Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The communication method comprises: by means of a first network function, an access network device making a request to a second network function, which is deployed with an AI model, to acquire a first analysis result, wherein first information sent by the access network device to the first network function and fourth information fed back by the first network function to the access network device carry a first association identifier, and second information sent by the first network function to the second network function and third information fed back by the second network function to the first network function carry a second association identifier. By means of the communication method in the embodiments of the present application, not only can the functions of an access network device be simplified and the deployment cost of the access network device be reduced, but also successful signaling interaction between the access network device and a second network function can be accomplished by means of a first association identifier and a second association identifier.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on December 28, 2023, with application number 202311845069.X and application name “Communication Method and Communication Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] Currently, to improve service accuracy, artificial intelligence (AI) models can be configured on access network devices, which can generate model inference results based on these AI models. This requires the access network devices to have sufficient computing power and algorithm resources to support the training and inference of AI models, placing high demands on the access network devices and increasing deployment costs. For access network devices that cannot locally configure AI models, how to use AI models to obtain model inference results is a technical issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can use AI models to obtain analysis results for access network devices that cannot be locally configured with AI models, thereby simplifying the functions of the access network devices and reducing the deployment costs of the access network devices.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first network function, or by a module (such as a chip or circuit) in the first network function, or by a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the first network function. This application is not limited to this.

[0006] The method includes: a first network function receives first information from an access network device, the first information is used to request a first analysis result, the first information includes a first association identifier, and the first association identifier is used to associate the first information with fourth information; the first network function sends second information to a second network function based on the first information, the second information includes a second association identifier, and the second association identifier is used to associate the second information with third information; the first network function receives third information from the second network function, the third information includes the above-mentioned second association identifier and the above-mentioned first analysis result; the first network function sends fourth information to the access network device based on the above-mentioned third information, and the fourth information includes the above-mentioned first association identifier and the first analysis result.

[0007] Exemplarily, the first network function may be an access and mobility management function (AMF), and the second network function may be a network data analytics function (NWDAF).

[0008] Through the above method, the second network function can maintain an AI model for the access network device, and the access network device can subscribe to the analysis results from the second network function through the first network function, simplifying the functions of the access network device and reducing the deployment cost of the access network device. In addition, the first association identifier in the above method can be associated with the signaling interaction between the access network device and the first network function, and the second association identifier can be associated with the signaling interaction between the first network function and the second network function, so that the signaling interaction between the access network device and the second network function can be successfully completed through the first association identifier and the second association identifier.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0010] The analysis type of the first analysis result, the measurement information used to generate the first analysis result, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, the regional information, etc.

[0011] Exemplarily, the analysis type of the first analysis result may be an analysis type that the access network device expects to obtain, and the measurement information used to generate the first analysis result may be a measurement identifier.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network function determining the second information based on the first information, where the second information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0013] Analysis ID, analysis filter information, the above-mentioned regional information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirements of the first analysis result, etc.

[0014] The analysis identifier may be an analysis identifier or an analysis type that can be provided by the second network function defined in the standard. The analysis filter information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the first analysis result.

[0015] Through the above method, the first network function can convert information in the first information that cannot be recognized by the second network function into information that can be recognized by the second network function.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first information may further include at least one of the following information:

[0017] Analysis ID, analysis filter information, regional information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, etc.

[0018] Through the above method, the access network device can directly carry information that can be recognized by the second network function in the above first information, reducing the operation of the first network function to convert information in the first information that cannot be recognized by the second network function into information that can be recognized by the second network function, thereby simplifying the processing complexity of the first network function.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first network device sends the second information to the second network function based on the first information, including: the first network function determines the second network function based on the analysis identifier and / or the area information; the first network function sends the second information to the second network function.

[0020] Exemplarily, the first network function may determine the second network function based on the analysis identifier and / or area information carried by the first information, or the first network function may determine the second network function based on the analysis identifier and / or area information obtained after converting information in the first information that cannot be recognized by the second network function into information that can be recognized by the second network function.

[0021] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned area information may be carried in the above-mentioned first information, and the area information indicates an area of ​​interest of the access network device, and the access network device expects to obtain the first analysis result in the area.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the above-mentioned first association identifier may include the above-mentioned analysis identifier and / or the above-mentioned area information, and the above-mentioned first network function sends the second information to the second network function based on the above-mentioned first information, including: the first network function determines the above-mentioned second network function based on the above-mentioned first association identifier; the first network function sends the second information to the second network function.

[0023] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first information includes a first container, which includes the analysis identifier and at least one of the analysis filtering information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, and the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result; the second information includes the information included in the first container.

[0024] Through the above method, the first network function can transparently transmit the information of the first container included in the first information to the second network function, reducing the operation of the first network function to parse the content of the first information, thereby simplifying the processing complexity of the first network function.

[0025] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the above-mentioned first association identifier also includes indication information of the access network device and / or indication information associated with the transmission network layer corresponding to the first information.

[0026] Exemplarily, the indication information of the access network device may be an identifier of the access network device, and the indication information of the transport network layer association corresponding to the first information may be an identifier of the transport network layer association (TNLA).

[0027] Through the above method, the first network function can identify which connection of which access network device to feedback the message to based on the first association identifier.

[0028] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first association identifier and the second association identifier have a corresponding relationship.

[0029] Exemplarily, the first network function may generate a second association identifier, and bind the first association identifier to the second association identifier.

[0030] On the second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access network device, or by a module (such as a chip or circuit) in the access network device, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the access network device. This application does not limit this.

[0031] The method includes: the access network device sends first information to the first network function, the first information is used to request a first analysis result, the first information includes a first association identifier, and the first association identifier is used to associate the first information with fourth information; the access network device receives fourth information from the first network function, the fourth information includes the above-mentioned first association identifier and the first analysis result.

[0032] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned first network function can be AMF.

[0033] Through the above method, other network functions can maintain AI models for access network devices, and the access network device can simply subscribe to analysis results from other network functions through the first network function, simplifying the functions of the access network device and reducing its deployment costs. Furthermore, the first association identifier in the above method can be associated with the signaling interaction between the access network device and the first network function, thereby successfully completing the signaling interaction between the access network device and the first network function through the first association identifier.

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0035] The analysis type of the first analysis result, the measurement information used to generate the first analysis result, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, the regional information, etc.

[0036] Exemplarily, the analysis type of the first analysis result may be an analysis type that the access network device expects to obtain, and the measurement information used to generate the first analysis result may be a measurement identifier.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0038] Analysis ID, analysis filter information, regional information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, etc.

[0039] The analysis identifier may be an analysis identifier or analysis type that can be provided by other network functions defined in the standard. The analysis filter information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the first analysis result.

[0040] Through the above method, the access network device can directly carry information that can be recognized by other network functions in the above first information, reducing the operation of the first network function to convert information in the first information that cannot be recognized by the second network function into information that can be recognized by the second network function, thereby simplifying the processing complexity of the first network function.

[0041] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first information includes a first container, which includes the analysis identifier and at least one of the analysis filtering information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, and the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result.

[0042] Through the above method, the first network function can transparently transmit the first container included in the first information to other network functions, reducing the operation of the first network function to parse the first information content, thereby simplifying the processing complexity of the first network function.

[0043] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first association identifier includes the analysis identifier and / or the area information.

[0044] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned area information indicates an area of ​​interest of the access network device, and the access network device expects to obtain a first analysis result in the area.

[0045] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the above-mentioned first association identifier also includes indication information of the access network device and / or indication information associated with the transmission network layer corresponding to the first information.

[0046] Exemplarily, the indication information of the access network device may be an identifier of the access network device, and the indication information associated with the transport network layer corresponding to the first information may be an identifier of the TNLA.

[0047] Through the above method, the first network function can identify which connection of which access network device to feedback the message to based on the first association identifier.

[0048] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a second network function, or by a module (such as a chip or circuit) in the second network function, or by a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the second network function. This application is not limited to this.

[0049] The method includes: a second network function receives second information from a first network function, the second information is used to request a first analysis result, the second information includes a second association identifier, and the second association identifier is used to associate the second information with third information; the second network function uses a first model to analyze based on the second information to obtain the first analysis result; the second network function sends third information to the first network function, the third information includes the above-mentioned second association identifier and the above-mentioned first analysis result.

[0050] Exemplarily, the first network function may be AMF, and the second network function may be NWDAF.

[0051] Through the above method, the second network function can maintain an AI model for the access network device, and the access network device can subscribe to the analysis results from the second network function through the first network function, simplifying the functions of the access network device and reducing the deployment cost of the access network device. Furthermore, the second association identifier in the above method can be associated with the signaling interaction between the first network function and the second network function, so that the signaling interaction between the first network function and the second network function can be successfully completed through the second association identifier.

[0052] In conjunction with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the second information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0053] Analysis ID, analysis filter information, regional information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, etc.

[0054] The analysis identifier may be an analysis identifier or an analysis type that can be provided by the second network function defined in the standard. The analysis filter information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the first analysis result.

[0055] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the second network function determines the first model based on the second information.

[0056] Through the above method, the second network function can train or update the model based on the request information, so that the determined first model can be used to obtain the first analysis result.

[0057] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes: a transceiver unit for receiving first information from an access network device, the first information being used to request a first analysis result, the first information including a first association identifier, and the first association identifier being used to associate the first information with fourth information; the transceiver unit is also used to send second information to a second network function based on the first information, the second information including a second association identifier, and the second association identifier being used to associate the second information with third information; the transceiver unit is also used to receive third information from the second network function, the third information including the above-mentioned second association identifier and the above-mentioned first analysis result; the transceiver unit is also used to send fourth information to the access network device based on the above-mentioned third information, the fourth information including the above-mentioned first association identifier and the first analysis result.

[0058] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0059] The analysis type of the first analysis result, the measurement information used to generate the first analysis result, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, the regional information, etc.

[0060] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the communication device further includes: a processing unit, configured to determine the second information based on the first information, where the second information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0061] Analysis ID, analysis filter information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, regional information, etc.

[0062] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information may further include at least one of the following information:

[0063] Analysis ID, analysis filter information, the above-mentioned regional information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirements of the first analysis result, etc.

[0064] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the above-mentioned transceiver unit is used to send second information to the second network function based on the above-mentioned first information, including: the above-mentioned processing unit is used to determine the above-mentioned second network function based on the above-mentioned analysis identifier and / or the above-mentioned area information; the above-mentioned transceiver unit is used to send the second information to the second network function.

[0065] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the above-mentioned first association identifier may include the above-mentioned analysis identifier and / or the above-mentioned area information, and the above-mentioned transceiver unit is used to send the second information to the second network function based on the above-mentioned first information, including: the above-mentioned processing unit is used to determine the above-mentioned second network function based on the above-mentioned first association identifier; the above-mentioned transceiver unit is used to send the second information to the second network function.

[0066] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information includes a first container, which includes the analysis identifier and at least one of the analysis filtering information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, and the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result; the second information includes the information included in the first container.

[0067] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the above-mentioned first association identifier also includes indication information of the access network device and / or indication information associated with the transmission network layer corresponding to the first information.

[0068] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first association identifier and the second association identifier have a corresponding relationship.

[0069] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes: a transceiver unit for sending first information to a first network function, the first information being used to request a first analysis result, the first information including a first association identifier, and the first association identifier being used to associate the first information with fourth information; the above-mentioned transceiver unit is also used to receive fourth information from the first network function, the fourth information including the above-mentioned first association identifier and the first analysis result.

[0070] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0071] The analysis type of the first analysis result, the measurement information used to generate the first analysis result, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, the regional information, etc.

[0072] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0073] Analysis ID, analysis filter information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, regional information, etc.

[0074] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the first information includes a first container, which includes the analysis identifier and at least one of the analysis filtering information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, and the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result.

[0075] In combination with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first association identifier includes the analysis identifier and / or area information.

[0076] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the above-mentioned first association identifier also includes indication information of the access network device and / or indication information associated with the transmission network layer corresponding to the first information.

[0077] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver unit for receiving second information from a first network function, the second information being used to request a first analysis result, the second information including a second association identifier, the second association identifier being used to associate the second information with third information; the communication device further comprises: a processing unit for performing analysis based on the second information using a first model to obtain a first analysis result; the transceiver unit is also used to send third information to the first network function, the third information including the second association identifier and the first analysis result.

[0078] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the second information further includes at least one of the following information:

[0079] Analysis ID, analysis filter information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, regional information, etc.

[0080] In combination with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the processing unit is further used to determine the first model based on the second information.

[0081] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, wherein the processor is used to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect and any possible embodiment of the first aspect, or to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the second aspect and any possible embodiment of the second aspect, or to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the third aspect and any possible embodiment of the third aspect, by executing a computer program or instruction or through a logic circuit.

[0082] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory for storing the computer program or instruction.

[0083] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, which is used to input and / or output signals.

[0084] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a logic circuit and an input / output interface, the input / output interface being used to input and / or output signals, the logic circuit being used to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possibility of the first aspect, or to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possibility of the second aspect, or to execute the method described in the third aspect and any possibility of the third aspect.

[0085] In the ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or the instruction is run on a computer, the method described in the first aspect and any possibility of the first aspect is executed, or the method described in the second aspect and any possibility of the second aspect is executed, or the method described in the third aspect and any possibility of the third aspect is executed.

[0086] In the tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method described in the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be executed, or cause the method described in the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect to be executed, or cause the method described in the third aspect and any possible method of the third aspect to be executed.

[0087] In the eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the above-mentioned first network function and / or the above-mentioned second network function and / or the above-mentioned access network device, the first network function is used to execute the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possibility of the first aspect, the access network device is used to execute the method described in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possibility of the second aspect, and the second network function is used to execute the method described in the above-mentioned third aspect and any possibility of the third aspect.

[0088] For the relevant explanations and descriptions of the beneficial effects of the fourth to eleventh aspects, please refer to the descriptions of the first to third aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0089] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture 100 to which the technical solution of the present application can be applied.

[0090] FIG2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0091] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture 200 to which the technical solution of the present application can be applied.

[0092] FIG4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0093] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0094] FIG6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0095] FIG7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0096] FIG8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0097] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 900 applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0098] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 applicable to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0099] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0100] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following points are explained before introducing the embodiments of the present application.

[0101] In this application, "used to indicate" or "indicates" can include direct indication and indirect indication, or "used to indicate" or "indicates" can indicate explicitly and / or implicitly. For example, when describing that a certain information is used to indicate information I, it can include that the information directly indicates I or indirectly indicates I, but it does not necessarily mean that the information contains I.

[0102] In the embodiments shown below, the first, second, third, fourth and various numbers are only used for the convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. For example, different information is used to distinguish different information.

[0103] "Pre-definition" can be achieved by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. This application does not limit the specific implementation method. Here, "storage" can mean storing in one or more memories. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, which is not limited by this application.

[0104] The “protocol” involved in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include a long term evolution (LTE) protocol, a new radio (NR) protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, which are not limited in this application.

[0105] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features around systems including multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the figures. Furthermore, combinations of these aspects may also be used.

[0106] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary," "for example," "illustratively," and "as another example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0107] The terms "include", "comprising", "having" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless specifically emphasized otherwise.

[0108] In the embodiments of the present application, the descriptions involving A sending a message, information or data to B, and B receiving a message, information or data from A are intended to illustrate to which object the message, information or data is to be sent, and do not limit whether they are sent directly or indirectly via other nodes.

[0109] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the fifth generation (5G) or NR system, LTE system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems such as satellite communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system.

[0110] As an example, FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture 100 .

[0111] As shown in Figure 1, the network architecture takes the 5G system (5GS) as an example. The network architecture may include user equipment (UE), (radio) access network (R)AN) equipment, user plane function (UPF) network elements, operations, administration and management (OAM) network elements, access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), network repository function (NRF), network data analytics function (NWDAF), data collection application function (DCAF), policy control function (PCF), and location management function (LMF).

[0112] The following briefly describes the various parts involved in the network architecture in Figure 1.

[0113] 1.UE

[0114] The UE in this application may be any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal or portable terminal. The UE in this application includes but is not limited to: a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile terminal device, a user terminal device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, a user device, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system, a home appliance, a virtual reality device, a user device in a 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G / 6G network or a user device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) or a user device in a future vehicle network, etc., and this application is not limited thereto.

[0115] 2. (R)AN equipment

[0116] The (R)AN device in this application may be a device that provides communication functions for UE.

[0117] The (R)AN can be a node in a radio access network. The (R)AN can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or HNB), a Wi-Fi access point (AP), a remote radio unit (RRU), a mobile switching center, a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. The (R)AN device can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, such as a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The (R)AN can also be a device that performs base station functions in D2D communication systems, V2X communication systems, M2M communication systems, and IoT communication systems. The (R)AN can also be a network device in an NTN, meaning that the (R)AN can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite. (R)AN can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, etc.

[0118] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology, device form and name adopted by the (R)AN. For the convenience of description, the (R)AN will be collectively referred to as the access network device below.

[0119] 3. UPF

[0120] The main functions of UPF are packet routing and forwarding, mobility anchor, uplink classifier to support routing service flows to data network (DN), branch point to support multi-homing protocol data unit (PDU) sessions, etc.

[0121] 4. DN

[0122] DN is an operator network mainly used to provide data services to terminals, such as the Internet, a third-party service network, or an IP Multimedia Service (IMS) network.

[0123] 5. OAM

[0124] OAM, short for network management, is primarily used for routine network and service analysis, forecasting, planning, and configuration, as well as network and service testing and fault management. OAM interacts with the RAN to obtain information such as radio channel conditions, radio resource utilization, and UE location information.

[0125] 6. AMF

[0126] The main functions of AMF include managing user registration, reachability detection, SMF node selection, access authorization and authentication, mobility management, and mobile state transition management.

[0127] 7. SMF

[0128] The main functions of SMF are to control the establishment, modification and deletion of sessions, the selection of UPF nodes, etc.

[0129] 8. NRF

[0130] NRF mainly provides the registration and discovery capabilities of network elements in the network.

[0131] 9. PCF

[0132] PCF is mainly responsible for policy control decisions, providing policy rules for control plane functions, and flow-based charging control functions.

[0133] 10. NWDAF

[0134] NWDAF can have at least one of the following functions:

[0135] Data collection, model training, model feedback, analysis result inference, analysis result feedback, etc. Among them, the data collection function refers to collecting data from network elements, third-party servers, terminal devices or network management systems; the model training function refers to analyzing and training the model based on relevant input data; the model feedback function refers to sending the trained artificial intelligence (AI) model / machine learning (ML) model to the network element that supports the inference function; the analysis result inference function determines the data analysis results based on the trained AI model / ML model and the inference data; the analysis result feedback function can provide data analysis results to network elements, third-party servers, terminal devices or network management systems.

[0136] The NWDAF can be a separate network element or co-located with other network elements. For example, the NWDAF can be co-located with the AMF or the SMF.

[0137] 11. DCAF

[0138] DCAF is a special AF that collects UE application layer data and makes it available to network elements, such as NWDAF, for data analysis or model training.

[0139] 12. LMF

[0140] LMF is mainly responsible for managing the overall coordination and scheduling of UE locations that have registered or connected to the network, calculating or verifying the estimated UE location or UE speed, etc.

[0141] In the architecture shown in Figure 1, N2 is the interface between the AMF and the RAN. N3 is the interface between the RAN and the UPF. N4 is the interface between the SMF and the UPF. N6 is the interface between the UPF and the DN. The service-oriented interfaces Nnrf, Nnwdaf, Naf, Npcf, Nlmf, Namf, and Nsmf are provided by the NRF, NWDAF, DCAF, PCF, LMF, AMF, and SMF, respectively, and are used to invoke corresponding service-oriented operations. N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface serial numbers. The meanings of these interface serial numbers are defined in the 3GPP standard protocols and are not limited here.

[0142] It should be noted that in the network architecture shown in Figure 1, each function can communicate with each other through interfaces. The interface between each function can be a point-to-point interface or a service-oriented interface, which is not limited in this application. In addition, the names of each function and interface in this application are only examples. This application does not rule out the possibility that each function will be named differently in the future, or that functions between functions will be merged. With the evolution of technology, any device or network element that can implement the above-mentioned functions is within the scope of protection of this application. Secondly, the above-mentioned functions can also be deployed on entities, devices, apparatuses or modules, etc., which is not specifically limited in this application.

[0143] Currently, to improve service accuracy, AI models can be configured on access network devices, which can then generate model inference results based on these models. This requires the access network devices to have sufficient computing power and algorithm resources to support AI model training and inference, placing high demands on these devices and increasing deployment costs. For access network devices that cannot locally configure AI models, how to use them to obtain model inference results remains a pressing technical challenge.

[0144] Based on the above technical problems, the present application provides a communication method 200, which can enable access network devices that cannot locally configure AI models to obtain model inference results using AI models.

[0145] Figure 2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the access network device, the first network function, and the second network function are used as examples to illustrate the method, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction diagram. For example, the access network device in Figure 2 can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the method that can be implemented by the access network device, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the access network device; the first network function can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the method that can be implemented by the first network function, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the first network function; the second network function can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the method that can be implemented by the second network function, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the second network function.

[0146] The communication method 200 may include the following steps:

[0147] In step S210, the access network device sends first information to the first network function, where the first information is used to request a first analysis result. Correspondingly, the first network function receives the first information from the access network device.

[0148] The first information includes a first association identifier, and the first association identifier is used to associate the first information with the fourth information.

[0149] The first association identifier is used to associate the first information with the fourth information, which can also be understood as: the fourth information is response information of the first information or the fourth information is feedback information of the first information.

[0150] Specifically, the first message may carry information in the following two ways:

[0151] Method 1: The first information carries demand information. For example, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0152] The analysis type of the first analysis result, the measurement information used to generate the first analysis result, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, etc.

[0153] Method 2: The first information carries subscription information. For example, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0154] Analytics ID, analytics filter information, area information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, etc. The area information may be a tracking area identity (TAI), a tracking area list (TA list), or a cell list (cell list), etc. The analytics filter information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the first analysis result (Analytics Filter Information indicates the conditions to be fulfilled for reporting Analytics Information).

[0155] In step S212, the first network function sends second information to the second network function based on the first information. Correspondingly, the second network function receives the second information from the first network function.

[0156] The second information includes a second association identifier, and the second association identifier is used to associate the second information with the third information.

[0157] The second association identifier is used to associate the second information with the third information, which can also be understood as: the third information is response information of the second information or the third information is feedback information of the second information.

[0158] When the first information carries demand information (method 1 above), the communication method 200 may further include: the first network device determining second information based on the first information, where the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0159] Analysis ID, analysis filtering information, reporting method of the first analysis result, accuracy requirements of the first analysis result, etc.

[0160] When the first information carries subscription information (method 2 above), the first information may include a first container (Analytics subscription container), which includes an analysis identifier and at least one of analysis filtering information, a reporting method for the first analysis result, and accuracy requirements for the first analysis result. The first information may also include an analysis identifier and / or regional information. The above communication method 200 may further include: the first network function determining the second network function based on the analysis identifier, or the first network function determining the second network function based on the regional information, or the first network function determining the second network function based on the analysis identifier and regional information; the first network function sending second information to the second network function, where the second information includes the above first container.

[0161] Optionally, the first association identifier included in the first information may include an analysis identifier and / or area information, and the first network function may determine the second network function based on the first association identifier.

[0162] It should be noted that the first container of the present application indicates that the content carried in the first container is not parsed by the first network function and can be directly transmitted to the second network function.

[0163] In step S214 , the second network function performs a first analysis using the first model based on the second information to obtain a first analysis result.

[0164] If the second network function determines based on the second information that there is an available first model, then the second network function can perform analysis and reasoning based on the first model; if the second network function determines based on the second information that there is currently no suitable first model, then the second network function collects data based on the second information, trains to obtain the first model, uses the first model to perform analysis and reasoning, and obtains a first analysis result.

[0165] In step S216, the second network function sends third information to the first network function, where the third information includes the second association identifier and the first analysis result. Accordingly, the first network function receives the third information from the second network function.

[0166] The first network function may determine, according to the second association identifier included in the third information, that the third information is response information or feedback information of the second information.

[0167] The first network function stores a correspondence between the first association identifier and the second association identifier.

[0168] In step S218, the first network device sends fourth information to the access network device, where the fourth information includes the first association identifier and the first analysis result. Accordingly, the access network device receives the fourth information from the first network function.

[0169] The first network function determines to send fourth information to the access network device based on the stored correspondence between the first association identifier and the second association identifier, and carries the first association identifier in the fourth information, so that the access network device determines that the fourth information is response information or feedback information of the first information.

[0170] Exemplarily, the first network function may be AMF, and the second network function may be NWDAF.

[0171] Through the above method 200, when the access network device cannot locally configure the AI ​​model, the AI ​​model can be configured on other network functions (for example, on the network function of the core network) to assist the access network device in obtaining the model inference results, thereby simplifying the functions on the access network device side and reducing the deployment cost of the access network device. In addition, the above communication method 200 can complete the signaling interaction between the access network device and the network function deployed with the AI ​​model by carrying the association identifier in the information, so that the access network device can obtain the model inference results.

[0172] The following embodiment of the present application specifically takes the first network function as AMF and the second network function as NWDAF as an example to describe the technical solution of the present application in detail.

[0173] According to the above description, NWDAF can have at least one function such as data collection, model training, model feedback, analysis result reasoning, and analysis result feedback. According to different functions, NWDAF can be further divided into an analysis logical function (AnLF) that supports analysis and reasoning and a model training logical function (MTLF) that supports model training, as shown in the network architecture 300 in Figure 3. The MTLF of NWDAF can collect the data required for AI model training from LMF, DCAF, OAM, etc., and perform model training based on this to obtain an AI model; the AnLF of NWDAF can request the trained AI model from the MTLF of NWDAF, and obtain input data for analysis and reasoning from LMF, DCAF, OAM, etc., and perform analysis and reasoning based on this to obtain reasoning results. Among them, the AnLF of NWDAF can be co-located with the AMF, called Node-I, or the AnLF of NWDAF can be deployed closer to the AMF.

[0174] It should be noted that the NWDAF may include the AnLF, or the NWDAF may include the MTLF, or the NWDAF may include the AnLF and the MTLF. For the sake of simplicity, the NWDAF including the AnLF and the MTLF is hereinafter referred to as NWDAF#1, the NWDAF including the AnLF is referred to as NWDAF#2, and the NWDAF including the MTLF is referred to as NWDAF#3.

[0175] The present application provides a communication method 300, which is described using positioning analysis as an example. The communication method 300 can enable access network devices that cannot locally configure a positioning AI model to obtain positioning-related reasoning results using the AI ​​model on the NWDAF side.

[0176] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the method is illustrated by taking the access network device as a gNB in ​​a 5G communication system, the first network function as an AMF, and the second network function as NWDAF#1 as the execution subject of the interaction diagram as an example, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction diagram. For example, the gNB in ​​FIG3 may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the method that the gNB can implement, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the gNB; the AMF may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the method that the AMF can implement, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the AMF; the NWDAF#1 may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the method that the NWDAF#1 can implement, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the NWDAF#1.

[0177] The communication method 300 may include the following steps:

[0178] In step S310, the gNB sends message #1A (Analytics subscription Request) to the AMF. Message #1A is used to request the positioning analysis results.

[0179] The message #1A includes a first association identifier #A, and the first association identifier #A is used to associate the message #1A with the message #9A.

[0180] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned message #1A may be an N2 message.

[0181] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned message #1A may be a subscription message or a request message, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0182] For example, the message #1A may contain information about the gNB requesting a positioning analysis. This information cannot be recognized by the entity performing the positioning analysis. Therefore, the AMF needs to convert the information contained in the message #1A into information that can be recognized by the entity performing the positioning analysis. For example, the message #1A includes at least one of the following information:

[0183] The analysis type of the positioning analysis result, the measurement information used to generate the positioning analysis result, the reporting method of the positioning analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the positioning analysis result, the area information, etc. The area information can be TAI(s), TA list, or cell list, etc.

[0184] The analysis type (Analytics Type) of the positioning analysis result may also be the expected positioning inference result (expected result) that the gNB expects to obtain. For example, the positioning inference result may be AI positioning prediction information (AI positioning prediction Info), line of sight (LOS) or non-line of sight (NLOS) probability (LOS / NLOS probability), time difference of arrival (TDOA) estimate (TDOA estimate), etc. The measurement information (Measurement Info) used to generate the positioning analysis result indicates which measurement data the gNB expects to use for training and / or inference of the first model, such as the LMF measurement identifier (LMF Measurement ID), the RAN measurement identifier (RAN Measurement ID), the transmission reception point (TRP) identifier (TRP ID), the cell identifier (cell ID), etc. Each entity that manages or performs measurement (LMF, RAN, TRP, cell, etc.) will have a corresponding identifier for each measurement. The positioning analysis result may be reported in a periodic manner, etc. The accuracy requirement of the positioning analysis result is used to indicate that the feedback positioning analysis result should meet the accuracy requirement. The area information indicates obtaining the positioning analysis result within a certain area.

[0185] In step S312, the AMF converts the content of the above message #1A into content that can be recognized by the subject performing positioning analysis (for example, NWDAF#1 below).

[0186] Exemplarily, the AMF may convert the analysis type of the positioning analysis result in the above message #1A into an analytics ID #A (analytics ID). For example, the analytics ID #A may be AI positioning analytics. If the above message #1A includes partial items of the positioning inference result, for example, the above message #1A includes the probability of LOS or NLOS (LOS / NLOS probability), the AMF may convert the analysis type of the positioning analysis result in the above message #1A into the requested positioning analysis result as an analytics subset (analytics subsets), where the analytics subsets may be LOS / NLOS probability. The AMF may convert the measurement information (Measurement Info) used to generate the positioning analysis result in the above message #1A into analytics filter information #A (Analytics Filter Information). The analytics filter information #A is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the positioning analysis result, or the conditions that the reported positioning analysis information needs to meet. The AMF may convert the reporting method of the above positioning analysis result and the accuracy requirement of the positioning analysis result into analytics reporting information (Analytics Reporting Info). The analysis report information may include reporting parameters and a preferred level of accuracy of the result. The reporting parameters may be a periodic reporting mode.

[0187] Optionally, the gNB may also directly include in message #1A content that can be identified by the subject performing the positioning analysis, in which case step S312 is not necessary. For example, the gNB may also directly include in message #1A at least one of the following information:

[0188] Analysis identification #A, analysis filtering information #A, analysis report information (Analytics Reporting Info), regional information, etc.

[0189] For example, the first association identifier #A can be designed in the following three ways:

[0190] Design method 1: Different connections are established between the same gNB and the AMF. To distinguish different subscription messages between the same gNB and the AMF, the gNB uses different connections to send different subscription messages. Therefore, different subscription messages can be identified by different transport network layer associations (TNLAs). The first association identifier #A included in different subscription messages carries different TNLAs.

[0191] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #A may be [TNLA].

[0192] Optionally, different subscription messages may be identified using different subscription differentiators (Subscription Differentiator), and the first association identifier #A included in different subscription messages carries different subscription differentiators.

[0193] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #A may be [Subscription Differentiator].

[0194] Design method 2: Different subscription messages may be sent between different gNBs and AMFs, and different subscription messages may be sent between each gNB in ​​different gNBs and AMFs. In order to distinguish different subscription messages between different gNBs and AMFs, the first association identifier #A included in different subscription messages carries different gNB identifiers and different TNLAs.

[0195] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #A may be [gNB ID, TNLA].

[0196] Optionally, different subscription messages may be identified using different gNB identifiers and different subscription discriminators. In this case, the first association identifier #A included in different subscription messages carries different gNB identifiers and different subscription discriminators.

[0197] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #A may be [gNB ID, Subscription Differentiator]

[0198] Design method three: The first association identifier #A can also be capable of indicating the analysis type of the location analysis. In this case, the first association identifier #A can also carry the analysis identifier #A (analytics ID) or the analysis type (Analytics Type) of the location analysis result. Optionally, the first association identifier #A can also carry the aforementioned area information.

[0199] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #A may be [gNB ID, Analytics ID or Analytics Type, TNLA].

[0200] Alternatively, the first association identifier #A may be [gNB ID, Analytics ID or Analytics Type, TAI, TNLA].

[0201] Alternatively, the first association identifier #A may be [gNB ID, Analytics ID or Analytics Type, Subscription Differentiator].

[0202] Alternatively, the first association identifier #A may be [gNB ID, Analytics ID or Analytics Type, TAI, Subscription Differentiator].

[0203] In step S314, AMF determines NWDAF#1 based on the above message #1A.

[0204] Exemplarily, the process of AMF determining NWDAF#1 may include the following four methods:

[0205] Method 1: When the gNB carries a request for obtaining positioning analysis results in Message #1A, which is not recognized by NWDAF#1, the AMF parses the content of Message #1A and converts it into content recognizable to NWDAF#1. For the specific conversion process, see step S312. The AMF determines or discovers NWDAF#1 based on the converted analysis identifier #A and / or area information.

[0206] The analysis identifier #A (analytics ID) is a positioning analysis type that can be provided and predefined by NWDAF#1.

[0207] For example, the NWDAF#1 determined by the AMF based on the analysis identifier #A is predefined with the analysis identifier #A and can provide the positioning analysis type indicated by the analysis identifier #A. Alternatively, the NWDAF#1 determined by the AMF based on the area information is deployed with a model that can infer the positioning analysis results within the area indicated by the area information, or the service area of ​​the NWDAF#1 determined by the AMF based on the area information includes the area indicated by the area information, etc. This application is not limited to this.

[0208] Method 2: When the gNB carries content that can be identified by NWDAF#1 in the above message #1A, the AMF parses the content of message #1A and determines or discovers NWDAF#1 based on the analysis identifier #A (analytics ID) and / or area information.

[0209] Exemplarily, the gNB carries at least one of the following information in the above message #1A:

[0210] Analysis identification #A, analysis filtering information #A, analysis report information (Analytics Reporting Info), regional information, etc.

[0211] Method 3: When the gNB carries content that can be recognized by NWDAF#1 in the above message #1A, the message #1A includes container #A (Analytics subscription container), first association identifier #A, analysis identifier #A, and area information. The AMF determines or discovers NWDAF#1 based on the analysis identifier #A and / or area information.

[0212] The first association identifier #A carried in the message #1A of the above-mentioned method 1, method 2, and method 3 is designed based on the above-mentioned design method 1 or the above-mentioned design method 2.

[0213] Method 4: When the gNB carries content that can be recognized by NWDAF#1 in the above message #1A, and the first association identifier #A is designed according to the above design method 3, the message #1A includes container #A and the first association identifier #A. The AMF determines or discovers NWDAF#1 based on the first association identifier #A.

[0214] The container #A includes the analysis identifier #A and at least one of the analysis filter information #A, the reporting method of the positioning analysis result, and the accuracy requirement of the positioning analysis result.

[0215] In step S316, the AMF generates a second association identifier #A and stores the correspondence between the first association identifier #A and the second association identifier #A.

[0216] In step S318, the AMF sends a message #2A to the NWDAF#1. The message #2A includes the second association identifier #A. Accordingly, the NWDAF#1 receives the message #2A from the AMF.

[0217] Exemplarily, the message #2A further includes at least one of the following information:

[0218] Analysis identification #A, the above analysis filtering information #A, the reporting method of the above positioning analysis results, the accuracy requirements of the above positioning analysis results, etc.

[0219] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned message #2A may be a subscription message or a request message, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0220] In step S320 , NWDAF#1 determines whether a model needs to be trained / updated based on message #2A, and obtains a first model.

[0221] If NWDAF#1 determines that model training / updating is necessary, the communication method 300 further includes steps S322 and S324. In step S322, NWDAF#1 sends message #3A to the LMF. In step S324, NWDAF#1 sends message #4A to the OAM. Messages #3A and #4A are used to collect data for model training / updating.

[0222] Illustratively, the above-mentioned message #3A and message #4A include at least one of the following information:

[0223] Event ID, event filtering information, event reporting information, TRP measurement quantities, etc.

[0224] Among them, the above-mentioned event identifier is used to indicate the type of data collected, for example, the event identifier (Event ID) is AI positioning data. The above-mentioned event filtering information (Event Filter Information) is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the collected data, for example, the event filtering information (Event Filter Information) is the measurement identifier (LMF Measurement ID) of the LMF, indicating that the data corresponding to the measurement identifier of the LMF is collected. The event reporting information (Event Reporting Information) is used to indicate the reporting method of the collected data, for example, the event reporting information (Event Reporting Information) can be a periodic reporting mode, etc. The above-mentioned TRP measurement quantities (TRP Measurement Quantities) include TRP measurement types (TRP Measurement Type), and the TRP measurement types include sounding reference signal power delay profile (SRS-PDP), SRS channel impulse response (SRS channel impulse response, SRS-CIR), etc.

[0225] LMF / OAM reports the data collected by NWDAF#1 to NWDAF#1.

[0226] If NWDAF#1 determines that model training / updating is not necessary, it indicates that the model pre-configured locally by NWDAF#1 can meet the requirements of the above message #2A, and NWDAF#1 does not need to collect data from LMF / OAM.

[0227] Step S326 : NWDAF# 1 performs positioning analysis using the first model based on the message # 2A and generates a positioning analysis result.

[0228] For example, the message #1A may further include inference data (input data) input to the first model, where the inference data may include uplink SRS-PDP (uplink SRS-PDP, UL SRS-PDP), uplink SRS-CIR (uplink SRS-CIR, UL SRS-CIR), etc. The AMF may convert the inference data of the first model input included in message #1A into analytics input data, carry the data in message #2A, and send the data to NWDAF #1.

[0229] Optionally, in step S328, NWDAF#1 performs positioning analysis using the first model based on the message #3A and the message #4A to generate a positioning analysis result.

[0230] If the above message #2A does not include the reasoning data input to the first model, NWDAF #1 may collect the reasoning data input to the first model from LMF / OAM through the above message #3A and the above message #4A.

[0231] For example, the inference data input when NWDAF#1 performs positioning analysis may be as shown in Table 1 below.

[0232] Table 1

[0233] For example, the positioning inference result generated by NWDAF#1 may include information as shown in Table 2 below.

[0234] Table 2

[0235] In step S330, NWDAF#1 sends message #8A to AMF. Message #8A includes the generated positioning analysis result and the second association identifier #A. Accordingly, AMF receives message #8A from NWDAF#1.

[0236] The AMF associates the message #8A with the message #2A according to the second association identifier #A, and determines that the message #8A is a response message or feedback message of the message #2A.

[0237] Furthermore, the AMF determines that feedback needs to be provided to the gNB based on the stored correspondence between the first association identifier #A and the second association identifier #A.

[0238] In step S332, the AMF sends message #9A to the gNB. Message #9A includes the positioning analysis result and the first association identifier #A. In response, the gNB receives message #9A from the AMF.

[0239] The gNB associates message #9A with the above-mentioned message #1A based on the first association identifier #A included in the message #9A, and determines that the message #9A is a response message or feedback message of the above-mentioned message #1A.

[0240] Through the above communication method 300, when the gNB cannot locally configure the AI ​​positioning model, the AI ​​positioning model can be configured on the NWDAF to assist the gNB in ​​obtaining positioning-related inference results. Furthermore, the above communication method 300 enables signaling interaction between the gNB and the NWDAF deployed with the AI ​​positioning model by carrying an association identifier in the information.

[0241] The NWDAF determined by the AMF in the aforementioned communication method 300 is NWDAF#1, which has both AnLF and MTLF. This application also provides another communication method 400, which can configure an AI positioning model on the NWDAF to assist the gNB in ​​obtaining positioning-related inference results and improve positioning accuracy. This communication method 400 differs from the aforementioned communication method 300 in that the NWDAF in this communication method 400 has either AnLF or MTLF.

[0242] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment illustrates the method by taking an access network device as a gNB in ​​a 5G communication system, the first network function as an AMF, and the second network functions as NWDAF#2 and NWDAF#3 as the execution entities of the interaction diagram, but the present application does not limit the execution entities of the interaction diagram. For example, the gNB in ​​FIG5 may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the methods implemented by the gNB, or may be a logic module or software that implements all or part of the gNB; the AMF may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the methods implemented by the AMF, or may be a logic module or software that implements all or part of the AMF; and NWDAF#2 and NWDAF#3 may also be chips, chip systems, or processors that support the methods implemented by NWDAF#2 and NWDAF#3, or may be logic modules or software that implement all or part of NWDAF#2 and NWDAF#3.

[0243] The communication method 400 may include the following steps:

[0244] Steps S410 to S418 may refer to the above-mentioned steps S310 to S318 and will not be described in detail here.

[0245] It should be noted that in step S414, the AMF determines NWDAF#2 instead of NWDAF#1.

[0246] In step S420, NWDAF#2 sends message #5A to NWDAF#3, where the message #5A is used to request to obtain the first model. Correspondingly, NWDAF#3 receives message #5A from NWDAF#2.

[0247] Illustratively, the message #5A includes at least one of the following information:

[0248] Analysis identifier #A, model filtering information (Model Filter Information), model reporting information (Model Reporting Information), etc.

[0249] The analysis identifier #A is used to indicate the type of analysis required for the requested model. The model filter information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the requested model. For example, the model filter information is area of ​​interest information, indicating that the requested model can provide analysis results within the area. The model reporting information is used to indicate the reporting method for the requested model. For example, the model reporting information can be a periodic reporting mode, etc.

[0250] In step S422 , NWDAF # 3 determines whether a model needs to be trained / updated based on message # 5A, and obtains a first model.

[0251] If NWDAF#3 determines that model training / updating is necessary, communication method 400 further includes steps S424 and S426. In step S424, NWDAF#3 sends message #6A to the LMF. In step S426, NWDAF#3 sends message #7A to the OAM. Messages #6A and #7A are used to collect data for model training / updating.

[0252] Illustratively, the above-mentioned message #6A and message #7A include at least one of the following information:

[0253] Event ID, event filtering information, event reporting information, TRP measurement quantities, etc.

[0254] Among them, the above-mentioned event identifier is used to indicate the type of data collected, for example, the event identifier (Event ID) is AI positioning data. The above-mentioned event filtering information (Event Filter Information) is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the collected data, for example, the event filtering information (Event Filter Information) is the measurement identifier (LMF Measurement ID) of the LMF, indicating that the data corresponding to the measurement identifier of the LMF is collected. The event reporting information (Event Reporting Information) is used to indicate the reporting method of the collected data, for example, the event reporting information (Event Reporting Information) can be a periodic reporting mode, etc. The above-mentioned TRP measurement quantities (TRP Measurement Quantities) include TRP measurement types (TRP Measurement Type), and the TRP measurement types include sounding reference signal power delay profile (SRS-PDP), SRS channel impulse response (SRS channel impulse response, SRS-CIR), etc.

[0255] LMF / OAM reports the data collected by NWDAF#3 to NWDAF#3.

[0256] If NWDAF#3 determines that the model does not need to be trained / updated, it indicates that the model pre-configured locally by NWDAF#3 can meet the requirements of the above message #5A, and NWDAF#3 does not need to collect data from LMF / OAM.

[0257] In step S428, NWDAF#3 feeds back message #10A to NWDAF#2, where the message #10A indicates the first model. Accordingly, NWDAF#2 receives message #10A from NWDAF#3.

[0258] Illustratively, the message #10A includes at least one of the following information:

[0259] Analysis identifier #A, the identifier of the first model (Model ID), the file address of the first model, etc.

[0260] Step S434: NWDAF#2 performs positioning analysis using the first model to generate a positioning analysis result.

[0261] For example, message #1A may also include inference data input to the first model, which may include UL SRS-PDP, UL SRS-CIR, etc. The AMF may convert the inference data input to the first model included in message #1A into analysis input data (analytics input data), carry the data in message #2A, and send it to NWDAF #1. NWDAF #2 then performs positioning analysis using the first model based on message #2A and generates a positioning analysis result.

[0262] If message #2A does not include the inference data for the first model, steps S430 and S432 are included before step S434. In step S430, NWDAF #2 sends message #3A to the LMF. In step S432, NWDAF #2 sends message #4A to the OAM. Messages #3A and #4A are used to collect the inference data for the first model from the LMF / OAM. Based on messages #3A and #4A, NWDAF #2 then performs positioning analysis using the first model and generates positioning analysis results.

[0263] In step S436, NWDAF#2 sends message #8A to AMF. Message #8A includes the generated positioning analysis result and the second association identifier #A. Accordingly, AMF receives message #8A from NWDAF#2.

[0264] The AMF associates the message #8A with the message #2A according to the second association identifier #A, and determines that the message #8A is a response message or feedback message of the message #2A.

[0265] Furthermore, the AMF determines that feedback needs to be provided to the gNB based on the stored correspondence between the first association identifier #A and the second association identifier #A.

[0266] In step S438, the AMF sends message #9A to the gNB. Message #9A includes the positioning analysis result and the first association identifier #A. In response, the gNB receives message #9A from the AMF.

[0267] The gNB associates message #9A with the above-mentioned message #1A based on the first association identifier #A included in the message #2A, and determines that the message #9A is a response message or feedback message of the above-mentioned message #1A.

[0268] Through the above communication method 400, when the gNB cannot locally configure the AI ​​positioning model, the AI ​​positioning model can be configured on the NWDAF to assist the gNB in ​​obtaining positioning-related inference results. Furthermore, the above communication method 400 enables signaling interaction between the gNB and the NWDAF deployed with the AI ​​positioning model by including an association identifier in the information.

[0269] The above communication methods 300 and 400 are described using positioning analysis as an example. This application may also provide a communication method 500, which is described using beam prediction as an example. When the gNB cannot locally configure the beam prediction model, the beam prediction model can be configured on the NWDAF, simplifying gNB functionality and reducing deployment costs.

[0270] Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the method is illustrated by taking the access network device as a gNB in ​​a 5G communication system, the first network function as an AMF, and the second network function as NWDAF#1 as the execution subject of the interaction diagram, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction diagram. For example, the gNB in ​​Figure 6 can also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the methods that can be implemented by the gNB, or a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the gNB; the AMF can also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the methods that can be implemented by the AMF, or a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the AMF; the NWDAF#1 can also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the methods that can be implemented by the NWDAF#1, or a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the NWDAF#1.

[0271] The communication method 500 may include the following steps:

[0272] In step S510, the gNB sends message #1B (Analytics subscription Request) to the AMF. Message #1B is used to request beam prediction results.

[0273] The above-mentioned message #1B includes a first association identifier #B, and the first association identifier #B is used to associate message #1B with message #9B.

[0274] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned message #1B may be an N2 message.

[0275] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned message #1B may be a subscription message or a request message, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0276] For example, the message #1B may contain information about the gNB requesting beam prediction. This information cannot be recognized by the entity performing beam prediction. Therefore, the AMF needs to convert the information contained in the message #1B into information that can be recognized by the entity performing beam prediction. For example, the message #1B includes at least one of the following information:

[0277] The analysis type of beam prediction results, the measurement information used to generate beam prediction results, the reporting method of beam prediction results, the accuracy requirements of beam prediction results, regional information, etc.

[0278] The analysis type (Analytics Type) of the beam prediction result may also be the beam prediction result (expected result) that the gNB expects to obtain. For example, the beam prediction result may be AI beam prediction information (AI beam prediction info), the likelihood of beam being the strongest beam (likeliness of beam being the strongest beam), or the top-K beams (top-K beams). The measurement information (Measurement Info) used to generate the beam prediction result indicates which measurement data the gNB expects to use for training and / or inference of the second model. For example, the measurement information may be a measurement ID (Measurement ID) or a cell ID (cell ID). Each entity managing or executing the measurement (RAN, UE, etc.) has a corresponding ID for each beam measurement. The reporting mode of the beam prediction result may be periodic reporting of the beam prediction result (periodic reporting mode). The accuracy requirement of the beam prediction result (predicted level of accuracy of the result) indicates that the fed-back beam prediction result must meet the accuracy requirement. The area information indicates that the analysis and inference model can provide beam prediction results within a specific area.

[0279] In step S512, the AMF converts the content of the above message #1B into content that can be recognized by the subject performing beam prediction (for example, NWDAF#1 below).

[0280] Exemplarily, the AMF may convert the analysis type of the beam prediction result in the above message #1B into an analytics ID #B (analytics ID). For example, the analytics ID #B may be AI beam analytics. If the above message #1B includes partial items of the wave number prediction result, for example, the above message #1B includes the optimal K beams (Top-K beams), the AMF may convert the analysis type of the beam prediction result in the above message #1B into the requested beam prediction result as an analytics subset (analytics subsets), which may be Top-K beams. The AMF may convert the measurement information (Measurement Info) used to generate the beam prediction result in the above message #1B into analytics filter information #B (Analytics Filter Information). The analytics filter information #B is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the beam prediction result, or the conditions that the reported beam analysis information needs to meet. The AMF may convert the reporting method of the above beam prediction result and the accuracy requirement of the beam prediction result into analytics reporting information (Analytics Reporting Info). The analysis report information may include reporting parameters and a preferred level of accuracy of the result. The reporting parameters may be a periodic reporting mode.

[0281] Optionally, the gNB may also directly include in the message #1B content that can be identified by the subject performing beam prediction, in which case step S512 is not necessary. For example, the gNB may also directly include in the message #1B at least one of the following information:

[0282] Analysis ID #B, analysis filter information #B, analysis report information (Analytics Reporting Info), regional information, etc.

[0283] For example, the first association identifier #B can be designed in the following three ways:

[0284] Design method 1: Different connections are established between the same gNB and the AMF. To distinguish different subscription messages between the same gNB and the AMF, the gNB uses different connections to send different subscription messages. Therefore, different subscription messages can be identified by different TNLAs. The first association identifier #B included in different subscription messages carries different TNLAs.

[0285] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #B may be [TNLA].

[0286] Optionally, different subscription messages may be identified using different subscription differentiators (Subscription Differentiator), and the first association identifiers #B included in different subscription messages carry different subscription differentiators.

[0287] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #B may be [Subscription Differentiator].

[0288] Design method 2: Different subscription messages may be sent between different gNBs and AMFs, and different subscription messages may be sent between each gNB in ​​different gNBs and AMFs. In order to distinguish different subscription messages between different gNBs and AMFs, the first association identifier #B included in different subscription messages carries different gNB identifiers and different TNLAs.

[0289] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #B may be [gNB ID, TNLA].

[0290] Optionally, different subscription messages may be identified using different gNB identifiers and different subscription discriminators. In this case, the first association identifier #B included in different subscription messages carries different gNB identifiers and different subscription discriminators.

[0291] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #B may be [gNB ID, Subscription Differentiator]

[0292] Design method three: The first association identifier #B can also be capable of indicating the analysis type of the beam prediction. In this case, the first association identifier #B can also carry the analysis identifier #B (analytics ID) or the analysis type (Analytics Type) of the beam prediction result. Optionally, the first association identifier #B can also carry the above-mentioned regional information.

[0293] Exemplarily, the first association identifier #B may be [gNB ID, Analytics ID or Analytics Type, TNLA].

[0294] Alternatively, the first association identifier #B may be [gNB ID, Analytics ID or Analytics Type, TAI, TNLA].

[0295] Alternatively, the first association identifier #B may be [gNB ID, Analytics ID or Analytics Type, Subscription Differentiator].

[0296] Alternatively, the first association identifier #B may be [gNB ID, Analytics ID or Analytics Type, TAI, Subscription Differentiator].

[0297] Step S514: AMF determines NWDAF#1 based on the above message #1B.

[0298] Exemplarily, the process of AMF determining NWDAF#1 may include the following four methods:

[0299] Method 1: When the gNB carries a request for beam prediction results in Message #1B, which is not recognized by NWDAF #1, the AMF parses the content of Message #1B and converts it into content recognizable to NWDAF #1. For the specific conversion process, see step S512. The AMF determines or discovers NWDAF #1 based on the converted analysis identifier #B and / or area information.

[0300] The analysis identifier #A (analytics ID) is an analysis type of beam prediction that can be provided by NWDAF#1 and is predefined.

[0301] Exemplarily, the NWDAF#1 determined by the AMF based on the analysis identifier #B is predefined with the analysis identifier #B and can provide the analysis type of the beam prediction indicated by the analysis identifier #B. Alternatively, the NWDAF#1 determined by the AMF based on the regional information is deployed with a model that can infer the beam prediction results within the area indicated by the regional information, or the NWDAF#1 determined by the AMF based on the regional information is within the area indicated by the regional information. This application is not limited to this.

[0302] Method 2: When the gNB carries content that can be identified by NWDAF#1 in the above message #1B, the AMF parses the content of message #1B and determines or discovers NWDAF#1 based on the analysis identifier #B (analytics ID) and / or area information.

[0303] Exemplarily, the gNB carries at least one of the following information in the above message #1B:

[0304] Analysis ID #B, analysis filter information #B, analysis report information (Analytics Reporting Info), regional information, etc.

[0305] Method 3: When the gNB carries content that can be recognized by NWDAF#1 in the above message #1B, the message #1B includes container #B (Analytics subscription container), first association identifier #B, analysis identifier #B, and area information. The AMF determines or discovers NWDAF#1 based on the analysis identifier #B and / or area information.

[0306] The first association identifier #B carried in the message #1B of the above-mentioned method 1, method 2, and method 3 is designed according to the above-mentioned design method 1 or the above-mentioned design method 2.

[0307] Method 4: When the gNB carries content that can be recognized by NWDAF#1 in the above message #1B, and the first association identifier #B is designed according to the above design method 3, the message #1B includes container #B and first association identifier #B, and the AMF determines or discovers NWDAF#1 based on the first association identifier #B.

[0308] Among them, the above-mentioned container #B includes the analysis identifier #B and at least one of the above-mentioned analysis filtering information #B, the reporting method of the above-mentioned beam prediction results, the accuracy requirements of the above-mentioned beam prediction results, etc.

[0309] In step S516, the AMF generates a second association identifier #B and stores the correspondence between the first association identifier #B and the second association identifier #B.

[0310] In step S518, the AMF sends a message #2B to the NWDAF#1. The message #2B includes the second association identifier #B. Accordingly, the NWDAF#1 receives the message #2B from the AMF.

[0311] Exemplarily, the message #2B includes at least one of the following information:

[0312] Analysis identification #B, the above analysis filtering information #B, the reporting method of the above beam prediction results, the accuracy requirements of the above beam prediction results, etc.

[0313] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned message #2B may be a subscription message or a request message, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0314] In step S520 , NWDAF#1 determines whether a model needs to be trained / updated based on message #2B, and obtains a second model.

[0315] If NWDAF#1 determines that model training / updating is necessary, communication method 500 further includes steps S522 and S524. In step S522, NWDAF#1 sends message #3B to the OAM. In step S524, NWDAF#1 sends message #4B to the DCAF. Based on message #4B, the DCAF sends a subscription message to the UE, requesting the UE to report the required data. Messages #3B and #4B are used to collect data for model training / updating.

[0316] Illustratively, the above-mentioned message #3B and message #4B include at least one of the following information:

[0317] Event ID, event filtering information, event reporting information, etc.

[0318] The above-mentioned event identifier is used to indicate the type of data collected, for example, the event identifier (Event ID) is AI beam data. The above-mentioned event filter information (Event Filter Information) is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the collected data, for example, the event filter information (Event Filter Information) is a measurement identifier (Measurement ID) or a cell identifier (cell ID), indicating that the data corresponding to the measurement identifier or the cell identifier is collected. The event reporting information (Event Reporting Information) is used to indicate the reporting method for the collected data, for example, the event reporting information (Event Reporting Information) can be a periodic reporting mode, etc.

[0319] OAM / DCAF / UE reports the data collected by NWDAF#1 to NWDAF#1.

[0320] If NWDAF#1 determines that the model does not need to be trained / updated, it indicates that the model pre-configured locally by NWDAF#1 can meet the requirements of the above message #2B, and NWDAF#1 does not need to collect data from OAM / DCAF / UE.

[0321] Step S526: NWDAF#1 performs beam prediction using the second model based on the message #2B to generate a beam prediction result.

[0322] For example, the message #1B also includes inference data input to the second model, which may include the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) of the beam. The AMF may convert the inference data input to the second model included in message #1B into analytics input data, carry the data in message #2B, and send it to NWDAF #1.

[0323] Optionally, in step S528, NWDAF#1 performs beam prediction using the second model based on the above message #3B and the above message #4B to generate a beam prediction result.

[0324] If the message #2B does not include the inference data input to the second model, the NWDAF #1 may collect the inference data input to the second model from the OAM and DCAF through the message #3B and the message #4B.

[0325] For example, the inference data input when NWDAF#1 performs beam prediction may be as shown in Table 3 below.

[0326] Table 3

[0327] Exemplarily, the information included in the beam prediction result generated by NWDAF#1 may be as shown in Table 4 or Table 5 below.

[0328] Table 4

[0329] Table 5

[0330] In step S530, NWDAF#1 sends message #8B to the AMF. Message #8B includes the generated beam prediction result and the second association identifier #B. Accordingly, the AMF receives message #8B from NWDAF#1.

[0331] The AMF associates the message #8B with the message #2B according to the second association identifier #B, and determines that the message #8B is a response message or feedback message of the message #2B.

[0332] Furthermore, the AMF determines that feedback needs to be provided to the gNB based on the stored correspondence between the first association identifier #B and the second association identifier #B.

[0333] In step S532, the AMF sends message #9B to the gNB. Message #9B includes the beam prediction result and the first association identifier #B. In response, the gNB receives message #9B from the AMF.

[0334] The gNB associates message #9B with the above-mentioned message #1B based on the first association identifier #B included in message #9B, and determines that message #9B is a response message or feedback message of the above-mentioned message #1B.

[0335] Through the above communication method 500, when the gNB cannot locally configure the AI ​​beam prediction model, the AI ​​beam prediction model can be configured on the NWDAF to assist the gNB in ​​obtaining beam prediction-related inference results. Furthermore, the above communication method 500 enables signaling interaction between the gNB and the NWDAF deployed with the AI ​​beam prediction model by carrying an association identifier in the information.

[0336] The NWDAF determined by the AMF in the communication method 500 is NWDAF#1, which has both AnLF and MTLF. This application also provides another communication method 600, which can configure the AI ​​beam prediction model on the NWDAF to assist the gNB in ​​obtaining beam prediction-related reasoning results. This communication method 600 differs from the communication method 500 described above in that the NWDAF in this communication method 600 has either AnLF or MTLF.

[0337] FIG7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment illustrates the method by taking an access network device as a gNB in ​​a 5G communication system, the first network function as an AMF, and the second network functions as NWDAF#2 and NWDAF#3 as the execution entities of the interaction diagram, but the present application does not limit the execution entities of the interaction diagram. For example, the gNB in ​​FIG7 may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the methods implemented by the gNB, or may be a logic module or software that implements all or part of the gNB; the AMF may also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the methods implemented by the AMF, or may be a logic module or software that implements all or part of the AMF; and NWDAF#2 and NWDAF#3 may also be chips, chip systems, or processors that support the methods implemented by NWDAF#2 and NWDAF#3, or may be logic modules or software that implement all or part of NWDAF#2 and NWDAF#3.

[0338] The communication method 600 may include the following steps:

[0339] Steps S610 to S618 may refer to the above-mentioned steps S510 to S518 and will not be described in detail here.

[0340] It should be noted that in step S614, the AMF determines NWDAF#2 instead of NWDAF#1.

[0341] In step S620, NWDAF#2 sends message #5B to NWDAF#3, where the message #5B is used to request to obtain the second model. Correspondingly, NWDAF#3 receives message #5B from NWDAF#2.

[0342] Exemplarily, the message #5B includes at least one of the following information:

[0343] Analysis identifier #B, model filtering information (Model Filter Information), model reporting information (Model Reporting Information), etc.

[0344] The analysis identifier #B is used to indicate the type of analysis required for the requested model. The model filter information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the requested model. For example, the model filter information is area of ​​interest information, indicating that the requested model can provide analysis results within the area. The model reporting information is used to indicate the reporting method for the requested model. For example, the model reporting information can be a periodic reporting mode, etc.

[0345] In step S622 , NWDAF # 3 determines whether a model needs to be trained / updated based on message # 5B, and obtains a second model.

[0346] If NWDAF#3 determines that model training / updating is necessary, communication method 600 further includes steps S624 and S626. In step S624, NWDAF#3 sends message #6B to the OAM. In step S626, NWDAF#3 sends message #7B to the DCAF. Based on message #7B, the DCAF sends a subscription message to the UE, requesting the UE to report the required data. Messages #6B and #7B are used to collect data for model training / updating.

[0347] Illustratively, the above-mentioned message #6B and message #7B include at least one of the following information:

[0348] Event ID, event filtering information, event reporting information, etc.

[0349] The above-mentioned event identifier is used to indicate the type of data collected, for example, the event identifier (Event ID) is AI beam data. The above-mentioned event filter information (Event Filter Information) is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the collected data, for example, the event filter information (Event Filter Information) is a measurement identifier (Measurement ID) or a cell identifier (cell ID), indicating that the data corresponding to the measurement identifier or the cell identifier is collected. The event reporting information (Event Reporting Information) is used to indicate the reporting method for the collected data, for example, the event reporting information (Event Reporting Information) can be a periodic reporting mode, etc.

[0350] OAM / DCAF / UE reports the data collected by NWDAF#3 to NWDAF#3.

[0351] If NWDAF#3 determines that the model does not need to be trained / updated, it indicates that the model pre-configured locally by NWDAF#3 can meet the requirements of the above message #5B, and NWDAF#3 does not need to collect data from OAM / DCAF / UE.

[0352] In step S628, NWDAF#3 feeds back message #10B to NWDAF#2, where message #10B is used to indicate the second model. Accordingly, NWDAF#2 receives message #10B from NWDAF#3.

[0353] Exemplarily, the message #10B includes at least one of the following information:

[0354] Analysis identifier #B, the identifier of the second model (Model ID), the file address of the second model, etc.

[0355] In step S634, NWDAF#2 performs beam prediction using the second model to generate a beam prediction result.

[0356] For example, message #1B may also include inference data input to the second model, which may include the RSRP of the beam. The AMF may convert the inference data input to the second model included in message #1B into analytics input data, carry the data in message #2B, and send it to NWDAF #1. NWDAF #2 then performs beam prediction based on message #2B using the second model and generates a beam prediction result.

[0357] If message #2B does not include inference data for the second model, steps S630 and S632 are performed before step S634. In step S630, NWDAF#2 sends message #3B to OAM. In step S632, NWDAF#2 sends message #4B to DCAF. Messages #3B and #4B collect inference data for the second model from OAM / DCAF. Based on messages #3B and #4B, NWDAF#2 performs beam prediction using the second model and generates a beam prediction result.

[0358] In step S636, NWDAF#2 sends message #8B to the AMF. Message #8B includes the generated beam prediction result and the second association identifier #B. Accordingly, the AMF receives message #8B from NWDAF#2.

[0359] The AMF associates the message #8B with the message #2B according to the second association identifier #B, and determines that the message #8B is a response message or feedback message of the message #2B.

[0360] Furthermore, the AMF determines that feedback needs to be provided to the gNB based on the stored correspondence between the first association identifier #B and the second association identifier #B.

[0361] In step S638, the AMF sends message #9B to the gNB. Message #9B includes the beam prediction result and the first association identifier #B. In response, the gNB receives message #9B from the AMF.

[0362] The gNB associates message #9B with the above-mentioned message #1B based on the first association identifier #B included in message #9B, and determines that message #9B is a response message or feedback message of the above-mentioned message #1B.

[0363] Through the above communication method 600, when the gNB cannot locally configure the AI ​​beam prediction model, the AI ​​beam prediction model can be configured on the NWDAF to assist the gNB in ​​obtaining beam prediction-related inference results. Furthermore, the above communication method 600 enables signaling interaction between the gNB and the NWDAF deployed with the AI ​​beam prediction model by carrying an association identifier in the information.

[0364] Finally, the device embodiment of the embodiment of the present application is introduced.

[0365] To implement the various functions of the method provided herein, the access network device, the first network function, and the second network function may each include hardware structures and / or software modules, with the aforementioned functions implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular one of the aforementioned functions is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0366] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 800 includes a processor 810 and a communication interface 820. Optionally, the processor 810 and the communication interface 820 may be interconnected via a bus 830. The communication device 800 may be an access network device, a first network function, or a second network function.

[0367] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a memory 840. The memory 840 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), and is used to store relevant instructions and data.

[0368] The processor 810 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). In the case where the processor 810 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0369] When the communication apparatus 800 is an access network device, illustratively, the communication apparatus 800 is configured to perform the following operations: sending first information to a first network function, or receiving fourth information from the first network function, etc.

[0370] When the communication device 800 is a first network function, illustratively, the communication device 800 is used to perform the following operations: receive first information from an access network device, or send second information to a second network function, etc.

[0371] When the communication device 800 is a second network function, illustratively, the communication device 800 is configured to perform the following operations: receive second information from the first network function, or perform analysis based on the second information using the first model.

[0372] When the communication device 800 is an access network device / first network function / second network function, it will be responsible for executing the methods or steps related to the access network device / first network function / second network function in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0373] The above description is merely exemplary. For details, please refer to the contents of the above method embodiments. The implementation of each operation in FIG8 may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiments shown in FIG2 to FIG7.

[0374] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. Communication device 900 may be an access network device, a first network function, or a second network function, or may be a chip or module within the access network device, the first network function, or the second network function, configured to implement the methods described in the above embodiments. Communication device 900 includes a transceiver unit 910 and a processing unit 920. The following provides an exemplary description of transceiver unit 910 and processing unit 920.

[0375] The transceiver unit 910 may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit is used to perform the transmitting operation of the communication device 900, and the receiving unit is used to perform the receiving operation of the communication device 900. For ease of description, the embodiment of the present application combines the transmitting unit and the receiving unit into a single transceiver unit. This is described here as a unified description and will not be repeated later.

[0376] When the communication apparatus 900 is an access network device, illustratively, the transceiver unit 910 is configured to send the first information to the first network function.

[0377] When the communication device 900 is a first network function, illustratively, the transceiver unit 910 is used to receive first information from an access network device, or the transceiver unit 910 is used to send second information to a second network function.

[0378] When the communication apparatus 900 is a second network device, illustratively, the transceiver unit 910 is configured to receive second information from the first network function, and the processing unit 920 is configured to perform analysis based on the second information using the first model.

[0379] When the communication device 900 is an access network device / first network function / second network function, it will be responsible for executing the methods or steps related to the access network device, first network function, or second network function in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0380] Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes a storage unit 930, which is used to store a program or code for executing the aforementioned method.

[0381] The device embodiments shown in Figures 8 and 9 are used to implement the contents described in Figures 2 to 7. The specific execution steps and methods of the devices shown in Figures 8 and 9 can refer to the contents described in the above method embodiments.

[0382] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of an access network device, a first network function, or a second network function. The communication device 1000 may be a chip in the access network device, the first network function, or the second network function.

[0383] Communication device 1000 includes an input / output interface 1020 and a processor 1010. Input / output interface 1020 may be an input / output circuit. Processor 1010 may be a signal processor, a chip, or other integrated circuit capable of implementing the method of the present application. Input / output interface 1020 is used for inputting or outputting signals or data.

[0384] For example, when the communication apparatus 1000 is an access network device, the input / output interface 1020 is used to send first information to the first network function, or the input / output interface 1020 is used to receive fourth information from the first network function.

[0385] For example, when the communication device 1000 is a first network function, the input / output interface 1020 is used to receive first information from an access network device, or the input / output interface 1020 is used to send second information to a second network function.

[0386] For example, when the communication device 1000 is a second network function, the input / output interface 1020 is configured to receive second information from the first network function, and the processor 1010 is configured to perform analysis based on the second information using the first model.

[0387] In one possible implementation, the processor 1010 implements the functions implemented by the access network device or the first network function or the second network function by executing instructions stored in the memory.

[0388] Optionally, the communication device 1000 further includes a memory.

[0389] Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together.

[0390] Optionally, the memory is outside the communication device 1000 .

[0391] In one possible implementation, the processor 1010 may be a logic circuit, which inputs / outputs messages or signals through the input / output interface 1020. The logic circuit may be a signal processor, a chip, or other integrated circuit that can implement the method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0392] The above description of the communication device 1000 is only an exemplary description. The communication device 1000 can be used to execute the method described in the above embodiment. For specific content, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0393] The present application also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling and executing instructions stored in a memory from the memory, so that a communication device equipped with the chip executes the methods in the above examples.

[0394] The present application also provides a chip, comprising: an input interface, an output interface, and a processor, wherein the input interface, the output interface, and the processor are connected via an internal connection path, and the processor is configured to execute code in a memory. When the code is executed, the processor is configured to execute the methods in the above examples. Optionally, the chip also includes a memory, which is configured to store computer programs or code.

[0395] The present application also provides a processor, which is coupled to a memory and is used to execute the methods and functions related to the access network device or the first network function or the second network function in any of the above embodiments.

[0396] The present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the method of the aforementioned embodiment is implemented.

[0397] The present application also provides a computer program. When the computer program is executed in a computer, the method of the aforementioned embodiment is implemented.

[0398] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the method described in the above embodiment is implemented.

[0399] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0400] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0401] In the several embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of units is only 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 system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0402] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

[0403] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0404] If the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of each method embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0405] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in 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, The method includes: A first network function receives first information from an access network device. The first information is used to request obtaining a first analysis result. The first information includes a first association identifier, and the first association identifier is used to associate the first information with fourth information; The first network function sends second information to a second network function based on the first information. The second information includes a second association identifier, and the second association identifier is used to associate the second information with third information; The first network function receives the third information from the second network function. The third information includes the second association identifier and the first analysis result; The first network function sends the fourth information to the access network device based on the third information. The fourth information includes the first association identifier and the first analysis result.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first information further includes at least one of the following: The analysis type of the first analysis result, measurement information used to generate the first analysis result, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, area information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The method further includes: The first network function determines the second information based on the first information. The second information includes at least one of the following: An analysis identifier, analysis filtering information, the area information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result. The analysis filtering information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the first analysis result.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information further includes at least one of the following: An analysis identifier, analysis filtering information, area information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result. The analysis filtering information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the first analysis result.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The first network function sending the second information to the second network function based on the first information includes: The first network function determines the second network function based on the analysis identifier and / or the area information; The first network function sends the second information to the second network function.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The first association identifier includes the analysis identifier and / or the area information. The first network function sending the second information to the second network function based on the first information includes: The first network function determines the second network function based on the first association identifier; The first network function sends the second information to the second network function.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The first information includes a first container, and the first container includes the analysis identifier and at least one of the following: The analysis filtering information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, The second information includes the information included in the first container.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first association identifier further includes indication information of the access network device and / or indication information associated with the transmission network layer corresponding to the first information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first association identifier and the second association identifier have a corresponding relationship.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The access network device sends first information to a first network function, where the first information is used to request to obtain a first analysis result, and the first information includes a first association identifier, and the first association identifier is used to associate the first information with fourth information; The access network device receives the fourth information from the first network function, where the fourth information includes the first association identifier and the first analysis result.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first information further includes at least one of the following: The analysis type of the first analysis result, measurement information used to generate the first analysis result, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, area information.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first information further includes at least one of the following: An analysis identifier, analysis filtering information, area information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, and the analysis filtering information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the first analysis result.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein The first information includes a first container, and the first container includes the analysis identifier and at least one of the following: The analysis filtering information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first association identifier includes the analysis identifier and / or the area information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, The first association identifier further includes indication information of the access network device and / or indication information associated with the transmission network layer corresponding to the first information.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: A second network function receives second information from a first network function, where the second information is used to request to obtain a first analysis result, and the second information includes a second association identifier, and the second association identifier is used to associate the second information with third information; The second network function analyzes based on the second information using a first model to obtain the first analysis result; The second network function sends the third information to the first network function, where the third information includes the second association identifier and the first analysis result.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The second information includes at least one of the following: An analysis identifier, analysis filtering information, area information, the reporting method of the first analysis result, the accuracy requirement of the first analysis result, and the analysis filtering information is used to indicate the conditions satisfied by the first analysis result.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The method further includes: The second network function determines the first model based on the second information.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, Including a processor, where the processor is used to, by executing a computer program or instruction, cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, or cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 16 to 18.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein, The communication device further includes a memory, and the memory is used to store the computer program or instruction.

21. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein The communication device further includes a communication interface, and the communication interface is used to input and / or output signals.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instruction is stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program or the instruction runs on a computer, Cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 to be executed, or cause the method according to any one of claims 10 to 15 to be executed, or cause the method according to any one of claims 16 to 18 to be executed.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that, Comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, Cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 to be executed, or cause the method according to any one of claims 10 to 15 to be executed, or cause the method according to any one of claims 16 to 18 to be executed.

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