Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and can meet service requirements of consumers for a network digital twin service. Disclosed are a communication method and apparatus. The communication method comprises: a second node, as a management service provider, receiving requirement information from a first node, as a management service consumer, for a network digital twin service; creating a network digital twin instance on the basis of the requirement information; receiving first request information, which is from the first node and is used for requesting the network digital twin service; and sending to the first node an execution result of the network digital twin service which is executed on the network digital twin instance.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on December 20, 2023, with application number 202311765756.0 and application name “Communication Method and 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 in particular to communication methods and devices. Background Art

[0003] With the increasing deployment of fifth-generation (5G) and even sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems and the deepening application of next-generation Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6), the development of next-generation network technologies has attracted attention from the industry. Network intelligence is considered a key trend in the development of next-generation networks. Networks provide the foundation for information transmission in a digital society, and the digitization of networks themselves is a prerequisite for intelligent development. This has led to the emergence of digital twin technology. With the development of digital twin technology and its application in various industries, such as manufacturing, the application of digital twin technology concepts in the field of communication networks has also gradually attracted research and attention from the industry. In the application of digital twin technology in communication networks, network digital twins (NDT) can enhance the systematic simulation, optimization, verification, and control capabilities that physical networks lack by building a real-time mirror of the physical network. This can facilitate the deployment of new network technologies and more efficiently address network issues and challenges.

[0004] With the successful launch of the SA5 R19 Network Digital Twin project within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Service & System Aspects (SA) project, network digital twins are poised to become a hot topic in the R19 standardization discussions. SA5 is primarily responsible for standards related to management, orchestration, and charging within SA.

[0005] Network digital twin management service is a typical application scenario of network digital twins in communication networks. Currently, network digital twin management service cannot meet the service needs of network digital twin service consumers. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for meeting the service needs of network digital twin service consumers.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a second node serving as a management service provider. The method may be performed by the second node, or by a component or device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the second node, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. The communication method includes: receiving demand information for a network digital twin service from a first node; creating a network digital twin instance based on the demand information; receiving a first request information for requesting the network digital twin service from the first node; and sending an execution result of the network digital twin service executed on the network digital twin instance to the first node.

[0009] In the first aspect, the first node, which is a management service consumer, first sends its demand information for the network digital twin service to the second node, which is a management service provider. The second node can create a corresponding network digital twin instance based on the customized demand information, and implement the network digital twin service of the first node based on the network digital twin instance, which can meet the management service consumer's demand for the degree of refinement of the network digital twin model. Moreover, the creation of the network digital twin instance matches the needs of the management service consumer, and will not cause waste of network digital twin resources.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the demand information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and at least one of the following: the required network digital twin service, the validity period of the network digital twin service, the source of data required to create a network digital twin instance, or the frequency of synchronization between the network digital twin instance and the network data.

[0011] In this implementation, several possible contents of the demand information are designed. Based on the demand information, the second node can customize the creation of the corresponding network digital twin instance.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the method may also: send first indication information indicating that the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met.

[0013] In this implementation, the second node notifies the first node through the first indication information: the capability of the second node can meet the demand information of the first node, which can be used by the first node to determine whether to issue a first request information for requesting the network digital twin service.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the method may further: before receiving the first request information, receive second request information for requesting the creation of a network digital twin instance.

[0015] In this implementation, second request information is received to determine that creation of the network digital twin instance can begin.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the second request information includes first identification information indicating the requirement information, or the second request information includes the first identification information and status information of the network digital twin instance. The method can also: create a network digital twin instance based on the requirement information.

[0017] In this implementation, it is possible to determine based on the second request information which requirement information a network digital twin instance should be created based on, and create the network digital twin instance.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the second request information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and the demand information of the first service in the network digital twin service, or the second request information includes the first identification information, the demand information of the first service and the status information of the network digital twin instance; the demand of the first service is not available for services other than the first service, and the network digital twin instance includes a first instance and a second instance. The method can also: create a first instance based on the demand information of the network digital twin service; the first instance is used for services other than the first service; update the first instance based on the demand information of the first service to obtain a second instance, and the second instance is used for the first service.

[0019] In this implementation, based on the second request information, it is possible to determine which demand information should be used to create a network digital twin instance, and divide the full demand information of the first node into two categories: general data sets (for example, demand information for network digital twin services) and special data sets (for example, demand information for the first service), and create corresponding network digital twin instances respectively, and implement corresponding network digital twin services based on the network digital twin instances, thereby improving the accuracy of the network digital twin services.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the method may further: send second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance.

[0021] In this implementation, the second node sends second identification information to the first node, which can be used by the first node to indicate which network digital twin instance to call through the second identification information when requesting the network digital twin service.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the method may also: modify the status information of the network digital twin instance when the instance status change condition is triggered; and send the modified status information of the network digital twin instance.

[0023] In this implementation, a lifecycle management mechanism for network digital twin instances is designed to achieve lifecycle management of network digital twin instances by generating and changing the status information of network digital twin instances.

[0024] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request information includes service parameters for requesting the network digital twin service and at least one of the following: second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance or first identification information indicating the requirement information.

[0025] In this implementation, the first request information can indicate based on which network digital twin instance combined with service parameters the corresponding network digital twin service should be implemented.

[0026] In combination with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the network digital twin service includes a pre-verification service, a visualization service, or a pre-evaluation service. The execution result of the pre-verification service is the network indicator value after the strategy to be verified is executed in the network digital twin instance. The execution result of the visualization service is the visualization data of the visualization object. The execution result of the pre-evaluation service is the predicted value of the evaluation indicator of the pre-evaluation service.

[0027] In this implementation, several possible network digital twin services and the corresponding execution results of the network digital twin services are designed.

[0028] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a first node that serves as a management service consumer. The execution subject of the method can be the first node, or a component or device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the first node, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first node. The communication method includes: sending a demand for a network digital twin service; sending a first request for the network digital twin service; and receiving the execution result of the network digital twin service executed on the network digital twin instance.

[0029] In the second aspect, the first node, which is a management service consumer, first sends its demand information for the network digital twin service to the second node, which is a management service provider. The second node can create a corresponding network digital twin instance based on the customized demand information, and implement the network digital twin service of the first node based on the network digital twin instance, which can meet the management service consumer's demand for the degree of refinement of the network digital twin model. Moreover, the creation of the network digital twin instance matches the needs of the management service consumer, and will not cause waste of network digital twin resources.

[0030] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the demand information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and at least one of the following: the required network digital twin service, the validity period of the network digital twin service, the source of data required to create a network digital twin instance, or the frequency of synchronization between the network digital twin instance and the network data.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0032] The receiving device may receive first indication information indicating that the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0034] Before sending the first request information, a second request information is sent to request the creation of a network digital twin instance.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the second request information includes first identification information indicating the required information; or, the second request information includes the first identification information and status information of the network digital twin instance;

[0036] Alternatively, the second request information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and the demand information of the first service in the network digital twin service, or the second request information includes first identification information, the demand information of the first service and status information of the network digital twin instance; the demand of the first service is not available to services other than the first service.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0038] Second identification information indicating a network digital twin instance is received.

[0039] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0040] Receive the status information of the modified network digital twin instance.

[0041] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request information includes service parameters for requesting the network digital twin service and at least one of the following: second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance or first identification information indicating the requirement information.

[0042] In combination with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the network digital twin service includes a pre-verification service, a visualization service, or a pre-evaluation service. The execution result of the pre-verification service is the network indicator value after the strategy to be verified is executed in the network digital twin instance. The execution result of the visualization service is the visualization data of the visualization object. The execution result of the pre-evaluation service is the predicted value of the evaluation indicator of the pre-evaluation service.

[0043] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a second node or a chip or system on chip in the second node. The communication device can implement the functions performed by the second node in the above-mentioned first aspect or the possible design of the first aspect, and the functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. For example, the communication device includes: a transceiver module for receiving demand information for a network digital twin service; a processing module for creating a network digital twin instance based on the demand information; a transceiver module for receiving first request information for requesting a network digital twin service; and a transceiver module for sending the execution result of the network digital twin service executed on the network digital twin instance.

[0044] In combination with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the demand information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and at least one of the following: the required network digital twin service, the validity period of the network digital twin service, the source of data required to create a network digital twin instance, or the frequency of synchronization between the network digital twin instance and the network data.

[0045] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to: send first indication information indicating that the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met.

[0046] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to: before receiving the first request information, receive a second request information for requesting the creation of a network digital twin instance.

[0047] In combination with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the second request information includes first identification information indicating the demand information, or the second request information includes the first identification information and status information of the network digital twin instance, and the processing module is specifically used to: create a network digital twin instance based on the demand information.

[0048] In combination with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the second request information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and the demand information of the first service in the network digital twin service, or the second request information includes the first identification information, the demand information of the first service and the status information of the network digital twin instance; the demand of the first service is not available for services other than the first service, the network digital twin instance includes a first instance and a second instance, and the processing module is specifically used to: create a first instance based on the demand information of the network digital twin service; the first instance is used for services other than the first service; update the first instance based on the demand information of the first service to obtain the second instance, and the second instance is used for the first service.

[0049] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further used to: send second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance.

[0050] In combination with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the processing module is also used to modify the status information of the network digital twin instance when the instance status change condition is triggered; the transceiver module is also used to send the modified status information of the network digital twin instance.

[0051] In combination with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request information includes service parameters for requesting the network digital twin service and at least one of the following: second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance or first identification information indicating the requirement information.

[0052] In combination with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the network digital twin service includes a pre-verification service, a visualization service, or a pre-evaluation service. The execution result of the pre-verification service is the network indicator value after the strategy to be verified is executed in the network digital twin instance. The execution result of the visualization service is the visualization data of the visualization object. The execution result of the pre-evaluation service is the predicted value of the evaluation indicator of the pre-evaluation service.

[0053] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a first node or a chip or system on chip in the first node. The communication device can implement the function performed by the first node in the above-mentioned second aspect or the possible design of the second aspect, and the function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions. For example, the communication device includes: a transceiver module for sending demand information for a network digital twin service; a transceiver module for sending a first request information for requesting a network digital twin service; and a transceiver module for receiving the execution result of the network digital twin service executed on the network digital twin instance.

[0054] In combination with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the demand information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and at least one of the following: the required network digital twin service, the validity period of the network digital twin service, the source of data required to create a network digital twin instance, or the frequency of synchronization between the network digital twin instance and the network data.

[0055] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive first indication information indicating that the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met.

[0056] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to send a second request information for requesting the creation of a network digital twin instance before sending the first request information.

[0057] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second request information includes first identification information indicating the required information; or, the second request information includes the first identification information and status information of the network digital twin instance;

[0058] Alternatively, the second request information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and the demand information of the first service in the network digital twin service, or the second request information includes first identification information, the demand information of the first service and status information of the network digital twin instance; the demand of the first service is not available to services other than the first service.

[0059] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance.

[0060] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive status information of the modified network digital twin instance.

[0061] In combination with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first request information includes service parameters for requesting the network digital twin service and at least one of the following: second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance or first identification information indicating the demand information.

[0062] In combination with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the network digital twin service includes a pre-verification service, a visualization service, or a pre-evaluation service. The execution result of the pre-verification service is the network indicator value after the strategy to be verified is executed in the network digital twin instance. The execution result of the visualization service is the visualization data of the visualization object. The execution result of the pre-evaluation service is the predicted value of the evaluation indicator of the pre-evaluation service.

[0063] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the processor and the transceiver are configured to support the communication device in executing the method of the first aspect or the second aspect. Furthermore, the communication device may further comprise a memory storing computer instructions, and the processor may execute the computer instructions to execute the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0064] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed, the method of the first aspect or the second aspect is executed.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method of the first or second aspect described above.

[0066] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip, comprising: a controller and an interface circuit, wherein the controller is used to interact with other devices through the interface circuit to execute the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0067] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, comprising: a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is used to execute the method of the second aspect, and the second device is used to execute the method of the first aspect.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, comprising a first device executing the method of the second aspect, and a second device executing the method of the first aspect.

[0069] Among them, the beneficial effects described in the third to tenth aspects of this application can refer to the analysis of the beneficial effects of the first or second aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] FIG1 is a flow chart of a network digital twin management service provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG7 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG8 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG9 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG10 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG11 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG12 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG13 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0087] The 3GPP SA5 R19 Network Digital Twin project was successfully approved, with the following specific research objectives:

[0088] 1. Research and define digital twin (DT)-related terms in 3GPP management systems, such as network digital twin.

[0089] 2. Research the scenarios and requirements for the use of network digital twins, such as network operation pre-verification, radio access network (RAN) optimization, and service assurance.

[0090] 3. Research and collaborate with other standards organizations on network digital twin management.

[0091] Therefore, network digital twins are poised to become a hot topic in the Release 19 standardization discussions. As a network management implementation method, while research is underway to leverage network digital twins to achieve better network management services, the lifecycle management of network digital twins should also be a component of network management capabilities. This is especially true when network digital twin services (also known as network digital twin capabilities) are applicable to multiple use case scenarios, such as using network digital twins to achieve energy savings or service level agreement (SLA) assurance. The management of network digital twin services can also be presented as a managed service to management service consumers (such as operators and third parties).

[0092] Technical research on network digital twins focuses on the management services they can provide. Examples include using network digital twins to visualize energy-saving, high-precision digital maps and pre-verify energy-saving strategies. The process for invoking network digital twin management services is shown in Figure 1 and includes the following steps:

[0093] S1. A network digital twin management service (MNS) consumer (referred to as the management service consumer) sends a network digital twin management service request to a network digital twin management service provider (referred to as the management service provider). For example, the management service provider may also be referred to as an MNS producer or MNS provider.

[0094] Among them, the network digital twin management service refers to a type of management service that uses a network image built based on the network digital twin to perform simulation tasks, such as pre-verification service, pre-assessment service, or visualization service. In other words, the network digital twin management service request calls the network digital twin's capabilities to implement a certain management service; the network digital twin management service request will carry management service parameters for implementing the management service. The management service parameters are related to the type of network digital twin management service. For example, the management service parameters of the pre-assessment service include evaluation time, evaluation method, regional information, and guarantee requirements; for another example, the management service parameters of the pre-verification service include the strategy to be verified, verification evaluation indicators, and the scope of application of the verification strategy. The following introduces the pre-verification service, pre-assessment service, or visualization service with examples:

[0095] Pre-verification services can be used to verify the usability of policies. Specifically, a management service consumer may obtain one or more policies based on analysis services or historical experience, but the management service consumer is unclear about the impact of the policy on the network if it is actually implemented. In this case, the management service consumer can request the pre-verification service in the NDT management service from the MNS provider to determine the impact of the policy on the network if it is actually implemented.

[0096] The management service provider uses the pre-verification service to execute the policy in the network simulated by the network digital twin instance, obtains the execution results of the policy, and feeds the results back to the management service consumer. This execution result can represent the impact of the policy on the network if it is actually executed. In other words, it can represent the network performance after the policy is executed. The management service consumer can use this execution result combined with the original performance of the actual network to determine whether to deploy the verified policy to the live network. If there are multiple policies, the management service consumer can also select the optimal policy based on the execution results of the multiple policies and deploy it to the network.

[0097] For example, a pre-verification service can be used to verify the feasibility of implementing an energy-saving strategy. The results of the pre-verification service can be indicators of a network element, slice, or network. For example, in the base station pre-verification service results, indicators for the base station can include energy efficiency, number of user equipment (UE) connections, or coverage.

[0098] For another example, the pre-verification service may also be used to verify the availability of a fault handling strategy, or to verify the availability of an alarm handling strategy, etc., without limitation.

[0099] A pre-assessment service can be used to evaluate the performance indicators of an evaluation object (e.g., a network element, an entire network, or a slice) for a certain time period in the future. Specifically, a management service consumer may need to obtain the performance indicators of a network element, an entire network, or a slice for a certain time period in the future. In this case, the management service consumer can request the pre-assessment service of the network digital twin to predict the corresponding performance indicators.

[0100] For example, the pre-assessment service may be used to assess the latency, throughput, or bandwidth of an assessment object in a certain time period in the future.

[0101] A visualization service can be used to visualize certain network metrics. Management service consumers may have a need to visualize network information. For example, in the case of a network visualization in the form of an energy-saving high-definition digital map, the network information that requires visualization is energy-saving related information, such as energy efficiency indicators, energy consumption indicators, or the energy-saving status of network elements. The network simulated by the network digital twin instance generates corresponding metrics, and through interface design, a user-friendly interface (such as a high-definition digital map) is created to display these metrics.

[0102] It should be noted that management service parameters can also be called service parameters without limitation.

[0103] S2. After receiving the network digital twin management service request, the management service provider creates a corresponding network digital twin model, and implements the management service based on the created network digital twin model and management service parameters to obtain the management service result.

[0104] For example, if the network digital twin management service requested by the network digital twin management service request is a pre-verification service, the management service result may be the pre-verification result; for another example, if the network digital twin management service requested by the network digital twin management service request is a pre-evaluation service, the management service result may be the value of the pre-evaluation key performance indicator (KPI), etc.

[0105] It should be noted that regardless of the service requested by the network digital twin management service request, the network digital twin model created in step S2 has a fixed validity period, the source of the data required to create the network digital twin model, and the frequency of synchronization with the live network data. This service is not specifically designed for different network digital twin management services.

[0106] S3. The management service provider feeds back the management service results to the management service consumer, completing the call of the network digital twin management service.

[0107] In the process of calling the network digital twin management service shown in steps S1 to S3 above, no matter what the management service consumer's requirements are, the network digital twin model created by the management service provider is the same. This will result in:

[0108] For management service consumers, when implementing network digital twin management services, the general network digital twin model created may not meet the management service consumers' requirements for the degree of refinement of the network digital twin model.

[0109] For management service providers, since the network digital twin models created in the implementation of network digital twin management services are general rather than customized, this may result in the created network digital twin models far exceeding the needs of management service consumers, resulting in a waste of network digital twin resources.

[0110] In order to solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, in which a first node as a management service consumer first sends its own demand information for a network digital twin service to a second node as a management service provider. The second node can create a corresponding network digital twin instance based on the customized demand information, and implement the network digital twin service of the first node based on the network digital twin instance, which can meet the management service consumer's demand for the degree of refinement of the network digital twin model, and create a network digital twin instance that matches the needs of the management service consumer, without wasting network digital twin resources. The communication method and communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings of the specification.

[0111] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems, long-term evolution (LTE) systems, fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems, wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, future communication systems, or systems integrating multiple communication systems, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. 5G can also be referred to as new radio (NR).

[0112] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0113] As shown in Figure 2, a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system 20 includes a first node 210 and a second node 220. Optionally, as shown in Figure 2, the communication system also includes at least one third node 230.

[0114] Among them, the first node 210 is used to send demand information for network digital twin services to the second node 220.

[0115] The second node 220 is used to receive demand information for network digital twin services and create a network digital twin instance based on the demand information.

[0116] The first node 210 is further used to send a first request message for requesting the network digital twin service.

[0117] The second node 220 is further configured to receive the first request information and call the created network digital twin instance to execute the network digital twin service to obtain an execution result. Then, the second node 220 sends the execution result of the network digital twin service executed on the network digital twin instance to the first node 210.

[0118] Optionally, the first node in the embodiment of the present application may be, for example, a management service consumer, the second node may be, for example, a management service provider, and the third node may be, for example, a network data providing device. Several possible application architectures will be presented below in combination with different scenarios.

[0119] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, the communication architecture includes a network management system (NMS), an element management system (EMS), and network functions (NF) devices.

[0120] Among them, the network management system is responsible for the operation, management and maintenance functions of the network, and can also be called a cross-domain management system.

[0121] The network element management system is used to manage one or more network elements of a certain category, and may also be called a domain management system or a single domain management system.

[0122] The network function device is used to provide network data. The network function device can be a network element in the radio access network (RAN), such as a next generation node B (gNB), a central unit (CU), or a distributed unit (DU). Alternatively, the network function device can also be a core network (CN) network element, such as an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), or a network exposure function (NEF).

[0123] Among them, the network management system acts as a management service consumer, and the network element management system acts as a management service provider, providing the ability to build network images (also known as network digital twin instances), and supports the execution of various simulation tasks in the network images, and feeds back the execution results to the network management system.

[0124] Optionally, the network element management system can also configure the strategies obtained by performing simulation tasks in the network digital twin to the network functional devices.

[0125] As an existing network element, the network function device will provide network data to the network element management system when the network element management system builds a network image.

[0126] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication architecture includes a third-party node, a network management system, a network element management system, and network function devices.

[0127] Among them, third-party nodes are devices other than operators and equipment manufacturers.

[0128] The network management system is generally an operator's equipment, responsible for the operation, management and maintenance functions of the network, and can also be called a cross-domain management system.

[0129] A network element management system is generally a device provided by an equipment manufacturer and is used to manage one or more network elements of a certain category. It can also be called a domain management system or a single domain management system.

[0130] The network function device may be an operator device or an equipment manufacturer device, which is used to provide multiple network functions. For an introduction to the network function device, please refer to the introduction to the network function device in the communication architecture shown in Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0131] In this case, third-party nodes, acting as management service consumers, send information requesting network digital twin services to the network management system. If the network management system cannot provide network twin management services, the network element management system, acting as a management service provider, provides network twin management services. In this case, the network management system can also be classified as a management service consumer. Network function devices provide network data to the network element management system when it builds the network image.

[0132] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, the third-party node acts as a management service consumer, and the network management system can provide network twin management services together with the network element management system. In this case, the network management system and the network element management system together act as management service providers to provide network twin management services. As an existing network element, the network function device will provide network data to the network management system and / or network element management system when the network management system and / or network element management system builds a network image.

[0133] It should be understood that the network elements responsible for managing service consumers and service providers in the above examples are merely exemplary. In actual implementation, based on differences in network architecture, the network elements responsible for the above roles may also have other designs, which are not limited.

[0134] Based on the communication architecture described in the examples of Figures 2 to 5 above, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first node, which serves as a management service consumer, first sends its demand information for the network digital twin service to the second node, which serves as a management service provider. The second node can create a corresponding network digital twin instance based on the customized demand information and implement the network digital twin service of the first node based on the network digital twin instance, thereby meeting the management service consumer's demand for the degree of refinement of the network digital twin model. In addition, the creation of the network digital twin instance matches the demand of the management service consumer, without wasting network digital twin resources.

[0135] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with the communication systems shown in Figures 2 to 5.

[0136] It should be noted that in the following embodiments of the present application, the message names, parameter names, or information names between network elements are only examples. In other embodiments, they may also be other names. The communication method provided in this application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0137] It is understood that in the embodiments of the present application, each network element may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the steps may be performed in a different order than those presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application need to be performed.

[0138] Figure 6 is an example of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method is illustrated by taking the interaction between the first node and the second node as an example. Of course, the subject that executes the action of the first node in the method can also be a device / module in the first node, such as a chip, processor, processing unit, etc. in the first node; the subject that executes the action of the second node in the method can also be a device / module in the second node, such as a chip, processor, processing unit, etc. in the second node, and the embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this. The processing performed by a single execution subject (for example, the first node or the second node) in the embodiment of the present application can also be divided into executions by multiple execution subjects, and these execution subjects can be logically and / or physically separated. Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 6, the method may include the following steps:

[0139] S610, the first node sends demand information for the network digital twin service to the second node, and correspondingly, the second node receives the demand information for the network digital twin service from the first node.

[0140] Among them, the demand information for the network digital twin service is used to indicate the parameters for creating the network digital twin instance. Based on the different requirements of the first node, the demand information of the first node for the network digital twin service may also be different. Exemplarily, the demand information for the network digital twin service may include first identification information indicating the demand information and at least one of the following: the required network digital twin service, the validity period of the network digital twin service, the source of the data required to create the network digital twin instance, or the frequency of synchronization between the network digital twin instance and the network data (referred to as the refresh frequency).

[0141] Based on the correspondence between the first node and the demand information for the network digital twin service, the first identification information may also indicate the first node. The network digital twin service required by the first node may be one capability or multiple capabilities. For example, the required network digital twin service may be at least one of the following: visualization capability (also referred to as visualization service), pre-verification capability (also referred to as pre-verification service), or pre-assessment capability (also referred to as pre-assessment service). The validity period of the network digital twin service is the available time of the network digital twin service required by the first node. The source of the data required to create a network digital twin instance may also be referred to as the physical object information of the network digital twin, or the network scope of the data required to create the network digital twin instance. The physical object information of the network digital twin may include the granularity and / or geographical area of ​​the physical object of the network digital twin, wherein the granularity of the physical object of the network digital twin may be at the slice level, subnet level, or network element level, etc. The geographical area of ​​the physical object of the network digital twin is the geographical area of ​​the network (e.g., slice, subnet, or network element, etc.) for which data needs to be obtained to create the network digital twin instance.

[0142] S620: The second node creates a network digital twin instance.

[0143] After receiving the above requirement information, the second node may determine whether its own capability can meet the above requirement information.

[0144] In one embodiment, if the second node determines that its own capabilities can meet the above-mentioned requirement information, it can start creating a network digital twin instance.

[0145] In another embodiment, the timing for starting to create the network digital twin instance can also be determined based on the instruction of the first node. In other words, the second node will start creating the network digital twin instance after it determines that its own capabilities can meet the above-mentioned requirements and receives the information from the first node to start creation.

[0146] When creating a network digital twin instance, the data of network functions in the existing network can be collected according to the demand information to create a network digital twin example. Its specific implementation can refer to the description of the embodiment shown in Figure 8 below. Alternatively, the data of network functions in the existing network can be collected according to the demand information and the second request information sent by the first node to create a network digital twin instance. Its specific implementation can refer to the description of the embodiment shown in Figure 9. When creating a network digital twin instance, the data of network functions can be collected according to the granularity of the physical objects of the network digital twin in the demand information and the refresh frequency of the network digital twin. During implementation, the granularity of the physical objects of the network digital twin indicates which network function data needs to be collected, and the refresh frequency of the network digital twin indicates the frequency of collecting network function data.

[0147] Taking into account that the first node's demand for network digital twin services at different times may be diverse, accordingly, the network digital twin instances created by the second node at different times are also likely to be different. When creating a network digital twin instance, corresponding identification information indicating the network digital twin instance can be generated to distinguish different network digital twin instances. After generating the identification information indicating the network digital twin instance, the second node can also send it to the first node so that the first node can indicate which network digital twin instance to call through the identification information indicating the network digital twin instance when requesting the network digital twin service. The specific implementation of the second node sending the identification information indicating the network digital twin instance to the first node is illustrated in the embodiment shown in Figure 10.

[0148] Optionally, when creating a network digital twin instance, the state information of the network digital twin instance can also be generated, and the lifecycle management of the network digital twin instance can be achieved by changing the state information of the network digital twin instance. Exemplarily, the state information can be divided into: creation state, at this time the network digital twin instance is in the creation process, has not yet been completed, and cannot be used to implement the network digital twin service; activation state, at this time the network digital twin instance is created and can be used to implement the network digital twin service; running state, at this time the network digital twin instance is created and is implementing the network digital twin service; suspended running state, at this time the network digital twin instance is used to implement the network digital twin service, but the process of implementing the network digital twin service is suspended; deactivated state, at this time the network digital twin instance is created, but the network digital twin instance may need to be modified, etc., and cannot be used to implement the network digital twin service; deactivated state, at this time the network digital twin instance is created, but the network digital twin instance may need to be deleted, etc., and is no longer used to implement the network digital twin service. Based on the above definition, when creating a network digital twin instance, the state information of the network digital twin instance is the creation state.

[0149] Optionally, if the second node determines that its own capabilities can meet the above-mentioned demand information, it can also send a type of information indicating that the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met to the first node, so that the first node can determine whether its own network digital twin service requirements can be met. The specific implementation of this will be described in the embodiment shown in Figure 7.

[0150] In one embodiment, the second node may also determine that its own capabilities cannot meet the aforementioned requirements. In this case, the second node may send a notification message to the first node informing it that the second node cannot meet the aforementioned requirements. This allows the first node to promptly determine that the second node cannot meet the aforementioned requirements.

[0151] Optionally, the notification information notifying the second node that the requirement information cannot be met may further carry the reason why the second node cannot meet the requirement information.

[0152] S630, the first node sends a first request message for requesting a network digital twin service to the second node, and accordingly, the second node receives the first request message for requesting a network digital twin service from the first node.

[0153] The first request information includes service parameters for requesting a network digital twin service and at least one of the following: second identification information indicating a network digital twin instance or first identification information indicating requirement information. The service parameters of the network digital twin service are parameters related to implementing the network digital twin management service. For example, if the network digital twin service is a pre-verification service, the corresponding service parameters may include the verification strategy, verification evaluation indicators, and the scope of application of the verification strategy. For another example, if the network digital twin service is a visualization service, the corresponding service parameters may include visualization precision requirements, the scope of visualization objects, and visualization information. The visualization information can be flexibly configured. For example, the visualization information may include at least one of the following: energy efficiency, system capacity, or the number of UE connections. The first identification information can indicate the requirement information, and the second node can use it to determine which network digital twin instances have been generated based on the corresponding requirement information and invoke one or more of these network digital twin instances to implement the network digital twin service. Similarly, the second identification information can indicate the corresponding network digital twin instance, and the second node can use it to determine the network digital twin instance to invoke. In other words, the second node can directly lock the network digital twin instance that implements the network digital twin service based on the second identification information, which is more efficient.

[0154] It should be understood that based on the implementation needs of network digital twin services, the corresponding service parameters can be flexibly designed without restrictions.

[0155] S640, the second node executes the network digital twin service on the network digital twin instance and obtains the execution result.

[0156] After receiving the first request, the second node executes the network digital twin service on the network digital twin instance corresponding to the first request. There may be multiple network digital twin services, and their corresponding execution results may also vary. For example, the network digital twin service is a pre-verification service, and the execution result of the pre-verification service may be the network indicator value after one or more to-be-verified policies are executed in the network digital twin instance.

[0157] For another example, the network digital twin service is a visualization service, and the execution result of the visualization service may be the characteristic information of one or more nodes that can be used for visualization. For example, the execution result of the visualization service may be a display interface based on a user-friendly interface design that carries the characteristic information of one or more nodes. The number of nodes depends on the visualization precision requirement and the scope of the visualization object. For example, the higher the visualization precision requirement, the more nodes that can be seen. Taking the node as a base station as an example, if the visualization precision is low, for example, 10km×10km, what you see may be a city-level base station (there may be 50 of them). If the visualization precision is high, for example, 1km*1km, what you see may be a district-level base station (there may be 500 of them).

[0158] For another example, the larger the visualization object, the more nodes that can be seen. The content of the node's characteristic information depends on what the visualization information in the service parameters includes. For example, if the visualization information includes energy efficiency, the node's information includes energy efficiency and corresponding energy efficiency indicators. For another example, if the visualization information includes system capacity, the node's information includes system capacity and corresponding system capacity indicators.

[0159] It should be understood that the nodes in the visualization service can also be called visualization objects, such as slices, network elements, UEs, etc.

[0160] In another example, the network digital twin service is a pre-evaluation service, and the execution result of the pre-evaluation service may be a predicted value of an evaluation indicator obtained based on the service parameters of the pre-evaluation service.

[0161] It should be understood that the above-mentioned network digital twin service and the corresponding execution results are exemplary introductions. In actual implementation, the network digital twin service and the corresponding execution results may have other designs without limitation.

[0162] S650: The second node sends the execution result to the first node. Correspondingly, the first node receives the execution result from the second node.

[0163] After obtaining the execution result of the network digital twin service, the second node can send the execution result to the first node. In this way, the first node's demand for the network digital twin service is met.

[0164] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node, which serves as a management service consumer, first sends its demand information for the network digital twin service to the second node, which serves as a management service provider. The second node can create a corresponding customized network digital twin instance based on the demand information, and implement the network digital twin service of the first node based on the network digital twin instance, which can meet the management service consumer's demand for the degree of refinement of the network digital twin model, and the creation of the network digital twin instance matches the needs of the management service consumer, without causing waste of network digital twin resources.

[0165] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG7 , the method may further include the following steps:

[0166] S660, the second node sends first indication information to the first node, indicating that the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met. Correspondingly, the first node receives the first indication information from the second node.

[0167] In step S620 of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, it is described that "if the second node determines that its own capabilities can meet the above-mentioned demand information, it may also send a type of information to the first node indicating that it can meet the requirements of the network digital twin service." In this embodiment of the present application, this "type of information" may be first indication information, which indicates that the second node's capabilities can meet the demand information. After receiving the first indication information, the first node can determine that the second node can meet its own service requirements.

[0168] In an embodiment of the present application, the second node notifies the first node through the first indication information: the capability of the second node can meet the demand information of the first node, which can be used by the first node to determine whether to issue a first request information for requesting the network digital twin service.

[0169] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG8 , the method may further include the following steps:

[0170] S670, the first node sends a second request message to the second node for requesting to create a network digital twin instance, and accordingly, the second node receives the second request message from the first node.

[0171] In step S620 of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, it is described that "after the second node determines that its own capabilities can meet the above-mentioned requirement information and receives information from the first node indicating the start of creation, it begins to create the network digital twin instance." In this embodiment of the application, the "information indicating the start of creation" can be a second request message. After receiving the second request message, the second node begins to create the network digital twin instance.

[0172] The second request information includes first identification information indicating the required information.

[0173] Optionally, the second request information may also include status information of the network digital twin instance. Referring to the description of the status information in step S620 in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the second node can generate status information by itself. In addition, in an embodiment of the present application, the first node may send the status information to the second node through the second request information. In the network digital twin instance creation phase, the status information of the network digital twin instance included in the second request information is: creation state.

[0174] In the scenario where the second request information is the above two designs, the network digital twin instance is created based on the demand information. In other words, S620 may include:

[0175] S6201, create a network digital twin instance based on the required information.

[0176] In another embodiment, the second request information includes first identification information indicating demand information and demand information of the first service in the network digital twin service. The demand of the first service is not available to services other than the first service. In other words, the first service is a type of service with special requirements. The first service can also be called a special service. The demand information of the first service has the following two effects on the network digital twin service:

[0177] 1) Affects the scope of collecting data on existing network functions and building network digital twin models corresponding to network digital twin instances (the breadth and accuracy of physical objects that need to be twinned); 2) Affects the presentation of network digital twin management service results produced by using network digital twin models.

[0178] In the scenario where there are special services, the full demand information of the first node includes two categories: the demand information in step S610 in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 and the demand information of the first service. From the perspective of data availability, the demand information in step S610 belongs to a general data set. In other words, the demand information in step S610 is available for all services in the network digital twin service requested by the first node. The demand information of the first service belongs to a dedicated data set. In other words, the demand information of the first service is only available for the first service in the network digital twin service requested by the first node, and for services other than the first service, the demand information of the first service is not available (or has no effect).

[0179] The following is an example of the first service: Taking visualization capability as the first service as an example, the requirement information of this first service may be that the visual accuracy is 50m×50m. This requirement is useless for other service requirements, such as pre-verification capability and pre-assessment capability.

[0180] It should be understood that the inclusion of the first service requirement information in the second request information is merely an example. In actual implementation, the first service requirement information may also be included in other information sent by the first node to the second node. For example, the first service requirement information may also be included in step S610 in the embodiment shown in FIG6 , without limitation.

[0181] Optionally, in addition to the first identification information indicating the demand information and the demand information of the first service in the network digital twin service, the second request information may also include the status information of the network digital twin instance. In the scenario where the second request information includes the demand information of the first service, the network digital twin instance is created based on the demand information and the demand information of the first service. In this scenario, the network digital twin instance may include the first instance and the second instance. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 9, S620 may include:

[0182] S6202, create a first instance according to the demand information of the network digital twin service.

[0183] Among them, the first instance can also be called a basic instance. The first instance is an instance built based on a general data set (for example, demand information of a network digital twin service). The first instance can be used for services other than the first service.

[0184] S6203: Update the first instance according to the demand information of the first service to obtain a second instance.

[0185] When creating the second instance, the first instance is updated based on the requirements of the first service, resulting in the second instance. In other words, the second instance is a refinement of the first instance, and its model accuracy is higher than the first. The second instance can be used for the first service. For example, if the first service is visualization, and the requirements for visualization are for a visual accuracy of 50m×50m, then the parameter of 50m×50m is added to the first instance, and the second instance is generated by combining it with the data training of the network function.

[0186] In an embodiment of the present application, the full demand information of the first node is divided into two categories: a general data set (for example, demand information for the network digital twin service) and a special data set (for example, demand information for the first service), and corresponding network digital twin instances are created for each of them, and the corresponding network digital twin service is implemented based on the network digital twin instance, thereby improving the accuracy of the network digital twin service.

[0187] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG10 , the method may further include the following steps:

[0188] S680, the second node sends second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance to the first node, and accordingly, the first node receives the second identification information from the second node.

[0189] In step S620 of the embodiment shown in FIG6 , it is described that “when creating a network digital twin instance, corresponding identification information indicating the network digital twin instance may be generated.” In the embodiment of the present application, the “identification information indicating the network digital twin instance” may be second identification information to distinguish different network digital twin instances.

[0190] In an embodiment of the present application, the second node sends second identification information to the first node, which can be used by the first node to indicate which network digital twin instance to call through the second identification information when requesting the network digital twin service.

[0191] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG11 , the method may further include the following steps:

[0192] S690, when the instance state change condition is triggered, the second node modifies the state information of the network digital twin instance.

[0193] Among them, referring to the state information of the network digital twin instance introduced in step S620 of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the initial state information of the network digital twin instance is the creation state. The instance state change condition can be set flexibly. Exemplarily, the instance state change condition can be that the network digital twin instance is created, at which point the state information of the network digital twin instance is modified from the creation state to the activation state. The instance state change condition can also be that the network digital twin instance starts to execute the service, at which point the state information of the network digital twin instance is modified from the activation state to the running state. The instance state change condition can also be that the network digital twin instance suspends the execution of the service, at which point the state information of the network digital twin instance is modified from the running state to the suspended running state. The instance state change condition can also be that the network digital twin instance is modified, at which point the state information of the network digital twin instance is modified to the deactivated state. The instance state change condition can also be that the network digital twin instance is deactivated, at which point the state information of the network digital twin instance is modified to the deactivated state.

[0194] It should be understood that the example state change conditions introduced above are only exemplary descriptions, and other designs may be possible in specific implementations without limitation.

[0195] S600, the second node sends the status information of the modified network digital twin instance to the first node, and accordingly, the first node receives the status information of the modified network digital twin instance from the second node.

[0196] Among them, after modifying the status information of the network digital twin instance, the second node sends the modified status information of the network digital twin instance to the first node, so that the first node can make subsequent requests for network digital twin services based on the modified status information of the network digital twin instance. For example, network digital twin service A needs to be implemented based on network digital twin instance 1. If the second node sends the modified status information of network digital twin instance 1 to the first node as running state, the first node can temporarily shelve the request for network digital twin service A and wait until the second node sends the modified status information of network digital twin instance 1 to the first node as activated state before requesting the network digital twin service from the second node.

[0197] In combination with the above embodiments, it can be seen that in the embodiments of the present application, the first node, which is a management service consumer, first sends its demand information for the network digital twin service to the second node, which is a management service provider. The second node can create a corresponding network digital twin instance based on the customized demand information, and implement the network digital twin service of the first node based on the network digital twin instance, which can meet the management service consumer's demand for the degree of refinement of the network digital twin model. In addition, the creation of the network digital twin instance matches the needs of the management service consumer, and will not cause waste of network digital twin resources. In addition, a lifecycle management mechanism for the network digital twin instance is designed to achieve lifecycle management of the network digital twin instance by generating and changing the status information of the network digital twin instance.

[0198] Taking the communication system shown in FIG2 as an example applicable to the communication architecture shown in FIG3 , and combining the embodiments described in FIG6 to FIG11 , several communication methods provided in the embodiments of the present application are given, as shown in FIG12 to FIG13 respectively.

[0199] In one possible implementation, this solution builds customized network digital twin instances based on a common data set for all network digital twin services, which can meet the management service consumers' requirements for the refinement of the network digital twin model. As shown in Figure 12, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0200] S1210, the network management system sends a network digital twin customized configuration request to the network element management system. Correspondingly, the network element management system receives the network digital twin customized configuration request from the network management system.

[0201] The customized configuration request for the network digital twin may include demand information for the network digital twin service (referred to as conventional demand information), including the identifier of the network management system, the required network digital twin service, the validity period of the network digital twin service, the physical object information of the network digital twin, and the frequency of synchronization between the network digital twin instance and network data. For an explanation of the demand information for the network digital twin service, please refer to the description of step S610 in the embodiment shown in FIG6 , and will not be repeated here.

[0202] S1220, the network element management system matches the network digital twin customized configuration request with its own existing capabilities to determine whether this request can be implemented, and obtains the acceptance result of the network digital twin customized configuration request.

[0203] Among them, the result of accepting the customized configuration request of the network digital twin is a type of information indicating whether the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met. Exemplarily, the result of accepting the customized configuration request of the network digital twin can be the first indication information indicating that the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met in the embodiment shown in Figure 7. The first indication information can refer to the description of step S660 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7 and will not be repeated here.

[0204] Alternatively, the result of accepting the network digital twin customized configuration request may also be a notification message notifying the network element management system that the network digital twin customized configuration request cannot be satisfied. Optionally, the notification message notifying the second node that the network digital twin customized configuration request cannot be satisfied may also carry the reason why the second node cannot satisfy the network digital twin customized configuration request.

[0205] Optionally, the network element management system can also store customized configuration requests for the network digital twin.

[0206] S1230: The network element management system sends a network digital twin customized configuration request acceptance result to the network management system. Correspondingly, the network management system receives the network digital twin customized configuration request acceptance result from the network element management system.

[0207] When the network management system determines that the result of accepting the network digital twin customized configuration request indicates that the network element management system can meet the requirements of the network digital twin service, execute:

[0208] S1240, the network management system sends a network digital twin instance creation request to the network element management system.

[0209] The network digital twin instance creation request can carry the identifier of the network management system (or a network digital twin customized configuration request). Optionally, the network digital twin instance creation request can also carry the network digital twin instance status. The former is used to match the network digital twin customized configuration request, and the latter is used to update the network digital twin instance status to creation.

[0210] Exemplarily, the network digital twin instance creation request may include the second request information of step S670 in the embodiment shown in FIG8 . The second request information includes the first identification information of the network digital twin customized configuration request. Optionally, the second request information may also include the status information of the network digital twin instance.

[0211] S1250, the network element management system collects network data from the network functional device based on the network digital twin customized configuration request, and creates a network digital twin instance according to the network data and the network digital twin customized configuration request.

[0212] When creating a network digital twin instance, an identifier for the network digital twin instance can be generated, the state of the network digital twin instance can be recorded, and the network management system identifier can be associated with the identifier of the network digital twin instance. Network data can be collected according to the network digital twin granularity and network digital twin refresh frequency.

[0213] Exemplarily, the identifier of the network digital twin instance may include the second identifier information in step S680 of the embodiment shown in Figure 10. The state of the network digital twin instance may include the state information of the network digital twin instance in the second request information in step S670 of the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

[0214] S1260, the network element management system sends the network digital twin instance creation result to the network management system, and correspondingly, the network management system receives the instance creation result from the network element management system.

[0215] Among them, the network digital twin instance creation result indicates whether the network digital twin instance creation is successful or failed. If successful, the network digital twin instance creation result may include the network digital twin instance identifier. Exemplarily, the network digital twin instance identifier may include the second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance in step S680 in the embodiment shown in Figure 10; if failed, the network digital twin instance creation result may include the reason for the failure.

[0216] S1270, the network management system sends a network digital twin management service call request to the network element management system. Correspondingly, the network element management system receives the network digital twin management service call request from the network management system.

[0217] The network digital twin management service call request carries management service parameters, a network digital twin customized configuration request identifier, and / or a network digital twin instance identifier, indicating the network digital twin instance for which the management service is to be executed. Management service parameters are parameters related to the network digital twin instance implementing the network digital twin management service and are not restricted.

[0218] Exemplarily, the network digital twin management service call request may include the first request information of step S630 in the embodiment shown in FIG6 .

[0219] S1280, the network element management system determines whether the network digital twin instance can execute the service based on the network digital twin management service call request, and when it is determined that the service can be executed, executes the service to obtain the execution result of the network digital twin management service.

[0220] The determination of whether a network digital twin instance can execute a service can be made based on a network digital twin management service call request. For example, the determination of whether the corresponding network digital twin instance is in an activated state can be made based on the network digital twin management service call request. If so, the service can be executed. Otherwise, the service cannot be executed.

[0221] After receiving the network digital twin management service call request, the network element management system executes the network digital twin management service on the network digital twin instance corresponding to the network digital twin management service call request. There may be multiple network digital twin management services, and their corresponding execution results will also be different. Exemplarily, the network digital twin service is a pre-verification service, and the execution result of the pre-verification service is the impact of one or more policies to be verified on the network after execution on the network digital twin instance. For another example, the network digital twin service is a visualization service, and the execution result of the visualization service is the display of feature information of one or more nodes (such as interface display with a user-friendly interface design). For another example, the network digital twin service is a pre-evaluation service, and the execution result of the pre-evaluation service is the predicted value of the evaluation index obtained based on the service parameters of the pre-evaluation service.

[0222] S1290, the network element management system sends the execution result of the network digital twin management service to the network management system. Correspondingly, the network management system receives the execution result of the network digital twin management service from the network element management system.

[0223] Optionally, the communication method may further include the following steps:

[0224] S1201, the network management system sends a network digital twin instance status modification request to the network element management system, and correspondingly, the network element management system receives the network digital twin instance status modification request from the network management system.

[0225] The triggering conditions for the network management system to send a network digital twin instance status modification request can be flexibly designed. For example, the triggering conditions may include pausing a network digital twin instance to save resources, activating an instance to prepare for the network digital twin management service, etc.

[0226] For the description of the status of the network digital twin instance, please refer to the description of the status information of the network digital twin instance in step S620 of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, which will not be repeated here.

[0227] S1202, the network element management system modifies the network digital twin instance state according to the network digital twin instance state modification request, and obtains the modified network digital twin instance state.

[0228] Among them, when the network element management system receives a network digital twin instance status modification request, it can perform corresponding network digital twin instance status modification and obtain the modified network digital twin instance status.

[0229] In one embodiment, the network element management system may also be provided with an instance state change condition, based on which the state information of the network digital twin instance is spontaneously modified. For its specific implementation, reference may be made to the description of the implementation of step S690 in the embodiment shown in FIG11 , which will not be repeated here.

[0230] S1203, the network element management system sends the modified network digital twin instance state to the network management system, and correspondingly, the network management system receives the modified network digital twin instance state from the network element management system.

[0231] Among them, the description of S1203 can refer to the description of the relevant implementation of step S600 in the embodiment shown in Figure 11, and will not be repeated here.

[0232] In another possible implementation, similar to the embodiment described in FIG12 , this solution introduces a dedicated data set: special demand information for special services. First, a customized basic network digital twin instance is constructed based on the general data set. On the basis of the basic network digital twin instance, a refined network digital twin instance is created in combination with the special demand information of the special service. The basic network digital twin instance is used to implement network digital twin services other than special services (called regular services), while the refined network digital twin instance is used to implement network digital twin services for special services, further satisfying the management service consumer's demand for the degree of refinement of the network digital twin model. As shown in FIG13 , the communication method includes the following steps:

[0233] S1310, the network management system sends a network digital twin customized configuration request to the network element management system. Correspondingly, the network element management system receives the network digital twin customized configuration request from the network management system.

[0234] The network digital twin customized configuration request may include general requirements for general network digital twin services and special requirements for special services. For example, the general requirements may be the requirements for the network digital twin services in the embodiment shown in FIG6 . For an explanation of the requirements for the network digital twin services, please refer to the corresponding description in step S610 of the embodiment shown in FIG6 , and will not be repeated here.

[0235] Exemplarily, the special demand information for a special service may include the demand information for the first service in the embodiment shown in Figure 8. For an explanation of the demand information for the first service, reference may be made to the corresponding explanation in step S670 in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, which will not be repeated here.

[0236] It should be understood that including special service requirements information in the network digital twin customized configuration request is an exemplary description. In specific implementations, the network management system can also send special service requirements information to the network element management system at other times. For example, including special service requirements information in the network digital twin instance creation request in S1340 below is not limited.

[0237] S1320, the network element management system matches the network digital twin customized configuration request with its own existing capabilities to determine whether this request can be implemented, and obtains the acceptance result of the network digital twin customized configuration request.

[0238] Among them, the result of accepting the customized configuration request of the network digital twin is a type of information indicating whether the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met. Exemplarily, the result of accepting the customized configuration request of the network digital twin can be the first indication information indicating that the requirements of the network digital twin service can be met in the embodiment shown in Figure 7. The first indication information can refer to the description of step S660 in the embodiment shown in Figure 7 and will not be repeated here.

[0239] Alternatively, the result of accepting the network digital twin customized configuration request may also be a notification message notifying the network element management system that the network digital twin customized configuration request cannot be satisfied. Optionally, the notification message notifying the second node that the network digital twin customized configuration request cannot be satisfied may also carry the reason why the second node cannot satisfy the network digital twin customized configuration request.

[0240] Exemplarily, the customized configuration request for the network digital twin includes demand information for the network digital twin service and special demand information for special services. The acceptance result of the customized configuration request for the network digital twin may include the following two items: indication information of whether the demand for the network digital twin service is met, and indication information of whether the special demand for the special service is met.

[0241] Optionally, the network element management system can also store customized configuration requests for the network digital twin.

[0242] S1330: The network element management system sends a network digital twin customized configuration request acceptance result to the network management system. Correspondingly, the network management system receives the network digital twin customized configuration request acceptance result from the network element management system.

[0243] When the network management system determines that the result of accepting the network digital twin customized configuration request indicates that the network element management system can meet the requirements of the network digital twin service, execute:

[0244] S1340, the network management system sends a network digital twin instance creation request to the network element management system.

[0245] The network digital twin instance creation request can carry the identifier of the network management system (or a network digital twin customized configuration request). Optionally, the network digital twin instance creation request can also carry the network digital twin instance status. The former is used to match the network digital twin customized configuration request, and the latter is used to update the network digital twin instance status to creation.

[0246] Exemplarily, the network digital twin instance creation request may include the second request information of step S670 in the embodiment shown in FIG8 . The second request information includes the first identification information of the network digital twin customized configuration request. Optionally, the second request information may also include the status information of the network digital twin instance.

[0247] Optionally, the network digital twin instance creation request may also include: special requirement information for special services.

[0248] S1350, the network element management system collects network data from the network functional equipment based on the network digital twin customized configuration request, and creates a basic network digital twin instance and a refined network digital twin instance according to the network data and the network digital twin customized configuration request.

[0249] When creating a network digital twin instance, an identifier for the network digital twin instance can be generated, the state of the network digital twin instance can be recorded, and the network management system identifier can be associated with the identifier of the network digital twin instance. Network data can be collected according to the network digital twin granularity and network digital twin refresh frequency.

[0250] Specifically, a basic instance is first created based on the network digital twin service's demand information. A basic instance is an instance built based on a general dataset (for example, the network digital twin service's demand information). A basic instance can be used for general services in addition to special services. Then, based on the special demand information of the special service, the basic instance is updated to obtain a refined network digital twin instance.

[0251] When creating a refined network digital twin instance, the base network digital twin instance is updated based on the special requirements of the special service, resulting in a refined network digital twin instance. In other words, the refined network digital twin instance is a refinement of the base network digital twin instance, and the model accuracy of the refined network digital twin instance is higher than that of the base network digital twin instance. Refined network digital twin instances can be used for special services. For example, if the special service is visualization, and the visualization requirement information specifies a visual accuracy of 50m×50m, then the parameter for a visual accuracy of 50m×50m is added to the base network digital twin instance, and combined with data training for network functions, a refined network digital twin instance is generated.

[0252] Exemplarily, the identifier of the network digital twin instance may include the second identifier information in step S680 of the embodiment shown in Figure 10. The state of the network digital twin instance may include the state information of the network digital twin instance in the second request information in step S670 of the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

[0253] S1360, the network element management system sends the network digital twin instance creation result to the network management system, and correspondingly, the network management system receives the instance creation result from the network element management system.

[0254] Among them, the network digital twin instance creation result indicates whether the network digital twin instance creation is successful or failed. If successful, the network digital twin instance creation result may include the network digital twin instance identifier. Exemplarily, the network digital twin instance identifier may include the second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance in step S680 in the embodiment shown in Figure 10; if failed, the network digital twin instance creation result may include the reason for the failure.

[0255] S1370, the network management system sends a network digital twin management service call request to the network element management system. Correspondingly, the network element management system receives the network digital twin management service call request from the network management system.

[0256] The network digital twin management service call request carries management service parameters, a network digital twin customized configuration request identifier, and / or a network digital twin instance identifier, indicating the network digital twin instance for which the management service is to be executed. Management service parameters are parameters related to the network digital twin instance implementing the network digital twin management service and are not restricted.

[0257] Exemplarily, the network digital twin management service call request may include the first request information of step S630 in the embodiment shown in FIG6 .

[0258] S1380, the network element management system determines whether the network digital twin instance can execute the service based on the network digital twin management service call request, and when it is determined that the service can be executed, executes the service to obtain the execution result of the network digital twin management service.

[0259] The determination of whether a network digital twin instance can execute a service can be made based on a network digital twin management service call request. For example, the determination of whether the corresponding network digital twin instance is in an activated state can be made based on the network digital twin management service call request. If so, the service can be executed. Otherwise, the service cannot be executed.

[0260] Exemplarily, a network digital twin management service call request can request both special services and regular services. In other words, a network digital twin management service call request can simultaneously request the call of a basic network digital twin instance and a refined network digital twin instance. The processes of determining whether the basic network digital twin instance and the refined network digital twin instance can execute services are independent of each other. That is, if it can be determined that the basic network digital twin instance can execute regular services, but the refined network digital twin instance cannot execute special services, then the regular services are implemented based on the basic network digital twin instance. For another example, if it is determined that the basic network digital twin instance cannot execute regular services, but the refined network digital twin instance can execute special services, then the special services are implemented based on the refined network digital twin instance. For another example, if it is determined that the basic network digital twin instance can execute regular services and the refined network digital twin instance can also execute special services, then the regular services are implemented based on the basic network digital twin instance, and the special services are implemented based on the refined network digital twin instance.

[0261] After receiving the network digital twin management service call request, the network element management system executes the network digital twin management service on the network digital twin instance corresponding to the network digital twin management service call request. There may be multiple network digital twin management services, and their corresponding execution results will also be different. Exemplarily, the network digital twin service is a pre-verification service, and the execution result of the pre-verification service is the impact of one or more policies to be verified on the network after execution on the network digital twin instance. For another example, the network digital twin service is a visualization service, and the execution result of the visualization service is the display of feature information of one or more nodes (such as interface display with a user-friendly interface design). For another example, the network digital twin service is a pre-evaluation service, and the execution result of the pre-evaluation service is the predicted value of the evaluation index obtained based on the service parameters of the pre-evaluation service.

[0262] S1390, the network element management system sends the execution result of the network digital twin management service to the network management system. Correspondingly, the network management system receives the execution result of the network digital twin management service from the network element management system.

[0263] Optionally, the communication method may further include the following steps:

[0264] S1301, the network management system sends a network digital twin instance status modification request to the network element management system, and correspondingly, the network element management system receives the network digital twin instance status modification request from the network management system.

[0265] The triggering conditions for the network management system to send a network digital twin instance status modification request can be flexibly designed. For example, the triggering conditions may include pausing a network digital twin instance to save resources, activating an instance to prepare for the network digital twin management service, etc.

[0266] For the description of the status of the network digital twin instance, please refer to the description of the status information of the network digital twin instance in step S620 of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, which will not be repeated here.

[0267] S1302, the network element management system modifies the network digital twin instance state according to the network digital twin instance state modification request, and obtains the modified network digital twin instance state.

[0268] Among them, when the network element management system receives a network digital twin instance status modification request, it can perform corresponding network digital twin instance status modification and obtain the modified network digital twin instance status.

[0269] In one embodiment, the network element management system may also be provided with an instance state change condition, based on which the state information of the network digital twin instance is spontaneously modified. For its specific implementation, reference may be made to the description of the implementation of step S690 in the embodiment shown in FIG11 , which will not be repeated here.

[0270] S1303, the network element management system sends the modified network digital twin instance state to the network management system, and correspondingly, the network management system receives the modified network digital twin instance state from the network element management system.

[0271] The description of S1303 may refer to the description of the related implementation of step S600 in the embodiment shown in FIG11 , and will not be repeated here.

[0272] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication system shown in Figure 2 is also applicable to the communication architecture shown in Figure 4, and implements the communication method described in the embodiments described in Figures 6 to 11. Compared with the implementation of the communication method in the communication architecture of Figures 12 or 13, the embodiment of the present application introduces a third-party node as a management service consumer. The network management system acts as an intermediate node to implement data transmission between the third-party node and the network element management system to implement the communication method described in the embodiments described in Figures 6 to 11. Its specific implementation process can be referred to the description of the embodiment shown in Figures 12 or 13, and will not be repeated here.

[0273] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the execution logic of each step. It is understandable that each node, such as the first node or the second node, includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to the execution of each function in order to realize the above functions. Those skilled in the art should easily appreciate that, in conjunction with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiment disclosed herein, the method of the embodiment of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in a hardware or computer software driven hardware manner 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 this application.

[0274] In the embodiment of the present application, the first node or the second node can be divided into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above-mentioned integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0275] In a specific implementation, each network element shown in this application may adopt the structure shown in Figure 14 or include the components shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. When the communication device has the function of the first node described in an embodiment of this application, the communication device can be the first node or a chip or system-on-chip in the first node. When the communication device has the function of the second node described in an embodiment of this application, the communication device can be the second node or a chip or system-on-chip in the second node.

[0276] As shown in Figure 14 , the communication device may include a processor 1401, a communication line 1402, a transceiver 1403, and a memory 1404. The processor 1401, the memory 1404, and the transceiver 1403 may be connected via the communication line 1402. In one example, the processor 1401 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in Figure 14 .

[0277] As an optional implementation, the communication device includes multiple processors. For example, in addition to the processor 1401 in FIG. 14 , it may also include a processor 1407 .

[0278] The processor 1401 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 1401 may also be other devices with processing functions, such as circuits, devices, or software modules.

[0279] The communication line 1402 is used to transmit information between the various components included in the communication device.

[0280] Transceiver 1403 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. Such other communication networks may be Ethernet, wireless access networks, wireless local area networks (WLANs), etc. Transceiver 1403 may be an interface circuit, a pin, a radio frequency module, a transceiver, or any other device capable of communication.

[0281] Furthermore, the communication device may further include a memory 1404. The memory 1404 is configured to store instructions, wherein the instructions may be computer programs.

[0282] Among them, the memory 1404 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and / or instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and / or instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices. Optical disc storage includes compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, or Blu-ray disc, etc.

[0283] It should be noted that memory 1404 can exist independently of processor 1401 or can be integrated with processor 1401. Memory 1404 can be used to store instructions, program code, or some data. Memory 1404 can be located within the communication device or outside the communication device, without limitation. When processor 1401 executes the instructions stored in memory 1404, the method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented.

[0284] As an optional implementation, the communication apparatus further includes an output device 1405 and an input device 1406. For example, the input device 1406 is a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a joystick, or the like, and the output device 1405 is a display screen, a speaker, or the like.

[0285] It should be noted that the communication device may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system, or a device having a structure similar to that shown in FIG14 . Furthermore, the component structure shown in FIG14 does not limit the communication device. In addition to the components shown in FIG14 , the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0286] In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of chips, or can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0287] Figure 15 shows a structural diagram of a communication device 1500, which is applied to the first node as a management service consumer. Each module in the device shown in Figure 15 has the function of implementing the corresponding steps in Figures 6 to 13 and can achieve its corresponding technical effects. The beneficial effects corresponding to the steps executed by each module can be referred to the description of the corresponding steps in Figures 6 to 13, and will not be repeated here. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the communication device includes:

[0288] The transceiver module 1510 is used to send demand information for the network digital twin service; the transceiver module 1510 is also used to send first request information for requesting the network digital twin service; the transceiver module 1510 is also used to receive the execution result of the network digital twin service executed on the network digital twin instance.

[0289] Figure 16 shows a structural diagram of a communication device 1600, which is applied to a second node as a management service provider. Each module in the device shown in Figure 16 has the function of implementing the corresponding steps in Figures 6 to 13 and can achieve its corresponding technical effects. The beneficial effects of the corresponding steps executed by each module can be referred to the description of the corresponding steps in Figures 6 to 13, and will not be repeated here. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the communication device includes:

[0290] The transceiver module 1610 is used to receive demand information for the network digital twin service; the processing module 1620 is used to create a network digital twin instance based on the demand information; the transceiver module 1610 is also used to receive the first request information for requesting the network digital twin service; the transceiver module 1610 is also used to send the execution result of the network digital twin service executed on the network digital twin instance.

[0291] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node, which serves as a management service consumer, first sends its demand information for the network digital twin service to the second node, which serves as a management service provider. The second node can create a corresponding customized network digital twin instance based on the demand information, and implement the network digital twin service of the first node based on the network digital twin instance, which can meet the management service consumer's demand for the degree of refinement of the network digital twin model, and the creation of the network digital twin instance matches the needs of the management service consumer, without causing waste of network digital twin resources.

[0292] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, comprising: a first node and a second node, wherein the first node may have the function of the communication device 1500 described above, and the second node may have the function of the communication device 1600 described above.

[0293] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above-mentioned method embodiments can be completed by a computer program to instruct the relevant hardware, and the program can be stored in the above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the above-mentioned method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be a terminal device of any of the above-mentioned embodiments, such as: an internal storage unit including a data sending end and / or a data receiving end, such as a hard disk or memory of the terminal device. The above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the above-mentioned terminal device, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart memory card (smart media card, SMC), a secure digital (secure digital, SD) card, a flash card (flash card), etc. equipped on the above-mentioned terminal device. Furthermore, the above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium can also include both the internal storage unit of the above-mentioned terminal device and an external storage device. The above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium is used to store the above-mentioned computer program and other programs and data required by the above-mentioned terminal device. The above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output.

[0294] The present application also provides a computer instruction. All or part of the process in the above method embodiment can be completed by the computer instruction to instruct the relevant hardware (such as a computer, processor, network device, and terminal, etc.). The program can be stored in the above computer-readable storage medium.

[0295] The present application also provides a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip or include chips and other discrete components, without limitation. The chip system includes a controller and an interface circuit. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be completed by the chip system. For example, the chip system can be used to implement the functions performed by the first node or the second node in the above method embodiments.

[0296] In one possible design, the above-mentioned chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and / or data. When the chip system is running, the processor executes the program instructions stored in the memory to enable the chip system to perform the functions performed by the first node or the second node in the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0297] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0298] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory, such as a random access memory. The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing instructions and / or data.

[0299] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0300] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple. It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A. For example, B can be determined based on A. It should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean determining B based solely on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information. In addition, the "connection" in the embodiments of the present application refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices, and the embodiments of the present application do not impose any limitation on this.

[0301] Unless otherwise specified, the "transmission" (transmit / transmission) appearing in the embodiments of the present application refers to bidirectional transmission, including the actions of sending and / or receiving. Specifically, the "transmission" in the embodiments of the present application includes the sending of data, the receiving of data, or the sending of data and the receiving of data. In other words, the data transmission here includes uplink and / or downlink data transmission. Data may include channels and / or signals, uplink data transmission is uplink channel and / or uplink signal transmission, and downlink data transmission is downlink channel and / or downlink signal transmission. The "network" and "system" appearing in the embodiments of the present application express the same concept, and the communication system is the communication network.

[0302] Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0303] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed 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 modules or units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, 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.

[0304] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed in multiple places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment.

[0305] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit. If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a device, such as a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc., or a processor 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 code, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0306] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited to this. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receive demand information for network digital twin services; Creating a network digital twin instance according to the demand information; Receiving first request information for requesting the network digital twin service; Sending the execution result of the network digital twin service executed on the network digital twin instance.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The demand information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and at least one of the following: the required network digital twin service, the validity period of the network digital twin service, the source of data required to create the network digital twin instance, or the frequency of synchronization between the network digital twin instance and network data.

3. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Send first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the demand for the network digital twin service is met.

4. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Before receiving the first request information, second request information for requesting to create a network digital twin instance is received.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second request information includes first identification information indicating the requirement information, or the second request information includes the first identification information and status information of the network digital twin instance, and the method further includes: Create the network digital twin instance according to the demand information.

6. The communication method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second request information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and demand information of a first service in the network digital twin service, or the second request information includes the first identification information, the demand information of the first service, and status information of the network digital twin instance; the demand of the first service is not available to services other than the first service, and the network digital twin instance includes a first instance and a second instance, and the method further includes: Creating a first instance according to demand information of the network digital twin service; the first instance is used for services other than the first service; The first instance is updated according to the demand information of the first service to obtain a second instance, where the second instance is used for the first service.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Send second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance.

8. The communication method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When a condition for changing the instance state is triggered, modify the state information of the network digital twin instance; Send the modified state information of the network digital twin instance.

9. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The first request information includes service parameters for requesting the network digital twin service and at least one of the following: second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance or first identification information indicating the requirement information.

10. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The network digital twin service includes a pre-verification service, a visualization service, or a pre-evaluation service. The execution result of the pre-verification service is the network indicator value after the strategy to be verified is executed in the network digital twin instance. The execution result of the visualization service is the visualization data of the visualization object. The execution result of the pre-evaluation service is the predicted value of the evaluation indicator of the pre-evaluation service.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending demand information for network digital twin services; Sending first request information for requesting the network digital twin service; Receive an execution result of the network digital twin service executed on the network digital twin instance.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, characterized in that: The demand information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and at least one of the following: the required network digital twin service, the validity period of the network digital twin service, the source of data required to create the network digital twin instance, or the frequency of synchronization between the network digital twin instance and network data.

13. The communication method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a demand for the network digital twin service is met.

14. The communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Before sending the first request information, a second request information for requesting the creation of a network digital twin instance is sent.

15. The communication method according to claim 14, characterized in that: The second request information includes first identification information indicating the requirement information; or, the second request information includes the first identification information and status information of the network digital twin instance; Alternatively, the second request information includes first identification information indicating the demand information and demand information of a first service in the network digital twin service, or the second request information includes the first identification information, demand information of the first service, and status information of the network digital twin instance; the demand of the first service is not available to services other than the first service.

16. The communication method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance.

17. The communication method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive modified state information of the network digital twin instance.

18. The communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that: The first request information includes service parameters for requesting the network digital twin service and at least one of the following: second identification information indicating the network digital twin instance or first identification information indicating the requirement information.

19. The communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that: The network digital twin service includes a pre-verification service, a visualization service, or a pre-evaluation service. The execution result of the pre-verification service is the network indicator value after the strategy to be verified is executed in the network digital twin instance. The execution result of the visualization service is the visualization data of the visualization object. The execution result of the pre-evaluation service is the predicted value of the evaluation indicator of the pre-evaluation service.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: The apparatus comprises: a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1-19.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a processor and a transceiver, and the processor and the transceiver are used to support the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-19.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 is executed.

23. A chip, characterized in that: The chip comprises: a controller and an interface circuit, wherein the controller is used to interact with other devices through the interface circuit to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-19.

24. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises: a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, and the second device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

25. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises a first device executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, and a second device executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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