Communication method, apparatus, and system

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method, an apparatus and a system. The method comprises: a first node receives a first message from a first access network device, the first message comprising at least one piece of first information, the at least one piece of first information comprising information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the first core network comprising at least one first network element, the communication standard of the first access network device being a first communication standard, and the communication standard of the first core network being a second communication system; and the first node sends a second message to a second network element, the second message comprising some or all of information among the at least one piece of first information, and the second network element belonging to the at least one first network element. Hence, when the communication standards of an access network device and a core network are different from each other, the access network device may communicate with a core network element by means of a first node. Therefore, without a significant modification of the access network device, the access network device can provide for a terminal device managed thereby a service for access to the core network.

Description

A communication method, device and system

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on January 24, 2024, with application number 202410104326.2 and application name "A Communication Method, Device and System", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] In the fifth generation (5 th In the 5G generation (5G) communication network, the access network (AN) device can interact with the rest of the core network functions in the core network (CN) through the access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0005] With the evolution of the core network, business function network elements that can be deployed locally have emerged. Since the access network equipment always needs to pass through the AMF to transmit the non-access layer messages of the terminal device to the business function network element, the AMF in the 5G communication network does not support the provision of transmission services for locally deployed business function network elements. As a result, the terminal device cannot access the business function network elements that can be deployed locally in the evolved core network through the access network equipment. Therefore, how to enable access network equipment to access the evolved core network (which includes function network elements that can be deployed locally) is one of the problems that need to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application proposes a communication method, apparatus, and system, which can enable access network equipment to effectively access an evolved core network (the evolved core network includes functional network elements that can be locally deployed).

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first node, without limitation. Taking the first node as an example, the method may include: the first node receives a first message from a first access network device; wherein the first message includes at least one first information, the at least one first information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the first core network includes at least one first network element, the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard, and the communication standard of the first core network is the second communication standard; the first node sends a second message to a second network element; the second message includes part or all of the information in the at least one first information, and the second network element belongs to the at least one first network element.

[0008] In this application, the first node may be referred to as a proxy node, or other names. The first node may be regarded as a logical node, which may be used to connect access network devices and core networks of different communication modes in series (for example, 5G access network devices (taking 5G base stations as an example) and 6G core networks), so that access network devices and core networks of different communication modes can be interconnected in accordance with the current communication mechanism. In one possible implementation, the first node may be implemented by one or more possible physical nodes, and the first node may be deployed in an access network device (for example, a 5G access network device, a 6G access network device, etc.) or a core network (for example, a 5G core network, a 6G core network, etc.), or the first node may be a new network element defined in the core network, or the first node may be a separately deployed node, device, or equipment, etc. This application does not make any specific restrictions on the form, deployment location, quantity, etc. of the first node. In addition, the first node may provide services for one or more access network devices to connect to the core network, and the first node may also provide connectivity services for multiple access network devices and multiple core networks, without limitation.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node can provide connectivity services between at least one access network device (e.g., a first access network device and a second access network device) and the first core network. Therefore, the first node can communicate with at least one access network device (e.g., a first access network device and a second access network device), and can also communicate with at least one first network element in the first core network. The at least one first network element can be part of the network elements in the first core network, or can be all of the network elements in the first core network, without limitation.

[0010] The manner in which the first node can respectively communicate with at least one access network device may include establishing an interface, a link, or a path, etc., and the manner in which the first node respectively communicates with at least one first network element may also include establishing an interface, a link, or a path, etc. In one possible implementation, the first node may respectively establish a one-to-one corresponding interface with at least one access network device (e.g., the first access network device and the second access network device), and the first node may further respectively establish a one-to-one corresponding interface with the at least one first network element to implement subsequent information and / or message exchange.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present application, the first communication standard and the second communication standard may be different communication standards. In one possible implementation, the first communication standard may be or include a lower-level communication standard, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G communication standards. The second communication standard may be or include a higher-level communication standard (such as a 5G communication standard) and a future communication standard, such as a 6G or 7G communication standard. In another possible implementation, contrary to the aforementioned implementation, the first communication standard may be or include a higher-level communication standard, and the second communication standard may be or include a higher-level communication standard (such as a 5G communication standard) and a future communication standard, such as a 6G or 7G communication standard. In another possible implementation, the first communication standard may belong to the same communication standard as the second communication standard or be the same communication standard. In this case, the priority or level of the first communication standard and the second communication standard may be different. This application does not make specific restrictions on this.

[0012] In the present application scheme, when the communication standards of the access network device and the core network are different, the access network device can transmit information between the terminal device and the core network device to at least one network element in the core network through the first node. In this way, there is no need to make major changes to the communication standard of the access network device. The access network device can effectively provide access to the core network service for the managed terminal devices.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node sending a third message to a third network element; the third message includes part or all of the information in the at least one first information, and the third network element belongs to the at least one first network element.

[0014] In the embodiment of the present application, the second network element and / or the third network element may refer to one network element or multiple network elements of the at least one first network element, without limitation. If the second network element and the third network element are each independent network elements of the at least one first network element, then the first node selects the first information corresponding to the second network element and the first information corresponding to the third network element from the at least one first information, and then carries the first information corresponding to the second network element in the second message or sends it independently to the second network element, and carries the first information corresponding to the third network element in the third message or sends it independently to the third network element. If the second network element and the third network element are each multiple network elements of the at least one first network element, then the first node selects the first information corresponding to multiple second network elements and the first information corresponding to multiple third network elements from the at least one first information; the first node may further determine the first information corresponding to each second network element and the first information corresponding to each third network element, and then execute the transmission process.

[0015] In the embodiments of the present application, the second network element and the third network element are used as examples of receiving network elements. In actual applications, the first node may also determine other network elements (such as a fourth network element, which also belongs to at least one first network element) based on the at least one first information. The first node may refer to the implementation of the second network element or the third network element to perform the transmission process. Detailed description is omitted here.

[0016] Through this implementation, the first node is respectively connected to each network element (such as the second network element and the third network element) in the at least one first network element, so that the first node can effectively distribute each information in the at least one first information to the corresponding network element.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node determining, from the at least one first network element, network elements to which the at least one first information corresponds. This implementation ensures that the first node can effectively identify the network element in the at least one first network element to which each piece of information in the at least one first information corresponds, thereby enabling subsequent accurate transmission or distribution.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node receiving first indication information from the first access network device, the first indication information being used to indicate a communication standard of the first access network device. Exemplarily, the first indication information is used to indicate that the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard.

[0019] Through this implementation, when the first node receives the first information from the first access network device (for example, NAS information of the first terminal device), it can effectively and accurately determine how to process the first information based on the communication standard of the first access network device, such as whether to forward the first information to the corresponding network element in the first core network, or directly parse and process the first information.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node sending, based on the quantity of at least one response message and a first threshold, part or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device, where the at least one response message includes response information corresponding to the second message and / or response information corresponding to the third message. With this implementation, the first node can uniformly send response information to the first message received from network elements of the first core network to the first access network device, thereby reducing transmission overhead.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the first node sends part of the response information or all of the response information in the at least one response message to the first access network device based on the number of the at least one response message and a first threshold, including: when the number of the at least one response message is equal to the first threshold, the first node sends part of the response information or all of the response information in the at least one response message to the first access network device.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node can determine, based on at least one received first information, which first information has response information and which does not, and count the number of first information for which response information exists, with the value of this count serving as the first threshold. Thus, after the first node processes and / or distributes the first information, the first node can count the number of received response information while receiving the corresponding response information, with respect to how to feedback to the first access network device. When the number of received response information reaches or equals the first threshold, the first node can uniformly return the received response information to the first access network device, thereby avoiding multiple transmissions and resulting in large overhead.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node receiving the at least one response message and determining the number of the at least one response message. Through this implementation, the first node can receive the response message corresponding to the at least one first message and implement quantity statistics.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node processing the first information corresponding to itself; the first node may include one or more functions of a registration management function, a connection management function, and a mobility management function. In this implementation, when the first node includes the functions of an AMF network element, if the first node determines that the at least one first information includes the first information corresponding to itself, the first node may process its own first information and forward the first information corresponding to other network elements.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node receiving second information from a second access network device; the first node processing the second information; and the communication standard of the second access network device being the second communication standard. In this implementation, when the first node includes the functionality of an AMF network element, the first node directly processes the second information after receiving it from a second access network device having the same communication standard as the first core network. It can be seen that in this scenario, the first node does not act as an intermediate transmission node, and the second access network device communicates separately with the network elements of the first core network element and the first node.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node receiving second indication information from the second access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate a communication standard of the second access network device. With this implementation, upon receiving the second information from the second access network device, the first node can effectively and accurately determine how to process the information based on the communication standard of the second access network device. For example, if the first node determines that the communication standard of the second access network device is the second communication standard, the first node directly parses and processes the second information from the second access network device.

[0027] On the second aspect, the present application implements a communication method, which can be executed by a first access network device, or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first access network device, without limitation. Taking the first access network device as an example, the method may include: the first access network device receives at least one first message from a first terminal device, the at least one first message includes information between the first terminal device and the first core network, the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard, the communication standard of the first core network is the second communication standard, and the first core network includes at least one first network element; the first access network device sends a first message to the first node, the first message includes the at least one first message, and the first node is respectively connected to the at least one first network element.

[0028] In this application, the first node may be referred to as a proxy node, or other names. The first node may be regarded as a logical node, which may be used to connect access network devices and core networks of different communication modes in series (for example, 5G access network devices (taking 5G base stations as an example) and 6G core networks), so that access network devices and core networks of different communication modes can be interconnected in accordance with the current communication mechanism. In one possible implementation, the first node may be implemented by one or more possible physical nodes, and the first node may be deployed in an access network device (for example, a 5G access network device (taking 5G base stations as an example), a 6G base station, etc.) or a core network (for example, a 5G core network, a 6G core network, etc.), or the first node may be a new network element defined in the core network, or the first node may be a separately deployed node, device, or equipment, etc. This application does not make any specific restrictions on the form, deployment location, quantity, etc. of the first node. In addition, the first node may provide services for one or more access network devices to connect to the core network, and the first node may also provide connectivity services for multiple access network devices and multiple core networks, without limitation.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node can provide connectivity services between at least one access network device (e.g., a first access network device and a second access network device) and the first core network. Therefore, the first node can communicate with at least one access network device (e.g., a first access network device and a second access network device), and can also communicate with at least one first network element in the first core network. The at least one first network element can be part of the network elements in the first core network, or can be all of the network elements in the first core network, without limitation.

[0030] The manner in which the first node can respectively communicate with at least one access network device may include establishing an interface, a link, or a path, etc., and the manner in which the first node respectively communicates with at least one first network element may also include establishing an interface, a link, or a path, etc. In one possible implementation, the first node may respectively establish a one-to-one corresponding interface with at least one access network device (e.g., the first access network device and the second access network device), and the first node may further respectively establish a one-to-one corresponding interface with the at least one first network element to implement subsequent information and / or message exchange.

[0031] In the present application scheme, when the communication standards of the access network device and the core network are different, the access network device can transmit information between the terminal device and the core network device to at least one network element in the core network through the first node. In this way, there is no need to make major changes to the access network device. The access network device can effectively provide access to the core network service for the managed terminal devices.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device sending first indication information to the first node, the first indication information being used to indicate a communication standard of the first access network device. Exemplarily, the first indication information is used to indicate that the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard.

[0033] Through this implementation, the first access network device indicates its own communication standard to the first node, so that the first node can effectively identify or determine how to process the first information (for example, NAS information of the first terminal device) from the first access network device, such as whether to forward the first information to the corresponding network element in the first core network, or directly parse and process the first information.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device sending third indication information to the first terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the first access network device supports communication with the first core network. Through this implementation, the first access network device indicates to the managed terminal device (such as the first terminal device) that the first access network device supports communication with the first core network, so that the managed terminal device (such as the first terminal device) confirms that it can transmit information to the first core network through the first access network device, and then sends information to the first core network to the first access network device.

[0035] The present application also provides another communication method. This method can be implemented in combination with the above-mentioned communication method (including the first and second aspects and possible implementations of each aspect), or can be implemented alone. There is no limitation on this. The content of this method can be found in the following third to fifth aspects:

[0036] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first node, without limitation. Taking the first node as an example, the method may include: the first node receives request information for a first service; the first node sends a first message to a first access network device, the first message including information about a first session and / or information about a first quality of service flow, the first session information and the first quality of service flow information being associated with the first service, respectively. The communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard.

[0037] In this embodiment, the content of the first node is the same as the first node introduced in the first aspect above. Please refer to the detailed introduction in the first aspect above and will not be repeated here.

[0038] Exemplarily, the first service may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a perception service, an artificial intelligence service, and a positioning service. The first service is associated with a functional network element of a first core network, and the communication standard of the functional network element of the first core network is the second communication standard.

[0039] In the present application scheme, after receiving the request information of the first service, the first node can provide the first access network device with the information of the first session and / or the information of the first service quality flow associated with the first service, so that the first access network device can establish effective communication for the data of the first service based on the information of the first session and / or the information of the first service quality flow associated with the first service and with reference to the current communication establishment process. It can be seen that in this method, for various services in the first core network, the first node can provide the first access network device with communication information that the first access network device can identify or use (such as session information and / or service quality flow information) to ensure that subsequent terminal devices can communicate with the new functional network element of the first core network through the first access network device, and this method does not require changes to the first access network device, reducing cost overhead.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the first node receiving request information for a first service may include: the first node receiving the request information for the first service from a first core network function network element, the first core network function network element being associated with the first service, and the communication standard of the first core network function network element being the second communication standard. In one possible implementation, the request information for the first service includes quality of service requirement information for the first service, and the first node may obtain information about a first session and / or information about a first quality of service flow for the first service based on the quality of service requirement information for the first service.

[0041] Through this implementation, it can be seen that the first node can communicate directly with the first core network functional network element, effectively obtain the request information corresponding to the first service, and then process and obtain the corresponding communication information (such as session information and / or service quality flow information) to provide it to the first access network device for implementation.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node receiving a response message for establishing the first session; the response message for establishing the first session including the second endpoint information of the first session. Optionally, based on this implementation, the first message may be a request message for establishing the first session.

[0043] Through this implementation, the first node can effectively provide the first access network device with information about the first session associated with the first service and / or information about the first quality of service flow through the process of establishing the first session with the first access network device, thereby reducing the overhead of additional transmission.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the information of the first quality of service flow includes quality of service information of the first quality of service flow. Through this implementation, the transmission quality of the first service data or the quality of service of the first service can be guaranteed.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first node sends first information to the terminal device through the first access network device; the first information can be used to indicate the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the first communication information can include information about the first session and / or information about the first quality of service flow. Through this implementation, the terminal device can be informed that the first communication information (such as information about the first session and / or information about the first quality of service flow) is related to the first service, so that subsequent terminal device data for the first service can be transmitted through the corresponding data radio bearer based on the first communication information of the first service (such as information about the first session and / or information about the first quality of service flow).

[0046] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first access network device, or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the first access network device, without limitation. Taking the first access network device as an example, the method may include: the first access network device receives a first message and first information from a first node; the first message includes information about a first session and / or information about a first quality of service flow, and the information about the first session and the information about the first quality of service flow are respectively associated with the first service; the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the first communication information includes information about the first session and / or information about the first quality of service flow; the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard; the first access network device sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present application, the first service is associated with the first core network function element, and the communication standard of the first core network function element is the second communication standard. Exemplarily, the first service may include but is not limited to one or more of a perception service, an artificial intelligence service, and a positioning service.

[0048] In the present application scheme, the first access network device can obtain the information of the first session and / or the information of the first service quality flow of the first service (including the service of the first core network functional network element) through the first node, and then inform the terminal device of the correspondence between the first service and the information of the first session and / or the first service quality flow, so that the terminal device can subsequently use the correspondence to transmit the first service data.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a response message for establishing the first session; the response message for establishing the first session includes the second endpoint information of the first session. Optionally, based on this implementation, the first message may be a request message for establishing the first session.

[0050] Through this implementation, the first node can effectively provide the first access network device with information about the first session associated with the first service and / or information about the first quality of service flow through the process of establishing the first session with the first access network device, thereby reducing the overhead of additional transmission.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the information of the first quality of service flow includes quality of service information of the first quality of service flow. Through this implementation, the transmission quality of the first service data or the quality of service of the first service can be guaranteed.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device sending configuration information of a data radio bearer for the first service to the terminal device, where the configuration information of the data radio bearer for the first service is obtained based on information about the first session and / or information about the first quality of service flow. This implementation enables the terminal device to effectively transmit the first service data with the first access network device.

[0053] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a terminal device or by a chip or chip system corresponding to the terminal device, without limitation. Taking a terminal device as an example, the method may include: the terminal device receives first information from a first access network device; the first information is used to indicate a correspondence between a first service and first communication information, the first communication information including information about a first session and / or information about a first quality of service flow; the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard; and the terminal device sends data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present application, the first service is associated with the first core network function element, and the communication standard of the first core network function element is the second communication standard. Exemplarily, the first service may include but is not limited to one or more of a perception service, an artificial intelligence service, and a positioning service.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, including: sending data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the configuration information of the data wireless bearer of the first service.

[0056] In the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can be used to execute the method of the first aspect or the third aspect. The device can be a first node, or the device can be a component in the first node (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit), or it can be a device that can be used in conjunction with the first node.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the device may include a module or unit corresponding to the method / operation / step / action described in the first aspect or the third aspect, and the module or unit may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module), wherein the communication unit may be used to perform the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0058] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can be used to execute the method of the second aspect or the fourth aspect. The device can be a first access network device, or the device can be a component in the first access network device (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit), or it can be a device that can be used in combination with the first access network device.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the device may include a module or unit corresponding to the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect or the fourth aspect, and the module or unit may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module), wherein the communication unit may be used to perform the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible embodiment of the second aspect, or the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any possible embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0060] In the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which can be used to execute the method of the fifth aspect. The device can be a terminal device, or the device can be a component in the terminal device (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit), or it can be a device that can be used in conjunction with the terminal device.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the device may include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the fifth aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one possible implementation, the device may include a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (also referred to as a communication module), wherein the communication unit may be used to perform the functions of receiving and / or sending, and the processing unit may be used to perform the method described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0062] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device, which includes: at least one processor and a communication interface; wherein the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices; the processor is used to run a set of programs so that the device can implement the method provided by the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation method thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided by the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation method thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided by the above-mentioned third aspect or any possible implementation method thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided by the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any possible implementation method thereof, or so that the device can implement the method provided by the above-mentioned fifth aspect or any possible implementation method thereof.

[0063] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer storage medium, which stores a software program. When the software program is read and executed by one or more processors, it can implement the method provided by the first aspect or any possible implementation method thereof, or implement the method provided by the second aspect or any possible implementation method thereof, or implement the method provided by the third aspect or any possible implementation method thereof, or implement the method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible implementation method thereof, or implement the method provided by the fifth aspect or any possible implementation method thereof.

[0064] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when run on a computer, enables the method provided in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be executed, or enables the method provided in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be executed, or enables the method provided in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be executed, or enables the method provided in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be executed, or enables the method provided in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0065] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, comprising a first node capable of implementing the method provided in the first or third aspect, and a first access network device capable of implementing the method provided in the second or fourth aspect. In one possible design, the communication system may further include a terminal device capable of implementing the method provided in the fifth aspect.

[0066] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting the first node to implement the functions involved in the above-mentioned first aspect or third aspect; or for supporting the first access network device to implement the functions involved in the above-mentioned second aspect or fourth aspect; or for supporting the terminal device to implement the functions involved in the above-mentioned fifth aspect.

[0067] In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data for execution by the loading device. The chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0068] It should be noted that the technical effects that can be achieved by any possible implementation method of the above-mentioned sixth to thirteenth aspects or the sixth to thirteenth aspects can be correspondingly described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by any possible implementation method of the above-mentioned first to fifth aspects or the first to fifth aspects; they will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of NAS signaling in a 5G system;

[0070] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of QoS in a 5G system;

[0071] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a return problem caused by local deployment of LMF;

[0072] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system to which the method according to an embodiment of the present application can be applied;

[0073] FIG5A is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG5B is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a method flow chart provided in Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0076] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a method flow chart provided in Embodiment 2 of the present application;

[0077] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a method flow chart provided in Embodiment 3 of the present application;

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

[0079] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the device structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. The terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used in the specification and appended claims of the present application, the singular expressions "one", "a kind", "said", "above", "the" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more", unless there is a clear contrary indication in the context. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "one or more" refers to one, two or more; "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist; for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0082] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of the present application include specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations involved in this application all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. Words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions, and any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding. In addition, in the drawings of the embodiments of the present application, the steps in the dotted lines or dotted boxes are optional steps.

[0083] The multiple involved in the embodiments of the present application refers to greater than or equal to two. It should be noted that, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second", or words such as "1" and "2" (except for special cases used to represent numerical values) are only used to distinguish the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying order. In addition, the term "used to indicate" mentioned in the description of the embodiments of the present application can include being used for direct indication and being used for indirect indication. When describing a certain indication information for indicating A, it can include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and it does not mean that the indication information must carry A.

[0084] In order to better understand the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application, the following first explains the relevant technologies, terms, and concepts involved in the embodiments of this application. It should be noted that these explanations are intended to make the embodiments of this application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0085] 1. Architecture of 5G system NAS signaling:

[0086] In current 5G systems, terminals can communicate with the core network through radio access network (RAN) nodes. In addition to transmitting service data, this communication also involves signaling between the terminal and various core network elements. This signaling between the terminal and the core network is called non-access-stratum (NAS) signaling. As shown in Figure 1, the core network includes many network elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF), the policy control function (PCF), the session management function (SMF), and some network elements related to new services, such as the location management function (LMF) for positioning services, the perception function network element for perception services, and functional network elements related to artificial intelligence (AI) services. From the terminal's perspective, the terminal needs to communicate with various network elements in the core network through RAN nodes. However, the RAN nodes themselves communicate with various network elements in the core network through the AMF.

[0087] Typically, a terminal's NAS signaling is transmitted between the terminal and the RAN node via radio resource control (RRC) messages. For example, uplink NAS signaling is carried as a container in the RRC message sent from the terminal to the RAN node. Upon receiving the RRC message, the RAN node recognizes that the container is the terminal's NAS message. The RAN node then sends the NAS message to the AMF, which decrypts and determines which core network element the NAS message belongs to. The AMF then sends the NAS message to the corresponding core network element via the core network bus.

[0088] 2. 5G System Quality of Service (QoS) Architecture

[0089] In the 5G system, a protocol data unit (PDU) session will be established between the terminal and the core network element UPF. The PDU session may include one or more quality of service QoS flows. The base station will establish a data radio bearer DRB between the terminal and the base station for the quality of service QoS flow. From the perspective of the base station, take the following behavior as an example. The base station will receive a request for establishing a PDU session from the core network. The request message includes the QoS flow information in the PDU session. The QoS flow information may include a QoS flow identifier and QoS parameters corresponding to the QoS flow. The base station establishes a DRB between the base station and the terminal for the PDU session, wherein the QoS flow and the DRB have a corresponding relationship. Generally, as shown in Figure 2, in a PDU session, one or more quality of service QoS flows can be mapped to a DRB, and different quality of service QoS flows can also be mapped to different DRBs.

[0090] The following is an introduction to the quality of service (QoS), data radio bearer (DRB) (also called radio bearer), and quality of service (QoS) flow involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0091] (1) Quality of Service (QoS): Wireless networks provide QoS to offer different QoS levels for different services. QoS management is a control mechanism that ensures wireless networks meet the quality of service requirements of different services. It is an end-to-end process that requires collaboration among all network nodes (UE <—> base station <—> core network) that a service traverses between initiator and responder to ensure QoS. Air interface QoS management features provide different end-to-end QoS levels based on the diverse needs of various services and users.

[0092] In the embodiments of the present application, QoS can also be referred to as business service quality. Since factors affecting network quality include bandwidth, latency, latency jitter, packet loss rate, etc., these factors affecting network service quality are also QoS metrics.

[0093] (2) Data Radio Bearer (DRB): A DRB represents a data radio bearer for packet processing within the radio interface (Uu). The DRB provides uniform packet forwarding for all user data packets. In the wireless network, the gNB maps DRBs to QoS flows. QoS management ensures that different users and services compete unequally for limited network resources by assigning various service data to appropriate DRBs, thereby ensuring a better user experience.

[0094] (3) Quality of Service (QoS) flow: 5G NR cancels the end-to-end evolved packet system (EPS) bearer of 4G long term evolution (LTE) and replaces it with end-to-end QoS flow. The most important difference between QoS flow and EPS bearer is that QoS flow does not require end-to-end signaling, that is, it can be created dynamically. QoS flow is divided into two sections: DRB bearer on the wireless air interface side and QoS flow on the core network side. QoS flow and DRB bearer can be dynamically mapped through the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). This dynamic mapping improves the efficiency of QoS flow creation and avoids the inefficiency of LTE, which requires end-to-end signaling to create.

[0095] 3. Communication standards involved in the embodiments of this application:

[0096] With the continuous development of mobile communication technology and network specifications, currently defined communication standards include 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G. Generally, the newer the technology, the higher its level or priority. Furthermore, network security for high-priority / high-level standards is stronger than that for low-priority / low-level standards. If a terminal device has access to both high-level and low-level standards, and if both high-level and low-level networks / cells / signals exist in the same space, the terminal device will prioritize accessing the high-level standard.

[0097] In the embodiment of the present application, the standards can be divided into high-level standards (also referred to as high standards, or high-priority standards) and low-level standards (also referred to as low standards, or low-priority standards) according to the priority of the standards. The higher the priority, the higher the level. The high-level standards and low-level standards can refer to two different types of standards currently defined, for example, the high-level standard is the 4G / 5G standard and the low-level standard is the 2G / 3G standard. They can also refer to two standards with different priorities under the same standard currently defined, such as the more fine-grained 4G standard 1 and 4G standard 2 under the 4G standard. If the priority of 4G standard 2 is higher than the priority of 4G standard 1, then 4G standard 2 is regarded as the high-level standard and 4G standard 1 is regarded as the low-level standard.

[0098] In the embodiment of the present application, the current 4G / 5G can be fixed as the high-level standard, nor can the current 2G / 3G be fixed as the low-level standard. It can be flexibly set according to the priority. For example, under normal circumstances, 4G / 5G is a high-level standard and 2G / 3G is a low-level standard. However, in a scenario where only 4G and 5G are available, 5G is a high-level standard and 4G is a low-level standard; in a scenario where only 2G and 3G are available, 3G is a high-level standard and 2G is a low-level standard. In the embodiment of the present application, the priority of the standard can be set by the network or terminal manufacturer or the user himself.

[0099] In addition, when a terminal accesses a network of different standards, the access type adopted is also different. The access types of different standards involved in the embodiments of the present application may include not only the currently available access types, but also the access types corresponding to higher-standard networks in the future (for example, the access type / extended access type corresponding to the sixth-generation 6G network). Exemplarily, a high-priority access type and a priority access type are defined above. Similar to the above-mentioned communication network standards, a high-priority access type may correspond to a high-priority standard communication network, and a low-priority access type may correspond to a low-priority standard communication network.

[0100] Through the above introduction to the architecture of NAS signaling of the 5G system, it can be known that the NAS message of the terminal needs to be forwarded through AMF. With the online deployment of some services (such as perception services, AI services, positioning services, etc.), if there are some functional network elements of some services that can be deployed locally, but because the NAS message transmission between the terminal and the service functional network element always has to pass through AMF, there will be a problem of signaling return. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a return problem caused by local deployment of LMF. If AMF is deployed locally, it will lead to the need for distributed AMF deployment, causing great complexity in the system. Due to the aforementioned problems, it is impossible to truly realize the local deployment of functional network elements.

[0101] In view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can enable access network equipment to access the evolved core network (the evolved core network includes business function network elements that can be locally deployed), thereby meeting the needs of localization of functional network element services.

[0102] The access network device provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems (or networks), such as: fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution LTE systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, wireless local area networks (WLAN) systems, satellite communication systems, future communication systems such as sixth generation (6G) mobile communication systems, or a fusion system of the aforementioned multiple communication systems. The technical solution provided in the present application can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems.

[0103] Figure 4 shows a possible, non-restrictive communication system architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication system 4000 includes a radio access network RAN ​​100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 4000 may also include the Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one access network device (such as 110a and 110b in Figure 4, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (such as 120a-120j in Figure 4, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 4). The terminal device 120 is connected to the access network device via a wireless method. The access network device is connected to the core network 200 via a wireless or wired method. The core network device and the access network device in the core network 200 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device that integrates the core network logical functions and the radio access network logical functions.

[0104] The RAN 100 may be a 3GPP-related cellular system, such as a 4G or 5G mobile communication system, or a system evolved beyond 5G (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN 100 may also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. The RAN 100 may also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0105] It will be understood that FIG4 only illustrates one possible communication system architecture that may be applied in an embodiment of the present application. In other possible scenarios, the communication system architecture may also include other devices.

[0106] The access network device is a node in the radio access network (RAN), which can also be called an access network device or a RAN node (or device). The access network device is used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. The multiple access network devices in the communication system 4000 can be nodes of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network device and the terminal device 120 are relative. For example, the network element 120i in Figure 4 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For those terminal devices 120j that access the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal device. The access network device and the terminal device 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices. For example, the network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 4 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0107] In one possible scenario, an access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, an access point (AP) in a WiFi system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or an access network device in a mobile switching center non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, i.e., it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite. The access network device can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 4), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 4), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. The access network device can also be a device that functions as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, drone communication, or machine communication. Optionally, the access network device may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an onboard device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0108] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the access network device can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set separately, or they can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the access network device can be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into an access network device in the access network RAN, or the CU can be divided into an access network device in the core network CN, which is not limited here.

[0109] It should be noted that in different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), or DU may have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, CU may also be referred to as O-CU (open CU), DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and RU may also be referred to as O-RU. For the sake of convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any of the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0110] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the access network device is not limited. The device used to implement the functions of the access network device can be the access network device; it can also be a device that supports the access network device to implement the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in conjunction with the access network device.

[0111] The terminal device 120, which may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device used to provide voice or data connectivity to users, or an IoT device. For example, the terminal device includes a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, an in-vehicle device, etc. Currently, terminal devices can include: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smart watches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc.), vehicle-mounted devices (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, smart point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), wireless terminals in industrial control, smart home devices (such as refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in unmanned driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, and flying devices (such as intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes). Terminal devices can also be other devices with terminal functions, for example, terminal devices can also be devices that function as terminals in D2D communication.

[0112] The access network equipment and the terminal equipment can be fixed or movable. The access network equipment and the terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on the water surface; they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons and artificial satellites in the air, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. In addition, the access network equipment and the terminal equipment, the access network equipment and the access network equipment, and the terminal equipment and the terminal equipment can communicate through the authorized spectrum, or through the unauthorized spectrum, or through the authorized spectrum and the unauthorized spectrum at the same time; they can communicate through the spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), or through the spectrum above 6 GHz, or through the spectrum below 6 GHz and the spectrum above 6 GHz at the same time. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communications.

[0113] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the access network device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the access network device, or by a control subsystem that includes the functions of the access network device. The control subsystem that includes the functions of the access network device here may be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, smart transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal device, or by a device that includes the functions of the terminal device.

[0114] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "system" and "network" can be interchanged, and "network element" and "functional network element" can be interchanged, or "network element" includes "functional network element". The system architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. It is understood by those skilled in the art that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0115] In this application, the names of the messages in the following processes are only used as examples. With the evolution of communication technology, the names of the network elements of the information or message core network in the following processes may change. However, no matter how the names change, as long as their meanings include the functions or meanings of the information or messages or the network elements of the core network in this application, they fall within the scope of protection of this application. For example, the first information between the first terminal device and the first core network network element in this application can also be replaced with NAS messages or NAS signaling, etc. Functional network elements such as AMF, PCF, SMF in the first core network (such as the 6G core network) can be replaced with other names, or replaced with other network elements accordingly.

[0116] The technical solution of this application is introduced below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0117] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which is applicable to but not limited to the communication system shown in Figure 4, and is applicable to but not limited to a single-standard communication scenario or a scenario of multiple-standard converged communication. The method can be executed by a first terminal device, a first access network device, and a first node; or the method can be executed by a component (module, chip, etc.) corresponding to the first terminal device, the first access network device, and the first node; or the method can be executed by a device corresponding to the first terminal device, the first access network device, and the first node; it can be understood that the present application does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application and the number of each execution subject. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the interaction between the first terminal device, the first access network device, and the first node will be used as an example. The order of the steps in the following processes is only an example. In actual applications, the execution order of the steps in each process can be adjusted; and for the steps in the method shown in Figure 5A below, all steps can be executed, or some steps can be executed, and there is no limitation on this.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 5A , the method may include the following steps:

[0119] S501A: The first terminal device sends at least one first message to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the at least one first message.

[0120] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may implement a communication function through the second node and implement a processing function through the third node. In S501A, the first terminal device sends the at least one first information to the second node, and the second node then sends the at least one first information to the third node.

[0121] Exemplarily, the second node is a DU and the third node is a CU. In an ORAN architecture, the second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0122] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific form of the second node and the third node is not limited. The functions corresponding to the second node and / or the third node can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. In addition, the second node and / or the third node can be built into or integrated into the first access network device, or can be deployed outside the first access network device, without specific limitation. Furthermore, the second node and the third node can be the same device or network element, or they can be separate and independent devices or network elements, without limitation.

[0123] In an embodiment of the present application, at least one first information sent by the first terminal device to the first access network device includes information exchanged between the first terminal device and the first core network, such as non-access layer NAS information. The communication standard of the first access network device can be a first communication standard, the communication standard of the first core network can be a second communication standard, and the first core network includes at least one first network element. In one possible implementation, the at least one first network element is respectively connected to the first node. Exemplarily, the at least one first network element has a one-to-one corresponding communication interface, communication path, communication link, etc. with the first node.

[0124] In an embodiment of the present application, the first communication standard and the second communication standard may be different communication standards. In one possible implementation, the first communication standard may be or include a lower-level communication standard, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G communication standards. The second communication standard may be or include a higher-level communication standard (such as a 5G communication standard) and a future communication standard, such as a 6G or 7G communication standard. In another possible implementation, contrary to the aforementioned implementation, the first communication standard may be or include a higher-level communication standard, and the second communication standard may be or include a higher-level communication standard (such as 5G) and a future communication standard, such as a 6G or 7G communication standard. In another possible implementation, the first communication standard may belong to the same communication standard as the second communication standard or be the same communication standard. In this case, the priority or level of the first communication standard and the second communication standard may be different. This application does not make specific restrictions on this.

[0125] Exemplarily, the first access network device is a 5G access network device, such as a 5G base station. The first core network is a 6G core network. The first core network may include some or all functional network elements in the 5G core network, such as AMF network elements, SMF network elements, PCF network elements, etc. The first core network may also include other functional network elements, such as perception function network elements, AI function network elements, and positioning function network elements.

[0126] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: the first terminal device receiving third indication information sent from the first access network device, where the third indication information may be used to indicate that the first access network device supports communication with network elements of the first core network. Optionally, this implementation may be performed before the first terminal device sends the at least one first information to the first access network device.

[0127] S502A: The first access network device sends a first message to the first node, where the first message includes the at least one first information. Correspondingly, the first node receives the first message.

[0128] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may implement a communication function through the second node and a processing function through the third node. In S502A, the third node sends a first message (the first message includes at least one first information) to the first node.

[0129] Exemplarily, the second node is a DU and the third node is a CU. In an ORAN architecture, the second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0130] In the embodiment of the present application, the specific forms of the second node and the third node are not limited, and the deployment of the second node and the third node can refer to the introduction in S501A above, which will not be repeated here.

[0131] In this application, the first node may be referred to as a proxy node, or other names. The first node may be regarded as a logical node, which may be used to connect access network devices and core networks of different communication standards (such as 5G access network devices and 6G core networks) in series, so that access network devices and core networks of different communication standards can be interconnected in accordance with the current communication mechanism. In one possible implementation, the first node may be implemented by one or more possible physical nodes, and the first node may be deployed in an access network device (such as 5G access network devices, 6G access network devices, etc.) or a core network (such as 5G core network, 6G core network, etc.), or the first node may be a new network element defined in the core network, or the first node may be a separately deployed node or device or equipment, etc. This application does not make any specific restrictions on the form, deployment location, quantity, etc. of the first node. In addition, the first node may provide services for one or more access network devices to connect to the core network, and the first node may also provide connectivity services for multiple access network devices and multiple core networks, without limitation.

[0132] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: the first access network device sending first indication information to the first node, where the first indication information may be used to indicate a communication standard of the first access network device, i.e., the first indication information indicates that the communication standard of the first access network device is a first communication standard, such as a 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G communication standard. Accordingly, the first node receives the first indication information.

[0133] In an embodiment of the present application, the first node can determine the communication standard of the first access network device through indication information from the first access network device. The first node can also determine the communication standard of the first access network device through other methods. For example, the first node determines the communication standard of the first access network device based on the type of the first message from the first access network device or based on the interface information of the communication with the first access network device. There is no limitation on this.

[0134] In the embodiment of the present application, the first message sent by the first access network device to the first node includes the at least one first information. It can be understood that the at least one first information can be carried in the same message (hereinafter referred to as the first message), or it can be understood that the at least one first information is independent information and sent to the first node by the first access network device synchronously or asynchronously, without limitation. In addition, the at least one first information in the first message can be information with the same content or information with different content, without limitation. The first information here is a synonym for information.

[0135] S503A: The first node sends a second message to the second network element; the second message includes part or all of the at least one first information. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the second message.

[0136] In the embodiment of the present application, the second network element is a network element in the at least one first network element. Exemplarily, the first node may send the second message to the second network element through an interface between the first node and the second network element.

[0137] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: the first node sending a third message to a third network element; the third message includes part or all of the at least one first message, and the third network element belongs to the at least one first network element. Exemplarily, the first node may send the second message to the third network element via an interface between the first node and the third network element.

[0138] In the embodiment of the present application, the third network element is similar to the second network element, and will not be described in detail here. In addition, the interface between the first node and the third network element and the interface between the first node and the second network element may be based on the same or different transmission protocol, which is not limited to this.

[0139] In addition, the second network element and / or the third network element may refer to one network element or multiple network elements of the at least one first network element. If the second network element and the third network element are each one of the at least one first network element, then the first node selects the first information corresponding to the second network element and the first information corresponding to the third network element from the at least one first information, and then carries the first information corresponding to the second network element in the second message or sends it independently to the second network element, and carries the first information corresponding to the third network element in the third message or sends it independently to the third network element. If the second network element and the third network element are each multiple network elements of the at least one first network element, then the first node selects the first information corresponding to multiple second network elements and the first information corresponding to multiple third network elements from the at least one first information; the first node may further determine the first information corresponding to each second network element and the first information corresponding to each third network element, and then execute the transmission process.

[0140] In a possible implementation manner, based on the above implementation, the method may further include: the first node determining or identifying the network element to which the at least one first information corresponds from the at least one first network element.

[0141] Exemplarily, the first network elements in the first core network include AMF, PCF, and SMF network elements. The first message received by the first node includes NAS information 1 and NAS information 2 (i.e., an example of information between the first terminal device and the first core network). The first node determines that NAS information 1 is for the PCF network element and NAS information 2 is for the SMF network element. Then the first node can send NAS information 1 to the PCF network element (an example of the first network element) and the first node sends NAS information 2 to the SMF network element (an example of the second network element).

[0142] In the embodiments of the present application, the second network element and the third network element are used as examples of receiving network elements. In actual applications, the first node may also determine other network elements (such as a fourth network element, which also belongs to at least one first network element) based on the at least one first information. The first node may refer to the implementation of the second network element or the third network element to perform the transmission process. Detailed description is omitted here.

[0143] In one possible implementation, the method may also include: the first node sends part of the response information or all of the response information in the at least one response information to the first access network device based on the number of the at least one response information and the first threshold, and the at least one response information includes the response information corresponding to the second message and / or the response information corresponding to the third message.

[0144] Exemplarily, the first node sends part of the response information or all of the response information in the at least one response message to the first access network device based on the number of the at least one response message and the first threshold, which may include: when the number of the at least one response message is equal to the first threshold, sending part of the response information or all of the response information in the at least one response message to the first access network device.

[0145] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: the first node receiving the at least one response message and determining the quantity of the at least one response message. Optionally, this implementation may be performed before the first node sends some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device based on the quantity of the at least one response message and a first threshold.

[0146] Exemplarily, at least one first information in the first message received by the first node is information between the first terminal device and the first core network, then the first node can judge or identify which first information in the at least one first information will have corresponding response information and which first information will not have corresponding response information. The specific identification method can be implemented by existing technologies. At the same time, the first node counts the number of first information that have corresponding response information, and uses the value of this number as the first threshold. In this way, after the first node sends the at least one first information to the corresponding network element in the first core network respectively, the first node will receive response information fed back by each network element in the first core network element in turn; when the number of response information counted by the first node reaches or equals the first threshold, the first node can send these received response information to the first access network device.

[0147] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: the first node processing the first information corresponding to itself; for this implementation, the first node may include but is not limited to one or more functions of a registration management function, a connection management function, and a mobility management function.

[0148] Exemplarily, the first node is an AMF network element in the first core network element. If the first node determines the first information corresponding to itself from at least one first information in the first message, the first node processes the first information corresponding to itself and forwards the other first information in the first message.

[0149] A possible implementation method, based on the situation that the above-mentioned first node may include but is not limited to one or more functions of registration management function, connection management function, and mobility management function, the method may also include: the first node receives second information from the second access network device; the first node processes the second information; the communication standard of the second access network device is the second communication standard.

[0150] Exemplarily, the first node may receive the second information sent by the second access network device through an interface between the first node and the second access network device.

[0151] In one possible implementation, the second access network device may implement a communication function through a fourth node and a processing function through a fifth node. The fifth node sends the second information to the first node, and correspondingly, the first node receives the second information from the fifth node.

[0152] Exemplarily, the fourth node is a DU and the fifth node is a CU. In an ORAN architecture, the fourth node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU and the fifth node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0153] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific form of the fourth node and the fifth node is not limited. The functions corresponding to the fourth node and / or the fifth node can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. In addition, the fourth node and / or the fifth node can be built into or integrated into the second access network device, or can be deployed outside the second access network device, without specific limitation. Moreover, the fourth node and the fifth node can be the same device or network element, or can be separate and independent devices or network elements, without limitation.

[0154] In an embodiment of the present application, the second information may be information exchanged between a terminal device (such as a second terminal device) managed by a second access network device and the first core network. In the case where the communication standard of the second access network device is the same as the communication standard of the first core network, for example, the first core network and the second access network device are 6G communication standards, after the first node receives the second information sent from the second access network device, it can be assumed that it is information transmitted to itself by the second terminal device, and can then directly process it.

[0155] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: the first node receiving second indication information sent by the second access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate a communication standard of the second access network device. With this implementation, the first node may determine a next step to be executed based on the communication standard of the second access network device (e.g., directly processing the second information without forwarding it) with respect to the second information from the second access network device.

[0156] In the above description, the first node can communicate with the first access network device, the second access network device, and the at least one first network element through corresponding interfaces, etc. Furthermore, the interface between the first node and the first access network device, the interface between the first node and the second access network device, and the interface between the first node and the at least one first network element, etc., can all be pre-configured and established. The specific configuration and establishment methods / processes can be implemented with reference to existing methods / processes for establishing interfaces and will not be described in detail here.

[0157] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, in which a first node receives a first message from a first access network device; the first message includes at least one first information, the at least one first information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the first core network includes at least one first network element, the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard, and the communication standard of the first core network is the second communication standard; the first node sends a second message to a second network element; the second message includes part or all of the information in the at least one first information, and the second network element belongs to the at least one first network element. Therefore, it can be seen that when the communication standards of the access network device and the core network are different, the access network device can communicate with the functional network element of the core network through the first node. This method does not require major changes to the access network device, and the access network device can effectively provide managed terminal devices with access to core networks of other communication standards (including evolved communication standards), and this method can achieve local deployment of functional network elements in the core network.

[0158] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication method, which is also applicable to but not limited to the communication system shown in Figure 4, and is applicable to but not limited to a single-standard communication scenario or a scenario of multiple-standard converged communication. In addition, the method can be implemented in combination with some or all of the solutions in the solution described in Figure 5A above. The method can also be implemented separately, and there is no limitation on this. The method can be executed by a first node, a first access network device, and a terminal device; or the method can be executed by components (modules, chips, etc.) corresponding to the first node, the first access network device, and the terminal device; or the method can be executed by a device corresponding to the first node, the first access network device, and the terminal device; the present application does not make specific restrictions on the specific structure of the aforementioned execution subjects and the number of each execution subject. It can be understood that the present application does not make specific restrictions on the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application and the number of each execution subject. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the interaction between the first node, the first access network device, and the terminal device is used as an example for explanation. The order of the steps in the following processes is only an example. In actual applications, the execution order of the steps in each process can be adjusted; and for the steps in the method shown in Figure 5B below, all steps can be executed, or some steps can be executed, without limitation.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 5B , the method may include the following steps:

[0160] S501B: The first node receives request information for the first service.

[0161] In one possible implementation, the first node receiving request information for the first service may include: the first node receiving the request information for the first service from a first core network function network element, the first core network function network element being associated with the first service, and the communication standard of the first core network function network element being the second communication standard. Optionally, the request information for the first service may include quality of service (QoS) requirement information for the first service.

[0162] Exemplarily, the first service may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a perception service, an AI service, and a positioning service.

[0163] For example, the first service is a perception service, and the first core network functional network element is a perception functional network element in the 6G core network that provides perception services.

[0164] In this embodiment method, the first node and the first access network device are the same as the first node and the first access network device in the method described in Figure 5A above. You can refer to the specific introduction of the above first node and the first access network device, and will not repeat them here.

[0165] S502B: The first node sends a first message to the first access network device. The first message includes information about the first session and / or information about the first quality of service flow, where the first session information and the first quality of service flow information are each associated with the first service. Accordingly, the first access network device receives the first message (the first message in the solution of FIG. 5B has a different function / meaning than the first message in the solution of FIG. 5A ).

[0166] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may implement a communication function through the second node and implement a processing function through the third node. In S502B, the first node sends a first message to the third node, and the third node then sends the first message to the second node.

[0167] Exemplarily, the second node is a DU and the third node is a CU. In an ORAN architecture, the second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0168] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific form of the second node and the third node is not limited. The functions corresponding to the second node and / or the third node can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. In addition, the second node and / or the third node can be built into or integrated into the first access network device, or can be deployed outside the first access network device, without specific limitation. Furthermore, the second node and the third node can be the same device or network element, or they can be separate and independent devices or network elements, without limitation.

[0169] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard.

[0170] In a possible implementation, the first node may determine information about the first session and / or information about the first quality of service flow corresponding to the first service according to quality of service QoS requirement information of the first service.

[0171] S503B: The first node sends first information to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first information.

[0172] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may implement a communication function through the second node and a processing function through the third node. In S503B, the first node sends the first information to the third node, which then sends the first information to the second node. Subsequently (i.e., in S504B below), the second node sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0173] Exemplarily, the second node is a DU and the third node is a CU. In an ORAN architecture, the second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0174] In the embodiment of the present application, the specific forms of the second node and the third node are not limited, and the deployment of the second node and the third node can refer to the introduction in the above S502B, which will not be repeated here.

[0175] In the above, the first information (the function / meaning of the first information in the scheme described in Figure 5B is different from that of the first information in the scheme described in Figure 5A) can be used to indicate the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, wherein the first communication information may include information of the first session and / or information of the first service quality flow.

[0176] Exemplarily, the information of the first session may include, but is not limited to, parameter information in the existing PDU session information, and optionally, may also include identification information of the first session. The information of the first quality of service flow may include, but is not limited to, quality of service information of the first quality of service flow, and optionally, may also include identification information of the first quality of service flow.

[0177] In this embodiment of the present application, the first information can be sent independently by the first node to the first access network device, and the order in which the first node sends the first message and the first information is not limited. That is, the above-mentioned S502B and S503B can be executed synchronously or asynchronously, and the order of execution is not limited. In addition, the first information can also be carried in the first message sent by the first node to the first access network device. That is, in the above-mentioned S502B, the first message carries the first information.

[0178] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: the first node receiving a response message from the first access network device to establish the first session; the response message to establish the first session including the second endpoint information of the first session. Optionally, in this implementation scenario (establishing the first session), the first message sent by the first node to the first access network device may be a request message to establish the first session.

[0179] S504B: The first access network device sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information.

[0180] In S503B and S504B, the first node transmits the first information to the terminal device through transparent transmission of the first access network device, which is equivalent to the first access network device directly forwarding the first information to the terminal device without performing any processing after receiving the first information from the first node.

[0181] In a possible implementation, the first access network device may implement a communication function through the second node and implement a processing function through the third node. Then, in S504B, the second node sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0182] Exemplarily, the second node is a DU and the third node is a CU. In an ORAN architecture, the second node is an O-DU and / or an O-RU and the third node is an O-CU and / or an O-DU.

[0183] In the embodiment of the present application, the specific forms of the second node and the third node are not limited, and the deployment of the second node and the third node can refer to the introduction in the above S502B, which will not be repeated here.

[0184] S505B: The terminal device sends data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, which may include: sending data of the first service to the first access network device based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the configuration information of the data wireless bearer of the first service.

[0186] In an embodiment of the present application, the configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service can be obtained by the first access network device based on the first session information and / or the first quality of service flow information of the first service, and then sent to the terminal device. The terminal device can also obtain the configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service through other means, which is not limited to this.

[0187] In one possible implementation, the first access network device sends configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service to the terminal device, and the first information may be carried in the configuration information. In another possible implementation, the configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service sent by the first access network device to the terminal device and the first information may be carried in the same message or in different messages. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific manner in which the first access network device sends the configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service and / or the first information to the terminal device.

[0188] Through the above steps, the terminal device can determine that the first communication information (first session and / or first service quality flow) is used to serve the first service. Subsequently, the terminal device can establish a data radio bearer for the first service with the first access network device based on the data radio bearer configuration information of the first service. When the terminal device transmits the data of the first service to the network side (uplink transmission), the data of the first service can be sent to the first access network device through the data radio bearer of the first service. Furthermore, the first access network device can transmit the data to the first node through the established tunnel, and the first node then transmits the data of the first service to the functional network element of the first core network. The specific process / process of uplink data transmission can be implemented with reference to the process / process of uplink data transmission in the existing system architecture, and will not be repeated here.

[0189] Similar to the above-mentioned uplink transmission, the functional network element of the first core network can send the downlink data of the first service to the first node based on the first session and / or first quality of service flow of the first service. The first node then transmits the downlink data of the first service to the first access network device through the established tunnel. Finally, the first access network device sends the downlink data of the first service to the terminal device through the data radio bearer of the first service. The terminal device can determine that the received data is data of the first service based on the first information. The specific process / flow of downlink data transmission can be implemented by referring to the process / flow of downlink data transmission in the existing system architecture and will not be repeated here.

[0190] In summary, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which includes: a first node receiving request information of a first service, and then sending a first message to a first access network device, wherein the first message includes information of a first session and / or information of a first quality of service flow, and the information of the first session and the information of the first quality of service flow are respectively associated with the first service. In this method, the first node provides the first access network device with first session information and / or information of a first quality of service flow for first service management. It can be seen that with the evolution of the core network, for functional network elements of some other services (such as perception services, AI services, positioning services, etc.), the first node can also be used to provide the first access network device with effective communication information of the first service, such as first session information and / or information of the first quality of service flow, so that the first access network device can provide effective bearer for data transmission of the first service.

[0191] Based on the communication method shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B , several specific implementation methods are further described below.

[0192] Implementation method one:

[0193] In the first embodiment, based on the solution described in FIG5A , taking the first access network device as a 5G base station and the first core network as a 6G core network as an example, a detailed description is given of how the first terminal device (UE1) transmits NAS messages (an example of the first information in the solution described in FIG5A ) between the 5G base station and each network element in the 6G core network. Referring to FIG6 , the specific process of the first embodiment may include the following:

[0194] S601a: The 5G base station establishes an interface with the proxy node (an example of the first node described in FIG. 5A above).

[0195] Exemplarily, the proxy node may be a 5G core network, a 6G base station, or a logical network element in a 6G base station.

[0196] S601b: The proxy node establishes interfaces with each network element in the 6G core network.

[0197] In this application, the 6G core network may include all network elements (such as AMF, SMF, PCF, etc.) or part of the network elements in the current 5G core network, and also include other functional network elements, such as perception functional network elements, AI functional network elements, positioning functional network elements (LMF), etc.

[0198] In one possible implementation, the proxy node can establish corresponding interfaces with all network elements in the 6G core network to achieve communication. In another possible implementation, the proxy node can establish corresponding interfaces with some network elements in the 6G core network to achieve communication. The specific interface establishment process can be referred to the current interface establishment process and will not be described in detail here.

[0199] For example, for AMF, PCF, and SMF (AMF can communicate with PCF and SMF), the proxy node can only establish a corresponding interface with AMF. In this way, the forwarding of NAS messages can follow the logic of the current 5G system, that is, the NAS messages of PCF and SMF can be forwarded through AMF.

[0200] It should be noted that in the first embodiment of the present application, the AMF network element in the 6G core network can be named as another name, or the AMF network element in the 6G core network can be replaced by other network elements that include all or part of the functions of the AMF. Among them, the functions of AMF include any one or more of the following: mobility management, access authentication / authorization and other functions in the mobile network, management of user registration, reachability detection, selection of SMF network elements, mobile state transition management, etc., and can also be responsible for transmitting user policies between UE and PCF network elements.

[0201] Similar to the AMF in the 6G core network mentioned above, the SMF and PCF network elements in the 6G core network may be named differently, or the SMF and PCF network elements in the 6G core network may be replaced by other network elements that include all or part of the functions of the SMF or all or part of the functions of the PCF. This applies to all functional network elements involved in the 6G core network and will not be listed here one by one.

[0202] The SMF is responsible for session management in the mobile network (including session establishment, modification, and deletion), execution of control policies issued by the PCF, selection of user plane functional network elements, and allocation of UE Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. The PCF provides policies to the AMF and SMF, such as Quality of Service (QoS) policies and slice selection policies.

[0203] In the implementation manner of the present application, in order to illustrate the solution, existing core network elements are introduced as examples, and actual applications can be replaced accordingly.

[0204] AMF and SMF are shown in Figure 6 as examples of 6G core network elements, and other functional network elements are not shown in Figure 6.

[0205] The above S601a-S601b can be executed synchronously or asynchronously, and the execution time of the above S601a-S601b is not specifically limited. In S601b, the time when the proxy node establishes an interface with each network element in the 6G core network can be synchronized or asynchronous, and the execution time is not specifically limited.

[0206] The interface establishment process is completed through the above S601a-S601b, so that the 5G base station can communicate with the proxy node, and the proxy node can communicate with the network element in the 6G core network.

[0207] The following describes the first embodiment by taking the process in which UE1 initiates an uplink NAS message and the core network element replies to the NAS message as an example.

[0208] S602: UE1 sends uplink NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2.

[0209] In one possible implementation, before UE1 sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2, UE1 receives first indication information sent by the 5G base station, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connection to a 6G core network element. Therefore, the NAS message sent by UE1 complies with 6G core network rules.

[0210] Optionally, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connection to a specific network element in the 6G core network. For example, the first indication information is used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connection to an AI function network element, a perception function network element, a positioning function network element, etc.

[0211] Therefore, after receiving NAS message 1 and NAS message 2, the 5G base station can determine that UE1 is connected to the 6G core network element.

[0212] In the embodiment of the present application, the NAS message 1 and the NAS message 2 sent by UE1 may be independent messages, or may be carried in one message (such as an RRC message), which is not limited.

[0213] S603: The 5G base station sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2.

[0214] The 5G base station sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between the 5G base station and the proxy node.

[0215] S604: The proxy node determines the destination network elements in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 respectively.

[0216] In this embodiment, the destination network element corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 may be the same, that is, NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 are sent by UE1 to the same network element in the 6G core network. The destination network elements corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 may also be different, that is, NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 are sent by UE1 to different network elements in the 6G core network. There is no limitation on this.

[0217] Exemplarily, the proxy node determines that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 1 is AMF, and determines that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 2 is SMF.

[0218] S605: The proxy node sends NAS message 1 to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives NAS message 1.

[0219] The proxy node may send NAS message 1 to the AMF through the interface between the proxy node and the AMF.

[0220] S606: The proxy node sends NAS message 2 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives NAS message 2.

[0221] The proxy node may send NAS message 2 to the SMF through the interface between the proxy node and the SMF.

[0222] In one possible implementation, if the proxy node establishes an interface with the AMF but does not establish an interface with the SMF, the proxy node can send NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the AMF, and the AMF then forwards NAS message 2 to the SMF.

[0223] In the above S602 to S606, the processing and / or transmission process of NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 may be performed synchronously or asynchronously, and there is no limitation on this.

[0224] S607: The AMF sends a response message 1 to the proxy node for NAS message 1. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives the response message 1 for NAS message 1.

[0225] Similarly, the AMF sends a response message 1 of the NAS message 1 to the proxy node through the interface between the AMF and the proxy node.

[0226] S608: The SMF sends a response message 2 to the proxy node for NAS message 2. Accordingly, the proxy node receives the response message 2 to NAS message 2.

[0227] Similarly, the SMF sends a response message 2 of the NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between the SMF and the proxy node.

[0228] In one possible implementation, if the proxy node establishes an interface with the AMF but does not establish an interface with the SMF, the proxy node can send the response message 2 of the NAS message 2 to the AMF, and the AMF then forwards the response message 2 of the NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between the proxy node and the SMF.

[0229] S609: The proxy node sends a response message 1 to the 5G base station for the NAS message 1. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives the response message 1 to the NAS message 1.

[0230] S610: The proxy node sends a response message 2 to the NAS message 2 to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives the response message 2 to the NAS message 2.

[0231] In this embodiment, the proxy node may send response messages for each NAS message to the 5G base station in sequence, that is, after receiving a response message for a NAS message from a core network element, it may send it to the 5G base station. The proxy node may also send response messages for all NAS messages or some NAS messages to the 5G base station in a unified manner, that is, the proxy node may send response messages for all NAS messages or some NAS messages to the 5G base station synchronously, without limitation. In addition, the response messages for all NAS messages or some NAS messages sent uniformly by the proxy node to the 5G base station may be carried in the same message / data packet, may be carried in different messages / data packets, and may also carry some response messages in the same message / data packet. There is no limitation on this.

[0232] For a transmission method in which a proxy node uniformly sends response messages for all NAS messages or response messages for some NAS messages to a 5G base station, the proxy node should determine in advance the number of response messages it will receive, including the following situations:

[0233] Case 1: All NAS messages received by the proxy node have corresponding downlink response messages. The proxy node determines that the total number of these NAS messages is N (N is a positive integer). The proxy node then needs to wait until the number of NAS message response messages received from the 6G core network reaches N before sending all NAS message response messages to the 5G base station.

[0234] Case 2: Among the NAS messages received by the proxy node, some NAS messages will have downlink response messages, while others will not. The proxy node determines that the number of NAS messages that will have downlink response messages is M (M is a positive integer less than or equal to N). The proxy node then needs to wait until the number of response messages to the NAS messages received from the 6G core network reaches M before sending the response messages to the 5G base station.

[0235] For example, after the proxy node receives response message 1 to NAS message 1, it sends response message 1 to NAS message 1 to the 5G base station through the corresponding interface. After the proxy node receives response message 2 to NAS message 2, it sends response message 2 to NAS message 2 to the 5G base station through the corresponding interface. This means that S609 and S610 can be executed asynchronously.

[0236] For example, after receiving Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 and Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2, the proxy node and the like uniformly send Response Message 1 of NAS Message 1 and Response Message 2 of NAS Message 2 to the 5G base station through the corresponding interface. This is equivalent to the synchronous execution of S609 and S610 above.

[0237] In the case where the proxy node uniformly sends response message 1 of NAS message 1 and response message 2 of NAS message 2 to the 5G base station, response message 1 of NAS message 1 and response message 2 of NAS message 2 can be sent independently or carried in the same message, and there is no limitation on this.

[0238] Similarly, for a downlink NAS message, when the UE feeds back a response message of the NAS message, UE1 may also adopt the above transmission method (ie, feed back the response messages of the NAS message in sequence, or feed back the response messages of the NAS message in a unified manner).

[0239] S611: The 5G base station sends a response message 1 of NAS message 1 to UE1. Accordingly, UE1 receives the response message 1 of NAS message 1.

[0240] S612: The 5G base station sends a response message 2 to NAS message 2 to UE1. Accordingly, UE1 receives the response message 2 to NAS message 2.

[0241] For S611 and S612, if the 5G base station receives the response message 1 of NAS message 1, it will send the response message 1 of NAS message 1 to UE1. If the 5G base station receives the response message 2 of NAS message 2, it will send the response message 2 of NAS message 2 to UE1. If the 5G base station receives the response message 1 of NAS message 1 and the response message of NAS message 2 at the same time, it will send the response message 1 of NAS message 1 and the response message of NAS message 2 to UE1. The order in which the 5G base station sends them is not limited. In addition, the 5G base station can also carry the response message 1 of NAS message 1 and the response message 2 of NAS message 2 in the same message and send them to UE1.

[0242] In the implementation manner of the present application, from the perspective of UE1, if UE1 is interacting with one or more NAS messages for a service initiation, and the network side performs multiple transmissions and sends all response messages to UE1, then UE1 needs to confirm that the service can be initiated only after receiving the response messages of the NAS messages fed back by all destination network elements in the core network.

[0243] For example, UE1 sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 for perception service 1. The UE confirms that perception service 1 can be initiated only after receiving response message 1 to NAS message 1 and response message 2 to NAS message 2.

[0244] In implementation mode one, for access network devices and core networks of different standards, such as 5G base stations and 6G core networks, communication can be achieved through proxy nodes, so that the 5G base station can support providing UE with access to the 6G core network service at a lower upgrade cost.

[0245] Implementation method 2:

[0246] Different from the above-mentioned embodiment 1, in embodiment 2, the proxy node is a target network element in the 6G core network that has or includes the AMF function (AMF is used as an example of the target network element below), and a detailed description is given of how the 5G base station and the 6G base station respectively provide access to the 6G core network for the UEs managed by themselves. As shown in Figure 7, the specific process of embodiment 2 may include the following:

[0247] S701a: The 5G base station establishes an interface with the AMF.

[0248] This step S701a may be implemented with reference to the above-mentioned S601a.

[0249] S701b: AMF establishes interfaces with other network elements in the 6G core network.

[0250] This step S701b may be implemented by referring to the above-mentioned S601b.

[0251] S701c: The 6G base station establishes interfaces with each network element in the 6G core network.

[0252] The 6G base station establishes an interface with the AMF in the 6G core network, and also establishes corresponding interfaces with other network elements in the 6G core network (such as SMF, PCF, artificial intelligence function network elements, perception function network elements, etc.).

[0253] It should be noted that, here, the AMF network element in the 6G core network may be named by other names, or the AMF network element in the 6G core network may be replaced by other network elements that include all or part of the functions of AMF. Among them, the functions of AMF include any one or more of the following: mobility management, access authentication / authorization and other functions in mobile networks, management of user registration, reachability detection, selection of SMF network elements, mobile state transition management, etc., and may also be responsible for transmitting user policies between UE and PCF network elements.

[0254] Similar to the AMF mentioned above, the SMF and PCF network elements in the 6G core network may be named differently; or the SMF and PCF network elements in the 6G core network may be replaced by other network elements that include all or part of the SMF functions, or other network elements that include all or part of the PCF functions. This applies to all functional network elements in the 6G core network and will not be listed here one by one.

[0255] Among them, the functions of SMF include session management in the mobile network (including the management of session establishment, modification and deletion), execution of control policies issued by PCF, selection of user plane functional network elements, and UE Internet Protocol IP address allocation. The functions of PCF include providing policies to AMF and SMF, such as Quality of Service (QoS) policy and slice selection policy.

[0256] In the implementation manner of the present application, in order to illustrate the solution, existing network elements are introduced as examples, and actual applications can be replaced accordingly.

[0257] The above S701a, S701b and S701c belong to the interface establishment process. Through the above S701a, S701b and S701c, both the 5G base station and the 6G base station can communicate with the network elements of the 6G core network.

[0258] In one possible implementation, the 5G base station sends indication information 1 (an example of the first indication information in the scheme described in Figure 5A above) to the AMF in the 6G core network to indicate that the communication standard of the 5G base station is 5G.

[0259] Optionally, the 6G base station sends indication information 2 (an example of the second indication information in the scheme described in Figure 5A above) to the AMF in the 6G core network to indicate that the communication standard of the 6G base station is 6G.

[0260] S702: UE1 sends uplink NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2.

[0261] In one possible implementation, before UE1 sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2, UE1 receives first indication information sent by the 5G base station, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connection to a 6G core network element. Therefore, the NAS message sent by UE1 complies with 6G core network rules.

[0262] Optionally, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connection to a specific network element in the 6G core network. For example, the first indication information is used to indicate that the 5G base station supports connection to an AI function network element, a perception function network element, a positioning function network element, etc.

[0263] Therefore, after receiving NAS message 1 and NAS message 2, the 5G base station can determine that UE1 is connected to the 6G core network element.

[0264] S703: The 5G base station sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives NAS message 1 and NAS message 2.

[0265] The 5G base station sends NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between the 5G base station and the proxy node.

[0266] S704: AMF determines the destination network elements in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 respectively.

[0267] In this embodiment, the destination network element corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 may be the same, that is, NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 are sent by UE1 to the same network element in the 6G core network. The destination network elements corresponding to NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 may also be different, that is, NAS message 1 and NAS message 2 are sent by UE1 to different network elements in the 6G core network. There is no limitation on this.

[0268] Exemplarily, the proxy node determines that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 1 is AMF, and determines that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 2 is SMF.

[0269] S705: AMF processes NAS message 1.

[0270] S706: AMF sends NAS message 2 to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives NAS message 2.

[0271] The proxy node can send NAS message 2 to SMF through the interface between AMF and SMF.

[0272] Compared with the above S605-S606, the difference between S705-S706 is that AMF processes its own NAS message 1 and forwards the NAS messages of other network elements (such as NAS message 2 of SMF) accordingly.

[0273] In one possible implementation, the AMF generates a response message 1 to NAS message 1.

[0274] S707: The SMF sends a response message 2 to the AMF for NAS message 2. Correspondingly, the AMF receives a response message 2 for NAS message 2.

[0275] Similarly, the SMF sends a response message 2 of the NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between the SMF and the proxy node.

[0276] In one possible implementation, if the proxy node establishes an interface with the AMF but does not establish an interface with the SMF, the proxy node can send the response message 2 of the NAS message 2 to the AMF, and the AMF then forwards the response message 2 of the NAS message 2 to the proxy node through the interface between the proxy node and the SMF.

[0277] S708: The AMF sends a response message 1 to the 5G base station for NAS message 1. Accordingly, the 5G base station receives the response message 1 to the NAS message 1.

[0278] S709: The AMF sends a response message 2 of NAS message 2 to the 5G base station. Accordingly, the 5G base station receives a response message 2 of NAS message 2.

[0279] The AMF can send response messages for each NAS message to the 5G base station in sequence, or it can send response messages for all NAS messages or some NAS messages to the 5G base station in a unified manner. There is no limitation on this.

[0280] The specific implementation of S708-S709 can refer to the implementation of S609-S610 mentioned above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0281] S710: The 5G base station sends response message 1 of NAS message 1 to UE1.

[0282] S711: The 5G base station sends response message 2 of NAS message 2 to UE1.

[0283] The specific implementation method of S710-S711 can refer to the implementation method of the above-mentioned S611-S612, which will not be described in detail here.

[0284] The following describes the implementation steps for a 6G base station (an example of the second access network device in the solution described in FIG. 5A ) to provide access to a 6G core network element service for a managed UE2 (an example of the second terminal device in the solution described in FIG. 5A ):

[0285] S712: UE2 sends uplink NAS message 3 and NAS message 4 to the 6G base station. Correspondingly, the 6G base station receives NAS message 3 and NAS message 4.

[0286] After receiving the uplink NAS message, the 6G base station identifies the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to the NAS message, and then sends the NAS message directly to the destination network element through the corresponding interface.

[0287] For example, the 6G base station identifies that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 3 is AMF. The 6G base station identifies that the destination network element in the 6G core network corresponding to NAS message 4 is SMF.

[0288] In one possible implementation, the 6G base station sends indication information 2 (an example of the second indication information in the scheme described in Figure 5A above) to the AMF in the 6G core network to indicate that the communication standard of the 6G base station is 6G.

[0289] S713: The 6G base station sends NAS message 3 to the AMF. Accordingly, the AMF receives NAS message 3.

[0290] The 6G base station sends NAS message 3 to the AMF through the interface between the 6G base station and the AMF. Accordingly, the AMF directly processes the NAS message 3 after receiving it.

[0291] S714: The 6G base station sends NAS message 4 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives NAS message 4.

[0292] The 6G base station sends NAS message 4 to the SMF through the interface between the 6G base station and the SMF.

[0293] S715: The AMF sends a response message 3 to the NAS message 3 to the 6G base station. Accordingly, the 6G base station receives the response message 3 to the NAS message 3.

[0294] From the AMF perspective, after receiving a NAS message from a 6G base station, the received NAS message is processed by default without performing the step of identifying which 6G core network element the NAS message belongs to.

[0295] S716: The SMF sends a response message 4 to the 6G base station for NAS message 4. Accordingly, the 6G base station receives the response message 4 to the NAS message 4.

[0296] S717: The 6G base station sends a response message 3 to NAS message 3 to UE2. Accordingly, UE2 receives the response message 3 to NAS message 3.

[0297] S718: The 6G base station sends a response message 4 to NAS message 4 to UE2. Accordingly, UE2 receives the response message 4 to NAS message 4.

[0298] The 6G base station may also synchronously send a response message 3 of the NAS message 3 and a response message 4 of the NAS message 4 to UE2. For details, please refer to the manner in which the 5G base station returns a response message to UE1 in the above S611 and S612, which will not be repeated here.

[0299] In the above S713 to S718, the transmission time sequence of NAS message 3 and NAS message 4, as well as response message 3 to NAS message 3 and response message 4 to NAS message 4, is not specifically limited. NAS message 3 and NAS message 4 can be sent synchronously or asynchronously by UE2, and the transmission time sequence is not limited. Similarly, response message 3 to NAS message 3 and response message 4 to NAS message 4 can be sent synchronously or asynchronously, and the transmission time sequence is not limited. Here, the steps corresponding to sending NAS message 3 and response message 3 to NAS message 3 can be performed before UE2 sends NAS message 4, or after the 6G base station sends response message 4 to NAS message 4, and there is no limitation on this.

[0300] In the second embodiment, a target functional network element in the 6G core network can be used to replace the first node, such as AMF. The target functional network element can support establishing interfaces with 5G base stations and 6G base stations. The 5G base station and / or 6G base station can also indicate the type of its own base station (or communication standard) when establishing an interface with the target functional network element. After the target functional network element in the 6G core network identifies the base station type or communication standard, if the received signaling is NAS signaling of UE1 sent by the 5G base station, it is necessary to identify the destination of the NAS signaling. If it is its own signaling, it will be processed by itself. If it is from other network elements, it will be forwarded to other network elements. If the signaling received by the target functional network element is NAS signaling of UE2 sent by the 6G base station, it will process it by itself and feedback the NAS signaling. In the second embodiment, by enhancing the functional network elements of the 6G core network to be compatible with 5G base stations, 5G base stations can access the 6G core network. Compared with the first embodiment, the introduction of new nodes can be effectively avoided and the overhead of the implementation method can be reduced.

[0301] Implementation method three:

[0302] Based on the solution described in FIG5B , in implementation mode 3, taking the case where the first access network device is a 5G base station and the first core network is a 6G core network as an example, a detailed description is given of how to manage the communication service quality (QoS) after the terminal device (UE) accesses the 6G core network through the 5G base station. Referring to FIG8 , the specific process of implementation mode 3 may include the following:

[0303] S801: The proxy node and the new function network element in the first core network establish a transmission path for a first service of the UE.

[0304] The first service may be initiated by the UE or by a new function network element, and there is no limitation on this.

[0305] Exemplarily, the first service may be a perception service, an AI service, a positioning service, etc. The proxy node may be a 5G core network, a 6G base station, or a logical network element in a 6G base station.

[0306] Exemplarily, when the first service is a perception service, the new functional network element may be a functional network element of the perception service (an example of the first core network functional network element in the solution described in FIG. 5B above).

[0307] In the solution of the present application, the manner in which a transmission path is established between the proxy node and the new function network element may depend on the transport layer protocol used between the two, and is not limited thereto.

[0308] In one possible implementation, the proxy node sends the address information of the proxy node to the new function network element, and accordingly, the new function network element receives the address information of the proxy node. Similarly, the new function network element also sends the address information of the new function network element to the proxy node, and accordingly, the proxy node receives the address information of the new function network element.

[0309] S802: The new function network element sends the QoS requirement of the first service to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives the QoS requirement of the first service.

[0310] In a possible implementation, the QoS requirement of the first service may be sent by the new function network element to the proxy node during the process of establishing a transmission path between the proxy node and the new function network element (step S801 ).

[0311] The new function network element may send the QoS requirement of the first service (or the QoS requirement information of the first service or the request information of the first service, etc.) to the proxy node. The parameters included in the QoS requirement of the first service (or the QoS requirement information of the first service or the request information of the first service, etc.) are different from the QoS parameters (or QoS requirement information or service request information) of the existing 5G system and cannot be recognized by the 5G base station.

[0312] S803: The proxy node determines first PDU session information and first quality of service flow QoS information of the first service according to the QoS requirement of the first service.

[0313] In S803, it is equivalent to converting the QoS requirements of the first service or the first service information into the first PDU session information (an example of the information of the first session in the scheme described in Figure 5B above) and the first QoS flow information (an example of the information of the first service quality flow in the scheme described in Figure 5B above) in the 5G system through the proxy node.

[0314] S804: The proxy node sends a request message for establishing the first PDU session to the 5G base station. Correspondingly, the 5G base station receives the request message for establishing the first PDU session.

[0315] The establishment request information of the first PDU session (an example of the first message in the solution described in FIG. 5B above) may include at least one of the following:

[0316] The identifier of the first PDU session, the QoS flow information carried by the first PDU session, the service quality information of the first QoS flow, and the first endpoint information of the first tunnel; wherein the first tunnel is used to transmit the first PDU session of the first service.

[0317] In addition, the proxy node also sends first mapping information (an example of the first information in the solution described in FIG. 5B above) to the 5G base station. The first mapping information may include one or more of the following mapping relationships:

[0318] The mapping relationship between the first service and the first PDU session, the mapping relationship between the first service and the first QoS flow, and the mapping relationship between the first service and the first PDU session and the first QoS flow.

[0319] S805: The 5G base station sends a first PDU session establishment response message to the proxy node. Correspondingly, the proxy node receives the first PDU session establishment response message.

[0320] The establishment response information of the first PDU session includes the second endpoint information of the first tunnel.

[0321] For example, the endpoint information may include the endpoint's address, address, and the like.

[0322] In S804 and S805, the 5G base station and the proxy node may establish a first tunnel based on the first endpoint information and the second endpoint information. Specific reference may be made to the existing process of establishing a tunnel between a 5G base station and a 5G core network, which will not be described in detail here.

[0323] S806: The 5G base station sends first configuration information to the UE, where the first configuration information includes DRB configuration information of the first service. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first configuration information.

[0324] In one possible implementation, the 5G base station can generate DRB configuration information of the first service based on the PDU session of the first service and the QoS flow carried by the PDU session of the first service.

[0325] S807: The 5G base station sends first mapping information to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first mapping information.

[0326] In implementation mode 3, the proxy node sends the first mapping information to the UE through transparent transmission of the 5G base station. This is equivalent to the 5G base station not processing the first mapping information after receiving it from the proxy node, but directly forwarding it to the UE.

[0327] In the implementation manner of the present application, the time sequence of the 5G base station sending the first configuration information and the first mapping information to the UE is not limited. In addition, the 5G base station can send the first configuration information and the first mapping information to the UE separately, or carry the first configuration information and the first mapping information in the same message, or carry the first mapping information in the first configuration information, without specific limitation.

[0328] In a possible implementation, the first mapping information may be carried in the first configuration information, which is equivalent to S807 being executed synchronously with the above S806.

[0329] The 5G base station sends the first mapping information to the UE, letting the UE know that the first PDU session and / or the first QoS flow is used to transmit data for the first service. Subsequently, the UE can identify that the data carried by the first PDU session and / or the first QoS flow is data for the first service from the new function network element, and then the UE submits the data to the corresponding protocol layer for processing. Correspondingly, when the UE sends the data of the first service to the new function network element, the UE maps the data of the first service to the DRB corresponding to the first PDU session and / or the first QoS flow, and sends it to the 5G base station.

[0330] After completing the configuration process of S801-S807 above, data transmission of the first service can be carried out between the UE and the new function network element through the 5G base station and the proxy node.

[0331] During this process, the proxy node receives the data of the first service through the first tunnel between the 5G base stations, and then sends the data of the first service to the new function node through the transmission path between the proxy node and the new function network element.

[0332] Optionally, the proxy node may also perform a process of adding the first service identifier.

[0333] In implementation mode three, the proxy node converts the QoS requirement of the first service of the new functional node (or the QoS demand information of the first service or the request information of the first service, etc.) to obtain a first PDU session establishment request for the 5G base station, and converts the QoS requirement of the first service into the QoS requirement of the first QoS flow. The proxy node then informs the UE of the correspondence between the first service and the first PDU session and / or the first QoS flow, so that after receiving the data of the first PDU session and / or the first QoS flow, the UE can determine that it is the first service data of the new functional node. Through this implementation mode three, on the basis of ensuring that no major changes are made to the 5G base station, the UE can effectively communicate the first service data with the new functional network element of the 6G core network through the 5G base station.

[0334] Regarding the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3, it should be noted that:

[0335] (1) The above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 3 can be implemented separately or in combination, without any specific limitation. For example, embodiment 3 can be implemented in combination with the scheme described in embodiment 1 and / or embodiment 2. In one possible implementation, embodiment 3 may be performed after all the steps described in embodiment 1 and / or embodiment 2, or after some steps of embodiment 1 and / or some steps of embodiment 2. Similarly, some steps of embodiment 2 and some steps of embodiment 3 may also be implemented in combination, without any specific limitation.

[0336] (2) The above description focuses on the differences between the first embodiment and the third embodiment. Except for the differences, the first embodiment to the third embodiment can refer to each other.

[0337] (3) The step numbers in the flowcharts described in Implementation Methods 1 to 3 are merely examples of the execution process and do not limit the order in which the steps are executed. There are no sequential dependencies between the steps in the various implementations of this application, and there is no strict execution order. Furthermore, not all of the steps shown in the flowcharts are mandatory steps, and some steps may be added or deleted based on actual needs.

[0338] In the embodiments provided in the present application above, the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application are introduced from the perspective of interaction between various devices. In order to implement the various functions in the methods provided in the embodiments or implementations of the present application above, the first node or the first access network device or the terminal device may include a hardware structure and / or a software module to implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether one of the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0339] The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments or implementations of the present application may be integrated into a single processor, or may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The aforementioned integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules.

[0340] Similar to the above concept, as shown in FIG9 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 900 for implementing the functions of the first node, first access network device, or terminal device in the above method. For example, the communication device 900 may be a software module or a chip system. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete components. The communication device 900 may include: a communication unit 901 and a processing unit 902.

[0341] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication unit 901 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, and may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, each configured to execute the steps of transmitting and receiving by the first node, the first access network device, or the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 902 may be configured to read instructions and / or data from the storage module to enable the communication device 900 to implement the above method embodiments.

[0342] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage unit 903 , which is equivalent to a storage module and may be used to store instructions and / or data.

[0343] The communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 9 and 10. 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, reference can be made to Figures 5A-5B above and the implementation methods shown in Figures 7 and 8. For the sake of brevity, they are not repeated here.

[0344] The communication unit 901 may also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver, or transceiver device. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Alternatively, the device in the communication unit 901 that implements the receiving function may be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the communication unit 901 that implements the transmitting function may be considered a transmitting unit. That is, the communication unit 901 includes both a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. A communication unit may also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver, or transceiver circuit. A receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit. A transmitting unit may also be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0345] When the communication device 900 executes the first node of the process shown in Figure 5A of the above embodiment: the communication unit 901 is used to receive a first message from the first access network device; the first message includes at least one first information, the at least one first information includes information between the first terminal device and the first core network, the first core network includes at least one first network element, the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard, and the communication standard of the first core network is the second communication standard; the communication unit 901 is also used to send a second message to the second network element; the second message includes part or all of the information in the at least one first information, and the second network element belongs to the at least one first network element. The processing unit 902 can be used to process information and / or data, etc.

[0346] When the communication device 900 executes the first access network device of the process shown in Figure 5A of the above embodiment: the communication unit 901 and the processing unit 902 in the communication device 900 are both located in the first access network device; or the communication unit 901 is located in the DU of the first access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located in the CU of the first access network device; or in the O-RAN architecture, the communication unit 901 is located in the O-DU and / or O-RU of the first access network device, and the processing unit 902 is located in the O-CU and / or O-DU of the first access network device.

[0347] Among them, the communication unit 901 is used to receive at least one first information, and the at least one first information includes information between the first terminal device and the first core network. The communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard, the communication standard of the first core network is the second communication standard, and the first core network includes at least one first network element; the communication unit 901 is also used to send a first message to the first node, and the first message includes the at least one first information, and the first node is respectively connected to the at least one first network element.

[0348] When the communication device 900 executes the first node in the process shown in Figure 5B of the above embodiment: the communication unit 901 is used to receive request information for the first service; the communication unit 901 is also used to send a first message, wherein the first message includes information about the first session and / or information about the first quality of service flow, and the information about the first session and the information about the first quality of service flow are respectively associated with the first service.

[0349] When the communication device 900 executes the terminal device in the process shown in Figure 5B of the above embodiment: the communication unit 901 is used to receive the first information from the first access network device; the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the first communication information includes the information of the first session and / or the information of the first service quality flow; the communication standard of the first access network device is the first communication standard; the communication unit 901 is also used to send the data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information.

[0350] The above is just an example. The processing unit 902 and the communication unit 901 can also perform other functions. For more detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in Figures 5A-5B, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] FIG10 shows a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device shown in FIG10 may be a hardware circuit implementation of the communication device shown in FIG9 . The communication device 1000 may be applicable to the flowchart shown above, performing the functions of the first node, first access network device, or terminal device in the above-described method embodiment. For ease of illustration, FIG10 only shows the main components of the communication device.

[0352] As shown in Figure 10, communication device 1000 includes a communication interface 1001 and a processor 1002. Communication interface 1001 and processor 1002 are coupled to each other. It is understood that communication interface 1001 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface, or an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit. Optionally, communication device 1000 can also include a memory 1003 for storing instructions executed by processor 1002, input data required by processor 1002 to execute instructions, or data generated by processor 1002 after executing instructions.

[0353] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the methods shown in Figures 5A-5B and Figures 6 to 7, the communication interface 1001 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned communication unit 901, and the processor 1002 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit 902.

[0354] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1001, the processor 1002, and the memory 1003 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In Figure 10, the embodiment of the present application shows that the memory 1003, the processor 1002, and the communication interface 1001 are connected via a communication bus 1004. The communication bus 1004 is represented by a bold line in Figure 10. The connection method between other components is only for schematic illustration and is not intended to be limiting. The communication bus 1004 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one bold line is used in Figure 10, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0355] When the communication device is a chip, FIG11 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the chip structure, wherein the chip 1100 includes an interface circuit 1101 and one or more processors 1102. Optionally, the chip 1100 may further include a bus.

[0356] The processor 1102 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above-mentioned service node information determination method can be completed by hardware integrated logic circuits or software instructions in the processor 1102. The above-mentioned processor 1102 can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the various methods and steps disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0357] The interface circuit 1101 can be used to send or receive data, instructions or information. The processor 1102 can use the data, instructions or other information received by the interface circuit 1101 to process it, and can send the processing completion information through the interface circuit 1101.

[0358] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory 1103, which may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides operating instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory 1103 may also include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0359] Optionally, the memory stores an executable software module or a data structure, and the processor can perform corresponding operations by calling an operation instruction stored in the memory (the operation instruction may be stored in an operating system).

[0360] Optionally, the chip can be used in the first node, first access network device, or terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the interface circuit 1101 can be used to output the execution result of the processor 1102. For the communication method provided in one or more embodiments of the present application, reference can be made to the aforementioned embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0361] It should be noted that the corresponding functions of the interface circuit 1101 and the processor 1102 can be implemented through hardware design, software design, or a combination of hardware and software, and there is no limitation here.

[0362] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which computer instructions for implementing the method executed by the first node or the first access network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiment are stored.

[0363] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method performed by the first node or the first access network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0364] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the method executed by the first node or the first access network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0365] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling the computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory so that the processor executes the communication method of the implementation method shown in Figures 5A-5B and Figures 6 to 7 above.

[0366] In one possible implementation, the input of the chip corresponds to the receiving operation in the implementation shown in Figures 5A-5B and Figures 6 to 7 above, and the output of the chip corresponds to the sending operation in the implementation shown in Figures 5A-5B and Figures 6 to 7 above.

[0367] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0368] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory in which computer programs or computer instructions are stored.

[0369] The processor mentioned in any of the above may be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program of a communication method in the implementation manner shown in Figures 5A-5B and Figures 6 to 7. The memory mentioned in any of the above may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0370] It should be noted that, for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the explanation of the relevant contents and beneficial effects of any of the communication devices provided above may refer to the embodiments of the corresponding communication methods provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0371] In the present application, the communication devices may further include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also known as main memory). The operating system of the operating system layer may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as the Linux operating system, Unix operating system, Android operating system, iOS operating system, or Windows operating system. The application layer may include applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software.

[0372] The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processor, or may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The aforementioned integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules.

[0373] Through the description of the above embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. When software is used for implementation, the above functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein the communication media include any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access. For example, but not limited to: a computer-readable medium may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store a desired program code in the form of an instruction or data structure and can be accessed by a computer. In addition, any connection can be appropriately a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. As used in the embodiments of the present application, disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs use lasers to reproduce data optically. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of protection of computer-readable media.

[0374] In short, the above description is only an embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made based on the disclosure of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first node and includes: Receiving a first message from a first access network device; the first message includes at least one first piece of information, the at least one first piece of information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the first core network includes at least one first network element, the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode, and the communication mode of the first core network is a second communication mode; Sending a second message to a second network element; the second message includes some or all of the at least one first piece of information, and the second network element belongs to the at least one first network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending a third message to a third network element; the third message includes some or all of the at least one first piece of information, and the third network element belongs to the at least one first network element.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determining, from the at least one first network element, the network element corresponding to each of the at least one first piece of information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving first indication information from the first access network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the communication mode of the first access network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further includes: Sending some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device according to the quantity of at least one response message and a first threshold, where the at least one response message includes a response message corresponding to the second message and / or a response message corresponding to the third message.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The sending some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device according to the quantity of at least one response message and a first threshold includes: When the quantity of the at least one response message is equal to the first threshold, sending some or all of the at least one response message to the first access network device.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the at least one response message and determining the quantity of the at least one response message.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Processing the first information corresponding to the first node; the first node includes one or more of the following functions: Registration management function, connection management function, mobility management function.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving second information from a second access network device; processing the second information; the communication mode of the second access network device is the second communication mode.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the communication mode of the second access network device.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first access network device and includes: Receiving at least one first piece of information, the at least one first piece of information includes information between a first terminal device and a first core network, the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode, the communication mode of the first core network is a second communication mode, and the first core network includes at least one first network element; Sending a first message to a first node, the first message includes the at least one first piece of information, and the first node is respectively connected to the at least one first network element.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The method further includes: Send first indication information to the first node, where the first indication information is used to indicate the communication mode of the first access network device.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The method further includes: Send third indication information to the first terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the first access network device supports communication with the first core network.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first node and includes: Receive request information for a first service; Send a first message to a first access network device, where the first message includes information about a first session and / or information about a first quality of service flow, and the information about the first session and the information about the first quality of service flow are respectively associated with the first service; the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The receiving the request information for the first service includes: Receive the request information for the first service from a first core network functional element, where the first core network functional element is associated with the first service, and the communication mode of the first core network functional element is a second communication mode.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The method further includes: Receive a response message for the establishment of the first session; the response message for the establishment of the first session includes second endpoint information about the first session.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The information about the first quality of service flow includes the quality of service information of the first quality of service flow.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send first information to a terminal device through the first access network device; the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between the first service and first communication information, and the first communication information includes information about the first session and / or information about the first quality of service flow.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that, The first service includes any one or more of the following: Perception service, artificial intelligence service, positioning service.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device and includes: Receive first information from a first access network device; the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between a first service and first communication information, and the first communication information includes information about a first session and / or information about a first quality of service flow; the communication mode of the first access network device is a first communication mode; Send data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein The sending the data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information includes: Send the data of the first service based on the correspondence between the first service and the first communication information, and the configuration information of the data radio bearer of the first service.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The first service is associated with a first core network functional element, and the communication mode of the first core network functional element is a second communication mode.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that, The first service includes any one of the following: Perception service, artificial intelligence service, positioning service.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, or includes a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, or a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 20 to 23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor; the processor is configured to execute one or more computer programs or instructions stored in a memory, so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or executes the method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, or executes the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, or executes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 23.

26. A communication system, characterized in that, Comprising a first node that executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a first access network device that executes the method according to any one of claims 11 to 13; or, comprising a first node that executes the method according to any one of claims 14 to 19 and a terminal device that executes the method according to any one of claims 20 to 23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Stored with computer programs or instructions, the computer programs or instructions being configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

29. A chip, characterized in that, The chip is coupled to a memory and is configured to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

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