Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a first access network device receiving a first message sent by a second access network device, wherein the first message comprises an identifier of one or more first network slices and / or an identifier of a second network slice, each first network slice is an original network slice providing services for a terminal device, and the second network slice is a network slice currently providing services for the terminal device; and the first access network device performing slice-aware access control after receiving the first message. The embodiments of the present application avoid service interruption caused by a first access network device failing to use a second network slice that currently provides services for a terminal device, thereby ensuring the service continuity of the terminal device, and improving the communication quality.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is based on the Chinese patent application with application number 202410030127.1 and application date of January 8, 2024, and claims the priority of the Chinese patent application. The entire content of the Chinese patent application is hereby introduced into this application as a reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] Network slicing is one of the hallmark technologies that distinguishes 5G (5th-generation mobile communication technology) from 4G (4th-generation mobile communication technology). Unlike the traditional 4G network's "one pipeline, best-effort" model, 5G network slicing aims to provide multiple end-to-end logical "dedicated networks" based on a unified infrastructure and network. This provides on-demand network services tailored to different scenarios, optimally adapting to the diverse business needs of industry users.

[0005] When a terminal device switches network slices in the source base station's cell, the source base station replaces the original network slice with an alternative network slice to provide services for the terminal device. When the terminal device needs to switch from the source base station's cell to the target base station's cell, the target base station may not support the alternative network slice, and the current mechanism does not support restoration to the original network slice. As a result, the terminal device cannot switch to the target base station's cell, causing service interruption and severely affecting communication quality. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus that can ensure the service continuity of terminal equipment and improve the quality of communication.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is performed by a first access network device, including:

[0008] Receive a first message sent by a second access network device, where the first message includes one or more identifiers of a first network slice and / or an identifier of a second network slice, where the first network slice is the original network slice providing services to the terminal device, and the second network slice is the network slice currently providing services to the terminal device; perform perception slice access control after receiving the first message.

[0009] During a handover of a terminal device from a cell of a second access network device to a cell of a first access network device, the identifiers of one or more first network slices included in a first message sent by the second access network device instruct the first access network device to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device. This avoids service interruption caused by the first access network device being unable to use the second network slice currently providing services to the terminal device, thereby ensuring service continuity for the terminal device and improving communication quality.

[0010] The second network slice is the network slice that provides services to the terminal after the network slice is replaced. If one or more first network slices do not meet the conditions, the first access network device determines whether the second network slice can provide services to the terminal device. If it is determined that the second network slice can provide services to the terminal device, the second network slice is used to provide services to the terminal device.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first message also includes an area supported by the first network slice and / or an area supported by the second network slice.

[0012] In this way, the first access network device preferentially selects the first network slice that has a similar area to the second network slice support area.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first message also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the reason why the second access network device changes the network slice.

[0014] Through the first indication information, the second access network device informs the first access network device that since the first network slice has resource congestion on the second access network device or the second access network device does not support the first network slice, the second access network device uses the second network slice instead of the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first message also includes a priority of the first network slice.

[0016] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a second message to a core network element, the second message including an identifier of the one or more first network slices, and the second message is used to inquire whether the core network element can support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a third message sent by the core network element, the third message including second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0018] In some embodiments, the third message also includes priority information and / or failure cause information of the first network slice.

[0019] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining whether to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device based on a first condition; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following information: the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the second indication information.

[0020] In some embodiments, determining whether to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on the first condition includes: when the first condition is met, determining to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device;

[0021] Among them, satisfying the first condition includes the following situations: the first access network device supports the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is less than a first preset threshold, and the second indication information indicates that the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0022] In some embodiments, determining whether to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device based on the first condition includes: when the first condition is not met, determining that the first network slice cannot be used to provide services to the terminal device;

[0023] Among them, the failure to meet the first condition includes at least one of the following situations: the first access network device does not support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, or the second indication information indicates that the core network network element does not support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a fourth message to the second access network device, the fourth message including an identifier of the first network slice selected by the first access network device to provide services to the terminal device, and the fourth message is used to indicate that access to the protocol data unit PDU session corresponding to the selected first network slice is allowed.

[0025] In some embodiments, the fourth message also includes at least one of the following information: the area supported by the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the resource occupancy of the second network slice in the first access network device.

[0026] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is performed by a second access network device, including:

[0027] A first message is sent to a first access network device, where the first message includes one or more identifiers of a first network slice and / or an identifier of a second network slice, where the first network slice is the original network slice that provides services to the terminal device, and the second network slice is the network slice that currently provides services to the terminal device.

[0028] During a handover of a terminal device from a cell of a second access network device to a cell of a first access network device, the second access network device sends a first message to the first access network device. The first message includes one or more identifiers of the first network slice, instructing the first access network device to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device. This prevents service interruption caused by the first access network device being unable to use the second network slice currently providing services to the terminal device, thereby ensuring service continuity for the terminal device and improving communication quality.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first message also includes an area supported by the first network slice and / or an area supported by the second network slice.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first message also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the reason why the second access network device changes the network slice.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first message also includes a priority of the first network slice.

[0032] In some embodiments, a fourth message sent by the first access network device is received, the fourth message including an identifier of the first network slice selected by the first access network device to provide services to the terminal device, and the fourth message is used to indicate that access to the protocol data unit PDU session corresponding to the selected first network slice is allowed.

[0033] In some embodiments, the fourth message also includes at least one of the following information: the area supported by the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the resource occupancy of the second network slice in the first access network device.

[0034] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is performed by a core network element, including:

[0035] Receive a second message sent by the first access network device, where the second message includes one or more identifiers of the first network slices, and the second message is used to inquire whether the core network element can support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0036] By asking the core network element whether it can support the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device, it is ensured that the first network slice can provide services to the terminal device when all conditions are met, thereby ensuring the continuity of the terminal device's services and improving the communication quality.

[0037] In some embodiments, a third message is sent to the first access network device, the third message including second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0038] In some embodiments, the third message includes priority information and / or failure cause information of the first network slice.

[0039] If multiple first network slices meet the conditions, one of the first network slices is selected based on the priority information of the first network slices to provide services to the terminal device. Alternatively, if the core network element does not support providing services to the terminal device, the first access network device is informed of the failure reason information that all network slices are not supported, and all network slices include the first network slice and the second network slice.

[0040] In some embodiments, the second indication information may be a first network slice list supported by the core network network element and / or a first network slice list supported by the core network non-device.

[0041] In some embodiments, the third message includes priority information of the first network slice.

[0042] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element.

[0043] In some embodiments, based on the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network network element, determining whether the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device includes: when the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network network element is less than a second preset threshold, determining that the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device; when the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network network element is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold, determining that the core network network element does not support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0045] a receiving module, configured to receive a first message sent by a second access network device, where the first message includes one or more identifiers of a first network slice and / or an identifier of a second network slice, where the first network slice is an original network slice providing services to a terminal device, and the second network slice is a network slice currently providing services to the terminal device;

[0046] A processing module is used to perform perception slice access control after receiving the first message.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first message also includes an identifier of a second network slice, where the second network slice is the network slice currently providing services for the terminal device.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first message also includes the area supported by the first network slice and / or the area supported by the second network slice

[0049] In some embodiments, the first message also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the reason why the second access network device changes the network slice.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first message also includes priority information of the first network slice.

[0051] In some embodiments, the communication device further includes a sending module, configured to send a second message to a core network element, where the second message includes an identifier of the first network slice, and the second message is used to inquire whether the core network element can support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device;

[0052] In some embodiments, the receiving module is further used to receive a third message sent by the core network network element, and the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0053] In some embodiments, the third message also includes priority information and / or failure cause information of the first network slice.

[0054] In some embodiments, the processing module is also used to determine whether to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on a first condition; wherein, the first condition includes at least one of the following information: the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the second indication information.

[0055] In some embodiments, the processing module is also used to determine the use of the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device when the first condition is met; wherein, satisfying the first condition includes the following situations: the first access network device supports the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is less than a first preset threshold, and the second indication information indicates that the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device.

[0056] In some embodiments, the processing module is also used to determine that the first network slice cannot be used to provide services to the terminal device when the first condition is not met; wherein, not meeting the first condition includes at least one of the following situations: the first access network device does not support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, or the second indication information indicates that the core network network element does not support the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device.

[0057] In some embodiments, the sending module is also used to send a fourth message to the second access network device, wherein the fourth message includes an identifier of the first network slice selected by the first access network device to provide services to the terminal device, and the fourth message is used to indicate that access to the protocol data unit PDU session corresponding to the selected first network slice is allowed.

[0058] In some embodiments, the fourth message also includes at least one of the following information: the area supported by the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the resource occupancy of the second network slice in the first access network device.

[0059] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the first aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0060] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0061] A sending module is used to send a first message to a first access network device, where the first message includes one or more identifiers of a first network slice and / or an identifier of a second network slice, where the first network slice is the original network slice that provides services to the terminal device, and the second network slice is the network slice that currently provides services to the terminal device.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first message also includes an identifier of a second network slice, where the second network slice is the network slice currently providing services for the terminal device.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first message also includes an area supported by the first network slice and / or an area supported by the second network slice.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first message also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the reason why the second access network device changes the network slice.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first message also includes a priority of the first network slice.

[0066] In some embodiments, the communication device also includes a receiving module for receiving a fourth message sent by the first access network device, the fourth message including an identifier of the first network slice selected by the first access network device to provide services to the terminal device, and the fourth message is used to indicate that access to the protocol data unit PDU session corresponding to the selected first network slice is allowed.

[0067] In some embodiments, the fourth message also includes at least one of the following information: the area supported by the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the resource occupancy of the second network slice in the first access network device.

[0068] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the second aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0069] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0070] The receiving module is used to receive a second message sent by the first access network device, where the second message includes one or more identifiers of the first network slices, and the second message is used to inquire whether the core network element can support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0071] In some embodiments, the communication device also includes a sending module for sending a third message to the first access network device, and the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0072] In some embodiments, the third message includes priority information and / or failure cause information of the first network slice.

[0073] In some embodiments, the communication device also includes a processing module for determining whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element.

[0074] In some embodiments, the processing module is further used to determine that the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device when the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element is less than a second preset threshold; and to determine that the core network element does not support the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device when the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold.

[0075] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the third aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0076] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program; the processor being used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0077] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device performs a method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0078] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program; the processor being used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device performs a method as described in any one of the third aspects.

[0079] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, which, when executed, enables the method described in any one of the first to third aspects to be implemented.

[0080] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when executed, enables the method described in any one of the first to third aspects to be implemented.

[0081] In a twelfth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to communicate with an external device or an internal device, and the processor is used to implement the methods in the above aspects.

[0082] In some embodiments, the chip may further include a memory storing a computer program or instruction, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instruction stored in the memory, or other programs or instructions. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the processor is configured to implement the above-described various aspects of the method.

[0083] In some embodiments, the chip can be integrated into an access network device or a core network element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology, the accompanying drawings required in the embodiments of the present application or the background technology will be described below.

[0085] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a CU-DU network structure;

[0087] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a cell handover process;

[0088] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a core network element provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] As shown in Figure 1, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system mainly includes terminal equipment, core network equipment and access network equipment. Among them:

[0094] Terminal devices, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile stations (MS), and mobile terminals (MT), refer to devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users. Examples include handheld devices and in-vehicle devices with wireless connectivity. Currently, some examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving cars, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes.

[0095] Access network equipment refers to the radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects terminals to the wireless network. It can also be called a base station. Examples of RAN nodes include the evolved Node B (gNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home evolved Node B (HNB), base band unit (BBU), and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP).

[0096] The access network equipment and terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water; and can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0097] As shown in Figure 2, a schematic diagram of the CU-DU network architecture is provided. Access network equipment may include centralized unit (CU) nodes, distributed unit (DU) nodes, or RAN equipment including CU and DU nodes. The RAN equipment including CU and DU nodes splits the protocol layers of the gNB in ​​the NR system, centrally controlling some protocol layer functions in the CU and distributing some or all of the remaining protocol layer functions in the DU, which is then centrally controlled by the CU. Furthermore, the centralized unit (CU) can be further divided into the control plane (CU-CP) and the user plane (CU-UP). The CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions, primarily including RRC and the control plane's corresponding packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), also known as PDCP-C. PDCP-C is primarily responsible for encryption, decryption, integrity protection, and data transmission of control plane data. The CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions, primarily including the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) and the user plane's corresponding PDCP, also known as PDCP-U. SDAP is primarily responsible for processing core network data and mapping flows to bearers. The PDCP-U is primarily responsible for data plane encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, sequence number maintenance, and data transmission. The CU-CP and CU-UP are connected via the E1 interface. The CU-CP represents the gNB's connection to the core network via the NG interface. It connects to the DU via the F1 control plane, or F1-C. The CU-UP connects to the DU via the F1 user plane, or F1-U. Alternatively, the PDCP-C may also reside in the CU-UP.

[0098] Core network equipment refers to the network elements in the core network (CN) that provide service support for terminals. At present, some common core network elements include access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, session management function (SMF) entity, user plane function (UPF) entity, network slice selection function (NSSF) entity, policy control function (PCF) entity, etc., which are not listed here one by one. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting to the external network; the NSSF entity is responsible for selecting the network slice adopted by the user service; the PCF entity is responsible for user policy control, including session policy, mobility policy, etc. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, the AMF entity can also be referred to as AMF network element or AMF functional entity. For another example, the SMF entity can also be referred to as SMF network element or SMF functional entity.

[0099] The communication system can be applicable to a long term evolution (LTE) system, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) system, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G) or a next generation wireless communication system, etc.

[0100] In the current switching scenario, the source base station will send a switching preparation message to the target base station, the target base station will perform access control, and reply the switching command to the source base station. When the core network element (such as NSSF or PCF) or the operation administration and maintenance (OAM) entity detects that the network slice currently serving the UE is unavailable or congested, it sends a notification message to the AMF, and the notification message includes single network slice selection assistance information (alternative S-NSSAI). The AMF determines whether to use an alternative network slice to replace the current network slice (original network slice). Alternative S-NSSAI is defined as a compatible slice selected in the allowed network slice selection assistance information (Allowed NSSAI) for replacing the current network slice when the current network slice is unavailable or congested, wherein the Allowed NSSAI indicates the network slices currently available under the serving public land mobile network (PLMN) within the registration area of ​​the UE.

[0101] At this time, the core network can initiate a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment process, so that the source base station replaces the original network slice with an alternative network slice, and associates the original PDU session or establishes a new PDU session. The source base station continues to provide services to the UE using the alternative network slice. When the UE needs to switch cells, a target base station that meets the switching conditions may not support the alternative network slice but supports the original network slice. Since the target base station cannot accept the alternative network slice, and the current mechanism does not support restoring the switched UE to the original network slice, the UE cannot switch to the target base station, resulting in interruption of the UE's service continuity.

[0102] As shown in Figure 3, base station 1 supports network slice 1 and network slice 2, base station 2 only supports network slice 1, and the UE currently receives services from network slice 1. When network slice 1 is congested in the core network, the core network element needs to change the network slice for the UE in base station 1. The core network element can use the PDU session setup process to change the network slice providing services to the UE from network slice 1 to network slice 2. When the UE initiates a cell handover to base station 2, base station 2 only supports network slice 1 and not network slice 2. Since the UE cannot receive services on network slice 1, the UE cannot reside on base station 2.

[0103] In order to solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions.

[0104] As shown in Figure 4, Figure 4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment of the present application, the first access network device may be a target base station, and the second access network device may be a source base station. The communication method mainly includes the following steps:

[0105] S401, a first access network device receives a first message sent by a second access network device, where the first message includes one or more identifiers of a first network slice, where the first network slice is an original network slice that provides services to a terminal device.

[0106] Specifically, the terminal device is located in the cell of the second access network device. The second access network device first uses the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device. When it is detected that the first network slice has resource congestion or does not support the first network slice on the second access network device, the second access network device replaces the network slice and uses the second network slice to replace the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device. The first network slice is the network slice that provided services to the terminal device before the network slice was replaced, and the second network slice is the network slice that currently provides services to the terminal device after the network slice was replaced. Afterwards, if the terminal device needs to switch from the cell of the second access network device to the cell of the first access network device, for example, during the process of the terminal device moving from the cell of the second access network device to the cell of the first access network device, the quality of the signal received by the terminal device from the first access network device is better than the quality of the signal received from the second access network device, the second access network device can send a switching request message to the first access network device. The switching request message is used to request switching from the cell of the second access network device to the cell of the first access network device.

[0107] The first message may be a handover request message, that is, the handover request message may carry one or more identifiers of the first network slice. The first message may also be a message other than the handover request message, that is, after the second access network device determines that the terminal device needs to be handed over from the cell of the second access network device to the cell of the first access network device, it may send the first message and the handover request message. The order in which the handover request message and the first message are sent is not limited.

[0108] Optionally, when the core network element detects that the first network slice experiences resource congestion or does not support the first network slice on the second access network device, the core network element may send a PDU session establishment request corresponding to the second network slice to the second access network device, so that the second access network device replaces the first network slice with the second network slice, and associates the second network slice with the original PDU session or establishes a new PDU session associated with the second network slice. The PDU session establishment request may include the identifier of the first network slice and the identifier of the second network slice.

[0109] Optionally, the first message includes an identifier of a second network slice, where the second network slice is the network slice currently providing services for the terminal device. If the first access network device does not support any of the multiple first network slices, or the resource occupancy of the multiple first network slices on the first access network device is greater than or equal to a first preset threshold, the first access network device determines that the multiple first network slices are unable to provide services for the terminal device. In this case, the first access network device may determine whether the second network slice can provide services for the terminal device, and if the second network slice can provide services for the terminal device, the second network slice is used to provide services for the terminal device.

[0110] Optionally, the first message also includes an area supported by the first network slice and / or an area supported by the second network slice. The granularity of the area can be a cell level, a tracking area (TA) level, or a PLMN level. In this way, the first access network device preferentially selects a first network slice that has a similar area to the area supported by the second network slice.

[0111] Optionally, the first message also includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the reason why the second access network device changes the network slice. This notifies the first access network device that because the first network slice is resource congested or does not support the first network slice on the second access network device, the second access network device uses the second network slice to replace the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0112] In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving the first message, the first access network device performs slice access control based on the first network slice. Specifically, the steps include:

[0113] The first access network device determines whether to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device after the terminal device switches from the second access network device to the first access network device based on the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice and / or the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device. The switching from the second access network device to the first access network device may be a cell-level switch. Furthermore, if the first access network device supports the first network slice and the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is less than a first preset threshold, the first access network device determines to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device. If the first access network device does not support the first network slice, or the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, the first access network device determines not to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device. The first preset threshold is configured in advance to the first access network device by the network management or the core network element.

[0114] If the first access network device supports at least two first network slices, and the resource occupancy of at least two first network slices in the first access network device is less than a first preset threshold, the first access network device can select one first network slice from the at least two first network slices to provide services for the terminal device.

[0115] Optionally, the first message may include priority information of multiple first network slices. The priority information may be configured by the first access network. If the first access network device supports at least two first network slices, and the resource occupancy of the at least two first network slices on the first access network device is less than a first preset threshold, the first access network device may select one first network slice from the at least two first network slices based on the priority information of the at least two first network slices to provide services to the terminal device. For example, a first network slice with a higher priority may be selected to provide services to the terminal device.

[0116] The embodiments of the present application may include the following possible implementations:

[0117] Implementation method 1: After the first access network device determines that the first network slice can provide services for the terminal device based on the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice and / or the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, the first access network device can directly use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0118] Implementation method two: based on the first condition, determine whether to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device; wherein, the first condition includes at least one of the following information: the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the second indication information. That is, after receiving the first message, the first access network device continues to request the core network network element to determine whether the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device. Then, the first access network device determines whether to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device based on the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, and the second indication information returned by the core network network element. The second indication information can be a list of first network slices supported by the core network network element and / or a list of first network slices not supported by the core network device.

[0119] Implementation method three: After the first access network device determines that one or more first network slices can provide services for the terminal device based on the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice and / or the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, the first access network device further requests the core network network element to determine whether the core network network element supports the one or more first network slices to provide services for the terminal device. Then, the first access network device finally determines whether to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on the second indication information returned by the core network network element.

[0120] For the above implementation methods 2 and 3, the embodiment of the present application may further include the following steps:

[0121] S402, the first access network device sends a second message to the core network network element, where the second message includes the identifier of the first network slice, and the second message is used to inquire whether the core network element can support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0122] Optionally, the second message may also include an identifier of the second network slice.

[0123] S403, the first access network device receives a third message sent by the core network network element, and the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0124] Specifically, after receiving the second message, the core network network element determines whether the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device based on the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network network element. Further, when the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network network element is less than the second preset threshold, the core network network element determines that the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device, and the third message may include an identifier of the first network slice supported by the core network. When the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network network element is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold, the core network network element determines that the core network network element does not support the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device, and the third message may include an identifier of the first network slice that is not supported by the core network network element.

[0125] Optionally, if the core network element does not support all first network slices, the third message may include an identifier of the second network slice, indicating that the core network element does not support all first network slices. Alternatively, if the core network element does not support all network slices, the third message may include failure cause information, informing the first access network device that the failure cause information is that all network slices are not supported, wherein all network slices include the first network slice and the second network slice.

[0126] After receiving the third message, the first access network device determines, based on the second indication information, whether to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device after the terminal device switches from the cell of the second access network device to the cell of the first access network device. Further, if the second indication information indicates that the core network network element supports the first network slice providing services to the terminal device, the first access network device determines to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device. If the second indication information indicates that the core network network element does not support the first network slice providing services to the terminal device, the first access network device determines that the first network slice cannot be used to provide services to the terminal device. Further, if the second indication information indicates that the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device, the first access network device determines resource usage of the first network slice on the first access network device. When the resource usage of the first network slice on the first access network device is less than a first preset threshold, the first access network device determines to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device. When the resource usage of the first network slice on the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, the first access network device determines that the first network slice cannot be used to provide services to the terminal device.

[0127] It can be seen that the first access network device combines the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, and the second indication information to determine whether to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device.

[0128] Optionally, the second message can also be used to request modification of the established PDU session resources. If the core network element does not support the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device, the third message returned by the core network element carries a first identifier, and the first identifier is a PDU session resource modification failure identifier. The first identifier is used to indicate that the core network element does not support the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device. If the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device, the third message returned by the core network element carries a second identifier, and the second identifier is a PDU session resource modification confirmation identifier. The second identifier is used to indicate that the PDU session resources corresponding to the second network slice are modified to the PDU session resources corresponding to the first network slice.

[0129] The second indication information may include one or more bits, and one bit corresponds to one first network slice. For example, if the second message includes the identifiers of three first network slices (network slice 1, network slice 2, and network slice 3), the first access network device requests the core network network element to determine whether it supports the three first network slices to provide services for the terminal device. In this case, the second indication information may include 3 bits, Bit1 corresponds to network slice 1, Bit2 corresponds to network slice 2, and Bit3 corresponds to network slice 3. If the second indication information is 110, it means that the core network network element supports network slice 1 and network slice 2 to provide services for the terminal device, and does not support network slice 3 to provide services for the terminal device. 0 and 1 can also be indicated in reverse, 0 indicates support, and 1 indicates support.

[0130] Optionally, the third message may include priority information of the first network slice. The priority information may be configured by the first access network. If the core network element supports at least two first network slices providing services to the terminal device, after the first access network device receives the third message sent by the core network element, it may select a first network slice from the at least two first network slices based on the priority information of the at least two first network slices to provide services to the terminal device. For example, the first network slice with the highest priority may be selected from the at least two first network slices to provide services to the terminal device.

[0131] Optionally, the second message may include a list of network slices supported by the first access network device (including the identifiers of one or more network slices), and the core network network element may select other network slices other than the first network slice and the second network slice for the terminal device in combination with the list of network slices supported by the terminal device and the list of network slices supported by the first access network device, and send a third message to the first access network device, wherein the third message includes the identifiers of the other network slices. That is, in the case where the core network network element does not support all the first network slices selected by the first access network device, the core network network element may select other network slices for the terminal device to provide services to the terminal device. After receiving the third message, the first access network device determines whether it supports the use of other network slices selected by the core network to provide services to the terminal device. If it supports the use of other network slices to provide services to the terminal device, the first access network device uses other network slices to provide services to the terminal device.

[0132] S404, the first access network device sends a fourth message to the second access network device, the fourth message including the identifier of the first network slice selected by the first access network device to provide services to the terminal device, and the fourth message is used to indicate that access to the PDU session corresponding to the selected first network slice is allowed.

[0133] Optionally, the fourth message may also include an identifier of the second network slice or an identifier of another network slice. That is, when it is determined that all first network slices are unable to provide services for the terminal device, the first access network device notifies the second access network device to use the second network slice or another network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0134] Optionally, the fourth message further includes at least one of the following information: an area supported by the first network slice, resource occupancy of the first network slice on the first access network device, or resource occupancy of the second network slice on the first access network device. In this way, the second access network device can select a suitable target access network device for the terminal device based on the above information.

[0135] In an embodiment of the present application, during a handover of a terminal device from a cell of a second access network device to a cell of a first access network device, the second access network device sends a first message to the first access network device. The first message includes one or more identifiers of the first network slice, instructing the first access network device to use the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device. This prevents service interruption caused by the first access network device being unable to use the second network slice currently providing services to the terminal device, thereby ensuring service continuity for the terminal device and improving communication quality.

[0136] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the access network equipment can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the access network equipment, and the methods and operations implemented by the core network network elements can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the core network network elements.

[0137] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the access network equipment or the core network element according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The following is an example of dividing each functional module according to each function.

[0138] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figure 4. Below, the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail in conjunction with Figures 5 and 6. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, for matters not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiment above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0139] 5 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 501 , a processing module 502 , and a sending module 503 .

[0140] Optionally, the communication device may implement steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the access network device in the above method embodiments. For example, it may be an access network device, or a chip or circuit configured in the access network device. The receiving module 501 and the sending module 503 are used to perform the transmission and reception related operations on the access network device side in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 502 is used to perform the processing related operations of the access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0141] In one embodiment:

[0142] A receiving module 501 is configured to receive a first message sent by a second access network device, where the first message includes an identifier of one or more first network slices, where the first network slice is an original network slice providing services for a terminal device;

[0143] The processing module 502 is used to perform perception slice access control after receiving the first message.

[0144] Optionally, the first message also includes an identifier of a second network slice, where the second network slice is the network slice currently providing services for the terminal device.

[0145] Optionally, the first message also includes the area supported by the first network slice and / or the area supported by the second network slice.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first message also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the reason why the second access network device changes the network slice.

[0147] Optionally, the first message also includes priority information of the first network slice.

[0148] Optionally, a sending module 503 is configured to send a second message to a core network element, where the second message includes an identifier of the first network slice, and the second message is used to inquire whether the core network element can support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device;

[0149] Optionally, the receiving module 501 is also used to receive a third message sent by the core network network element, where the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0150] Optionally, the third message also includes priority information and / or failure cause information of the first network slice.

[0151] Optionally, the processing module 502 is also used to determine whether to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on a first condition; wherein the first condition includes at least one item of the following information: the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the second indication information.

[0152] Optionally, the processing module 502 is also used to determine the use of the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device when the first condition is met; wherein, satisfying the first condition includes the following situations: the first access network device supports the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is less than a first preset threshold, and the second indication information indicates that the core network network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device.

[0153] Optionally, the processing module 502 is also used to determine that the first network slice cannot be used to provide services to the terminal device when the first condition is not met; wherein, not meeting the first condition includes at least one of the following situations: the first access network device does not support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, or the second indication information indicates that the core network network element does not support the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device.

[0154] Optionally, the sending module 503 is also used to send a fourth message to the second access network device, where the fourth message includes an identifier of the first network slice selected by the first access network device to provide services to the terminal device, and the fourth message is used to indicate that access to the protocol data unit PDU session corresponding to the selected first network slice is allowed.

[0155] Optionally, the fourth message also includes at least one item of the following information: the area supported by the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the resource occupancy of the second network slice in the first access network device.

[0156] In another embodiment:

[0157] The sending module 503 is used to send a first message to the first access network device, where the first message includes one or more identifiers of the first network slice, and the first network slice is the original network slice that provides services to the terminal device.

[0158] Optionally, the first message also includes an identifier of a second network slice, where the second network slice is the network slice currently providing services for the terminal device.

[0159] Optionally, the first message also includes the area supported by the first network slice and / or the area supported by the second network slice.

[0160] Optionally, the first message also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the reason why the second access network device changes the network slice.

[0161] Optionally, the first message also includes the priority of the first network slice.

[0162] Optionally, the receiving module 501 is used to receive a fourth message sent by the first access network device, where the fourth message includes an identifier of the first network slice selected by the first access network device to provide services to the terminal device, and the fourth message is used to indicate that access to the protocol data unit PDU session corresponding to the selected first network slice is allowed.

[0163] Optionally, the fourth message also includes at least one item of the following information: the area supported by the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the resource occupancy of the second network slice in the first access network device.

[0164] It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in Figure 4, and execute the methods and functions executed by the first access network device or the second access network device in the above embodiment.

[0165] 6 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 601 , a processing module 602 , and a sending module 603 .

[0166] Optionally, the communication device may implement steps or processes corresponding to those performed by a core network element in the above method embodiment. For example, the communication device may be a core network element, or a chip or circuit configured in a core network element. The receiving module 601 and the sending module 603 are used to perform the sending and receiving related operations on the core network element side in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 602 is used to perform the processing related operations of the core network element in the above method embodiment.

[0167] Receiving module 601 is used to receive a second message sent by a first access network device, where the second message includes one or more identifiers of a first network slice, and the second message is used to inquire whether the core network element can support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0168] Optionally, the sending module 603 is used to send a third message to the first access network device, where the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

[0169] Optionally, the third message includes priority information and / or failure cause information of the first network slice.

[0170] Optionally, the processing module 602 is used to determine whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device based on the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element.

[0171] Optionally, the processing module 602 is further used to determine that the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device when the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element is less than a second preset threshold; and to determine that the core network element does not support the first network slice to provide services to the terminal device when the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold.

[0172] It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in FIG4 , and execute the methods and functions executed by the core network elements in the above embodiment.

[0173] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The access network device can be applied to the system shown in Figures 1 and 2 to perform the functions of the access network device in the above method embodiment, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0174] As shown in Figure 7, the access network device includes a processor 701 and a transceiver 702. Optionally, the access network device also includes a memory 703. The processor 701, transceiver 702, and memory 703 can communicate with each other via a communication bus 704, exchanging control and / or data signals. The memory 703 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 701 is used to retrieve and execute the computer programs from the memory 703 to control the transceiver 702 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the access network device may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 702 via wireless signals.

[0175] The processor 701 and the memory 703 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 701 is configured to execute program codes stored in the memory 703 to implement the aforementioned functions. In a specific implementation, the memory 703 may also be integrated into the processor 701 or independent of the processor 701. The processor 701 may correspond to the processing module in FIG5 .

[0176] The transceiver 702 may correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in FIG5 , and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 702 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0177] It should be understood that the access network device shown in FIG7 is capable of implementing the various processes related to the access network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4 . The operations and / or functions of the various modules in the access network device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment; to avoid repetition, detailed description is omitted here.

[0178] The processor 701 can be used to perform the actions implemented within the access network device described in the previous method embodiments, and the transceiver 702 can be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiments where the access network device sends data to or receives data from a core network element. For details, please refer to the description in the previous method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0179] The processor 701 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor (GPOR), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device (PLD), a transistor logic device (TLD), a hardware component, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor 701 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and so on. The communication bus 704 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industrial Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. These buses may be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, and so on. For ease of illustration, FIG7 shows only one bold line, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or type of bus. The communication bus 704 is used to enable communication between these components. In the embodiment of this application, the transceiver 702 is used to communicate signaling or data with other node devices. The memory 703 may include volatile memory, such as nonvolatile dynamic random access memory (NVRAM), phase change random access memory (PRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), etc. It may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory devices, such as NOR flash memory or NAND flash memory, semiconductor devices, such as solid state disks (SSDs), etc. The memory 703 may optionally be at least one storage device located away from the aforementioned processor 701. The memory 703 may optionally also store a set of computer program code or configuration information. Optionally, the processor 701 may also execute the program stored in the memory 703. The processor may cooperate with the memory and the transceiver to execute any one of the methods and functions of the first access network device or the second access network device in the above-mentioned application embodiments.

[0180] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a core network element provided in an embodiment of the present application. The core network element can be applied to the system shown in Figures 1 and 2 to perform the functions of the core network element in the above method embodiment, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the core network element in the above method embodiment.

[0181] As shown in Figure 8, the core network element includes a processor 801 and a transceiver 802. Optionally, the core network element also includes a memory 803. The processor 801, transceiver 802, and memory 803 can communicate with each other via a communication bus 804 to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 803 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 801 is used to call and execute the computer programs from the memory 803 to control the transceiver 802 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the core network element may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 802 via wireless signals.

[0182] The processor 801 and the memory 803 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 801 is configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 803 to implement the above functions. In a specific implementation, the memory 803 may also be integrated into the processor 801 or independent of the processor 801. The processor 801 may correspond to the processing module in FIG6 .

[0183] The transceiver 802 may correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in FIG6 , and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 802 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0184] It should be understood that the core network element shown in Figure 8 is capable of implementing the various processes involving the core network element in the method embodiment shown in Figure 4 . The operations and / or functions of the various modules within the core network element are intended to implement the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned method embodiment; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0185] The processor 801 can be used to execute the actions implemented within the core network element as described in the previous method embodiments, and the transceiver 802 can be used to execute the actions of the core network element sending to or receiving from the access network device as described in the previous method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the previous method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0186] The processor 801 can be any of the aforementioned types of processors. The communication bus 804 can be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, for example. Buses can be classified as address buses, data buses, and control buses. For ease of illustration, FIG8 shows a single thick line, but this does not imply a single bus or type of bus. The communication bus 804 is used to enable communication between these components. The transceiver 802 of the device in this embodiment is used to communicate signaling or data with other devices. The memory 803 can be any of the aforementioned types of memory. Optionally, the memory 803 can be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 801. The memory 803 stores a set of computer program code or configuration information, and the processor 801 executes the program in the memory 803. The processor can cooperate with the memory and transceiver to execute any of the methods and functions of the core network element in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0187] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a core network element or an access network device to implement the functions involved in any of the above embodiments, such as generating or processing the first message involved in the above method.

[0188] In some embodiments, the chip system may also include a memory for storing necessary computer programs and data for core network elements or access network devices. The chip system may consist of a single chip or may include a chip and other discrete components. The inputs and outputs of the chip system correspond to the receive and transmit operations of the core network element or access network device in the method embodiment, respectively.

[0189] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method of any one of the embodiments shown in Figure 4.

[0190] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the method of any one of the embodiments shown in Figure 4.

[0191] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes one or more access network devices and one or more core network network elements as mentioned above.

[0192] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disc (SSD)).

[0193] 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, performed by a first access network device, the method comprising: Receiving a first message sent by a second access network device, the first message including identifiers of one or more first network slices and / or an identifier of a second network slice, the first network slice being an original network slice providing services for a terminal device, and the second network slice being a network slice currently providing services for the terminal device; After receiving the first message, the first access network device performs slice-aware access control.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first message further includes an area supported by the first network slice and / or an area supported by the second network slice.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The first message further includes first indication information for indicating a reason for the second access network device to change the network slice.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The first message further includes priority information of the first network slice.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The method further includes: Sending a second message to a core network element, the second message including the identifiers of the one or more first network slices, and the second message being used to query whether the core network element can support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The method further includes: Receiving a third message sent by the core network element, the third message including second indication information for indicating whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The third message further includes priority information of the first network slice and / or failure reason information.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein The method further includes: Determining whether to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on a first condition; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following information: the ability of the first access network device to support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the second indication information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The determining whether to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on the first condition includes: When the first condition is satisfied, using the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device; wherein the satisfaction of the first condition includes the following situations: the first access network device supports the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is less than a first preset threshold, and the second indication information indicates that the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The determining whether to use the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on the first condition includes: When the first condition is not satisfied, determining that the first network slice cannot be used to provide services for the terminal device; wherein the non-satisfaction of the first condition includes at least one of the following situations: the first access network device does not support the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first preset threshold, or the second indication information indicates that the core network element does not support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein, The method further includes: Send a fourth message to the second access network device, where the fourth message includes an identifier of the first network slice selected by the first access network device to provide services for the terminal device, and the fourth message is used to indicate permission to access the protocol data unit (PDU) session corresponding to the selected first network slice.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The fourth message further includes at least one of the following information: the area supported by the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the resource occupancy of the second network slice in the first access network device.

13. A communication method, performed by a second access network device, the method comprising: Send a first message to the first access network device, where the first message includes an identifier of one or more first network slices and / or an identifier of a second network slice, the first network slice being the original network slice that provides services for the terminal device, and the second network slice being the network slice that currently provides services for the terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The first message further includes the area supported by the first network slice and / or the area supported by the second network slice.

15. The method according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein, The first message further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the reason for the second access network device to change the network slice.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein, The first message further includes the priority of the first network slice.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13-16, wherein, The method further comprises: Receive a fourth message sent by the first access network device, where the fourth message includes an identifier of the first network slice selected by the first access network device to provide services for the terminal device, and the fourth message is used to indicate permission to access the protocol data unit (PDU) session corresponding to the selected first network slice.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The fourth message further includes at least one of the following information: the area supported by the first network slice, the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the first access network device, or the resource occupancy of the second network slice in the first access network device.

19. A communication method, performed by a core network element, the method comprising: Receive a second message sent by the first access network device, where the second message includes an identifier of one or more first network slices, and the second message is used to query whether the core network element can support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The method further comprises: Send a third message to the first access network device, where the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The third message includes the priority information of the first network slice and / or the failure reason information.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 - 21, wherein, The method further comprises: Determine whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, Determining whether the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device based on the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element includes: When the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element is less than a second preset threshold, it is determined that the core network element supports the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device; When the resource occupancy of the first network slice in the core network element is greater than or equal to the second preset threshold, it is determined that the core network element does not support the first network slice to provide services for the terminal device.

24. A communication device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein, The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-12.

25. A communication device includes a memory and a processor, wherein, The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 13-18.

26. A communication device includes a memory and a processor, wherein, The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 19-23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program, wherein, When the computer program is run by the processor, the method according to any one of claims 1-23 is implemented.

28. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, which when executed, implements the method according to any one of claims 1-23.

29. A chip, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein, The communication interface is used to communicate with external or internal devices, and the processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-23.

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