not limit this.

[0034] The method includes: a second intermediate session management function network element receives information of a first data network access identifier DNAI and third identification information sent by a first intermediate session management function network element, wherein the third identification information is an identifier of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is a next-level session management function network element to which the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect.

[0035] Alternatively, the method includes: the second intermediate session management function network element receives information of the first data network access identifier DNAI and third identification information sent by the first intermediate session management function network element, the third identification information is the identification of the first session management function network element, the first session management function network element is the next-level session management function network element to which the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect, the first intermediate session management function network element is used to provide services for the first PDU session, and the first PDU session includes the first DNAI; the second intermediate session management function network element sends second uplink tunnel information to the second intermediate session management function network element, the second uplink tunnel information is uplink tunnel information corresponding to the second uplink classification point, and the second uplink classification point is used to divert traffic for the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0036] Through the above solution, after receiving the information of the new intermediate session management function network element, the existing intermediate session management function network element can establish a connection with it, thereby supporting multiple intermediate session management function network elements to jointly provide services.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second intermediate session management function network element determining a second local session anchor point and a second uplink classification point according to information of the first DNAI, and the second uplink classification point is used by the second intermediate session management function network element to perform traffic diversion.

[0038] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the second intermediate session management function network element sending information of the DNAI supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first session management function network element.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the second intermediate session management function network element receiving information of the second DNAI; if the second intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, updating the N4 rules of the second local session anchor point and the second uplink classification point; if the second intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, sending information of the second DNAI to the first intermediate session management function network element.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an intermediate session management function network element, or can also be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the intermediate session management function network element, and this application does not limit this.

[0041] The method includes: a first intermediate session management function network element receives second identification information and first DNAI information sent by a mobility management function network element, where the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element; the first intermediate session management function network element sends first data network access identification DNAI information and third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element, where the third identification information is the identification of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is a next-level session management function network element that the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect to.

[0042] Optionally, the first intermediate session management function network element receives third uplink tunnel information sent by the second intermediate session management function network element, where the third uplink tunnel information is uplink tunnel information corresponding to the second local session anchor point.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the first intermediate session management function network element sends the first DNAI information and the third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element, including: the first intermediate session management function network element sends the first DNAI information and the third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element according to the second identification information.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: the first intermediate session management function network element receives information of the second DNAI; if the first intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, configuring a first uplink classification point; if the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, sending information of the second DNAI to the mobility management function network element.

[0045] In the seventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by an intermediate session management function network element, or can also be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the intermediate session management function network element. This application does not limit this.

[0046] The method includes: a second intermediate session management function network element receives information of a first data network access identifier DNAI and third identification information sent by a first intermediate session management function network element, where the third identification information is an identifier of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is a next-level session management function network element that the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect to.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner, the second intermediate session management function network element sends third uplink tunnel information to the second intermediate session management function network element, where the third uplink tunnel information is uplink tunnel information corresponding to the second local session anchor point.

[0048] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the second intermediate session management function network element determining a second local session anchor point according to information of the first DNAI.

[0049] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the second intermediate session management function network element sending information of the DNAI supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first session management function network element.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the second intermediate session management function network element receiving information of the second DNAI; if the second intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, configuring a first uplink classification point; if the second intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, sending information of the second DNAI to the first intermediate session management function network element.

[0051] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a processing unit, used to determine that a first intermediate session management function network element cannot support a first data network access identifier DNAI; the processing unit is also used to determine a second intermediate session management function network element, and the second intermediate session management function network element supports the first DNAI; a sending unit, used to send first identification information and first DNAI information to the second intermediate session management function network element, the first identification information is the identification of the first intermediate session management function network element, or the sending unit is used to send second identification information and first DNAI information to the first intermediate session management function network element, the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0052] In the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a receiving unit, used to receive first identification information and first data network access identification DNAI information sent by a mobility management function network element received by a second intermediate session management function network element, where the first identification information is the identification of the first intermediate session management function network element; a sending unit, used to send DNAI information and second identification information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first intermediate session management function network element, where the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0053] In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send DNAI information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element and the second identification information to the first intermediate session management function network element according to the first identification information.

[0054] In a possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes: a processing unit, configured to determine a second local session anchor point and a second uplink classification point according to information of the first data network access identifier DNAI.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the receiving unit is further used to receive information of a second DNAI; if the second intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to update the N4 rules of the second local session anchor point and the second uplink classification point; if the second intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to send information of the second DNAI to the mobility management function network element.

[0056] In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a receiving unit, used to receive information of a first data network access identifier DNAI and second identification information sent by a second intermediate session management function network element, where the second identification information is an identification of the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0057] In a possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes: a sending unit, configured to send information of the DNAI supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first session management function network element.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the receiving unit is further used to receive information about a second DNAI; if the first intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to update the N4 rules of the first local session anchor point and the first uplink classification point; if the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to send information about the second DNAI to the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0059] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a receiving unit, used to receive second identification information and information of the first data network access identification DNAI sent by a mobility management function network element, where the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element; a sending unit, used to send the first DNAI information and third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element, where the third identification information is the identification of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is the next-level session management function network element to which the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send the first DNAI information and the third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element according to the second identification information.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the receiving unit is further used to receive information of a second DNAI; if the first intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to update the N4 rules of the first local session anchor point and the first uplink classification point; if the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to send information of the second DNAI to the mobility management function network element.

[0062] In the twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a receiving unit, used to receive information of a first data network access identifier DNAI and third identification information sent by a first intermediate session management function network element, wherein the third identification information is the identification of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is the next-level session management function network element that the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect to.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the device further includes: a processing unit, configured to determine a second local session anchor point and a second uplink classification point according to information of the first DNAI, where the second uplink classification point is used for offloading by a second intermediate session management function network element.

[0064] In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send information of the DNAI supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first session management function network element.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the receiving unit is further used to receive information about a second DNAI; if the second intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to update the N4 rules of the second local session anchor point and the second uplink classification point; if the second intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to send information about the second DNAI to the first intermediate session management function network element.

[0066] In the thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a sending unit, used to send information of a first data network access identifier DNAI and third identification information to a second intermediate session management function network element, where the third identification information is an identifier of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is a next-level session management function network element to which the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect; a receiving unit, used to receive third uplink tunnel information sent by the second intermediate session management function network element, where the third uplink tunnel information is uplink tunnel information corresponding to the second local session anchor point

[0067] In a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive second identification information and first DNAI information sent by the mobility management function network element, where the second identification information is an identifier of the second intermediate session management function network element.

[0068] In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send the first DNAI information and the third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element according to the second identification information.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the receiving unit is further used to receive information about the second DNAI; if the first intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to configure the first uplink classification point; if the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to send information about the second DNAI to the mobility management function network element.

[0070] In the fourteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, including: a receiving unit, used to receive information of a first data network access identifier DNAI and third identification information sent by a first intermediate session management function network element, where the third identification information is the identification of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is the next-level session management function network element that the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect to; a sending unit, used to send third uplink tunnel information to the second intermediate session management function network element, where the third uplink tunnel information is the uplink tunnel information corresponding to the second local session anchor point.

[0071] In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is configured to determine the second local session anchor point according to information of the first DNAI.

[0072] In a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send information of the DNAI supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first session management function network element.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the receiving unit is further used to receive information of a second DNAI; if the second intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to configure a first uplink classification point; if the second intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, the processing unit is further used to control the device to send information of the second DNAI to the first intermediate session management function network element.

[0074] In a fifteenth aspect, a wireless communication device is provided, comprising modules or units for executing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0075] In the sixteenth aspect, a wireless communication device is provided, comprising modules or units for executing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0076] In the seventeenth aspect, a wireless communication device is provided, comprising modules or units for executing the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0077] In the eighteenth aspect, a wireless communication device is provided, comprising modules or units for executing the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0078] In the nineteenth aspect, a wireless communication device is provided, comprising modules or units for executing the method in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0079] In the twentieth aspect, a wireless communication device is provided, comprising modules or units for executing the method in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation of the sixth aspect.

[0080] In aspect 21, a wireless communication device is provided, comprising modules or units for executing the method in aspect 7 or any possible implementation of aspect 7.

[0081] In a twenty-second aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor coupled to a memory, and configured to perform the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. In one possible implementation, the communication device further comprises a memory. In one possible implementation, the communication device further comprises a communication interface, the processor coupled to the communication interface. In another possible implementation, the communication device further comprises a communication interface, the processor coupled to the communication interface.

[0082] In one implementation, the communication device is a mobility management function network element. When the communication device is a mobility management function network element, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0083] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip or a chip system, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or related circuits on the chip or chip system. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0084] In a twenty-third aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor coupled to a memory and configured to execute instructions in the memory to implement any of the second to seventh aspects described above, as well as any possible implementation of each of the above aspects. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface. In one possible implementation, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. In one possible implementation, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0085] In one implementation, the communication device is an intermediate session management function network element. When the communication device is an intermediate session management function network element, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. In one possible implementation, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. In one possible implementation, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0086] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip or a chip system, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or related circuits on the chip or chip system. The processor may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0087] In a twenty-fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal via the input circuit and transmit a signal via the output circuit, so that the method of any one of the first to seventh aspects, and any possible implementation of the aforementioned aspects, is implemented.

[0088] In a specific implementation, the communication device may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, or various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. The input circuit and the output circuit may be different circuits or the same circuit, in which case the circuit functions as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0089] In a twenty-fifth aspect, a processing device is provided, comprising a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory and receive signals via a receiver and transmit signals via a transmitter to execute the method of any one of the first to seventh aspects, and any possible implementation of any of the aforementioned aspects.

[0090] In a possible implementation, there are one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0091] In a possible implementation, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be provided separately from the processor.

[0092] In the specific implementation process, the memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or can be set on different chips. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of memory and the setting method of the memory and the processor.

[0093] It should be understood that related data interaction processes, such as sending indication information, can be the process of outputting indication information from the processor, and receiving capability information can be the process of receiving input capability information from the processor. Specifically, the output data of the processing can be output to the transmitter, and the input data received by the processor can come from the receiver. The transmitter and receiver can be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0094] The processor in the above aspects can be a chip, which can be implemented by hardware or software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading the software code stored in the memory. The memory can be integrated in the processor or located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0095] In aspect twenty-six, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions), which, when run, enables a computer to execute any one of aspects one to seven, and any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0096] In aspect twenty-seven, a computer-readable medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions) which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the first to seventh aspects mentioned above, as well as any possible implementation of the above aspects.

[0097] In aspect 28, a communication system is provided, comprising at least one of the aforementioned mobility management function network element, the first intermediate session management function network element, and the second intermediate session management function network element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0098] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a communication system to which the present application is applied.

[0099] FIG2 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0100] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0101] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0102] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0103] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0104] FIG7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0105] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0106] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0107] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0108] FIG11 is a schematic block diagram of a chip system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0109] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0110] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR) or other evolved communication systems.

[0111] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture 100. Various embodiments of the present application can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The various parts involved in the network architecture shown in Figure 1 are described below.

[0112] 1. Terminal equipment.

[0113] The terminal device may also be referred to as: user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc.

[0114] The terminal device may be a device that provides voice / data connectivity to users, such as a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with wireless connection function. At present, some examples of terminal devices are: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or future evolved public land mobile communication networks (PLMNs). network, PLMN) and other terminal devices, etc., are not limited to this.

[0115] The terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for wearable devices that use wearable technology to intelligently design and develop wearable devices for everyday wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not just hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are full-featured, large in size, and can achieve full or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a certain type of application function and can be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0116] In addition, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in the Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network that interconnects people and machines and things.

[0117] 2. (Radio) Access Network (R)AN): This provides network access for authorized users in a specific area and utilizes transmission tunnels of varying quality based on user level and service requirements. (R)AN network elements manage radio resources, provide access services to terminal devices, and forward control signals and user data between terminal devices and the core network. Specifically, the (R)AN can also be understood as the base station within the (R)AN and can be referred to as access network equipment.

[0118] Specifically, the access network device can be a transmission reception point (TRP), an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, a home base station (for example, home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the access network device can be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and an access network device in a 5G network or an access network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, etc. It can be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, or a gNB in ​​a new radio system (NR) system, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited. In a network structure, the access network device may include a centralized unit (CU) node, a distributed unit (DU) node, or a RAN device including a CU node and a DU node, or a RAN device including a control plane CU node (CU-CP node) and a user plane CU node (CU-UP node) and a DU node.

[0119] 3. Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF): Mainly used for mobility management and access management. Specifically, AMF can be used to implement other functions of the Mobility Management Entity (MME) in addition to session management, such as lawful interception or access authorization (or authentication).

[0120] 4. Session Management Function (SMF): Also known as the session management function network element, it is primarily responsible for session management, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management for terminal devices, selection of endpoints for manageable user plane functions, policy control, or charging function interfaces, and downlink data notification. Specifically, source session management network element 110, anchor session management network element 120, and target session management network element 190 in Figure 1 can all be SMFs.

[0121] It should be understood that in the above system architecture 100, the access network device 120 can be the RAN in Figure 2; the access and mobility management network element 130 can be the AMF in Figure 2; and the session management network element 140 can be the SMF in Figure 2, without limitation.

[0122] Optionally, the system architecture 200 may further include:

[0123] 5. User plane function (UPF): Also known as user plane function, user plane network element, or user plane function network element, it is used for packet routing and forwarding, or quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data.

[0124] 6. Data network (DN): A network used to provide data transmission, such as the Internet.

[0125] 7. Authentication server function (AUSF): mainly used for user authentication, etc.

[0126] 8. Policy control function (PCF): A unified policy framework used to guide network behavior and provide policy rule information to control plane functional network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.).

[0127] 9. Unified data management (UDM): used to handle user identification, access authentication, registration, or mobility management.

[0128] 10. Application Function (AF): This function primarily supports interaction with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing third-party services to the network side. It can be understood as a third-party server, such as an application server on the Internet, providing relevant service information, including providing service quality requirement information corresponding to the service to the PCF, and sending user plane data information of the service to the PSA-UPF. The AF can be a service provider (CP).

[0129] 11. Network slice selection function (NSSF): used to select network slices.

[0130] In this system architecture 100, the N1 interface is the reference point between the terminal device and the AMF; the N2 interface is the reference point between the (R)AN and the AMF, used for sending non-access stratum (NAS) messages, etc.; the N3 interface is the reference point between the (R)AN and the I-UPF, used for transmitting user plane data, etc.; the N4 interface is the reference point between the SMF and the I-UPF, used for transmitting information such as tunnel identification information of the N3 connection, data cache indication information, and downlink data notification messages; the N5 interface is the reference point between the PCF and the AF; the N6 interface is the reference point between the UPF and the DN, used for transmitting user plane data, etc.; the N7 interface is the reference point between the SMF and the PCF; the N8 interface is the reference point between the AMF and the UDM; the N9 interface is the reference point between the UPF; the N10 interface is the reference point between the SMF and the UDM; the N11 interface is the reference point between the AMF and the SMF; the N12 interface is the reference point between the AMF and the AUSF; and the N22 interface is the reference point between the AMF and the NSSF.

[0131] It should be understood that the above-mentioned system architecture 100 is only an example of a network architecture described from the perspective of a reference point architecture. The network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto. Any network architecture that can realize the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0132] It should be noted that the interface names between the various network elements in Figure 1 are only examples. The names of the interfaces in specific implementations may be other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0133] It should be noted that the names of the various network elements (such as SMF, AF, UPF, etc.) included in Figure 1 are only examples and do not limit the functions of the network elements themselves. In 5G networks and other future networks, the above-mentioned network elements may also have other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology in 5G, or may use other names, etc., which are uniformly explained here and will not be repeated below. In addition, it should be understood that the name of the message (or signaling) transmitted between the above-mentioned network elements is only an example and does not constitute any limitation on the function of the message itself.

[0134] The network architecture shown in FIG1 is merely an example, and the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto. Any network architecture that can realize the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0135] For example, in some network architectures, network function entities such as AMF, SMF, PCF, and UDM are all called network functions (NF); or, in other network architectures, the collection of AMF, SMF, PCF, UDM, etc. can be called control plane functions.

[0136] When the UE uses MEC services, each SMF has its own service area. Only when the UE is within the service area of ​​the SMF can the SMF manage the UE's session. When the UE is outside the service area of ​​the SMF, an I-SMF network element can be inserted based on the UE's location. The I-SMF is responsible for session management of the local UPF at the UE's location. The I-SMF is inserted between the AMF and the SMF.

[0137] Currently, it is not supported to insert multiple I-SMFs into a PDU session. However, the same PDU session may carry services that need to access LDNs corresponding to different DNAIs, and different DNAIs cannot be covered by the same I-SMF.

[0138] This application provides multiple communication methods, which can insert multiple I-SMFs into one PDU session.

[0139] It should be understood that the description of the specific scenarios in the embodiments of the present application is only an example. In addition to being applicable to the application scenarios described above, the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to application scenarios with similar problems.

[0140] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "a plurality of" or "a plurality of" means two or more. In addition, "at least one" can be replaced by "one or more".

[0141] The ordinal numbers "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first indication information and the second indication information can be the same information or different information, and such names do not indicate differences in the content, size, application scenario, sender / receiver, priority, or importance of the two messages. In addition, the numbering of the steps in the various embodiments introduced in this application is only for distinguishing different steps and is not used to limit the order of the steps.

[0142] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to wireless communications between communication devices. Wireless communications between communication devices may include: wireless communications between network devices and terminals, wireless communications between network devices, and wireless communications between terminals. In the embodiments of this application, the term "wireless communications" may also be referred to as "communication," which may also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," or "transmission."

[0143] It should be understood that the names of all nodes and messages in this application are merely names set for the convenience of description in this application. The names in the actual network may be different. This application should not be understood as limiting the names of various nodes and messages. On the contrary, any name with the same or similar function as the node or message used in this application is regarded as a method or equivalent replacement of this application, and is within the scope of protection of this application. No further details will be given below.

[0144] The following describes in detail various communication methods provided in the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0145] It should be understood that the step numbers in the embodiments of the present application are for illustration only and do not limit the order in which the steps occur.

[0146] FIG2 illustrates a communication method 200 provided by the present application, wherein a corresponding I-SMF is inserted for a DNAI (if an existing I-SMF cannot cover a DNAI, a new I-SMF is inserted for that DNAI). Each I-SMF independently controls the uplink classifier (ULCL) required to access the LDN corresponding to the DNAI.

[0147] As shown in FIG3 , a new I-SMF is inserted into a previous network. There is only one existing I-SMF (ie, I-SMF1) in the network, and ULCL1 and L-PSA1 have been established for the I-SMF1.

[0148] After a new I-SMF (ie, I-SMF2) is inserted using the method of FIG2 , FIG4 shows a network after the new I-SMF is inserted.

[0149] The method in FIG. 2 includes at least part of steps S210 to S280 .

[0150] S210, SMF sends the destination DNAI (i.e., an instance of the first DNAI) to AMF.

[0151] Specifically, SMF receives the PCC rule from PCF, which carries service information and DNAI list (the DNAI list contains one or more DNAIs). SMF determines that the UE is located in the area corresponding to one or more DNAIs in the DNAI list (the one or more DNAIs here are referred to as target DNAIs), and determines that the UE is located in the area corresponding to the target DNAI, but SMF does not cover the target DNAI, then SMF sends the target DNAI to AMF.

[0152] S220, AMF determines that I-SMF1 (the existing I-SMF) cannot support (or cannot serve) the destination DNAI, and then determines a new I-SMF (I-SMF2) based on the destination DNAI.

[0153] The I-SMF1 is used to provide services for the first PDU session, and the first PDU session corresponds to the destination DNAI. The I-SMF2 supports the destination DNAI.

[0154] It should be understood that I-SMF1 and I-SMF2 both provide services for the first PDU session. It can also be understood that I-SMF1 and I-SMF2 both correspond to the first PDU session, or that I-SMF1 and I-SMF2 both control the first PDU session.

[0155] S230, AMF sends first identification information and destination DNAI information to I-SMF2, where the first identification information is the identification of I-SMF1.

[0156] Optionally, the identifier of the I-SMF1 is the SM Context ID corresponding to the I-SMF1.

[0157] S240, I-SMF2 determines the L-PSA (L-PSA2) and the ULCL UPF (ULCL2) based on the target DNAI, and obtains downlink tunnel information (DL tunnel info, an example of second downlink tunnel information) corresponding to ULCL2.

[0158] S250: A PDU session is established between I-SMF2 and I-SMF1. Step S250 includes:

[0159] S250-1, I-SMF2 sends a session establishment request message to I-SMF1.

[0160] Specifically, the session establishment request information includes DNAI information supported by I-SMF2 (including one or more DNAIs), second downlink tunnel information and second identification information, where the second identification information is the identification of I-SMF2.

[0161] Optionally, the identifier of I-SMF2 is the SM Context ID corresponding to I-SMF2.

[0162] Optionally, I-SMF2 sends session establishment request information to I-SMF1 according to the first identification information received in step S230.

[0163] S250-2, I-SMF1 configures ULCL1 based on the DL tunnel info of ULCL2 obtained from I-SMF2 (implementing a path connection between ULCL1 and ULCL2), and I-SMF1 obtains uplink tunnel information (UL tunnel info, an example of first uplink tunnel information) of ULCL1.

[0164] S250-3, I-SMF1 sends first uplink tunnel information to I-SMF2.

[0165] S260, I-SMF2 returns a response to AMF with respect to step S230.

[0166] S270, I-SMF1 sends DNAI information (including one or more DNAIs) supported by I-SMF2 to SMF (ie, an instance of the first session management network element).

[0167] Among them, SMF is the SMF connected to I-SMF1 (the SMF here may also be other I-SMF).

[0168] S280: Configure the data plane forwarding path.

[0169] For the above method 200, after the new I-SMF2 is inserted, the SMF receives the new target DNAI (such as the second DNAI) as described below.

[0170] Specifically, the SMF receives a PCC rule from the PCF, which includes service information (eg, application ID, IP quintuple) and the second DNAI.

[0171] If the SMF determines that it does not serve the second destination DNAI, it sends the second destination DNAI to the I-SMF connected to it.

[0172] In this application, SMF service DNAI can also be understood as SMF support DNAI.

[0173] If I-SMF1 determines that it can serve the DNAI, it updates the N4 rules of ULCL1 and L-PSA1; otherwise, it forwards the information to the next I-SMF. If all I-SMFs cannot serve the second destination DNAI, the second destination DNAI will be sent to the AMF, and the AMF will select a new I-SMF based on the second destination DNAI.

[0174] FIG5 illustrates a communication method 500 provided by the present application, wherein a corresponding I-SMF is inserted for a DNAI (if an existing I-SMF cannot cover a DNAI, a new I-SMF is inserted for that DNAI). Each I-SMF independently controls the uplink classifier (ULCL) required to access the LDN corresponding to the DNAI.

[0175] As shown in FIG3 , a new I-SMF is inserted into a previous network. There is only one existing I-SMF (ie, I-SMF1) in the network, and ULCL1 and L-PSA1 have been established for the I-SMF1.

[0176] After inserting a new I-SMF (i.e., I-SMF2) using the method of Figure 5, the network after the new I-SMF is inserted is shown in Figure 6. It can be seen that the main difference between method 500 and method 200 is the different insertion position of I-SMF2.

[0177] The method in FIG5 includes at least part of steps S510 to S560.

[0178] Step S510 refers to step S210 , and step S520 refers to step S220 .

[0179] S530, AMF sends second identification information and target DNAI information to I-SMF1, where the second identification information is the identification of I-SMF2.

[0180] Optionally, the identifier of I-SMF2 is the SM Context ID corresponding to I-SMF2.

[0181] S540: I-SMF2 establishes a PDU session with I-SMF1. This step includes:

[0182] S540-1, I-SMF-1 sends a session establishment request message to I-SMF-2.

[0183] Specifically, the session establishment request information includes target DNAI information, second downlink tunnel information and third identification information, the third identification information is the identification of SMF, and SMF is the next level SMF / I-SMF that I-SMF2 needs to connect to.

[0184] Optionally, the SMF identifier is the SM Context ID corresponding to the SMF.

[0185] Optionally, the I-SMF1 sends a session establishment request message to the I-SMF2 according to the second identification information received in step S530.

[0186] S540-2, I-SMF2 determines the L-PSA (L-PSA2) and the ULCL UPF (ULCL2) based on the target DNAI, and obtains uplink tunnel information (UL tunnel info, an example of second uplink tunnel information) corresponding to ULCL2.

[0187] S540-3, I-SMF2 sends the second uplink tunnel information to I-SMF2.

[0188] S540-4. I-SMF1 configures ULCL1 based on the second uplink tunnel information.

[0189] S550, I-SMF1 sends a PDU session modification request to I-SMF2 and configures ULCL2

[0190] S560, I-SMF2 sends DNAI information supported by I-SMF2 (including one or more DNAIs) to SMF.

[0191] For the above method 500, after the new I-SMF2 is inserted, the SMF receives the new target DNAI (such as the second DNAI) as described below.

[0192] Specifically, the SMF receives a PCC rule from the PCF, which includes service information (eg, application ID, IP quintuple) and the second DNAI.

[0193] If the SMF determines that it does not serve the second destination DNAI, it sends the second destination DNAI to the I-SMF connected to it.

[0194] If I-SMF2 determines that it can serve the DNAI, it updates the N4 rule of ULCL2 and L-PSA2; otherwise, it forwards the information to the next-hop I-SMF. If all I-SMFs cannot serve the second destination DNAI, the second destination DNAI will be sent to the AMF, and the AMF will select a new I-SMF based on the second destination DNAI.

[0195] FIG7 shows a communication method 700 provided by the present application, wherein a corresponding I-SMF is inserted for a DNAI (if the existing I-SMF cannot cover a DNAI, a new I-SMF is inserted for the DNAI). The I-SMF1 controls all uplink classifiers (ULCLs).

[0196] As shown in FIG3 , a new I-SMF is inserted into a previous network. There is only one existing I-SMF (ie, I-SMF1) in the network, and ULCL1 and L-PSA1 have been established for the I-SMF1.

[0197] After a new I-SMF (i.e., I-SMF2) is inserted using the method of Figure 7, the network after the new I-SMF is shown in Figure 8. It can be seen that the main difference between method 700 and method 200 is that only one ULCL is inserted, and the ULCL is controlled by one I-SMF.

[0198] The method in FIG. 7 includes at least part of steps S710 to S750 .

[0199] Step S710 refers to step S210 , step S720 refers to step S220 , and step S730 refers to step S530 .

[0200] Step S740: A PDU session is established between I-SMF2 and I-SMF1. This step includes:

[0201] S740-1, I-SMF-1 sends a session establishment request message to I-SMF-2.

[0202] Specifically, the session establishment request information includes information of the target DNAI and third identification information, where the third identification information is the identification of the SMF, and the SMF is the next-level SMF / I-SMF to which the I-SMF2 needs to connect.

[0203] Optionally, the SMF identifier is the SM Context ID corresponding to the SMF.

[0204] Optionally, the I-SMF1 sends a session establishment request message to the I-SMF2 according to the second identification information received in step S730.

[0205] S740-2, I-SMF2 determines the L-PSA (L-PSA2) based on the destination DNAI, and obtains uplink tunnel information (UL tunnel info, an example of third uplink tunnel information) corresponding to L-PSA2.

[0206] S740-3, I-SMF2 sends the third uplink tunnel information to I-SMF2.

[0207] S740-4. I-SMF1 configures ULCL1 based on the third uplink tunnel information.

[0208] S750, I-SMF2 sends DNAI information supported by I-SMF2 (including one or more DNAIs) to SMF.

[0209] For the above method 700, after the new I-SMF2 is inserted, the SMF receives the new target DNAI (such as the second DNAI) as described below.

[0210] Specifically, the SMF receives a PCC rule from the PCF, which includes service information (eg, application ID, IP quintuple) and the second DNAI.

[0211] If the SMF determines that it does not serve the second destination DNAI, it sends the second destination DNAI to the I-SMF connected to it.

[0212] If the I-SMF determines that it can serve the DNAI, it configures L-PSA2 based on N4info; generates a diversion rule based on N4info and sends it to I-SMF1 for configuring ULCL; otherwise, it forwards the information to the next-hop I-SMF2. If all I-SMFs cannot serve the second destination DNAI, the second destination DNAI will be sent to the AMF, which will select a new I-SMF based on the second destination DNAI.

[0213] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 900 includes a transceiver unit 910 and a processing unit 920. The transceiver unit 910 can communicate with the outside world, and the processing unit 920 is used to process data. The transceiver unit 910 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0214] In a possible implementation, the apparatus 900 may further include a storage unit, which may be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 920 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit.

[0215] The device 900 can be used to execute the actions performed by the mobility management function network element in the above method embodiment. In this case, the device 900 can be a mobility management function network element, or a component that can be configured in a mobility management function network element. The transceiver unit 910 is used to execute the operations related to the transmission and reception of the mobility management function network element in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 920 is used to execute the operations related to the processing of the mobility management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0216] Alternatively, the device 900 can be used to execute the actions performed by the intermediate session management function network element in the above method embodiment. In this case, the device 900 can be an intermediate session management function network element or a component that can be configured in the intermediate session management function network element. The transceiver unit 910 is used to execute the transceiver-related operations of the intermediate session management function network element in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 920 is used to execute the processing-related operations of the intermediate session management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0217] It should also be understood that the apparatus 900 herein is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" herein may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor, etc.) for executing one or more software or firmware programs, and a memory, a combined logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the apparatus 900 may be specifically the mobility management function network element, the first intermediate session management function network element, or the second intermediate session management function network element in the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be used to perform the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the mobility management function network element, the first intermediate session management function network element, or the second intermediate session management function network element in the above-mentioned embodiments. Alternatively, the apparatus 900 may be specifically the mobility management function network element, the first intermediate session management function network element, or the second intermediate session management function network element in the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be used to perform the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the mobility management function network element, the first intermediate session management function network element, or the second intermediate session management function network element in the above-mentioned embodiments. To avoid repetition, these will not be described in detail here.

[0218] The apparatus 900 of each of the above-mentioned solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the mobility management function network element, the first intermediate session management function network element, or the second intermediate session management function network element in the above-mentioned method. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or the corresponding software can be implemented by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing unit, can be replaced by a processor to respectively perform the sending and receiving operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0219] In addition, the transceiver unit 910 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, may include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0220] It should be noted that the apparatus in FIG9 may be a network element or device in the aforementioned embodiment, or may be a chip or chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit may be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. This is not limited here.

[0221] As shown in Figure 10, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 1000. The communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010, which is coupled to a memory 1020. The memory 1020 is used to store computer programs, instructions, and / or data. The processor 1010 is used to execute the computer programs, instructions, and / or data stored in the memory 1020, so that the method in the above method embodiment is executed. The processor 1010 may be one or more.

[0222] In a possible implementation, as shown in FIG10 , the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1020. The memory 1020 may be one or more.

[0223] In a possible implementation, the memory 1020 may be integrated with the processor 1010 or separately provided, or the processor 1020 may be outside the communication device 1000 .

[0224] In one possible implementation, as shown in Figure 10, the wireless communication device 1000 may further include a transceiver 1030, which is configured to receive and / or transmit signals. For example, the processor 1010 is configured to control the transceiver 1030 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0225] As a solution, the communication device 1000 is used to implement the operations performed by the mobility management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0226] For example, the processor 1010 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the mobility management function network element in the above method embodiment, and the transceiver 1030 is used to implement the sending and receiving-related operations performed by the mobility management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0227] As another solution, the communication device 1000 is used to implement the operations performed by the intermediate session management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0228] For example, the processor 1010 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the intermediate session management function network element in the above method embodiment, and the transceiver 1030 is used to implement the sending and receiving-related operations performed by the intermediate session management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0229] As shown in FIG11 , an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system 1100 . The chip system 1100 (or also referred to as a processing system) includes a circuit 1110 and an input / output interface 1120 .

[0230] Among them, circuit 1110 can be a processing circuit in chip system 1100. Circuit 1110 can be coupled to a storage unit and call instructions in the storage unit so that chip system 1100 can implement the methods and functions of various embodiments of the present application. Input / output interface 1120 can be an input / output circuit in chip system 1100, outputting information processed by chip system 1100 or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into chip system 1100 for processing.

[0231] As a solution, the chip system 1100 is used to implement the operations performed by the mobility management function network element, the first intermediate session management function network element or the second intermediate session management function network element in the above various method embodiments.

[0232] For example, the circuit 1110 is used to implement operations related to processing by the mobility management function network element in the above method embodiment; the input / output interface 1120 is used to implement operations related to sending and / or receiving by the mobility management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0233] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the method executed by the mobility management function network element or the method executed by the intermediate session management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0234] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method performed by the intermediate session management function network element or the method performed by the mobility management function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0235] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the method executed by the intermediate session management function network element in the above method embodiment, or the method executed by the mobility management function network element.

[0236] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes one or more of the mobility management function network element, the first intermediate session management function network element, or the second intermediate session management function network element in the above embodiment.

[0237] The explanation and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the wireless communication devices provided above may refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0238] In an embodiment of the present application, a terminal device or network device may include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also known as main memory). The operating system of the operating system layer may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as a Linux operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a Windows operating system. The application layer may include applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software.

[0239] The embodiments of the present application do not particularly limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application; as long as it is capable of communicating according to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, it is sufficient. For example, the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application may be a terminal device or a satellite, or a functional module in the terminal device or satellite that is capable of calling and executing the program.

[0240] Various aspects or features of the embodiments of the present application can be implemented as methods, devices, or articles of manufacture using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. As used herein, the term "article of manufacture" can encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, carrier, or medium. For example, a computer-readable medium can include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), cards, sticks, or key drives, etc.).

[0241] The various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0242] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0243] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM may include the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0244] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0245] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0246] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0247] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0248] In the several embodiments provided in the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0249] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0250] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0251] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0252] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The mobility management function network element determines that the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the first data network access identifier DNAI; The mobility management function network element determines a second intermediate session management function network element, and the second intermediate session management function network element supports the first DNAI; The mobility management function network element sends first identification information and information of the first DNAI to the second intermediate session management function network element, where the first identification information is an identification of the first intermediate session management function network element, or, The mobility management function network element sends second identification information and information of the first DNAI to the first intermediate session management function network element, where the second identification information is an identification of the second intermediate session management function network element.

2. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The second intermediate session management function network element receives the first identification information and the first data network access identification DNAI sent by the mobility management function network element, where the first identification information is the identification of the first intermediate session management function network element; The second intermediate session management function network element sends DNAI information and second identification information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first intermediate session management function network element, where the second identification information is an identification of the second intermediate session management function network element.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The second intermediate session management function network element sends DNAI information and second identification information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first intermediate session management function network element, including: The second intermediate session management function network element sends the DNAI information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element and the second identification information to the first intermediate session management function network element according to the first identification information.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The second intermediate session management function network element receives information of the second DNAI; If the second intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, updating the N4 rule of the local session anchor point and the uplink classification point; If the second intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, the information of the second DNAI is sent to the mobility management function network element or other intermediate session management function network elements.

5. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first intermediate session management function network element receives data network access identifier DNAI information and second identification information supported by the second intermediate session management function network element, which are sent by the second intermediate session management function network element. The second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first intermediate session management function network element sends information about the DNAI supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first session management function network element.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first intermediate session management function network element receives information of the second DNAI; If the first intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, updating the N4 rule of the local session anchor point and the uplink classification point; If the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, information of the second DNAI is sent to the second intermediate session management function network element.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first intermediate session management function network element receives the second identification information and the first data network access identification DNAI sent by the mobility management function network element, where the second identification information is the identification of the second intermediate session management function network element; The first intermediate session management function network element sends the first DNAI information and third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element, where the third identification information is the identification of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is the next-level session management function network element that the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect to.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first intermediate session management function network element sends the first DNAI information and the third identification information to the second intermediate session management function network element, including: The first intermediate session management function network element sends the second intermediate session management function network element according to the second identification information. The first DNAI information and the third identification information.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first intermediate session management function network element receives information of the second DNAI; If the first intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, updating the N4 rule of the local session anchor point and the uplink classification point; If the first intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, the information of the second DNAI is sent to the mobility management function network element.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The second intermediate session management function network element receives the first data network access identifier DNAI information and third identification information sent by the first intermediate session management function network element, wherein the third identification information is the identification of the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element is the next-level session management function network element that the second intermediate session management function network element needs to connect to.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second intermediate session management function network element sends information about the DNAI supported by the second intermediate session management function network element to the first session management function network element.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The second intermediate session management function network element receives information of the second DNAI; If the second intermediate session management function network element can support the second DNAI, updating the N4 rule of the local session anchor point and the uplink classification point; If the second intermediate session management function network element cannot support the second DNAI, information of the second DNAI is sent to the first intermediate session management function network element.

14. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A unit for implementing the method of claim 1; or, a unit for implementing the method of any one of claims 2 to 4; or, a unit for implementing the method of any one of claims 5 to 7; or, a unit for implementing the method of any one of claims 8 to 10; or, a unit for implementing the method of any one of claims 11 to 13.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed, Execute the method as claimed in claim 1, or Execute the method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, or Execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, or Execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, or Execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13.

16. A chip system, characterized in that: include: A circuit and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to input information to the circuit or output information generated by the circuit, and the circuit is used to, Execute the method as claimed in claim 1; or Performing the method according to any one of claims 2 to 4; or Performing the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7; or Performing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 10; or Execute the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13.

17. A communication system, characterized in that: It includes one or more of a mobility management function network element, a first intermediate session management function network element and a second intermediate session management function network element, wherein: The mobility management function network element is used to perform the method according to claim 1; The first intermediate session management function network element is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, and the second intermediate session management function network element is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 2 to 4; or, The first intermediate session management function network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, and the second intermediate session management function network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

Images