Communication method, communication device, communication system, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. The communication method comprises: a core network device receives a first message, wherein the first message comprises identifier information used for determining a terminal identifier; determines a terminal address on the basis of the first message; and associates the terminal identifier with the terminal address. Therefore, the terminal address can be effectively associated with the terminal identifier, thereby supporting, in a user plane, the use of the terminal address for identifying a terminal to which the terminal identifier belongs.

Description

Communication method, communication device, communication system, and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the technical field of communication, a user plane connection can be established between a terminal and a core network device (e.g., a Location Management Function (LMF) network element) by an access network device. The devices involved in the user plane connection include the terminal, the access network device, a User Plane Function (UPF) network element, and the LMF network element. The terminal or the core network device can initiate the establishment of the user plane connection. Both the terminal and the core network device can maintain the established user plane connection. The core network device can modify or terminate the established user plane connection with the terminal.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a network device, a terminal, a device, a chip system, a storage medium, a computer program, and a computer program product, which can be applied in the technical field of communication, and are used to solve the technical problem that a terminal address is not supported in the related art to identify a terminal to which a terminal identifier belongs.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, including: receiving, by a core network device, a first message, wherein the first message includes: identification information used to determine a terminal identifier; determining, by the core network device, a terminal address according to the first message; and associating, by the core network device, the terminal identifier and the terminal address.

[0007] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, including: sending, by a terminal, a first message, wherein the first message includes: identification information used to determine a terminal identifier; and the first message is used to determine a terminal address and indicate the association of the terminal identifier and the terminal address.

[0008] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, including: sending, by a terminal, a first message to a core network device through an access network device, wherein the first message includes: identification information used to determine a terminal identifier; receiving, by the core network device, the first message through the access network device, and determining a terminal address according to the first message, and associating the terminal identifier and the terminal address.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a core network device is provided, including: a transceiver module, configured to receive a first message, wherein the first message includes: identification information, the identification information being used to determine a terminal identifier; and a processing module, configured to determine a terminal address according to the first message, and associate the terminal identifier and the terminal address.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, including: a transceiver module, configured to send a first message, wherein the first message includes: identification information, the identification information being used to determine a terminal identifier; and the first message being used to determine a terminal address, and indicate the association between the terminal identifier and the terminal address.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, including: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to invoke instructions to enable the communication device to perform the communication method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including: a core network device, an access network device and a terminal, wherein the core network device is configured to implement the communication method of the first aspect, and the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of the second aspect.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs the communication method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the communication method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect is implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art will be described below.

[0016] FIG. 1 is an architecture schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 3A is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 3B is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 3C is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 4A is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 4B is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 5 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 6A shows a UE IP and UE ID association diagram;

[0025] FIG. 6B shows another UE IP and UE ID association diagram;

[0026] FIG. 7A is a structural diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 7B is a structural diagram of a terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 8A is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 8B is a structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms of the communication method, the information processing method, the communication control method, and the like can be replaced with each other, the terms of the communication device, the information processing device, the communication control device, and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of the information processing system, the communication system, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are only schematic of some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the steps of different embodiments or part of the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments arbitrarily.

[0032] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0033] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0034] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0035] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0036] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0037] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0038] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0039] The prefix words of "first", "second" and the like in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description objects are described in the claims or embodiments in the context of the description, and should not be construed as redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by them are in the same message or not, nor limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description object is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the description object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, the description object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0040] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0041] In some embodiments, the terms of "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0042] In some embodiments, the terms of "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0043] In some embodiments, the apparatuses and devices can be interpreted as physical, as well as virtual, whose names are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and in some cases can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0044] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus contained in the network, such as an access network device, a core network device, etc.

[0045] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" can also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments can also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0046] In some embodiments, a "terminal" or "terminal device" can be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE), a "user terminal," a "mobile station" (MS), a "mobile terminal" (MT), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, and / or the like.

[0047] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained in compliance with laws and regulations of a country where a location is situated.

[0048] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained after consent of a user is obtained.

[0049] FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 can include a terminal 101, a core network device 102, and an access network device 103.

[0050] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 can include at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a communication-capable automobile, a smart automobile, a tablet (Pad), a wireless transceiver-equipped computer, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0051] In some embodiments, the core network device 102 can be one device including the first network element 1021, the second network element 1022, the third network element 1023, and the like, or can be a plurality of devices or device groups including all or part of the first network element 1021, the second network element 1022, and the third network element 1023, respectively. The network element can be virtual or physical. The core network includes at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), a next generation core (NGC), and the like.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first network element 1021 is, for example, a location management function (LMF) network element that provides a positioning service, and the name is not limited thereto. The LMF network element is located on the core network (CN) side and is used to provide a location management function service to a terminal. The LMF network element is used to overall coordinate and schedule the positioning of a terminal registered with or accessing a 5G core network (5GCN).

[0053] In some embodiments, the first network element 1021 is configured to provide a location management function.

[0054] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 is, for example, a network element that can be responsible for routing and forwarding related functions of 5G core network user plane data packets.

[0055] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 is, for example, a User Plane Function (UPF) network element, and the name is not limited thereto.

[0056] In some embodiments, the third network element 1023 is, for example, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element, and the name is not limited thereto. The AMF network element is a logical node function network element on the core network side, which is the core network control plane access point of the terminal and the wireless, receives all connection and session related information from the user equipment, and performs registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management. In addition, the AMF network element provides a session management message transmission channel for the terminal device and the session management function (SMF) device, and provides authentication and authorization functions when the user accesses.

[0057] In some embodiments, the third network element 1023 is configured to provide access and mobility management functions.

[0058] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 and the third network element 1023 can be connected or not connected.

[0059] In some embodiments, the AMF network element and the UPF network element can be connected or not connected.

[0060] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 can be connected with the core network device 102 through an access network device 103, which is optionally a node or device for accessing the terminal to the wireless network, and the access network device 103 can include at least one of an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an Open RAN, a Cloud RAN, a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0062] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than those in FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, and the connection relationship between the subjects is exemplary. The subjects can be connected or not connected, and the connection can be in any manner, can be direct connection or indirect connection, and can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0063] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other user plane connection establishment methods, next-generation systems expanded based thereon, and the like. In addition, a plurality of systems can be combined (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0064] For ease of understanding, first, terms related to the present disclosure are introduced.

[0065] 1. Access and mobility management function (AMF) network element

[0066] The AMF network element is a logical node function network element on the core network side, which is a terminal and a wireless core network control plane access point, receives all connection and session related information from the user equipment, and performs registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management. In addition, the AMF network element provides a session management message transmission channel for the terminal device and the session management function (SMF) device, and provides authentication and authorization functions when the user accesses.

[0067] 2. A location management function (LMF) network element.

[0068] The LMF is located in the radio access network (RAN) or the core network (CN) side, and is used to provide location management function services to the terminal.

[0069] 3. A user plane function (UPF) network element, including routing and forwarding of user data packets, data interaction with external data networks, quality of service (QoS) processing of the user plane, flow control rule implementation (such as gating, redirection, traffic steering), etc.

[0070] 4. A radio access network (RAN) for controlling user access to a mobile communication network through a wireless access.

[0071] The method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a service scenario. For example, the method can be applied to a positioning scenario. Of course, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to any other possible service scenario.

[0072] Optionally, the LMF network element or the terminal can trigger the establishment of the user plane connection. Both the terminal and the LMF network element can maintain the established user plane connection. The LMF network element can modify or terminate the established user plane connection with the terminal.

[0073] Optionally, the LMF network element can send its user plane information (i.e. Internet Protocol Address (IP address) or Fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the LMF network element) to the terminal via a Downlink Non-Access Stratum Transport message (DL NAS TRANSPORT message) of the AMF network element (the AMF network element can send information to the terminal via the access network device). If the FQDN is sent to the terminal, the terminal can resolve the IP address of the LMF network element using a Domain Name Server (DNS) / resolver. The terminal establishes a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for user plane positioning using a User Equipment Route Selection Policy (URSP) containing PDU session parameters for user plane positioning (e.g. Data Network Name (DNN) and Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI)). The SMF network element can select a Protocol Data Unit Session Anchor User Plane Function (PSA UPF) (located in a central site or a local site) connected to the LMF network element for this PDU session based on the S-NSSAI, DNN and terminal location information, etc.

[0074] Optionally, in the current user plane connection establishment procedure, the core network device receives the terminal address and the terminal address (e.g. terminal IP) in different steps. For example, in the control plane message, the AMF network element can provide the terminal identity (e.g. UE ID) to the LMF network element, and the LMF network element can identify the corresponding terminal through the terminal identity. In the step of establishing a Transport Layer Security (TLS) connection, the LMF network element can only obtain the terminal address.

[0075] Optionally, if the core network device can only obtain the terminal address and the terminal identity in different steps, the use of the terminal address to identify the terminal to which the terminal identity belongs is not supported in the user plane. In this case, it can cause the core network device to be unable to send service User Plane Protocol (UPP) messages to the terminal specified by the terminal identity through the established user plane connection.

[0076] The communication method provided in the present disclosure can effectively associate the terminal address and the terminal identifier, thereby supporting identifying the terminal to which the terminal identifier belongs in the user plane.

[0077] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication interaction between the terminal and the core network device can be realized by the access network device. For example, the terminal sending a message to the core network device can mean that the terminal sends the message to the core network device through the access network device, and the core network device sending a message to the terminal can mean that the core network device sends the message to the terminal through the access network device, and the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0078] FIG. 2 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which can be used in the communication system 100, and the above method includes the following steps.

[0079] In step S2101, the terminal sends a first message, wherein the first message includes identification information, and the identification information is used to determine a terminal identifier.

[0080] In some embodiments, the terminal can send the first message to the core network device through the access network device.

[0081] In some embodiments, the terminal can be, for example, a UE, and the core network device can be, for example, an LMF network element. For example, the UE sends the first message to the LMF network element through the access network device.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first message is a user plane message. The user plane message refers to a message sent on a user plane connection between the terminal and the core network device. The user plane connection can be pre-established. The devices involved in the user plane connection include the terminal, the access network device, the UPF network element, and the LMF network element, that is, the first message is sent by the terminal and transmitted to the LMF network element through the access network device and the UPF network element.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first message can include identification information, which can be used to determine a terminal identifier, and the terminal identifier is used to identify the terminal. That is, if there are multiple terminals in the business application scenario, the identification information can be used to determine the terminal identifier, which can identify a specific terminal in the multiple terminals, and the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0084] In some embodiments, the identification information can include at least one of an association identifier, a service session identifier, and a connection identifier. Thus, the terminal identifier can be determined based on at least one type of identification information, which can effectively be applied to personalized business scenarios.

[0085] The association identifier is used to identify a connection management (CM) session in which the first message is located. When the service scenario is a positioning service, the CM session can be specifically, for example, a user plane positioning connection management (UPP-CM) session.

[0086] The service session identifier can be, for example, a LoCation Service Session IDentifier (LCS session ID), and of course can also be a session identifier of any other possible service.

[0087] In some embodiments, the service session identifier is used to identify the CM session in the user plane. That is, the CM session identified by the service session identifier is the same as the CM session identified by the association identifier.

[0088] In some embodiments, the value of the service session identifier can be configured to be the same as the value of the association identifier. That is, the service session identifier is given the function of identifying the CM session in which the first message is located in the user plane, and by configuring the value of the service session identifier to be the same as the value of the association identifier, the efficiency of mapping between different identifiers can be effectively improved, and the terminal identifier can be quickly determined.

[0089] In some embodiments, the connection identifier can be an identifier allocated for a Transport Layer Security (TLS) connection between the terminal and the core network device. For example, the LMF network element can allocate a connection identifier for the TLS connection between the network element and the terminal. The connection identifier and the association identifier have a mapping relationship, and / or the connection identifier and the terminal identifier have a mapping relationship, so that the terminal identifier can be accurately determined based on the allocated connection identifier.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terminal can send the first message to the LMF network element through the access network device, so as to instruct the LMF network element to determine the terminal address and the association terminal identifier and the terminal address through the first message.

[0091] In step S2102, the core network device determines the terminal address according to the first message.

[0092] In some embodiments, the core network device can be, for example, an LMF network element.

[0093] In some embodiments, after the LMF network element receives the first message, since the first message is sent on the user plane connection between the terminal and the LMF network element, and the two ends of the user plane connection are the terminal and the LMF network element respectively, the LMF network element can determine the terminal address of the other end based on the user plane connection used to transmit the first message after receiving the first message. Moreover, since the first message also contains identification information, the identification information can be used to determine the terminal identification, and the terminal to which the terminal identification belongs is the terminal that sends the first message, so that the LMF network element can determine the terminal address and the terminal identification based on the condition that the terminal sends the first message.

[0094] In some embodiments, before the terminal sends the first message, the identification information can be delivered in the control plane, so that each device involved in the control plane (such as the LMF network element, the AMF network element, the access network device, and the terminal) can obtain the unified identification information. If it is determined to use the connection identification to determine the terminal identification, the LMF network element can also pre-establish the mapping relationship between the connection identification and the associated identification, wherein the associated identification is used to identify the CM session in which the first message is located, or the LMF network element can also establish the mapping relationship between the connection identification and the terminal identification; or the LMF network element can also establish the mapping relationship between the connection identification, the associated identification, and the terminal identification. Thus, the terminal identification can be accurately identified based on various possible identification information.

[0095] In some embodiments, the mapping relationship described above can be a one-to-one mapping relationship, which is not limited.

[0096] In some embodiments, if the LMF network element pre-allocates the connection identification, the connection identification can be delivered in the control plane and the user plane to support determining the terminal identification based on the connection identification in the user plane.

[0097] In some embodiments, if the LMF network element does not pre-allocate the connection identification, the associated identification and / or the service session identification can be delivered in the control plane and the user plane to support determining the terminal identification based on the associated identification and / or the service session identification in the user plane.

[0098] In some embodiments, if the LMF network element pre-allocates the connection identification, the connection identification can be added in the terminal context, so as to effectively support subsequent trace management of the connection identification, and greatly expand the business application scenarios.

[0099] In step S2103, the core network device associates the terminal identification and the terminal address.

[0100] In some embodiments, after determining the terminal address based on the first message and resolving the terminal identifier from the first message, the core network device can associate the terminal identifier and the terminal address, that is, the core network device can bind the terminal identifier and the terminal address. In this way, the core network device can obtain the terminal address and the terminal identifier at the same time at the user plane, support using the terminal address to identify the terminal to which the terminal identifier belongs at the user plane, and thus effectively support the core network device to send a service user plane protocol (UPP) message to the terminal specified by the terminal identifier through the established user plane connection.

[0101] The service UPP message, for example, is a location services user plane protocol (LCS-UPP) message, which is not limited.

[0102] In step S2104, the core network device adds the terminal address in the terminal context.

[0103] In some embodiments, after determining the terminal address based on the first message, the core network device can add the terminal address in the terminal context, thereby effectively supporting subsequent trace management of the terminal address and greatly expanding the service application scenarios.

[0104] In some embodiments, after determining the terminal address based on the first message, the LMF network element can add the terminal address in the terminal context.

[0105] In step S2105, the core network device sends a second message.

[0106] The second message indicates the result of the association.

[0107] In some embodiments, the result of the association includes at least one of the following: first information, wherein the first information indicates whether the terminal identifier and the terminal address are successfully associated; second information, wherein the second information indicates the reason why the terminal identifier and the terminal address are not successfully associated; and identifier information. In this way, the terminal can learn the result of the association in a timely manner.

[0108] In some embodiments, the core network device can indicate the result of the association to the terminal by sending the second message. For example, the LMF network element can send the second message to the terminal through the access network device at the user plane connection.

[0109] In some embodiments, the second message is a user plane message. In this way, the result of the association can be indicated to the terminal in a timely manner at the user plane.

[0110] In step S2106, the terminal determines the result of the association according to the second message.

[0111] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the result of the association of the terminal address and the terminal identifier by the core network device based on the second message.

[0112] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2101-S2106. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S2101+S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2101+S2102+S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0113] In the present embodiment or example, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional mode or optional example can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any step of other embodiments or other examples.

[0114] In the present embodiment, the terminal sends a first message, the core network device determines a terminal address according to the first message, and associates a terminal identifier and the terminal address. The core network device adds the terminal address in the terminal context, and sends a second message to indicate the association result. The terminal address and the terminal identifier can be effectively associated, thereby supporting the use of the terminal address to identify the terminal to which the terminal identifier belongs in the user plane.

[0115] FIG. 3A is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which can be used for a core network device. The above method includes:

[0116] In step S3101, the core network device receives a first message, wherein the first message includes identification information used to determine a terminal identifier.

[0117] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the identification information includes at least one of:

[0118] An association identifier, wherein the association identifier is used to identify a connection management (CM) session in which the first message is located;

[0119] A service session identifier, wherein the service session identifier is used to identify the CM session in the user plane;

[0120] A connection identifier, wherein there is a mapping relationship between the connection identifier and the association identifier, and / or there is a mapping relationship between the connection identifier and the terminal identifier.

[0121] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the service session identifier has the same value as the association identifier.

[0122] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the method further comprises:

[0123] The core network device adds the connection identifier in the terminal context.

[0124] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first message is a user plane message.

[0125] In step S3102, the core network device determines the terminal address according to the first message.

[0126] In step S3103, the core network device associates the terminal identifier and the terminal address.

[0127] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3101-S3103. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S3101+S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101+S3102+S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0128] In the present embodiment or example, each step can be independently, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional mode or optional example can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any step of other embodiments or other examples.

[0129] FIG. 3B is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3B, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which can be used for a core network device. The above method comprises:

[0130] In step S3201, the core network device receives a first message, wherein the first message comprises: identification information, the identification information being used to determine a terminal identifier.

[0131] In step S3202, the core network device determines a terminal address according to the first message.

[0132] In step S3203, the core network device associates the terminal identifier and the terminal address.

[0133] In step S3204, the core network device adds the terminal address in the terminal context.

[0134] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3201-S3204. For example, step S3201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S3201+S3202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3201+S3202+S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0135] In the present embodiment or example, each step can be independently combined or exchanged in order, optional modes or examples can be combined, and any step of other embodiments or other examples can be combined, without contradiction.

[0136] FIG. 3C is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3C, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which can be used in a core network device. The above method includes:

[0137] Step S3301, the core network device receives a first message, wherein the first message includes: identification information, the identification information is used to determine the terminal identification.

[0138] Step S3302, the core network device determines the terminal address according to the first message.

[0139] Step S3303, the core network device associates the terminal identification and the terminal address.

[0140] Step S3304, the core network device sends a second message, wherein the second message indicates the association result.

[0141] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the association result includes at least one of:

[0142] First information, wherein the first information indicates whether the terminal identification and the terminal address are successfully associated or not;

[0143] Second information, wherein the second information indicates the reason why the terminal identification and the terminal address are not successfully associated;

[0144] Identification information.

[0145] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second message is a user plane message.

[0146] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3301-S3304. For example, step S3301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S3301+S3302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3301+S3302+S3303 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0147] In the present embodiment or example, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined, or the order exchanged, the optional mode or optional example can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any step of other embodiments or other examples, without contradiction.

[0148] FIG. 4A is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4A, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which can be used for a terminal. The above method includes:

[0149] In step S4101, the terminal sends a first message, wherein the first message includes: identification information, the identification information being used to determine a terminal identifier; the first message being used to determine a terminal address, and indicating an association between the terminal identifier and the terminal address.

[0150] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the identification information includes at least one of:

[0151] An association identifier, wherein the association identifier is used to identify a connection management (CM) session in which the first message is located;

[0152] A service session identifier, wherein the service session identifier is used to identify the CM session in a user plane;

[0153] A connection identifier, wherein there is a mapping relationship between the connection identifier and the association identifier, and / or there is a mapping relationship between the connection identifier and the terminal identifier.

[0154] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the service session identifier has the same value as the association identifier.

[0155] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first message is a user plane message.

[0156] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include step S4101. For example, step S4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0157] In the present embodiment or example, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined, or the order exchanged, the optional mode or optional example can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any step of other embodiments or other examples, without contradiction.

[0158] FIG. 4B is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4B, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be used for a terminal. The above method comprises:

[0159] In step S4201, the terminal sends a first message, wherein the first message comprises: identification information, the identification information being used to determine a terminal identification; the first message being used to determine a terminal address, and indicate an association between the terminal identification and the terminal address.

[0160] In step S4202, the terminal receives a second message, wherein the second message indicates an association result.

[0161] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the association result comprises at least one of the following:

[0162] First information, wherein the first information indicates whether the terminal identification and the terminal address are successfully associated or not;

[0163] Second information, wherein the second information indicates a reason why the terminal identification and the terminal address are not successfully associated;

[0164] Identification information.

[0165] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second message is a user plane message.

[0166] The communication method related to the embodiment of the present disclosure can comprise at least one of steps S4201-S4202. For example, step S4201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S4201+S4202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0167] In the present embodiment or the present example, each step can be independently combined or exchanged in order, and optional modes or optional examples can be combined with any step of other embodiments or other examples.

[0168] FIG. 5 is an interaction diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which can be used for a communication system. The above method comprises:

[0169] In step S5101, the terminal sends a first message to a core network device through an access network device, wherein the first message comprises: identification information, the identification information being used to determine a terminal identification.

[0170] In step S5102, the core network device receives the first message through the access network device, and determines a terminal address and an association between the terminal identification and the terminal address according to the first message.

[0171] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S5101-S5102. For example, step S5101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S5102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but is not limited thereto. Steps S5101-S5102 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0172] In the present embodiment or example, each step can be independently combined or exchanged in order, and optional modes or examples can be combined with any step of other embodiments or other examples, without contradiction.

[0173] The following is an exemplary introduction to the above method.

[0174] Optional embodiment:

[0175] In the following examples, the terminal is taken as UE, the core network device is taken as LMF network element, and the AMF network element is taken as an example. The UE and the AMF network element can transmit messages through the access network device, and the UE and the LMF network element can also transmit messages through the access network device. The service is taken as a positioning service as an example, and this is not limited.

[0176] As shown in FIG. 6A, FIG. 6A shows a UE IP and UE ID association diagram. In FIG. 6A, the UE and the LMF network element can use the association ID of the user plane and the control plane to associate the UE IP and the UE ID. The association ID is an optional example of the association identifier, the UE IP is an optional example of the terminal address, and the UE ID is an optional example of the terminal identifier.

[0177] Step 0a. Send a user plane connection establishment request.

[0178] Step 0b. Send a user plane connection establishment request (association ID).

[0179] Optionally, in step 0a and step 0b, the UE can send a user plane connection establishment request to the LMF network element through the access network device (the access network device is omitted in FIG. 6A) and the AMF network element, and request to establish a user plane connection with the LMF network element.

[0180] Optionally, steps 0a and 0b can be performed in the case where the UE initiates the establishment of the user plane connection. The association ID can be allocated by the AMF network element.

[0181] Optionally, the AMF network element can include the UE ID and the association ID in the user plane connection establishment request when sending the user plane connection establishment request to the LMF network element.

[0182] Optionally, the association ID can be a parameter allocated for each Transport Layer Security (TLS) connection.

[0183] Step 1a. User plane connection establishment command (LCS-UP address of the LMF network element, association ID).

[0184] Step 1b. User plane connection establishment command (LCS-UP address of the LMF network element, routing ID).

[0185] The routing ID is, for example, Routing ID.

[0186] Optionally, the LMF network element can send a user plane connection establishment command (containing the LCS-UP address of the LMF network element and the routing ID) to the UE through the AMF network element and the access network device. The LCS-UP address of the LMF network element can be the IP address or FQDN of the LMF.

[0187] Optionally, if the user plane connection is initiated by the network, the association ID can be allocated by the LMF network element.

[0188] Step 2. Establish a PDU session.

[0189] Optionally, if no PDU session is established for the LCS-UPP, the UE can establish a PDU session for the LCS-UPP.

[0190] Step 3a. Send a user plane connection establishment confirmation message (routing ID).

[0191] Step 3b. Send a user plane connection establishment confirmation message (association ID).

[0192] Optionally, in steps 3a and 3b, the UE sends a user plane connection establishment confirmation message containing the routing ID / association ID to the LMF network element through the access network device and the AMF network element to inform that the PDU is connected.

[0193] Optionally, the AMF network element can map the routing ID to the association ID, and the routing ID and the association ID can be the same identifier but different names. The AMF network element can include the UE ID in the user plane connection establishment confirmation message when sending the user plane connection establishment confirmation message to the LMF network element.

[0194] Step 4. Establish a TLS connection between the UE and the LMF network element.

[0195] Optionally, the UE can use the received LCS-UP address of the LMF network element to establish a user plane connection with the LMF network element.

[0196] Step 5. Send a user plane connection association request message (association ID).

[0197] Optionally, the UE can send a new user plane message. For example, after the user plane connection is successfully established, the UE sends a message to the LMF network element (through the access network device) to instruct the LMF to bind (associate) the UE IP and the UE ID.

[0198] Optionally, the UE can send the association ID (and the LCS session ID, the value of which is set to the association ID) and the command message through the uplink LCS-UP transmission message.

[0199] Optionally, the UE can send a user plane connection association request message (notification message) to the LMF network element through the access network device, which can include the association ID or the LCS session ID (the value of which is set to the value of the association ID).

[0200] Step 6. Send a user plane connection association response message (association ID).

[0201] Optionally, the LMF network element receives the user plane connection association request message through the user plane, and the LMF network element can obtain the UE IP and the association ID based on the user plane connection association request message.

[0202] Optionally, the association ID is related to a specific UE, and by receiving the association ID and the UE IP, the LMF network element can associate the UE IP, the association ID, and the UE ID.

[0203] Optionally, the LMF network element can add the UE IP in the UE context.

[0204] Optionally, the LMF network element can respond to the UE through the user plane to notify the UE of the association result. The association result, for example, whether the association is successful, the reason for the association failure (for example, the UE ID cannot be successfully determined based on the association ID, which can cause the association failure), and the association ID (which can also be the LCS session ID, the value of which is set to the value of the association ID).

[0205] Optionally, the LMF network element can send a user plane connection association response message (notification message) to the UE through the access network device, which can include the association ID, the association result, the reason for the association failure, and the LCS session ID (the value of which is set to the value of the association ID).

[0206] Step 7a. Send a user plane connection establishment completion message (routing ID).

[0207] Step 7b. Send a user plane connection setup complete message (association ID).

[0208] Optionally, in the above steps 7a and 7b, the UE can send a user plane connection setup complete message (containing the LMF's routing ID) to the LMF network element through the access network device and the AMF network element, to inform the TLS connection setup completion.

[0209] Optionally, the AMF network element can map the routing ID to the association ID, and the routing ID and the association ID can be the same identifier with different names. The AMF network element can also include the UE ID in the user plane connection setup complete message when sending it to the LMF network element.

[0210] Step 8. Send a user plane connection association request message (association ID).

[0211] Step 9. Send a user plane connection association response message (association ID).

[0212] Optionally, in the above steps 8 and 9, after sending the user plane connection setup complete message to the LMF network element, the UE can send a user plane connection association request message to the LMF network element through the access network device, to instruct the LMF network element to associate the UE ID and the UE IP, as shown in steps 5-6.

[0213] Optionally, in the above embodiments, steps 5-6 can be performed, or steps 8-9 can be performed.

[0214] Step 10. Transmit uplink / downlink LCS-UP transport messages through the user plane.

[0215] Wherein, the uplink LCS-UP transport message is, for example, an UL LCS-UP transport message. The downlink LCS-UP transport message is, for example, a DL LCS-UP transport message.

[0216] Optionally, the UE and the LMF network element can transmit the uplink LCS-UP transport message and / or the downlink LCS-UP transport message through the established user plane connection.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 6B, FIG. 6B shows another UE IP and UE ID association diagram. In FIG. 6B, the UE and the LMF network element can use the connection ID (mapped through the association ID) of the user plane and the control plane respectively for the association of the UE IP and the UE ID. The association ID is one optional example of the association identifier, the UE IP is one optional example of the terminal address, the UE ID is one optional example of the terminal identifier, and the connection ID is one optional example of the connection identifier.

[0218] Step 0a. Sending a user plane connection setup request.

[0219] Step 0b. Sending a user plane connection setup request (association ID).

[0220] Optionally, in step 0a and step 0b, the UE can send a user plane connection setup request to the LMF network element via the access network device (access network device is omitted in FIG. 6B), the AMF network element, requesting to establish a user plane connection with the LMF network element.

[0221] Step 1a. User plane connection setup command (LCS-UP address of the LMF network element, connection ID, association ID).

[0222] Optionally, the LMF network element can decide to use LCS-UPP for the UE. The LMF network element can allocate an association ID for the TLS connection (for the network initiated case), or the LMF network element can receive the association ID from the AMF network element (for the UE initiated case).

[0223] Optionally, the LMF network element can map the association ID to the connection ID. The LMF can associate the connection ID with the association ID, and / or associate the connection ID with the UE.

[0224] Optionally, the LMF network element can add the connection ID to the UE context. The connection ID can be used to identify the TLS connection between the UE and the LMF.

[0225] Optionally, the LMF network element can include the connection ID in the user plane connection setup command.

[0226] Optionally, the LMF network element can send the user plane connection setup command (including the connection ID, the association ID) to the AMF network element. The user plane connection setup command can be included in the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message.

[0227] Step 1b. User plane connection setup command (LCS-UP address of the LMF network element, connection ID, routing ID).

[0228] Optionally, the AMF network element can map the association ID to the routing ID, and transmits the user plane connection setup command to the UE (the AMF network element can send the message to the UE via the access network device).

[0229] Optionally, the user plane connection setup command can be included in the DL NAS TRANSPORT.

[0230] Step 2. Establishing a PDU session.

[0231] Optionally, if no PDU session is established for the LCS-UPP, the UE can establish a PDU session for the LCS-UPP.

[0232] Step 3a. Send a user plane connection setup acknowledgement message (connection ID, routing ID).

[0233] Optionally, the UE can send a user plane connection setup acknowledgement message to the AMF network element through the access network device, in which the connection ID and the routing ID can be contained to inform that the PDU has been connected.

[0234] Optionally, the UE can send a UL NAS TRANSPORT message to the AMF network element through the access network device, in which the user plane connection setup acknowledgement message is contained.

[0235] Step 3b. Send a user plane connection setup acknowledgement message (connection ID, association ID).

[0236] Optionally, the AMF network element can map the routing ID to the association ID, and forward the message carrying the association ID received from the UE through the access network device to the LMF network element. In addition, the AMF network element can also contain the UE ID (SUbscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) and / or Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI)) in the message sent to the LMF network element.

[0237] Optionally, the routing ID and the association ID can be the same identifier, and the names are different.

[0238] Optionally, the AMF network element can send a Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify message to the LMF network element, which can contain a user plane connection setup acknowledgement message, in which the connection ID, the association ID, and the SUPI and / or GPSI are contained.

[0239] Step 4. Establish a TLS connection between the UE and the LMF network element.

[0240] Optionally, the UE can establish a user plane connection with the LMF network element using the received LCS-UP address of the LMF network element.

[0241] Step 5. Send a user plane connection association request message (connection ID, association ID).

[0242] Optionally, the UE can send a new user plane message. For example, after the user plane connection is successfully established, the UE sends a message to the LMF network element (through the access network device), indicating that the LMF binds (associates) the UE IP and the UE ID. The UE can also send an associated ID (which can also be a LCS session ID, the value of the LCS session ID is set to the value of the associated ID) and a command message through the uplink LCS-UP transmission message. The command message can include the connection ID.

[0243] Optionally, the UE can send a user plane connection association request message (notification message) to the LMF network element through the access network device, which can include the connection ID or the LCS session ID (wherein the value of the LCS session ID is set to the value of the associated ID).

[0244] Step 6. Send a user plane connection association response message (connection ID, associated ID).

[0245] Optionally, the LMF network element receives a user plane connection association request message through the user plane. The LMF network element can obtain the UE IP and the associated ID based on the user plane connection association request message.

[0246] Optionally, the associated ID is related to a specific UE. By receiving the associated ID and the UE IP, the LMF network element can associate the UE IP, the associated ID, and the UE ID.

[0247] Optionally, the LMF network element can add the UE IP in the UE context.

[0248] Optionally, the LMF network element can respond to the UE through the user plane, notifying the UE of the association result. The association result, for example, whether the association is successful, the reason for the association failure (for example, if the UE ID is not successfully determined based on the associated ID, it can cause the association to fail), and the associated ID (which can also be a LCS session ID, the value of the LCS session ID is set to the value of the associated ID), the connection ID.

[0249] Optionally, the LMF network element can send a user plane connection association response message (notification message) to the UE through the access network device, which can include the connection ID, the association result, the reason for the association failure, the LCS session ID (wherein the value of the LCS session ID is set to the value of the associated ID).

[0250] Step 7a. Send a user plane connection establishment completion message (connection ID, routing ID).

[0251] Step 7b. Send a user plane connection establishment completion message (connection ID, associated ID).

[0252] Optionally, in the above steps 7a and 7b, the UE can send a user plane connection establishment completion message (containing the routing ID of the LMF) to the LMF network element through the access network device and the AMF network element, to inform that the TLS connection establishment is completed.

[0253] Optionally, the AMF network element can map the routing ID to the association ID, and the routing ID and the association ID can be the same identifier but different names. The AMF network element can also include the UE ID in the user plane connection establishment completion message when sending the message to the LMF network element.

[0254] Step 8. Send a user plane connection association request message (connection ID, association ID).

[0255] Step 9. Send a user plane connection association response message (connection ID, association ID).

[0256] Optionally, in the above steps 8 and 9, after sending the user plane connection establishment completion message to the LMF network element, the UE can send a user plane connection association request message to the LMF network element through the access network device, to instruct the LMF network element to associate the UE ID and the UE IP, as shown in steps 5-6.

[0257] Optionally, in the above embodiments, steps 5-6 can be performed, or steps 8-9 can be performed.

[0258] Step 10. Transmit uplink / downlink LCS-UP transmission messages through the user plane.

[0259] Among them, the uplink LCS-UP transmission message is, for example, an UL LCS-UP transport message. The downlink LCS-UP transmission message is, for example, a DL LCS-UP transport message.

[0260] Optionally, the UE and the LMF network element can transmit the uplink LCS-UP transmission message and / or the downlink LCS-UP transmission message through the established user plane connection.

[0261] The above method can effectively associate the UE IP and the UE identifier, thereby supporting identifying the UE using the UE IP in the user plane.

[0262] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the LMF network element can allocate a connection identifier for the TLS connection of the terminal.

[0263] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the LMF network element can receive a user plane connection association request message from the user plane.

[0264] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the LMF network element can associate the connection identifier and / or the association identifier with the terminal, and can also associate the connection identifier and / or the association identifier with the terminal address obtained from the user plane message. Thus, the LMF network element can further associate the terminal address with the terminal.

[0265] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the LMF network element can add the connection identifier and the terminal address to the terminal context.

[0266] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal can send a user plane connection association request message to the LMF network element through the user plane, where the user plane connection association request message includes the association identifier and / or the connection identifier.

[0267] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7A, the core network device 7100 can include at least one of a transceiver module 7101, a processing module 7102, and the like. The core network device 7100 can include:

[0268] The transceiver module 7101 is configured to receive a first message, where the first message includes identifier information used to determine a terminal identifier.

[0269] The processing module 7102 is configured to determine a terminal address according to the first message, and associate the terminal identifier and the terminal address.

[0270] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the identifier information includes at least one of the following:

[0271] An association identifier, where the association identifier is used to identify a connection management (CM) session in which the first message is located;

[0272] A service session identifier, where the service session identifier is used to identify the CM session in the user plane;

[0273] A connection identifier, where a mapping relationship exists between the connection identifier and the association identifier, and / or a mapping relationship exists between the connection identifier and the terminal identifier.

[0274] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the service session identifier has the same value as the association identifier.

[0275] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the identifier information includes the connection identifier; and the processing module 7102 is further configured to:

[0276] establish a mapping relationship between the connection identifier and the association identifier, where the association identifier is used to identify the CM session in which the first message is located; and / or

[0277] establish a mapping relationship between the connection identifier and the terminal identifier.

[0278] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing module 7102 is further configured to:

[0279] add the connection identity in the terminal context.

[0280] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the processing module 7102 is further configured to:

[0281] add the terminal address in the terminal context.

[0282] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transceiver module 7101 is further configured to:

[0283] send a second message, wherein the second message indicates the result of the association.

[0284] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the result of the association comprises at least one of:

[0285] first information, wherein the first information indicates whether the terminal identity and the terminal address are successfully associated or not;

[0286] second information, wherein the second information indicates the reason why the terminal identity and the terminal address are not successfully associated;

[0287] identity information.

[0288] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second message is a user plane message.

[0289] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first message is a user plane message.

[0290] FIG. 7B is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7B, the terminal 7200 can include at least one of a transceiver module 7201, a processing module 7202, and the like. The terminal 7200 can include:

[0291] The transceiver module 7201 is configured to send a first message, wherein the first message includes identity information used to determine a terminal identity, and the first message is used to determine a terminal address and indicate the association of the terminal identity and the terminal address.

[0292] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the identity information comprises at least one of:

[0293] an association identity, wherein the association identity is used to identify a connection management (CM) session in which the first message is located;

[0294] a service session identity, wherein the service session identity is used to identify the CM session in a user plane;

[0295] a connection identity, wherein a mapping relationship exists between the connection identity and the association identity, and / or a mapping relationship exists between the connection identity and the terminal identity.

[0296] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the value of the service session identifier is the same as the value of the association identifier.

[0297] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transceiver 7201 is further configured to:

[0298] receive a second message, wherein the second message indicates the result of the association.

[0299] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the result of the association comprises at least one of:

[0300] first information, wherein the first information indicates whether the terminal identifier and the terminal address are successfully associated or not;

[0301] second information, wherein the second information indicates a reason why the terminal identifier and the terminal address are not successfully associated;

[0302] identifier information.

[0303] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second message is a user plane message.

[0304] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first message is a user plane message.

[0305] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a sending module and / or a receiving module, which can be separate or integrated together. Alternatively, the transceiver can be mutually replaced with a transceiver.

[0306] In some embodiments, the processing module can be one module or can include multiple sub-modules. Alternatively, the multiple sub-modules perform all or part of the steps required to be performed by the processing module respectively. Alternatively, the processing module can be mutually replaced with a processor.

[0307] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus includes a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to realize the functions of any of the above methods or the units or modules of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be all implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part implemented in the form of processor calling software and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0308] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuits, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuits is fixed or can be reconfigured. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, the hardware circuit can also be designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0309] FIG. 8A is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 can be a terminal, a network device, a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and specific implementation can be referred to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0310] As shown in FIG. 8A, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. The communication device 8100 is used to implement any of the above methods.

[0311] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 can also be outside the communication device 8100.

[0312] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as transmitting and / or receiving in the above-described methods, and the processor 8101 performs other steps.

[0313] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0314] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 can include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected with the memory 8102, and the interface circuit 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 can read the instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0315] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments can be a terminal or a network device or a third entity, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 can not be limited by Figure 8A. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, optionally, the above-mentioned IC set can also include a storage component for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0316] Figure 8B is a structural schematic diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 8200 shown in Figure 8B can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0317] The chip 8200 comprises one or more processors 8201, and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0318] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further comprises one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuit 8202 is connected with the memory 8203, and the interface circuit 8202 can be configured to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 8202 can be configured to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0319] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above methods, and the processor 8201 performs other steps.

[0320] In some embodiments, the terms of interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0321] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further comprises one or more memories 8203 configured to store instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8203 can be outside the chip 8200.

[0322] The disclosure further proposes a storage medium, and the storage medium stores instructions, and the instructions, when executed on the communication device 8100, cause the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0323] The disclosure further proposes a program product, and the program product, when executed by the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0324] The disclosure further proposes a computer program, and the computer program, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute any of the above methods.

[0325] In the embodiments described above, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer programs are loaded on a computer and executed, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are produced. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer programs can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center through a wired (such as a coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that includes one or more available media sets. The available media can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0326] Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A person skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

[0327] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0328] The above is merely specific implementations of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present disclosure, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The core network device receives a first message, wherein the first message comprises: identification information used to determine a terminal identification; The core network device determines a terminal address according to the first message; The core network device associates the terminal identification and the terminal address.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The identification information comprises at least one of: An association identification, wherein the association identification is used to identify a connection management (CM) session in which the first message is located; A service session identification, wherein the service session identification is used to identify the CM session in a user plane; A connection identification, wherein a mapping relationship exists between the connection identification and the association identification, and / or a mapping relationship exists between the connection identification and the terminal identification.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The value of the service session identification is the same as the value of the association identification.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The identification information comprises a connection identification; and the method further comprises: The core network device establishes a mapping relationship between the connection identification and an association identification, wherein the association identification is used to identify a CM session in which the first message is located; and / or The core network device establishes a mapping relationship between the connection identification and the terminal identification.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The method further comprises: The core network device adds the connection identification in a terminal context.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The method further comprises: The core network device adds the terminal address in a terminal context.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The method further comprises: The core network device sends a second message, wherein the second message indicates a result of the association.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The result of the association comprises at least one of: First information, wherein the first information indicates whether the terminal identification and the terminal address are successfully associated; Second information, wherein the second information indicates a reason why the terminal identification and the terminal address are not successfully associated; The identification information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7-8, wherein, The second message is a user plane message.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The first message is a user plane message.

11. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The terminal sends a first message, wherein the first message comprises: identification information used to determine a terminal identification; the first message is used to determine a terminal address and indicate association of the terminal identification and the terminal address.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The identification information comprises at least one of: An association identification, wherein the association identification is used to identify a connection management (CM) session in which the first message is located; A service session identification, wherein the service session identification is used to identify the CM session in a user plane; A connection identification, wherein a mapping relationship exists between the connection identification and the association identification, and / or a mapping relationship exists between the connection identification and the terminal identification.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The value of the service session identification is the same as the value of the association identification.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The method further comprises: The terminal receives a second message, wherein the second message indicates a result of the association.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The result of the association comprises at least one of: First information, wherein the first information indicates whether the terminal identification and the terminal address are successfully associated; Second information, wherein the second information indicates a reason why the terminal identification and the terminal address are not successfully associated; The identification information.

16. The method of any one of claims 14-15, wherein, The second message is a user plane message.

17. The method of any one of claims 11-16, wherein, The first message is a user plane message.

18. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: A terminal sends a first message to a core network device through an access network device, wherein the first message comprises: identification information used to determine a terminal identification; The core network device receives the first message through the access network device, and determines a terminal address according to the first message, and associates the terminal identification and the terminal address.

19. A core network device, comprising: The core network device comprises: A transceiver module configured to receive a first message, wherein the first message comprises: identification information used to determine a terminal identification; A processing module configured to determine a terminal address according to the first message, and associate the terminal identification and the terminal address.

20. A terminal, characterized by The terminal comprises: A transceiver module configured to send a first message, wherein the first message comprises: identification information used to determine a terminal identification; the first message is used to determine a terminal address, and indicate to associate the terminal identification and the terminal address.

21. A communications device, characterized by Comprise: One or more processors; The processor is configured to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1-18.

22. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, When the instructions run on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication method in any one of claims 1-18.

23. A communication system, characterized by Comprise a core network device, an access network device and a terminal, wherein the core network device is configured to perform the communication method in any one of claims 1-10, and the terminal is configured to perform the communication method in any one of claims 11-17.

24. A computer program product, characterised in that, Comprise a computer program, which is executed by a processor to implement the communication method in any one of claims 1-18.

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