Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which are used for implementing details of an MEC technique. The method can be implemented by means of the following steps: a session management function network element receiving first information, wherein the first information is used for indicating that a service needs to be subjected to service flow orientation, the service is associated with a session of a terminal, an IP anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used for providing services for the terminal; and the session management function network element determining a second user plane network element of the session on the basis of the first information, wherein the service flow orientation comprises service flow orientation between the first data network and a second data network, the second user plane network element can access the second data network, and the second data network is used for providing services for the terminal.

Description

Communication method and device

[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 February 9, 2024, with application number 202410179061.2 and invention name "A Communication Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0004] The rapid development of mobile communications has fostered the emergence of a wide range of new services. Beyond traditional mobile broadband and the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile communications have spawned numerous new application areas, such as augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR), connected vehicles (IoV), industrial control, and the Internet of Things (IoT). At the same time, mobile communications technologies have placed higher demands on network bandwidth, latency, and other performance requirements, further increasing network load.

[0005] Currently, mobile edge computing (MEC) technology can be used to provide low-latency and high-bandwidth services to terminal devices. However, the implementation details of MEC technology have become a pressing technical issue. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for implementing the details of MEC technology.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be implemented by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a session management network element or a component within the session management network element. The session management network element can be a session management function (SMF) network element or a network element, without specific limitation. The component in this application can, for example, include at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the execution subject as an example, the method can be implemented by the following steps: the session management network element receives first information, the first information indicating that a service requires service flow steering, the service is associated with a session of a terminal, the Internet Protocol (IP) anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service to the terminal; the session management network element can also determine a second user plane network element for the session based on the first information; the service flow steering includes service flow steering between the first data network and a second data network, the second user plane network element can access the second data network, and the second data network is used to provide the service to the terminal.

[0008] Based on the method shown in the first aspect, the session management function can obtain first information indicating that a service requires service flow direction, and determine the second user plane network element of the session associated with the service based on the first information, thereby determining the user plane network element and thus achieving service flow direction from the first data network to the second data network. In addition, the first user plane network element of the session can serve as an IP anchor point. Therefore, based on the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element, services can be provided to the terminal on the first data network and the second data network, and MEC technology under multiple data networks can be implemented.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the first information is included in first policy information, and the first policy information is used to indicate that the second user plane network element is determined based on the first information. Based on this implementation, the session management function network element can determine, based on the first policy information, when service flow direction is required, to determine the second user plane network element based on the first information. Therefore, the first policy information can enable the session management function network element of the present application to determine the second user plane network element based on the first information. The first policy information can come from the policy control function network element.

[0010] In an optional implementation, the first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a second local data network; or, the first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a central data network;

[0011] Based on this implementation method, it is possible to support service flow orientation between different local data networks, or support service flow orientation between a local data network and a central data network, so as to realize MEC technology in various service flow orientation scenarios.

[0012] In an optional implementation, the second data network includes the central data network, and determining the second user plane network element for the session based on the first information includes: the session management function network element determining a user plane network element that can access all local data networks as the second user plane network element. Based on this implementation, in a service flow orientation scenario between the local data network and the central data network, the session management function network element can select a user plane network element that can access all local data networks as the second user plane network element, thereby achieving reasonable determination of the second user plane network element.

[0013] In an optional implementation, the second data network includes the central data network; the delay of the first data network in providing the service to the terminal is less than the delay of the second data network in providing the service to the terminal; or, the distance from the first user plane network element to the terminal is less than the distance from the second user plane network element to the terminal.

[0014] In an optional implementation, the first information includes indication information of the second data network, wherein the indication information of the second data network can be used to determine the second user plane network element, so as to achieve reasonable and efficient determination of the second user plane network element.

[0015] In an optional implementation manner, the first information comes from a policy control function network element or the terminal.

[0016] In an optional implementation manner, the first information is included in a request for establishing the session from the terminal; or, the first information is included in a request for modifying the session from the terminal.

[0017] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the session management function network element sending second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the directional acceptance of the service flow. Optionally, the second information may include a data network access identifier (DNAI) for indicating the second data network or for indicating the location of the second data network.

[0018] According to a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be performed by a second communication device. The second communication device may be a policy control function network element or a component within the policy control function network element. The policy control function network element may be, for example, a policy control function (PCF). The component in this application may include, for example, at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the execution subject as an example, the policy control function network element may be implemented by the following steps: the policy control function network element receives first information from an application function network element, the first information indicating that a service requires service flow steering, the service is associated with a session of a terminal, the IP anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service to the terminal; the policy control function network element sends policy information based on the first information, the policy information indicating a second user plane network element for determining the session based on the first information; the service flow steering includes service flow steering between the first data network and a second data network, the second user plane network element can access the second data network, and the second data network is used to provide the service to the terminal.

[0019] It is understood that the policy control function network element receiving the first information from the application function network element may refer to the policy control function network element receiving an indication or information from the application function network element for indicating or determining the first information. For example, the policy control function network element receives service flow direction information from the application function network element. The service flow direction information may be used to indicate that a service requires service flow direction, or the service flow direction information may be used to indicate or determine the first information, or the service flow direction information may include the first information. The service flow direction information may be the same as or different from the first information.

[0020] In an optional implementation manner, the first information is included in the policy information.

[0021] In an optional implementation, the first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a second local data network; or, the first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a central data network;

[0022] In an optional implementation manner, the first information includes indication information of the second data network.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the policy control function network element may also receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate that the service flow orientation is accepted.

[0024] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions shown in the above second aspect and its various possible implementations can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its corresponding technical solutions.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the above second aspect and its various possible implementation methods can be found in the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its corresponding implementation methods, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0026] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a third communication device. The third communication device can be an application function network element or a component in the application function network element. The policy control function network element is, for example, an application function (AF). The component in the present application may include, for example, at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the execution subject as an example, the policy control function network element can be implemented by the following steps: the application function network element sends first information, the first information is used to indicate that the service needs to be directed to a service flow, the service is associated with a session of the terminal, the Internet Protocol IP anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service to the terminal; wherein the service flow direction includes the service flow direction between the first data network and the second data network.

[0027] In an optional implementation, the first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a second local data network; or, the first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a central data network;

[0028] In an optional implementation manner, the first information includes indication information of the second data network.

[0029] It is understood that the application function network element sending the first information may refer to the application function network element sending an indication or information used to indicate or determine the first information. For example, the application function network element sends service flow direction information to the policy control function network element. The service flow direction information may be used to indicate that a service requires service flow direction, or the service flow direction information may be used to indicate or determine the first information, or the service flow direction information may include the first information. The service flow direction information may be the same as or different from the first information.

[0030] The beneficial effects of the third aspect and its various possible implementations can be found in the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its corresponding implementations, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0031] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a fourth communication device. The fourth communication device can be a terminal device or a component in the terminal device. The component in the present application may include, for example, at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the execution subject as an example, the policy control function network element, the method can be implemented by the following steps: the terminal device receives first information from the policy control function network element, the first information is used to indicate that the service needs to be directed to a service flow, the service is associated with a session of the terminal, the IP anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service to the terminal; the terminal device sends the first information to the session management network element.

[0032] It can be understood that the terminal device receives the first information from the policy control function network element, which may refer to the terminal device receiving an indication or information from the policy control function network element for indicating or determining the first information. For example, the terminal device receives a terminal route selection policy (UE route selection policy, URSP) from the policy control function network element. The URSP can be used to indicate that the service needs to be directed to a service flow, or the URSP can be used to indicate or determine the first information, or the URSP can include the first information.

[0033] In an optional implementation, the first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a second local data network; or, the first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a central data network;

[0034] In an optional implementation manner, the first information includes indication information of the second data network.

[0035] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device may further receive second information, the second information being used to indicate that the service flow orientation is accepted. Optionally, the second information may include a DNAI for indicating the second data network or for indicating the location of the second data network.

[0036] In an optional implementation manner, the first information is included in the request for establishing the session; or, the first information is included in the request for modifying the session.

[0037] In an optional implementation, sending the first information to the session management network element includes: determining that the session supports the service based on attribute information of the session; and sending a modification request for the session, wherein the first information is included in the modification request for the session.

[0038] Based on this implementation, when determining that the established session supports the service, the terminal device may modify the session so that the session meets the service flow positioning requirement indicated by the first information.

[0039] In an optional implementation, sending the first information to the session management network element includes: determining, based on attribute information of the established session of the terminal, that the established session does not support the service; and sending a request to establish the session, wherein the first information is included in the request to establish the session.

[0040] Based on this implementation, when the terminal device determines that the established session does not support the service, it can create a new session so that the new session meets the service flow positioning requirement indicated by the first information.

[0041] In an optional implementation, the sending of the first information to the session management network element includes: determining that the established session does not support the business flow orientation based on the indication information and / or business flow orientation information of the data network of the established session, the business flow orientation information being used to indicate whether the established session supports business flow orientation; and sending a request to establish the session, the first information being included in the request to establish the session.

[0042] Based on this implementation, when the terminal device determines that the established session does not support service flow orientation, it can create a new session so that the new session meets the service flow orientation requirement indicated by the first information.

[0043] The beneficial effects of the fourth aspect and its various possible implementations can be found in the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its corresponding implementations, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device can implement the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects. The device has the functions of the first to fourth communication devices described above. The device is, for example, an SMF, PCF, AF, or terminal device, or a functional module or chip in the SMF, PCF, AF, or terminal device.

[0045] In an optional implementation, the device may include a module corresponding to the method / operation / step / action described in any possible implementation of any aspect from the first to the fourth aspect, and the module may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a hardware circuit combined with software. In an optional implementation, the device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module, a communication module, etc.). The transceiver unit can implement a sending function and a receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called a transceiver unit, and the functional module can implement a sending function and a receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0046] Exemplarily, when the apparatus is used to execute the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the apparatus may include a communication unit and a processing unit.

[0047] In the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, comprising a processor for executing a computer program (or computer executable instructions) stored in a memory, so that when the computer program (or computer executable instructions) is executed, the device executes the method described in any possible implementation of any aspect from the first to the fourth aspect.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated;

[0049] In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

[0050] The communication device also includes a communication interface, which is used for the communication device to communicate with other devices, such as sending or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface can be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module or other type of communication interface.

[0051] In the seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which is used to store computer programs or instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is executed, the method described in any possible implementation of any aspect from the first to the fourth aspect and the method shown in any possible implementation thereof are implemented.

[0052] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method described in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects to be implemented.

[0053] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device for executing the method described in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0054] In the tenth aspect, a chip system is provided, which includes a logic circuit (or it can be understood that the chip system includes a processor, and the processor may include a logic circuit, etc.), and may also include an input and output interface. The input and output interface can be used to input messages and can also be used to output messages. The input and output interfaces can be the same interface, that is, the same interface can implement both the sending function and the receiving function; or, the input and output interfaces include an input interface and an output interface, the input interface is used to implement the receiving function, that is, for receiving messages; the output interface is used to implement the sending function, that is, for sending messages. The logic circuit can be used to perform the operations other than the sending and receiving functions in the method described in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects above; the logic circuit can also be used to transmit messages to the input and output interface, or receive messages from other communication devices from the input and output interface. The chip system can be used to implement the method described in any possible implementation of any one of the first to second aspects above. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0055] Optionally, the chip system may further include a memory, which may be used to store instructions, and the logic circuit may call the instructions stored in the memory to implement corresponding functions.

[0056] In the eleventh aspect, a communication method is provided, which may include the method implemented by the first communication device as shown in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the method implemented by the second communication device as shown in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the method implemented by the second communication device as shown in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, or the method implemented by the second communication device as shown in the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0057] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, which may include at least one of a first communication device to a fourth communication device. The first communication device may be used to implement the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the second communication device may be used to implement the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, the third communication device may be used to implement the method of the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the fourth communication device may be used to implement the method of the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0058] The technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned fifth to twelfth aspects can be found in the description of the beneficial effects of the corresponding schemes in the above-mentioned first to second aspects, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system;

[0060] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an MEC architecture;

[0061] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an MEC architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG5 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG6 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the location of the session anchor point;

[0066] FIG8 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus. The method and apparatus are based on the same inventive concept. Since the method and apparatus solve similar problems, the implementation of the apparatus and method can refer to each other, and the repetitive parts will not be repeated.

[0070] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a fourth generation (4G) communication system, such as a long term evolution (LTE) communication system, or to a fifth generation (5G) communication system, such as a 5G new radio (NR) communication system, or to various future communication systems, such as a sixth generation (6G) communication system. The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to a Bluetooth system, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a long range radio (LoRa) system, or a vehicle networking system. The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to a satellite communication system. The satellite communication system can be integrated with the above-mentioned communication system. It can be understood that the cache status report determination method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to other communication systems.

[0071] Figure 1 shows a possible example of the architecture of the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5GS). The architecture of this communication system may include: terminal equipment, (radio) access network ((R)AN), and core network. Exemplarily, in the architecture of this communication system, the radio access network may include access network equipment. The core network may include: network exposure function (NEF) network element, PCF network element, unified data management function network element (UDM), AF network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, SMF network element, and user plane function (UPF) network element. The AMF network element and access network equipment may be connected via the N2 interface, the access network equipment and UPF may be connected via the N3 interface, the SMF and UPF may be connected via the N4 interface, the AMF network element and UE may be connected via the N1 interface, and the UPF may be connected to the DN via the N6 interface. The interface names are merely examples and are not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the communication system shown in Figure 1. The names of the network elements shown in Figure 1 are provided here for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the network elements included in the communication system architecture to which the method of the present application is applicable. The functions of each network element or device in the communication system are described in detail below:

[0072] Terminal devices, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT), are devices that provide voice or data connectivity to users, and can also be IoT devices. For example, terminal devices include handheld devices and vehicle-mounted devices with wireless connectivity. 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.), 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, and airplanes). Terminal devices can also be other devices with terminal functions, for example, a terminal device can also be a device that functions as a terminal in D2D communication. In this application, a terminal device with wireless transceiver function and a chip that can be provided in the terminal device are collectively referred to as a terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0073] (R)AN equipment: equipment that provides access for terminal devices, including radio access network (AN) equipment and access network (AN) equipment. RAN equipment is mainly 3GPP network wireless network equipment, and AN can be non-3GPP defined access network equipment. RAN equipment: mainly responsible for wireless resource management, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption and other functions on the air interface side. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the name of the equipment with base station functions may be different. For example, in 5G systems, it is called RAN or gNB (5G NodeB).

[0074] In one possible scenario, an (R)AN device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB) in 4G, an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in 5G, a base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, or an access node in a WiFi system. A network device can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1 ), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1 ), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. An (R)AN device can also function as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2I) communication, or machine-to-machine communication. Alternatively, an (R)AN device can be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an onboard device. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). (R)AN equipment can also be a network device in an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN) system.

[0075] In another possible scenario, multiple (R)AN devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different (R)AN devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the (R)AN 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 (R)AN 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 a network device in the access network RAN, or the CU can be divided into a network device in the core network CN, which is not limited here.

[0076] For example, in an open access network system, CU may also be referred to as an open CU (O-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 convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0077] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0078] The access and mobility management function network element can be used to manage the access control and mobility of terminal devices. In actual applications, it includes the mobility management function in the mobility management entity (MME) in the network framework in long term evolution (LTE), and adds the access management function, which can be responsible for the registration of terminal devices, mobility management, tracking area update process, reachability detection, selection of session management function network elements, mobile state transition management, etc. For example, in 5G, the access and mobility management function network element can be an AMF network element, such as shown in Figure 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the access and mobility management function network element can still be an AMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the access and mobility management function network element is an AMF network element, the AMF can provide Namf services.

[0079] The session management function network element can be used to manage the session of the terminal device (including the establishment, modification and release of the session), the selection and reselection of the user plane function network element, the IP address allocation of the terminal device, and the quality of service (QoS) control. For example, in 5G, the session management function network element can be an SMF network element, such as shown in Figure 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the session management function network element can still be an SMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the session management function network element is an SMF network element, the SMF can provide Nsmf services.

[0080] User plane function network element: responsible for forwarding and receiving user data in the terminal device. User data can be received from the data network and transmitted to the terminal device through the access network device; the UPF network element can also receive user data from the terminal device through the access network device and forward it to the data network. The transmission resources and scheduling functions that provide services to the terminal device in the UPF network element are managed and controlled by the SMF network element. For example, in 5G, the user plane function network element can be a UPF network element, such as shown in Figure 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the user plane function network element can still be a UPF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0081] In addition, as shown in the architecture of Figure 1, if there is another UPF between the (R)AN equipment and the UPF, namely the intermediate-UPF (I-UPF), then the interface between the RAN and the I-UPF is called the N3 interface, and the interface between the I-UPF and the UPF is called the N9 interface. Both N3 and N9 are user session-granular interfaces used to transmit user messages using the GPRS tunneling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U) protocol.

[0082] In the following, in order to distinguish the different functions of UPF, the branching point (BP), uplink classifier (ULCL), protocol data unit (PDU) session anchor (PSA), and local PSA (local-PSA, L-PSA) are used to illustrate. Among them, BP / ULCL can be used to provide diversion function; PSA can be used as the anchor point UPF of the user session. Unless otherwise specified, PSA can refer to the PSA deployed on the central data network side; L-PSA is used to access the local network, and can also be called PSA deployed on the local network or local data network. Among them, multiple BP, ULCL, PSA and L-PSA can be deployed together. For a session, a PSA can be used as an IP anchor point, wherein the IP anchor point can be L-PSA or PSA deployed on the central data network side. In this application, a session can refer to a PDU session.

[0083] Policy control function network element: It mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior and provides policy rules to control layer network functions, such as SMF and AMF. It is also responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions. For example, in 5G, the policy control function network element can be a PCF network element, as shown in Figure 1; in future communications, such as 6G, the policy control function network element can still be a PCF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the policy control function network element is a PCF network element, the PCF network element can provide Npcf services.

[0084] Network Open Function Element: This primarily supports secure interaction between 3GPP networks and third-party applications. For example, in 5G, the Network Open Function Element may be a NEF Element, as shown in Figure 1. In future communications, such as 6G, the Network Open Function Element may still be a NEF Element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the Network Open Function Element is an NEF, the NEF can provide Nnef services to other Network Function Element elements.

[0085] Application Function Network Element: This element primarily supports interaction with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing third-party services to the network side. For example, in 5G, the application function network element may be an AF network element, as shown in Figure 1. In future communications, such as 6G, the application function network element may still be an AF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the application function network element is an AF network element, the AF network element can provide Naf services.

[0086] Unified Data Management Function Network Element: This element is used to generate authentication credentials, process user identities (such as storing and managing permanent user identities), control access authorization, and manage contract data. For example, in 5G, the unified data management function network element may be a UDM network element, as shown in Figure 1. In future communications, such as 6G, the unified data management function network element may still be a UDM network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. When the unified data management function network element is a UDM network element, the UDM network element may provide Nudm services.

[0087] A data network (DN) refers to a service network that provides data transmission services to users, such as IP multi-media service (IMS) and the Internet.

[0088] The terminal device can access the DN through the path established between the terminal device and the DN. Among them, a session can be understood as a channel between the base station and the UPF included in the path between the terminal device and the DN.

[0089] Among them, each network element in the core network can also be called a functional entity or device, which can be a network element implemented on dedicated hardware, a software instance running on dedicated hardware, or an instance of a virtualized function on an appropriate platform. For example, the above-mentioned virtualization platform can be a cloud platform.

[0090] It should be noted that the architecture of the communication system shown in Figure 1 is not limited to including only the network elements shown in the figure, but may also include other devices not shown in the figure, which will not be listed one by one in this application.

[0091] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the distribution form of each network element. The distribution form shown in Figure 1 is only exemplary and is not limited in this application.

[0092] For ease of explanation, this application will subsequently use the network element shown in Figure 1 as an example, and will simply refer to the XX network element as XX. For example, the SMF network element will be referred to as SMF. It should be understood that all network element names in this application are merely examples and may be referred to by other names in future communications. Alternatively, the network elements involved in this application may be replaced by other entities or devices with the same functions in future communications. This application does not limit this. This is a unified explanation here and will not be repeated in detail later.

[0093] It should be noted that the communication system shown in Figure 1 does not constitute a limitation on the communication systems to which the embodiments of the present application can be applied. The communication system architecture shown in Figure 1 is a 5G system architecture. Optionally, the method of the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to various future communication systems, such as 6G or other communication networks.

[0094] Based on the 5G system architecture, the MEC architecture has evolved further. As shown in Figure 2, compared to the central data network (central DN), MEC can be deployed in edge areas (also known as local data networks (local DN)), closer to end users, to provide services to users. In other words, the latency of a local data network providing services to a terminal is lower than the latency of a central data network providing services to the same terminal. In other words, by deploying services, service processing, and resource scheduling functions to the edge network close to the end user, a reliable and ultimate service experience can be provided. As shown in Figure 2, MEC is deployed at the downlink UPF (local UPF); the central data network is deployed at the remote UPF (remote UPF). Compared to the path for terminal devices to access the central data network, the path for terminal devices to access the MEC platform is significantly shorter. Therefore, MEC technology can provide users with low-latency, high-bandwidth services.

[0095] Currently, the implementation details of MEC technology are a pressing technical issue. For example, some services require traffic steering. In this application, traffic steering can refer to services accessing multiple data networks in different locations. In this case, how to properly select user-plane network elements is a pressing technical issue.

[0096] The present application provides a communication method. The communication method can be implemented by one or more of a session management network element, a policy control function network element, an application function network element, or a terminal device, or a device in one or more of the above network elements or devices. The session management network element can be an SMF or other network element, device, or apparatus with session management functionality. The policy control function network element can be a PCF or other network element, device, or apparatus that supports policy determination. The application function network element can be an AF or other network element, device, or apparatus with application functionality. The terminal device can be a UE, etc., without specific limitation.

[0097] The following describes the communication method shown in this application using SMF as an example of a session management network element, PCF as an example of a policy control function network element, AF as an example of an application function network element, and UPF as an example of a user plane network element.

[0098] As shown in FIG3 , a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0099] S101: SMF receives first information.

[0100] Among them, the first information can be used to indicate that the service needs to be directed for service flow. Service flow direction may refer to service flow direction between the first data network and the second data network. The service may be associated with a session of the terminal, for example, the session supports the transmission of the service. The IP anchor point of the session may be the first UPF. That is, the IP address of the terminal is anchored to the first UPF. It can be understood that the first UPF may belong to or be deployed in the first data network, or the first UPF may be able to (or support) access (or access, or connect) to the first data network. As an example of the first information, the first information may be traffic steering information of the service.

[0101] In the present application, the first data network and the second data network may be two data networks in different locations. The DNAI for accessing the first data network and the DNAI for accessing the second data network may be different. The first data network and the second data network may have the same data network name (DN name, DNN), and the services in the first data network and the services in the second data network may correspond to the same network slice information. Therefore, the first data network and the second data network can provide the same services, which may include the services in S101. In the present application, the network slice information includes, for example, single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), and S-NSSAI can be used to indicate the network slice.

[0102] As an example, the first data network may be a local data network, and the second data network may be a local data network or a central data network.

[0103] The local data network in this application refers to a data network in which a network entity adopts a distributed deployment. The central data network may refer to a data network in which a network entity adopts a centralized deployment or a deployment position that is higher. Alternatively, the local data network may be understood as a data network that is closer to the terminal, and the central data network may be understood as a data network that is farther away from the same terminal. Alternatively, the local data network may be understood as a data network with a smaller delay when providing services to the terminal, and the central data network may be understood as a data network with a larger delay when providing the same services to the same terminal. Alternatively, the distance between the user plane network element accessing the local data network and the terminal is shorter than the distance between the user plane network element accessing the central data network and the terminal. Alternatively, the delay between the user plane network element accessing the local data network and the terminal is shorter than the delay between the user plane network element accessing the central data network and the terminal.

[0104] It can be understood that the local data network and the central data network among the multiple data networks can be determined based on the size relationship of the time delay of the multiple data networks in providing the service to the terminal. For example, the multiple data networks include data network 1 and data network 2. When the time delay of data network 1 in providing the service to the terminal is less than the time delay of data network 2 in providing the service to the terminal, data network 1 can be used as the local data network and data network 2 can be used as the central data network. In addition, the local data network and the central data network among the multiple data networks can be determined based on the size relationship of the distances from the multiple data networks (or the UPFs connected to the data networks) to the terminal. For example, the multiple data networks include data network 1 and data network 2. When the distance from data network 1 (or the UPF connected to data network 1) to the terminal is less than the distance from data network 2 (or the UPF connected to data network 2) to the terminal, data network 1 can be used as the local data network and data network 2 can be used as the central data network.

[0105] In one possible implementation, the first data network and the second data network are different local data networks. For example, the first data network and the second data network are located in different locations. In other words, the first information can be used to indicate that a service requires traffic flow direction between the first local data network and the second local data network. In other words, traffic flow direction includes traffic flow direction between the first local data network and the second local data network. This will be referred to as the first traffic flow direction scenario below.

[0106] For example, the first information may include indication information of the second local data network. The first information may also include indication information of the first local data network.

[0107] The local data network indication information may be used to indicate the local data network, or to indicate the location of the local data network, or to indicate the location for accessing the local data network, or to indicate an identifier of a user plane connection for accessing the local data network. For example, the local data network indication information may be a DNAI.

[0108] For example, in a case where the service flow direction includes a first service flow direction scenario, the first information may include the DNAI of the first local data network and / or the DNAI of the second local data network.

[0109] In another possible implementation, the first data network is a local data network, and the second data network is a central data network. That is, the first information may be used to indicate that a service requires traffic flow direction between a local data network (e.g., the first local data network) and a central data network. In other words, traffic flow direction includes traffic flow direction between the local data network and the central data network. This may be referred to hereinafter as the second traffic flow direction scenario.

[0110] Accordingly, the first information may include indication information of the local data network, such as DNAI of the local data network.

[0111] Optionally, for the second service flow directional scenario, the first information may include indication information for indicating the central data network, or include indication information for indicating that the UPF accessing the second data network (i.e., the second UPF) corresponds to all local data networks, or include indication information for indicating that the UPF does not correspond to any local data network, or include indication information for indicating that the UPF can access all local data networks. Alternatively, the above indication information can be sent to the SMF together with the first information, for example, the indication information and the first information are included in the same message or signaling.

[0112] In addition, for the second service flow direction scenario, the first information may include an identifier of a specific data network, such as a specific DNAI or a specific S-NSSAI. The identifier of the specific data network corresponds to the central data network, or in other words, the identifier of the specific data network can be used to indicate that the service requires service flow direction between the local data network and the central data network.

[0113] In addition, the first information may also only indicate to perform service flow orientation, in which case the service flow orientation between the first data network and the central data network may be performed by default.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the first information may not indicate multiple data networks for which service flow direction is to be performed; it only needs to indicate that service flow direction is to be performed. In this case, the data networks between which service flow direction is to be performed can be determined based on a default rule. For example, the default service flow direction can be between the first local data network and the central data network. Alternatively, the SMF may request the PCF to further indicate or determine the configuration or policy of the first data network and / or the second data network.

[0115] As an implementation of S101, the SMF may receive first policy information from the PCF. The first policy information may be used to indicate (or determine) the second user plane network element for the session determined based on the first information. The first policy information may include the first information, or the first policy information may indicate the first information, or indicate that the service requires service flow direction. For example, the first policy information may be a policy and charging control (PCC) rule of the first information, or the first policy information may be included in the PCC rule, or the first policy information may be included in the session policy. The first policy information may be determined by the PCF based on the service flow direction information provided by the AF. The service flow direction information may be the same as or different from the first information. The service flow direction information may be used to indicate or determine that the service requires service flow direction, or the service flow direction information may be used to indicate or determine the first information, or the service flow direction information may include the first information. The following will be combined with Figure 5 to introduce the way in which the SMF determines the second user plane network element based on the PCC rule, which will not be expanded here.

[0116] As another implementation of S101, the SMF may receive the first information from the terminal. For example, the first information is included in a session establishment request or a session modification request sent by the terminal device to the SMF. The session establishment request or the session modification request may be sent by the terminal device based on the second policy information. The second policy information can be used by the terminal device to determine the corresponding requirements of the service. For example, the second policy information may include the first information, which is used to indicate that the service needs to be service flow directed. The SMF may determine the second user plane network element of the session based on the corresponding requirements of the service. For example, the second policy information may be a URSP. The second policy information may be determined by the PCF based on the service flow direction information provided by the AF. The service flow direction information may be the same as or different from the first information. The service flow direction information may be used to indicate or determine that the service needs to be service flow directed, or the service flow direction information may be used to indicate or determine the first information, or the service flow direction information may include the first information.

[0117] The following will introduce the implementation method of the process of the terminal device initiating and establishing or modifying the URSP based on Figure 6, which will not be expanded here.

[0118] S102: The SMF determines the second UPF of the session based on the first information.

[0119] Among them, the second UPF can be used to realize the transmission of the service in the second data network. For example, the second UPF can serve as the upstream node or downstream node of the first UPF. As an example, for downlink service data, the second UPF can serve as the upstream node of the first UPF, such as the second UPF serving as the previous hop node of the first UPF, or one or more UPFs may be included between the second UPF and the first UPF, and the first UPF may receive downlink service data from the second UPF through one or more UPFs; for uplink service data, the second UPF can serve as the downstream node of the first UPF, such as the second UPF serving as the next hop node of the first UPF, or one or more UPFs may be included between the second UPF and the first UPF, and the second UPF may receive uplink service data from the first UPF through one or more UPFs.

[0120] Among them, for the first business flow directional scenario, the second UPF may support or allow access to the second local data network, or it may mean that the UPF supports or allows establishment of a connection with the central data network.

[0121] It is understood that for the first service flow directional scenario, the SMF can determine the second UPF based on the indication information of the second data network. For example, the SMF can determine the UPF that supports access to the second local data network as the second UPF based on the indication information of the second local data network. The identifier of the second local data network can be included in the first information, or included in the PCC rule, or included in the session policy, or included in a message sent together with the first information, such as a message used to carry the PCC rule.

[0122] For the second service flow directional scenario, the second UPF may correspond to the central data network. UPF corresponds to the central data network, which may mean that the UPF supports or allows access to the central data network, or may mean that the UPF supports or allows establishment of a connection with the central data network.

[0123] For the second service flow direction scenario, the second UPF may be determined based on one or more of indication information indicating that the second UPF corresponds to all local data networks, indication information indicating that the second UPF does not correspond to any local data network, or indication information indicating that the second UPF can access all local data networks. For example, the SMF may determine that the UPF that can access all local data networks is the second UPF. For another example, the SMF may determine that the UPF that does not correspond to any local data network is the second UPF. The above indication information may be included in the first information, or may be sent to the SMF together with the first information. For example, the above indication information may be included with the first information in the PCC rules sent by the PCF to the SMF, or included in a message sent by the terminal device to the SMF. It is understood that the above indication information may also be absent. In this case, the SMF determines that the UPF that can access all local data networks, or the UPF that does not correspond to any local data network, is the second UPF based on the received first information.

[0124] It is understood that upon detecting the service, the SMF may execute S102 to determine the second UPF. For example, after receiving the first policy information, the SMF may detect whether the session contains a service or service flow related to the first policy information. If so, the SMF executes S102 to select the second UPF; if not, the SMF does not select the second UPF until a related service or service is detected. For example, if the SMF receives the first information from the PCF in S101, S102 may be executed upon detecting the service, i.e., the SMF may determine that the service has been detected before S102.

[0125] The SMF may detect the service in at least two ways:

[0126] 1) The SMF sends a rule to the first UPF, which is used to instruct the first UPF to send a notification message to the SMF when the service is detected. The notification message can be used to indicate or indicate that the service is detected. The service can be represented or identified by an IP quintuple or an IP triplet. Or,

[0127] 2) The SMF issues a rule to the edge application server discovery function (EASDF), instructing the EASDF to send a notification to the SMF when it detects the service. This notification can be used to indicate or indicate the detection of the service or service flow. In this case, the service can be represented or identified by a full qualified domain name (FQDN).

[0128] Based on the process shown in Figure 3, the SMF can determine the second UPF based on the first information. Thereafter, the SMF can establish or update the user plane path according to the determined second UPF.

[0129] In the present application, the relationship between the first UPF, the second UPF, the first data network, and the second data network can be shown with reference to FIG4 . In FIG4 , arrows can be used to identify the path of service transmission. It can be understood that FIG4 does not limit the positional relationship between the first data network and the second data network, that is, the distance between the second data network and the terminal can be greater than, equal to, or less than the distance between the first data network and the terminal. For example, when the first data network and the second data network are both local data networks, the distance between the second data network and the terminal can be greater than, equal to, or less than the distance between the first data network and the terminal; for another example, when the first data network is a local data network and the second data network is a central data network, the distance between the second data network and the terminal can be greater than the distance between the first data network and the terminal.

[0130] In a possible embodiment, when the first information in S101 comes from a terminal, if the terminal device determines that its established session supports the service, the first information may be carried in a modification request of the session. If the terminal device determines that its established session does not support the service, the first information may be carried in a creation request of a session associated with the service.

[0131] As an example, the terminal may determine whether the established session supports the service according to attribute information of the established session of the terminal and / or indication information of the data network.

[0132] The attribute information of the established session may include the DNN or slice information of the data network of the established session. The indication information of the data network may include the DNAI of the data network of the established session.

[0133] It is understood that when the terminal device determines that the established session supports the service, the terminal device can include the first information in the modification request of the established session to request modification of the established session. At this time, the established session is associated with the service in S101, so there is no need to re-establish the session. The service flow can be directed by simply associating the session with the second user plane network element.

[0134] Among them, the terminal device determines that the established session supports the service, which may refer to the DNN and / or slice information of the data network associated with the established session, which is the same as the DNN and / or slice information of the data network required by the service, that is, the established session supports the transmission of the service.

[0135] In addition, when the terminal device determines that the established session does not support the service, the terminal device can carry the first information in the establishment request of a new session for the service, requesting modification of the established session, that is, the first UPR and the second UPF are the UPFs of the new session.

[0136] Optionally, the terminal device may further carry the first information in a request to establish a new session for the service if it is determined that the established session does not satisfy the service flow orientation indicated by the first information. The fact that the established session does not satisfy the service flow orientation indicated by the first information may mean that the data network of the established session does not include the first data network and / or the second data network, or that the established session does not support service flow orientation.

[0137] For example, the terminal device may determine whether the established session satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information based on the indication information of the data network of the established session. For example, the terminal device may search for the indication information of the data network of the established session. If the indication information of the established session includes the indication information of the first data network and the indication information of the second data network, the terminal device may determine that the established session satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information; if the indication information of the established session does not include the indication information of the first data network and / or the indication information of the second data network, the terminal device may determine that the established session does not satisfy the service flow orientation indicated by the first information.

[0138] The indication information of the data network may be the DNAI of the data network. Alternatively, for a central data network, the indication information may be indication information indicating that the UPF corresponds to all local data networks, indication information indicating that the UPF does not correspond to any local data network, or indication information indicating that the UPF can access all local data networks.

[0139] For another example, the terminal device can determine whether the established session meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information based on the service flow orientation information of the established session. The service flow information of the established session can be used to indicate the service flow orientation of the established session. The service flow orientation information can refer to the description of the first information in this application. For example, the service flow information of the established session can at least be used to indicate that the session supports service flow orientation between the third data network and the fourth data network. For example, if the third data network is the same as the first data network, and the fourth data network is the same as the second data network, the terminal device can determine that the established session meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information.

[0140] If the established session is not associated with the service flow orientation information, the terminal device may determine that the established session does not support service flow orientation, that is, the terminal device may determine whether the established session satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information.

[0141] In addition, if the session established by the terminal device meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, the terminal device can provide the service to the terminal through the established session without establishing a new session or modifying the established session.

[0142] It is understood that in the present application, one or more of the attribute information of the established session of the terminal device, the indication information of the data network of the established session, or the service flow orientation can be associated with the URSP of the established session, for example, included in the URSP of the established session. For example, if the URSP corresponding to the established session contains information indicating that the service requires service flow orientation, then the established session can be considered to support service flow orientation. The URSP corresponding to the established session refers to the URSP used when establishing the session.

[0143] That is, if the terminal device determines that the currently established session supports the service, then in S101, the terminal device may send a session modification request carrying the first information to the SMF, triggering the SMF to modify the established session. Accordingly, the first UPF and the second UPF are both UPFs for the established session, so that the established session satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information. If the terminal device determines that the currently established session does not support the service, then in S101, the terminal device may send a session establishment request carrying the first information to the SMF, triggering the SMF to establish a new session. Accordingly, the first UPF and the second UPF are both UPFs for the new session, so that the new session supports the service and satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information. If the terminal device determines that the currently established session does not satisfy the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, then in S101, the terminal device may send a session establishment request carrying the first information to the SMF, triggering the SMF to establish a new session. Accordingly, the first UPF and the second UPF are both UPFs for the new session, so that the new session supports the service and satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information. If the terminal device determines that the currently established session supports the service and meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, the established session can be used to transmit the service without creating or modifying a new session.

[0144] In one possible embodiment of the present application, the SMF may further send second information to indicate that the first information or the service flow orientation of the service has been accepted. For example, the SMF may send the second information to the PCF or the terminal as feedback indicating acceptance of the first information in S101. Optionally, the SMF may further send indication information of the first data network and / or indication information of the second data network.

[0145] In a possible embodiment of the present application, the SMF may further determine to stop the service flow orientation of the session according to the third information, wherein the third information may be used to indicate that the service does not require service flow orientation.

[0146] Specifically, upon receiving the third information, the SMF may modify the session based on the third information to delete the second UPF of the session, so that the modified session does not support the service flow orientation, or in other words, the modified session does not support access to the second data network. The second UPF may be the UPF inserted based on the first information.

[0147] As an implementation method, the SMF can determine whether there are other services that require service flow redirection in the established session before modifying the session. If there are other services that require service flow redirection, the SMF does not delete the second UPF to avoid interrupting other services. If there are no other services that require service flow redirection, the SMF deletes the second UPF to save session resources.

[0148] As an implementation method, the SMF may determine whether the session is associated with the service flow orientation before modifying the session. If the session is still associated with the service flow orientation, the second UPF may be deleted by modifying the session. If the session is not associated with the service flow orientation, it may indicate that the second UPF has been deleted, or that the session does not contain the second UPF, and the SMF may not perform any operation.

[0149] Optionally, the SMF may determine whether the session has other services that require service flow direction, or determine whether the session is associated with service flow direction, based on the session context or session-related policy information. The SMF may store the previously received first information or first policy information in the session context. The session-related policy information may include PCC rules. For example, if the SMF receives the first policy information from the PCF, the session-related policy information may include the first policy information.

[0150] Among them, if the session context or session-related policy information contains the first information or first policy information previously received by the SMF to indicate that the service needs to be directed to a business flow, it means that the session still has other services that require business flow direction, or that there is still an association between the session and the business flow direction. Correspondingly, the SMF does not delete the second UPF. Conversely, if the session context or session-related measurement information does not contain the first information or the first policy information, the SMF can delete the second UPF. Optionally, the SMF can also delete the first information or the first policy information in the session context or the session-related policy information.

[0151] If the session context or session-related policy information does not include the first information or first policy information previously received by the SMF to indicate that the service requires service flow orientation, it means that the session does not have other services that require service flow orientation, or is not associated with service flow orientation. Accordingly, the SMF can modify the session to delete the second UPF.

[0152] Optionally, the AF may send third information to the PCF to indicate that the service no longer requires service flow redirection. Accordingly, the PCF may determine second policy information based on the third information. The second policy information may be used to indicate how to determine the second user plane network element for the session when the service does not require service flow redirection. The second policy information may include the third information, or the second policy information may be obtained by modifying the format of the third information.

[0153] It will be appreciated that this application does not limit the manner in which the SMF determines the first UPF. For example, the SMF may determine, based on the indication information of the first local data network, a UPF that supports access to the first local data network as the first UPF. The identifier of the first local data network may be included in the first information, or in a PCC rule, or in a session policy, or in a message sent together with the first information, such as a message that carries the PCC rule.

[0154] In addition, this application does not restrict the order in which the SMF determines the first UPF and the second UPF. That is, the first UPF may have been determined before S102 or after the second UPF is determined. For example, during session modification, the SMF may not modify the first UPF, meaning that the IP anchor point for the session remains the previously determined first UPF.

[0155] Optionally, before S102, the SMF may determine whether there is a UPF that supports business flow orientation for the session.

[0156] For example, for the first business flow directional scenario, the SMF may determine that the UPF associated with the established session does not include a UPF that supports access to the second data network, that is, the current session does not enable response to the first business flow directional scenario. After this, the SMF may execute S102 to determine a UPF that supports access to the second data network. For another example, for the second business flow directional scenario, the SMF may determine that the UPF associated with the session does not include a UPF that supports access to the central data network, that is, the current session does not enable response to the second business flow directional scenario. After this, the SMF may execute S102 to determine a UPF that supports access to the second data network.

[0157] The following describes the method provided by the present application with reference to the processes shown in Figures 5 and 6, respectively. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the process when the SMF selects a second UPF based on PCC rules. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the process when the SMF selects a second UPF based on a session establishment request or session modification request from a terminal device. The process shown in Figure 5 can be used as an implementation method when the first information shown in S101 in Figure 3 comes from the PCF, and the process shown in Figure 6 can be used as an implementation method when the first information shown in S101 in Figure 3 comes from the terminal.

[0158] As shown in FIG5 , when the first information comes from the PCF, a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0159] S201: The AF sends service flow orientation information, and the PCF receives the service flow orientation information accordingly.

[0160] In one example, the traffic flow steering information may be used to indicate that a service requires traffic flow steering. For example, the traffic flow steering information may be included in a service requirement of the service. The service requirement may be, for example, a traffic steering requirement.

[0161] In S201, the service flow direction information may be the same as the first information in S101. Therefore, the service flow direction information may refer to the description of the first information in S101. Alternatively, the service flow direction information may be used to determine the first information in S101, for example, by performing operations such as formatting changes on the service flow direction information to obtain the first information.

[0162] Optionally, the service requirement may be included in an application function request (AF request) sent by the AF. The application function request may also include service description information, used to indicate or identify the service or service flow to which the service flow targeting information applies. The application function request may be used to trigger session establishment or modification. The AF may send the application function request to the PCF. That is, in S101, the AF may send the first information to the PCF via the application function request.

[0163] S202: The PCF sends first policy information to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first policy information.

[0164] The first policy information may be used to indicate that the second UPF of the session is determined according to the first information. Optionally, the first policy information may be used to indicate that the second UPF of the session is determined according to the first information when a service is detected.

[0165] The first policy information may include first information for indicating that the service requires service flow orientation.

[0166] As an example, the first policy information may be a PCC rule sent by the PCF to the SMF, or the first policy information may be included in the PCC rule, or included in the session policy. For example, the PCF may send the PCC rule to the SMF, and the SMF may determine how to determine the second UPF in the service flow orientation scenario indicated by the first information based on the PCC rule.

[0167] S203: The SMF determines the second UPF according to the first policy information.

[0168] S203 may be used as an example of S102 in the process of Figure 3. For example, the first policy information is a PCC rule.

[0169] It is understood that upon detecting the service, the SMF may then execute S102 to determine the second UPF. For example, after receiving the first policy information, the SMF may detect whether the session contains a service or service flow related to the first policy information. If so, the SMF executes S102 to select the second UPF; if not, the SMF does not select the second UPF until a related service or service is detected. The method for the SMF to detect the service can be found in the relevant description of the SMF detecting services in this application, and any repetitions will not be repeated here.

[0170] The IP anchor point of the session is the first UPF. The first UPF belongs to the first local data network. The selection process of the second UPF can refer to the description in S102 and will not be repeated here.

[0171] In one possible implementation, the SMF can determine, based on the session context, whether the current session satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information. If so, the SMF does not need to determine the second UPF again; if not, the SMF needs to determine the second UPF based on the first information. In this application, the session context can be information related to the session stored by the SMF. For example, the session context may include at least one of the following: information indicating whether the session supports service flow orientation; information indicating the local data network supported by the session.

[0172] In one possible implementation, the SMF can determine whether the currently established session supports the service based on the first policy information, and / or whether the established session meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, to determine whether to re-establish the session to implement the service flow orientation of the service, or determine whether to implement the service flow orientation of the service by modifying the established session.

[0173] Among them, if the SMF determines that the currently established session supports the service, the established session can be modified through the modification process of the session so that the established session meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information.

[0174] For example, in S204, the SMF may initiate N4 session establishment to the second UPF. For example, the SMF may send the tunnel information of the first UPF to the second UPF via an N4 session establishment request, and receive the tunnel information of the second UPF fed back by the second UPF. In S205, the SMF may also initiate N4 session modification to the first UPF. For example, the SMF may send the tunnel information of the second UPF to the first UPF via an N4 session modification request. The tunnel information of the first UPF and the tunnel information of the second UPF may be used for service transmission between the first UPF and the second UPF.

[0175] It can be understood that SMF can determine whether the established session supports the service based on the attribute information of the established session and / or the indication information of the data network. The instructions for determining whether the established session supports the service by the terminal can be referred to, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0176] If the SMF determines that the currently established session does not support the service, a new session can be established so that the new session supports the service and satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information.

[0177] The SMF may also determine whether to create a new session based on whether the established session satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information. If the established session does not satisfy the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, a new session may be created. The SMF may determine whether the established session satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information based on the indication information of the data network of the established session. For details, please refer to the description of the manner in which a terminal device determines whether an established session satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, which will not be repeated here.

[0178] Based on the process shown in Figure 5, the SMF can determine the second UPF based on the first information. Thereafter, the SMF can update the user plane connection according to the determined second UPF, and the session supports the transmission of the service through the second UPF.

[0179] As shown in FIG6 , when the first information comes from the terminal, the communication method may include the following steps:

[0180] S301: The AF sends service flow orientation information, and the PCF receives the service flow orientation information accordingly.

[0181] The implementation of S301 can refer to the implementation of S201, and the repeated parts will not be repeated. In other words, the service flow orientation information can refer to the introduction in S201.

[0182] S302: The PCF sends the second policy information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second policy information.

[0183] The second policy information may include the first information

[0184] Optionally, the terminal device policy may also include service information, or service description information.

[0185] The second policy information may be a terminal device policy (UE policy), or the second policy information may be included in the terminal device policy. The terminal device may obtain the first information according to the terminal device policy.

[0186] For example, the second policy information may include the URSP in the terminal device policy.

[0187] As shown in Table 1, the URSP may include one or more of a rule precedence, a traffic descriptor, or a list of route selection descriptors. The list of route selection descriptors may include the first information, or the list of route selection descriptors may be determined based on the first information.

[0188] Table 1

[0189] The rule priority may be used to indicate a selection order or priority among multiple URSPs. The terminal device may preferentially perform operations such as session establishment or modification according to a URSP with a higher priority.

[0190] Traffic descriptions can be used to identify traffic flows or data packets that need to be transmitted according to a routing description list. For example, a traffic description may include identification information of the traffic flows that require service flow steering, such as the traffic's data network DNN, network slice or DNAI, and the traffic's IP three- or five-tuple address.

[0191] The route selection descriptor list can be used to describe one or more service flow directions, wherein each service flow direction can correspond to one or more of information such as selection order or priority (route selection descriptor precedence), route selection objectives (route selection components), or validity criteria (route selection validation criteria).

[0192] The selection order or priority can be used to indicate the priority of the routing targets. The terminal device can preferentially perform operations such as session establishment or modification based on the routing targets with higher priorities. The first information can be carried in the routing targets. The validity criteria can be used to indicate the conditions under which traffic flow targeting is applicable, such as the location, time, or data network to which traffic flow targeting is applicable.

[0193] It is understood that the service information in this application may be provided by the AF. Alternatively, the service information may be determined by the PCF based on the service requirements provided by the AF, and the determination method is not limited to the content of this application.

[0194] S303: The terminal device sends the first information to the SMF according to the second policy information. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the first information.

[0195] The first information may be included in a session establishment request or a session modification request sent by the terminal to the SMF.

[0196] It can be understood that S303 can be used as an example of S101 in the process shown in FIG. 3 .

[0197] Among them, if the terminal device determines that the currently established session supports the service, but the established session does not meet the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, then in S303, the terminal device can send a session modification request carrying the first information to the SMF, triggering the SMF to modify the established session, and accordingly, the first UPF and the second UPF are both UPFs for the established session. If the terminal device determines that the currently established session does not support the service, then in S303, the terminal device can send a session establishment request carrying the first information to the SMF, triggering the SMF to establish a new session, and accordingly, the first UPF and the second UPF are both UPFs for the new session.

[0198] Among them, the terminal device determines whether the currently established session supports the service and whether it meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information. You can refer to the description in this application and will not repeat it here.

[0199] S304: The SMF determines a second UPF based on the first information.

[0200] S304 can be used as an example of S102 in the process of FIG. 3 .

[0201] The implementation of S304 may refer to the description of S102 or S203, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0202] It should be noted that, for the second service flow directional scenario, the first information may be an identifier of a specific data network, such as a specific DNN or a specific S-NSSAI. The process shown in FIG6 can be simplified into the following steps:

[0203] S305: The AF sends the service flow orientation information, and the PCF receives the service flow orientation information accordingly.

[0204] For S305 , please refer to the description of S301 .

[0205] The service flow orientation here may be the service flow orientation between the local data network and the central data network.

[0206] S306: The PCF sends second policy information to the terminal device based on the service flow orientation information. The terminal device measurement may include a specific data network identifier. The specific data network identifier may include, for example, a specific DNAI or a specific S-NSSAI, which is used to identify that the service flow orientation required by the service corresponds to the central data network. In other words, it can be used to indicate that the service uses a specific DNAI or a specific S-NSSAI.

[0207] The second policy information may be a terminal device policy.

[0208] The PCF may not change the content of the URSP, but only needs to carry the identifier of the specific data network in the URSP. For example, the identifier of the specific data network may be carried in the routing target.

[0209] S307: The terminal initiates a service and determines whether to reuse the session or create a new session according to the second policy information.

[0210] If it is determined that an existing session will be reused, the terminal may send a session modification request to the SMF. The session modification request may include the identifier of a specific data network. Upon receiving the session modification request, the SMF may select a UPF that can access the latest data network as the second UPF based on the identifier of the specific data network.

[0211] If a new session is established, the terminal may send a session establishment request. The session establishment request may carry the identifier of a specific data network. Upon receiving the session establishment request, the SMF may select a UPF that can access the latest data network as the second UPF based on the identifier of the specific data network.

[0212] The characteristics satisfied by the second UPF selected by the SMF can be found in the above description.

[0213] After the second UPF is determined through S304 and / or S307, the step of updating the user plane connection can refer to the description of steps S308 to S311 below.

[0214] S305 - S307 are not shown in FIG. 6 .

[0215] It is understood that the SMF can determine whether the session established by the terminal supports the service and / or whether it satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information. If the SMF determines that the currently established session does not support the service, a new session can be established so that the new session supports the service and satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information. In addition, if the established session does not satisfy the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, a new session can be created. In addition, if the SMF determines that the currently established session supports the service, the established session can be modified through the modification process of the session so that the established session satisfies the service flow orientation indicated by the first information.

[0216] If the terminal device determines that the currently established session supports the service and meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, the established session can be used to transmit the service without the need to create or modify a new session. For example, if the first information is carried in a modification request for an established session, the SMF can also determine whether the established session meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information after receiving the modification request for the session. If the SMF determines that the established session meets the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, it can be determined that the session does not need to be modified, and the SMF can send a session modification command or a session modification response (acknowledgement, ACK) to the terminal. The session modification command or the session modification response can carry indication information for indicating that the established session has met the service flow orientation indicated by the first information, or indicating that the session does not need to be modified.

[0217] Taking the terminal device sending a session establishment request as an example, the process shown in Figure 6 may further include the following steps:

[0218] S308: SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to the first UPF.

[0219] Accordingly, the first UPF provides a session establishment response to the SMF, which carries the tunnel information of the first UPF.

[0220] S309: SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to the second UPF.

[0221] The N4 session establishment request may include the tunnel information of the first UPF.

[0222] Correspondingly, the second UPF sends the tunnel information of the second UPF to the SMF.

[0223] S310: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the first UPF.

[0224] The N4 session modification request may carry the tunnel information of the second UPF. Optionally, the first UPF may reply with an N4 session modification response.

[0225] At this point, the exchange of tunnel information between the first UPF and the second UPF is completed to support service transmission between the first UPF and the second UPF.

[0226] S311: SMF sends a session establishment accept message to the terminal, indicating that the session establishment is complete.

[0227] The session establishment accept message may carry an indication indicating that the service flow orientation is accepted, for example, the second information shown in this application.

[0228] Based on the process shown in Figure 6, the SMF can determine the second UPF based on the session establishment request or session modification request of the terminal device. Thereafter, the SMF can establish or modify the user plane connection according to the determined second UPF so that the session supports the transmission of the service through the second UPF.

[0229] The present application also provides a communication method for enabling service flow orientation between local data networks or enabling service flow orientation between a local data network and a central data network under a multiple PDU session connection model or a distributed anchor point connection model.

[0230] As shown in Figure 7, in the multi-homed PDU session connection model, a terminal device can access both the local data network and the central data network through multiple sessions, where each session has its own IP anchor. In the distributed anchor connection model, a terminal device can access the local data network through a single session, where the IP anchor of that session can access the local data network. Alternatively, in the packet session connection model, a terminal device can access both the local data network and the central data network through a single session, where the IP anchor of that session is located in the local data network, or in other words, the IP anchor of that session can access the local data network.

[0231] As shown in FIG8 , the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application may include the following steps:

[0232] S401: AF sends service flow directional information.

[0233] For S401 , please refer to the description of S201 .

[0234] The service flow orientation information may be used to indicate that the service flow orientation includes a first service flow orientation scenario or a second service flow orientation scenario.

[0235] S402: The PCF determines third policy information according to the service flow orientation information.

[0236] The third policy information may be used to instruct the terminal device to disable the multi-host PDU session connection model and the distributed anchor connection model. Alternatively, the third policy information may be used to instruct the terminal device to enable the packet session (session breakout) connection model. Alternatively, the connection model corresponding to the session established by the terminal device according to the third policy information is the packet session connection model.

[0237] Optionally, the specific form of the third policy information is as follows:

[0238] The third policy information may be, for example, a URSP. The third policy information may be determined by the PCF based on the first information.

[0239] Exemplarily, the third policy information may include the following configuration:

[0240] Limit session and service continuity (SSC) mode: SSC mode = 1,

[0241] Does not include spatial validity conditions.

[0242] S403: The PCF sends third policy information to the terminal.

[0243] Accordingly, the terminal receives the third policy information and determines to disable the multi-homed PDU session connection model and the distributed anchor point connection model according to the third policy information, or in other words, determines to enable the packet session connection model according to the third policy information.

[0244] Based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes modules, units or means corresponding to the method steps in the above method embodiments. The functions, units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or the corresponding software can be implemented by hardware.

[0245] Exemplarily, referring to FIG. 9 , an apparatus 900 may include a processing module 901 and a transceiver module 902 .

[0246] Optionally, the transceiver module 902 may include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiment. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiment.

[0247] It should be noted that the communication device 900 may include a sending module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may include a receiving module but not a sending module. The specific implementation depends on whether the above solution executed by the communication device 900 includes a sending action and a receiving action.

[0248] The processing module 901 is used for data processing, and the transceiver module 902 can implement corresponding communication functions.

[0249] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage module, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 901 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 900 implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0250] Exemplarily, the communication device 900 may be a first communication device or a component configurable in the first communication device. The first communication device may be, for example, a session management network element (e.g., an SMF) or a component within the session management network element. The processing module 901 is configured to perform operations related to SMF processing in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 902 is configured to perform operations related to SMF reception in the above method embodiment.

[0251] For example, when implementing the SMF operations shown in Figure 3 , transceiver module 902 may be configured to receive first information, and processing module 901 may be configured to determine a second UPF based on the first information. For another example, when implementing the PCF or terminal operations shown in Figure 3 , processing module 901 may be configured to obtain first information, and transceiver module 902 may be configured to send the first information.

[0252] In addition, the communication device 900 can be a second communication device or a component that can be configured in a second communication device. The second communication device is, for example, a policy control function network element (e.g., a PCF) or a component in a policy control function network element. The processing module 901 is used to perform operations related to PCF processing in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 902 is used to perform operations related to PCF reception in the above method embodiment.

[0253] In addition, the communication device 900 may be a third communication device or a component that can be configured in a third communication device. The third communication device is, for example, an application function network element (e.g., an AF) or a component in an application function network element. The processing module 901 is configured to perform operations related to the processing of the AF in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 902 is configured to perform operations related to the reception of the AF in the above method embodiment.

[0254] Furthermore, the communication device 900 may be a fourth communication device or a component configurable in a fourth communication device. For example, the fourth communication device is a terminal device or a component within the terminal device. The processing module 901 is configured to perform terminal processing-related operations in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 902 is configured to perform terminal reception-related operations in the above method embodiments.

[0255] It should be understood that all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0256] The processing module 901 in the above embodiment can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuits. The transceiver module 902 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuits. The transceiver module 902 can also be called a communication module or a communication interface.

[0257] Another structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown below. As shown in FIG10 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 1000, comprising:

[0258] At least one processor 1001; and a communication interface 1003 communicatively connected to the at least one processor 1001; the at least one processor 1001 executes instructions stored in the memory 1002, so that the device performs the method steps in the above method embodiment through the communication interface 1003.

[0259] Optionally, the memory 1002 is located outside the device 1000 .

[0260] Optionally, the apparatus 1000 includes the memory 1002, which is connected to the at least one processor 1001 and stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 1001. FIG10 uses dashed lines to indicate that the memory 1002 is optional for the apparatus 1000.

[0261] The processor 1001 and the memory 1002 may be coupled via an interface circuit or may be integrated together, which is not limited here.

[0262] The specific connection medium between the processor 1001, memory 1002, and communication interface 1003 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In Figure 10, the processor 1001, memory 1002, and communication interface 1003 are connected via a bus 1004. The bus is represented by a bold line in Figure 10. The connection methods between other components are only for schematic illustration and are not limiting. The bus 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.

[0263] Taking the first communication device as an example, when the communication device 1000 is the first communication device, the first communication device may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver, wherein the memory may store computer program codes, and the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0264] The processor is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data; control the first communication device, execute software programs, and process data from software programs. The memory is primarily used to store software programs and data. The transmitter is used to send signals to other communication devices or equipment, and the receiver is used to receive signals from other communication devices or equipment.

[0265] When communication device 1000 is a chip in a first communication device, the chip may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The transceiver may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor may be a processing module, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. In the above method embodiment, the transmission operation of the first communication device may be understood as an output of the chip, and the reception operation of the first communication device in the above method embodiment may be understood as an input of the chip.

[0266] It should be understood that the processors mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that is implemented by reading software code stored in a memory.

[0267] Exemplarily, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0268] It should be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0269] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0270] It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0271] Based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are run on a computer, the method in the above method embodiment is executed.

[0272] Based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method in the above method embodiment to be executed.

[0273] Based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which may include one or more of a first communication device, a second communication device, a third communication device, or a fourth communication device. For example, the communication system may be used to implement any of the method flows in Figures 3, 5, 6, or 8.

[0274] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0275] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0276] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0277] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving first information, where the first information is used to indicate that a service requires service flow direction, the service is associated with a session of a terminal, an Internet Protocol (IP) anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service for the terminal; determining a second user plane network element for the session according to the first information; The service flow direction includes service flow direction between the first data network and the second data network, the second user plane network element can access the second data network, and the second data network is used to provide the service for the terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a second local data network; or, The first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a central data network.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The second data network includes the central data network, The determining the second user plane network element of the session according to the first information includes: A user plane network element that can access all local data networks is determined as the second user plane network element.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The second data network includes the central data network; The delay of the first data network in providing the service to the terminal is shorter than the delay of the second data network in providing the service to the terminal; or, A distance from the first user plane network element to the terminal is smaller than a distance from the second user plane network element to the terminal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first information includes indication information of the second data network.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The method further comprises: Sending second information, where the second information is used to indicate the directional acceptance of the service flow.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The first information comes from a policy control function network element.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The first information is included in first policy information from the policy control function network element, and the first policy information is used to indicate that the second user plane network element is determined according to the first information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The first information comes from the terminal.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The first information is included in the session establishment request from the terminal; or, The first information is included in a modification request of the session from the terminal.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving first information from an application function network element, where the first information is used to indicate that a service requires service flow direction, the service is associated with a session of a terminal, an IP anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service for the terminal; Sending policy information according to the first information, where the policy information is used to instruct a second user plane network element for the session to be determined according to the first information; The service flow direction includes service flow direction between the first data network and the second data network, the second user plane network element can access the second data network, and the second data network is used to provide the service for the terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a second local data network; or, The first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a central data network.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The first information includes indication information of the second data network.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: The method further comprises: Second information is received, where the second information is used to indicate that the traffic flow direction is accepted.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that: The first information is included in the policy information.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending first information, where the first information is used to indicate that a service requires service flow orientation, the service is associated with a session of the terminal, the IP anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service for the terminal; The service flow orientation includes service flow orientation between the first data network and the second data network.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a second local data network; or, The first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a central data network.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein: The first information includes indication information of the second data network.

19. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving first information from a policy control function network element, where the first information is used to indicate that a service requires service flow direction, the service is associated with a session of a terminal, an IP anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service for the terminal; The first information is sent to a session management network element.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a second local data network; or, The first data network includes a first local data network, and the second data network includes a central data network.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein: The first information includes indication information of the second data network.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein: The method further comprises: Second information is received, where the second information is used to indicate that the traffic flow direction is accepted.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein: The first information is included in the session establishment request; or, The first information is included in a modification request of the session.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The sending the first information to the session management network element includes: Determining, according to attribute information of the session, that the session supports the service; A modification request for the session is sent, wherein the first information is included in the modification request for the session.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein: The sending the first information to the session management network element includes: determining, based on attribute information of an established session of the terminal, that the established session does not support the service; A request for establishing the session is sent, wherein the first information is included in the request for establishing the session.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein: The sending the first information to the session management network element includes: determining, based on indication information of the data network of the established session and / or service flow orientation information, whether the established session supports the service flow orientation; A request for establishing the session is sent, wherein the first information is included in the request for establishing the session.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, or a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, or a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 19 to 26.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 19 to 26.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 16 to 18 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 19 to 26 is implemented.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, or the method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, or the method according to any one of claims 19 to 26.

31. A communication system, characterized in that: The method comprises a first communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a second communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein: The system further comprises a third communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 16-18.

33. A communication system, characterized in that: The method comprises a first communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or claims 9 or 10, and a fourth communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 19 to 26.

34. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The second communication device receives first information from the third communication device, where the first information is used to indicate that a service requires service flow direction, the service is associated with a session of the terminal, an IP anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service for the terminal; The second communication device sends policy information to the first communication device based on the first information, where the policy information is used to indicate a second user plane network element for determining the session based on the first information; wherein the service flow direction includes service flow direction between the first data network and a second data network, the second user plane network element can access the second data network, and the second data network is used to provide the service for the terminal; The first communication device receives the policy information and determines the second user plane network element according to the first information.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein: The method further comprises: The third communication device sends the first information to the second communication device.

36. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The fourth communication device receives first information from the second communication device, where the first information is used to indicate that a service requires service flow direction, the service is associated with a session of the fourth communication device, an IP anchor point of the session is a first user plane network element, the first user plane network element can access a first data network, and the first data network is used to provide the service for the fourth communication device; sending the first information to a first communication device; The first communication device receives the first information from the fourth communication device, and determines a second user plane network element of the session according to the first information; The service flow direction includes service flow direction between the first data network and the second data network, the second user plane network element can access the second data network, and the second data network is used to provide the service for the fourth communication device.

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