Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and an apparatus. The method comprises: an AF network element sends a first request, the first request comprising information of a first terminal and / or information of a first session; the AF network element receives a first response, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response comprising information of an artificial intelligence (AI) service capability of a first network, the first network being a network accessed by the first terminal, and the first session being a session used for communication between the first terminal and a first server; and further, the AF network element may determine an AI computing assistance policy on the basis of the AI service capability of the first network and, in the AI computing assistance policy, migrate an AI computing function located at the first terminal and / or the first server to a first network element of the first network, thereby reducing the AI computing load of the first terminal and / or the first server.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410745383.9, filed on June 7, 2024, and entitled “A communication method and apparatus”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] Through capability exposure, a communication network can expose network capabilities to third-party applications, thereby enabling business innovation. An operator needs to build a unified and open network capability, and provide network capability exposure functions and security functions for third parties through a capability exposure platform. On the one hand, the operator can respond to third-party business needs in a timely manner, guarantee user business experience, and provide personalized services and security guarantees. On the other hand, the operator can also help third-party business providers to fully utilize the network and business capabilities of the operator when opening up businesses. Network capability exposure has gradually become a hot spot for future growth of operators and a focus of development of communication networks. How a communication network exposes artificial intelligence (AI) service capabilities to third-party applications is a research direction. SUMMARY

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method is an AF network element, or a module, unit or component (such as a chip, chip system, circuit or processor, etc.) located in the AF network element. The method comprises: sending a first request, the first request comprising information of a first terminal and / or information of a first session; and receiving a first response, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response comprising information of AI service capabilities of a first network, the first network being a network accessed by the first terminal, and the first session being a session used for communication between the first terminal and a first server.

[0006] Through the above design, the network can expose AI service capabilities of the first network to a third-party application AF network element, so that the AF network element can perform corresponding operations according to the AI service functions of the first network. For example, the AF network element can migrate AI computing functions located in the first terminal and / or the first server to a first network element in the first network to implement, thereby reducing AI computing load of the first terminal and / or the first server.

[0007] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: determining an AI computing assistance strategy according to the information of the AI service capability of the first network, the AI computing assistance strategy including migrating all or part of functions in AI computing functions located at the first server and / or the first terminal to a first network element of the first network; and sending information of the AI computing assistance strategy.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a first indication, the first indication indicating that the service corresponding to the first session is provided with AI computing assistance by the network.

[0009] The second aspect is a method for a communication method of the first aspect, and beneficial effects refer to the description of the first aspect. A communication method is provided, and an execution subject of the method is a network element X or a module, unit or component located in the network element X. The network element X can be an API gateway, an SMO or a UPF network element, and the like, and includes: receiving a first request, the first request including information of a first terminal and / or information of a first session, the first session being a session used by the first terminal to communicate with a first server; in response to the first request, sending a first response, the first response including an artificial intelligence (AI) service capability of a first network, the first network being a network accessed by the first terminal.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: determining the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first terminal and / or the information of the first session.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the determining the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first terminal includes:

[0012] determining location information of the first terminal according to the information of the first terminal; and determining the AI service capability of the first network according to the location information of the first terminal and a set of AI service capabilities of the network, the set of AI service capabilities of the network including the AI service capability of the first network.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the determining the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first session includes:

[0014] determining the first session according to the information of the first session; sending a second request to a first network element in a first network corresponding to the first session; and receiving a second response from the first network element, the second response being a response to the second request, and the second response including an AI service capability of the first network element.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the determining the first session according to the information of the first session comprises: determining the first session according to the information of the first session and the information of the first terminal.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a first indication, the first indication indicating that the service corresponding to the first session is provided with AI computing assistance by the network; and sending a third request, the third request being used to request the first network to provide the AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving information of an AI computing assistance policy, the AI computing assistance policy including migrating all or part of functions in the AI computing function located in the first server and / or the first terminal to the first network element of the first network; and sending the information of the AI computing assistance policy.

[0018] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, an execution subject of the method being a second network element, or a module or unit located in the second network element. For example, the second network element can be an API gateway, or an SMO, and the method includes: receiving a first request, the first request including information of a first artificial intelligence (AI) computing resource requested to be subscribed; and in response to the first request, sending a first response, the first response including transport network layer information of a network element providing the first AI computing resource in the network.

[0019] Through the above design, the network can open idle AI computing resources in the network to a third-party application (AF) network element, the AF network element can subscribe to the idle first AI computing resource in the network, and perform corresponding operations by using the idle first AI computing resource in the network, thereby improving the utilization rate of the idle AI computing resource in the network.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a whole network, or in a granularity of a first network element or a first network element set in the network.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a whole network, and the transport network layer information of the network element included in the first response is transport network layer information of a second network element, the second network element being a gateway of the first network element providing the first AI computing resource in the network.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a first network element or a first network element set in the network, and the transport network layer information of the network element included in the first response is transport network layer information of the first network element or the first network element set.

[0023] In one possible implementation, prior to receiving the first request, the method further includes sending a first report, which includes information about a second AI computing resource provided by the network.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the second AI computing resource is reported at the level of the entire network, or at the level of the first network element or the first set of network elements.

[0025] Fourthly, as a counterpart to the third aspect, and with the beneficial effects described in the third aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of this method is an AF network element, or a module or unit located in an AF network element, comprising: sending a first request, the first request including information about a first artificial intelligence (AI) computing resource to be subscribed to; and receiving a first response, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response including transmission network layer information of the network element providing the first AI computing resource in the network.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed at the granularity of the entire network, or at the granularity of the first network element or the first set of network elements in the network.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed at the network-wide level, and the transport network layer information of the network element included in the first response is the transport network layer information of the second network element, wherein the second network element is the gateway of the first network element that provides the first AI computing resource in the network.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed to at the granularity of a first network element or a set of first network elements in the network, and the transmission network layer information of the network element included in the first response is the transmission network layer information of the first network element or the set of first network elements.

[0029] In one possible implementation, prior to sending the first request, the method further includes receiving a first report, which includes information about a second AI computing resource provided by the network.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the second AI computing resource is reported at the level of the entire network, or at the level of the first network element or the first set of network elements.

[0031] In a fifth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: sending, by a network element X, a third request to a first network element, the third request being used to request the first network to provide artificial intelligence (AI) computing assistance for a service corresponding to a first session, the first network element being a network element in the first network; and providing, by the first network element, the AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session, the first session being a session used for communication between a first terminal and a first server. Optionally, the network element X is an API gateway, or an SMO, or a UPF network element.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by the network element X, information of an AI computing assistance policy to the first network element, the providing, by the first network element, the AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session including: providing, by the first network element, the AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session according to the AI computing assistance policy.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: determining, by the network element X, the AI service capability of the first network according to information of the first terminal and / or information of the first session.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the determining, by the network element X, the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first terminal includes:

[0035] determining, by the network element X, location information of the first terminal according to the information of the first terminal; and determining, by the network element X, the AI service capability of the first network according to the location information of the first terminal and a set of AI service capabilities of the network, the set of AI service capabilities of the network including the AI service capability of the first network.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the determining, by the network element X, the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first session includes:

[0037] determining, by the network element X, the first session according to the information of the first session; sending, by the network element X, a second request to a first network element in the first network corresponding to the first session; and sending, by the first network element, a second response to the network element X, the second response being a response to the second request, the second response including an AI service capability of the first network element.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by an AF network element, a first request to the network element X, the first request including information of the first terminal and / or information of the first session; and sending, by the network element X, a first response to the AF network element, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response including information of an artificial intelligence (AI) service capability of the first network.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: determining, by the AF network element, an AI computing assistance strategy according to the information about the AI service capability of the first network, the AI computing assistance strategy including migrating all or part of functions in AI computing functions located at the first server and / or the first terminal to the first network element of the first network; and sending, by the AF network element, information about the AI computing assistance strategy to the network element X.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by the AF network element, a first indication to the network element X, the first indication indicating that the service corresponding to the first session is provided with AI computing assistance by the network.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, a device is provided, which is capable of implementing the method in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect. For example, the device includes a module, unit, component or means for performing any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect. The module, unit, component or means can be implemented by hardware, or by software, or by a combination of hardware and software. The device can be a first communication device, for example, an AF network element, or a communication module in the AF network element, or a chip or chip system responsible for communication functions in the AF network element.

[0042] In a design, the device includes a unit for performing any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0043] In a design, the device includes a processor for executing a computer program or instructions stored in a memory, so that the device implements the method in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect. Optionally, the device further includes a memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory.

[0044] In a design, the device includes a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit is used to receive a signal from another device outside the device and transmit the signal to the processor or send a signal from the processor to another device outside the device, and the processor is used to implement the method in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect through a logic circuit or an execution code instruction.

[0045] In a design, the device can be a module, unit or component (for example, a chip, chip system, circuit or processor, etc.) corresponding to the method / operation / step / action described in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect in the first communication device, or can be capable of being used in the first communication device.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer program or instructions make the computer implement the method in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0047] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer programs or instructions, which when executed by a computer, cause the method of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect to be performed.

[0048] In a ninth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory, so that the chip system implements the method of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect. Optionally, the chip system further comprises the memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIGS. 2, 3a, 3b and 4 are network exposure architectures according to embodiments of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 3c is a schematic diagram of a CAPIF architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 10 are schematic diagrams of communication flows according to embodiments of the present application;

[0053] FIGS. 7, 9 and 11 are schematic diagrams of communication architectures according to embodiments of the present application;

[0054] FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic diagrams of apparatuses according to embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The specific operation methods, function descriptions and the like in the method embodiments can also be applied to the apparatus embodiments or system embodiments.

[0056] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, represents "a singular noun or a plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. In the character description of the present application, the character " / " generally represents that the associated objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character " / " represents that the associated objects before and after it are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B or C" or similar expressions can represent: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C, wherein A, B and C can be singular or plural.

[0057] The various numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are distinguished for the convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic. For example, step 550a in Figure 5 below can be executed before step 570a, or step 550a can be executed after step 570a, or step 550a and step 570a can be executed simultaneously. The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" involved in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish a plurality of objects, and do not limit the size, order, timing, priority or importance of the plurality of objects.

[0058] Figure 1 is a possible, non-limiting system diagram. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 includes terminals, a radio access network (RAN) and a core network (CN).

[0059] 1. Terminal

[0060] The terminal can be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0061] 2. RAN

[0062] The RAN is used to implement functions related to wireless access. The RAN includes at least one RAN node, which forms part of the communication system and helps terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes can be of the same type or different types.

[0063] Among them, RAN can be a cellular system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as 4th generation (4G). th generation, 4G), fifth generation (5G) th RAN can be a generation (5G) mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (e.g., a future communication network). RAN can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0064] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a future communication network, a base station in a future communication network, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, an access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform such as a cloud platform. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0065] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0066] The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open-CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open-DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open-CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open-CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open-RU (O-RU). For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0067] In the embodiments of the present application, the RAN node can also have other expressions, for example, the RAN node can also be referred to as an access network device, a RAN entity or an access node, etc. For the convenience of description, the access network device is taken as an example for description in the following description of specific embodiments.

[0068] 3. Core network

[0069] The core network is mainly used for managing the terminal and providing the function of communication with external networks. The core network includes at least one of the following network elements: a user plane function (UPF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a network exposure function (NEF) network element, an application function (AF) network element, or an application programming interface (API) gateway, etc.

[0070] Optionally, the communication system 10 further includes a data network (DN). The terminal, the access network device, the UPF network element and the DN can be collectively referred to as a user plane network element (or a user plane function and entity). The data flow of the user plane can be transmitted through a protocol data unit (PDU) session established between the terminal and the DN. The user plane is used to carry service data. Other network elements in the communication system 10, such as the AMF, the NEF, or the AF, can be referred to as a control plane network element (or a control plane function and entity), and mainly responsible for functions such as authentication and authorization, registration management, session management, mobility management and policy control, so as to realize reliable and stable transmission of the user plane data flow. The control plane is used to carry control signaling messages.

[0071] It can be understood that the names of the network elements in the core network are not limited. For example, in the 5G communication system, the network element implementing the signaling processing part is referred to as an AMF network element. In future communication networks, the network element implementing the above functions can also be referred to as other names, etc., which are not limited. The core network can also include other network elements in addition to the above description, such as a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, etc.

[0072] The system 10 further includes an operation administration and maintenance (OAM), which is a general term for a set of network management functions, including functions such as fault monitoring, fault reporting, fault location and fault repair. The OAM corresponding to the access network and the core network can be the same or different. For example, when the OAM corresponding to the access network and the core network is different, the OAM corresponding to the access network side is referred to as an access network OAM, and the OAM corresponding to the core network side is referred to as a core network OAM.

[0073] It can be understood that the access network device, the terminal, the network element in the core network and the OAM, etc. can be referred to as a communication apparatus. For example, the access network device can be understood as a communication apparatus with a base station function; the terminal can be understood as a communication apparatus with a terminal function; the network element in the core network can be understood as a communication apparatus with a core network network element function; and the OAM can be understood as a communication apparatus with an OAM function.

[0074] In the communication network, network capabilities can be opened to third-party applications (such as the AF network element). As shown in FIG. 2, the current network capability opening mainly includes the following three paths:

[0075] Path #1: exposing network capabilities through the northbound interface (interface north, Itf-N) of the OAM network element.

[0076] Path #2: exposing network capabilities through the NEF_API interface of the NEF network element.

[0077] Path #3: exposing network capabilities through the UPF_API interface of the UPF network element.

[0078] The network capabilities exposed through the above three paths are aggregated at the API gateway (gateway, GW), and provided to the AF network element through the service_API interface by the API gateway.

[0079] The currently exposed network capabilities are oriented towards communication capabilities, that is, the third-party application is exposed to the communication capabilities of the network, and is exposed to the third-party application through the core network and the OAM network element. With the evolution of network architecture, in addition to traditional communication capabilities, access networks may also have new service / service capabilities such as artificial intelligence (artificial intelligence, AI), computing, sensing, and positioning. If the network capabilities are still exposed through the current three paths, it may cause data detours, longer response time, and reduced user service experience.

[0080] Embodiments of the present application provide a new network capability exposure architecture, which exposes new service capabilities on the access network side through multiple paths, meets the needs of third-party applications for new service capabilities, and accelerates the monetization of network service capabilities.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3a, a RAN capability exposure framework is provided. The new service capabilities of the access network side are carried in the service unit (service unit, SU), and the traditional communication capabilities are carried in the CU and the DU. The new service capabilities of the access network side include at least one of the following functions: AI, computing, sensing, and positioning. For example, the AI function includes AI prediction function and / or AI computing function, etc., the sensing function includes generating sensing point cloud information and / or providing sensing object information, etc., and the positioning function includes positioning the location information of the terminal, which can be accurate to the latitude, longitude and height of the terminal.

[0082] Among them, the SU exposes the new service capability of the access network side to the outside through the SU_API interface. For example, the interface between the SU and the API gateway is SU_API, the SU reports the new service capability of the access network side to the API gateway through the SU_API interface, and the API gateway reports the new service capability of the access network side to the AF network element through the service_API interface. Or, SU_API is the interface between SU and AF network element, SU reports the new service capability of the access network side to the AF network element through the SU_API interface. In addition, the SU can also expose the new service capability of the access network side to the outside in the following ways:

[0083] Method 1: The SU exposes the new service capability of the access network side through the Itf-N interface of the OAM network element. For example, the interface between the SU and the OAM network element is the south interface (interface south, Itf-S), the SU reports the new service capability of the access network side to the OAM network element through the Itf-S, and the OAM network element reports the new service capability of the access network side to the API gateway through the Itf-N interface. The API gateway reports the new service capability of the access network side to the AF network element through the service_API interface.

[0084] Method 2: The SU exposes the new service capability of the access network side through the UPF_API interface of the UPF network element. For example, the SU reports the new service capability of the access network side to the CU, the interface between the CU and the UPF network element is the N3 interface, the CU reports the new service capability of the access network side to the UPF network element through the N3 interface, the UPF network element reports the new service capability of the access network side to the API gateway through the UPF_API interface, and the API gateway reports the new service capability of the access network side to the AF network element through the service_API interface.

[0085] Method 3: The SU exposes the new service capability of the access network side through the NEF_API interface of the NEF network element. For example, the SU reports the new service capability of the access network side to the CU, the CU reports the new service capability of the access network side to the AMF network element through the N2 interface, the AMF network element reports the new service capability of the access network side to the NEF network element, the NEF network element reports the new service capability of the access network side to the API gateway through the NEF_API interface, and the API gateway reports the new service capability of the access network side to the AF network element through the service_API interface.

[0086] It can be understood that the API gateway can also be referred to as an API aggregator, and the API gateway serves as a connection device between the third-party application AF network element and the communication network. In uplink communication, the API network element can aggregate the network capabilities reported by various network elements and report the network capabilities to the third-party application AF network element through a service_API interface. In one description, the service_API interface is the union of a SU_API interface, an Itf-N interface, a NEF_API interface, and a UPF_API interface. For example, service_API interface = SU_API interface ∪ Itf-N interface ∪ NEF_API interface ∪ UPF_API interface. In downlink communication, the API gateway can receive a service request of the third-party application AF network element through the service_API interface and send the service request to the communication network.

[0087] In a possible implementation, as shown in FIG. 3b, the access network includes a SU, a CU, and a DU. The interface between the SU and the CU is Si. The CU and the DU are responsible for traditional communication functions, and the SU is responsible for beyond communication functions. The beyond communication functions can be new service capabilities / functions of the access network side. As shown in FIG. 3b, a SU-based RAN capability exposure architecture is illustrated, and specific functions of the SU include at least one of the following:

[0088] 1. RAN exposure function (RAN exposure function, REF): common API framework (common API framework, CAPIF) based architecture, responsible for exposing new service capabilities of the access network side to the outside.

[0089] 2. RAN service management function (RAN service management function, RSMF): used for service function registration, update, discovery, state detection, authentication and authorization, and inter-service communication in the SU.

[0090] 3. Communication & service coordination function: used for communication and new service capability coordination to provide services to the outside. This function can be combined with the RSMF function.

[0091] Further, the SU also provides at least one of the following functions: RAN for AI (RAN for AI, RAN4AI), AI for RAN (AI for RAN, AI4RAN), or sensing / location. RAN4AI is also referred to as network for AI (network for AI, Net4AI), and AI4RAN is also referred to as AI for network (AI for network, AI4Net).

[0092] In a possible implementation, as shown in FIG. 3c, the CAPIF can be divided into the following four logical functions: a CAPIF core function, an API exposing function, an API publishing function, and an API management function.

[0093] The CAPIF core function mainly includes: authenticating and authorizing API invokers, publishing, storing, and supporting discovery of service API information, configuring / storing policy information to control service API access, storing service API invocation logs and providing the service API invocation logs to an authorized entity, charging according to the service API invocation logs, monitoring service API invocations, and supporting auditing of access logs. The API exposing function includes: a provider of service APIs, and API invokers communicate with the APIs through the API exposing function. The API publishing function includes: publishing of service APIs, which can be published to an API GW or to a third-party application. The API management function includes: monitoring and querying service API invocations.

[0094] In the embodiments of the present application, the four logical functions of the CAPIF are mapped to one or more network elements. For example, the CAPIF core function is mapped to an API gateway, and the API gateway supports the CAPIF core function. The API exposing function is mapped to an SU, and the SU supports the API exposing function. The "API invoker" in the embodiments of the present application refers to a third-party application that needs to invoke a communication network capability, which can be in or out of a domain of a public land mobile network (PLMN) trusted domain. The server corresponding to the third-party application can be deployed in a DN in the communication system shown in FIG. 1. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the descriptions of the "API invoker", "server", and "AF network element" can be replaced with each other. The interfaces between different logical functions and the interfaces between the API invoker and the logical functions are shown in FIG. 3c.

[0095] In the SU-based RAN capability exposing architecture shown in FIG. 3a, the SU quickly exposes new service capabilities on the access network side to the third-party application AF network element through the SU_API interface. In addition, various network exposing capabilities can be converged at the API gateway to provide integrated network capabilities to the third-party application AF network element.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 4, an O-RAN capability exposure architecture is provided. The main difference from the architecture of FIG. 3a is that the SU in FIG. 3a is replaced by a near-real time RAN intelligent controller (RIC), and the API gateway is replaced by a service management and orchestration (SMO).

[0097] As shown in FIG. 4, the new service function on the access network side is carried by the near-real time RIC, and the traditional communication function is carried by the CU and the DU. The interface between the near-real time RIC and the DU or the CU is E2. The interface between the near-real time RIC and the SMO is AI. The near-real time RIC can expose the new service capability of the access network side through the AI interface. For example, the A1 interface is the interface between the near-real time RIC and the SMO. The near-real time RIC reports the new service capability of the access network side to the SMO through the A1 interface. The SMO reports the new service capability of the access network side to the AF network element through the service_API interface. Alternatively, the A1 interface is the interface between the near-real time RIC and the AF network element. The near-real time RIC can directly report the new service capability of the access network side to the AF network element through the A1 interface, and so on. In addition, the near-real time RIC can also expose the new service capability of the access network side through the Itf-N interface of the OAM network element, the UPF_API interface of the UPF network element, or the NEF_API interface of the NEF network element, and so on. The near-real time RIC exposes the new service capability of the access network side through the above interfaces, which is similar to the process in which the SU exposes the new service capability of the access network side through the above interfaces in FIG. 3a. For details, refer to the description above.

[0098] It can be understood that the SMO is a connection device between the third-party application AF network element and the communication network. The interface between the SMO and the AF network element is the service_API interface. In uplink communication, the SMO can converge the network capabilities reported by each network element and report the network capabilities to the third-party application AF network element through the service_API interface. In downlink communication, the SMO can receive a service request of the third-party application AF network element through the service_API interface and send the service request to the communication network.

[0099] In the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject can be an access network device (for example, a SU or a near real-time RIC), or a core network device (for example, an AF network element, an API gateway, or an SMO, etc.), or a unit / module (for example, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, or the like) in the access network device, or a unit / module in the core network device. In the following, the execution subject is taken as an access network device and a core network device for example. When the execution subject is a unit / module in the access network device or the core network device, the receiving / sending can be understood as input / output, that is, the unit / module communicates with other units / modules or components of the access network device or the core network device. In addition, the processing performed by a single execution subject can also be divided into processing performed by multiple execution subjects, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the SU can be understood as a protocol requiring the CU and / or the DU to perform the corresponding processing.

[0100] Embodiment one

[0101] Based on the capability exposure architecture shown in FIG. 3a or FIG. 4, taking the AI service capability of the open access network as an example, a communication method is provided in which the AF network element queries the AI service capability of the first network accessed by the first terminal. Further, the AF network element can determine an AI computing assistance strategy according to the AI service capability of the first network accessed by the terminal. For example, all or part of the functions of the AI model located in the first server and / or the first terminal are migrated to the first network, thereby reducing the AI computing load of the first terminal and / or the first server, quickly responding to the demand of the AI service, and improving the service experience of the AI service. As shown in FIG. 5, a flowchart is provided, which includes:

[0102] Step 510: The AF network element sends a first request, and the network element X receives the first request.

[0103] The first request includes information of the first terminal and / or information of the first session. For example, the information of the first terminal can be an identity document (ID) of the first terminal. For example, a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) of the first terminal, or a telephone number of the first terminal, etc. Alternatively, the information of the first terminal can be transport network layer information of the first terminal, such as an internet protocol (IP) address of the first terminal, or a uniform resource locator (URL) address of the first terminal, etc. Alternatively, the information of the first terminal can be a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI) of the first terminal, etc.

[0104] The first session can be a short form of a PDU session. The first session is used for a logical connection between the first terminal and the first server, which is a user plane connection from the first terminal to the first server. For example, the first session specifically refers to a session between the first terminal, the access network, the UPF network element, the UPF network element to the first server. In the following description, the anchor point or target network corresponding to the first session is specifically the access network corresponding to the first session, and the first server can be deployed in the DN. For example, the first server can be a server corresponding to a third party (3P) application, an over the top (OTT) consumer, or an enterprise application. In the embodiments of the present application, the first server is mainly taken as an example of a server providing a third party application. The first server can perform AI calculation, for example, the first server has an AI model deployed therein, and the first server can use the AI model to perform model inference to achieve corresponding functions. Further, the first server can also perform model training on the AI model to update the AI model, etc. The first server can be referred to as an AI server. The information of the first session can be an ID of the first session, or a transport network layer information of the first server corresponding to the first session, for example, an IP address of the first server, or a URL address of the first server, etc.

[0105] Optionally, step 520: the network element X determines the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first terminal and / or the information of the first session.

[0106] In one description, the AI service capability of the first network is determined according to the information of the first terminal and / or the information of the first session. The first network can be an access network, a core network, or a transport network. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the first network is mainly taken as an example of an access network. When the first network is an access network, the AI service capability of the first network can be described as the AI service capability of the access network. It can be understood that in the network opening architecture shown in FIG. 3a, the AI service capability of the access network refers to the AI service capability of the SU network element. In the network opening architecture shown in FIG. 4, the AI service capability of the access network refers to the AI service capability of the near real-time RIC network element. In addition, in the foregoing description, the new service capability of the access network side includes AI, computing, sensing, and positioning, etc. By using the method of the present application, in addition to opening the AI service capability of the access network side to the third party application AF network element, at least one service capability of the access network side, such as computing, sensing, or positioning, can also be opened to the third party application AF network element. The AF network element can perform corresponding operations according to the opened at least one service capability of the access network side, without limitation.

[0107] In a possible implementation, the network element X can be an API gateway in the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 3a, or an SMO in the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 4. The network element X can determine the location information of the first terminal according to the information of the first terminal, for example, user location information (ULI) of the first terminal or global positioning system (GPS) information of the first terminal. The network element X determines the AI service capability of the first network accessed by the first terminal according to the location information of the first terminal and the AI service capability set of the network. For example, before step 510, each network element reports its corresponding AI service capability to the network element X to form the AI service capability set of the network; and the network element X queries the AI service capability of the first network in the AI service capability set of the network according to the location information of the first terminal. The first network is the network accessed by the first terminal, or described as, the first terminal accesses through the first network. For details, refer to the description of Example 1 below. In the following description, the location information of the first terminal is mainly taken as an example of the ULI of the first terminal.

[0108] In another possible implementation, the network element X can refer to a UPF network element. The UPF network element can determine the first session according to the information of the first session. Further, in a scenario of assigning an identifier to a session in a terminal granularity, a session cannot be uniquely determined according to the information of the first session alone, and the information of the first terminal also needs to be combined. That is, the UPF network element can determine the first session according to the information of the first session and the information of the first terminal. The first session is a session used by the first terminal to communicate with the first server, and the anchor point or target network in the first session can be referred to as the first network, that is, the first network is the anchor point or target network in the first session. The UPF network element can query the AI service capability of the first network from a first network element in the first network. For example, the UPF network element sends a second request to the first network element in the first network, and the second request is used to request the AI service capability of the first network element; the first network element in the first network sends a second response to the UPF network element, the second response is a response to the second request, and the second response includes the AI service capability of the first network element. In the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 3a, the first network element in the first network refers to a SU network element on the access network side. In the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 4, the first network element in the first network refers to a near real-time RIC network element on the access network side. For details, refer to the description of Example 2 below.

[0109] Step 530: In response to the first request, the network element X sends a first response, and the AF network element receives the first response, wherein the first response includes the AI service capability of the first network. It can be understood that the first response is a response to the first request.

[0110] Optionally, step 540: the AF network element determines the AI computing assistance policy according to the AI service capability of the first network.

[0111] Optionally, the AF network element can also send the information of the AI computing assistance policy to the first network element, and the first network element performs corresponding AI computing assistance operation according to the AI computing assistance policy. For example, the first network element can interact with the first server and / or the first terminal with the assistance of the CU and the DU, thereby migrating all or part of the AI computing function of the first server and / or the first terminal to the first network element, thereby reducing the AI computing load of the first server and / or the first terminal.

[0112] In a possible implementation, the AF network element can send the information of the AI computing assistance policy to the first network element through a network element X. For example, the AF network element sends the information of the AI computing assistance policy to the network element X, and at this time the network element X can refer to an API gateway or an SMO. The network element X sends the information of the AI computing assistance policy to the first network element. For example, optionally, the flow in FIG. 5 further includes:

[0113] Step 550a: the AF network element sends the information of the AI computing assistance policy, and the network element X receives the information of the AI computing assistance policy.

[0114] Step 560a: the network element X sends the information of the AI computing assistance policy, and the first network element receives the information of the AI computing assistance policy.

[0115] In another possible implementation, the AF network element can send the information of the AI computing assistance policy to the first terminal through an application layer, and the first terminal sends the information of the AI computing assistance policy to the first network element. For example, optionally, the flow in FIG. 5 further includes:

[0116] Step 550b: the AF network element sends the information of the AI computing assistance policy, and the first terminal receives the information of the AI computing assistance policy.

[0117] Step 560b: the first terminal sends the information of the AI computing assistance policy, and the first network element receives the information of the AI computing assistance policy.

[0118] Optionally, the AF network element can also send a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate that the service corresponding to the first session is assisted by (or needs or hopes or requests, etc.) the network to provide AI computing. In a possible implementation, the AF network element can send the first indication to the network element X, where the network element X refers to the API gateway or the SMO. The network element X sends a third request to the first network element in the first network, the third request being used to request the first network element to provide AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session. Upon receiving the third request, the first network element can perform corresponding operations according to the AI computing assistance policy. That is, the third request can serve as a trigger, and upon receiving the trigger of the third request, the first network element can perform corresponding operations according to the AI computing assistance policy. Or, upon receiving the information of the AI computing assistance policy, the first network element can directly perform corresponding operations according to the AI computing assistance policy, etc., without limitation. For example, optionally, the flow in FIG. 5 further includes:

[0119] Step 570a: The AF network element sends the first indication, and the network element X receives the first indication.

[0120] For example, upon receiving the first indication, the network element X obtains the information of the first network element in the first network. In step 580a, the network element X sends the third request to the first network element.

[0121] Step 580a: The network element X sends the third request, and the first network element receives the third request.

[0122] The third request can also be referred to as a first network element assistance request. For example, the network element X can be an API gateway, an SMO, or a UPF network element, etc. The network element X can send the third request to the first network element through a corresponding interface. Upon receiving the third request, the first network element can establish a data channel with the CU. Upon receiving the service data corresponding to the first session, the CU sends the service data corresponding to the first session to the first network element through the data channel, and the first network element provides AI computing assistance for the corresponding data according to the AI computing assistance policy. Optionally, the third request can carry the information of the first session.

[0123] In another possible implementation, the AF network element can send the first indication to the first terminal through the application layer of the terminal, and the first terminal sends the third request to the first network element. For example, optionally, the flow in FIG. 5 further includes:

[0124] Step 570b: The AF network element sends the first indication, and the first terminal receives the first indication.

[0125] Step 580b: The first terminal sends the third request, and the first network element receives the third request.

[0126] For example, the AF network element sends a first indication to the first terminal through an application layer, and the first terminal receives the first indication through the application layer. The first terminal obtains a service corresponding to the application layer, that is, a service corresponding to the first session. The first terminal sends a third request to the first network element. In a possible implementation, the first terminal is not directly connected with the first network element, and the first terminal communicates with the first network element through a CU. For example, the first terminal sends the third request to the CU, and the CU establishes a data channel with the first network element. The CU can send the third request to the first network element through the data channel. Further, when the CU receives data of the service corresponding to the first session, the CU forwards the service data of the first session to the SU through the established data channel, and the SU performs AI computing auxiliary processing on the corresponding data. Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the CU transmits information between the first terminal and the first network element, and the first terminal sends the third request to the first network element through the CU. The first network element establishes a data channel with the CU. When the CU receives the service data of the first session, the CU forwards the service data of the first session to the SU through the established data channel, and the SU performs corresponding AI computing auxiliary processing. Optionally, the third request can carry information of the first session.

[0127] It can be understood that the first network element can be the SU in the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 3a. The first terminal can send the AI computing auxiliary strategy and / or the third request to the SU through the DU and the CU. For example, the DU receives the third request from the first terminal, sends the third request to the CU, and the CU sends the third request to the SU through an Si interface. Alternatively, the first network element can be the near-real-time RIC in the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 4. The first terminal can send the AI computing auxiliary strategy and / or the third request to the near-real-time RIC through the DU and / or the CU. For example, the DU receives the third request from the first terminal, and the DU sends the third request to the near-real-time RIC through an E2 interface. Alternatively, the DU sends the third request to the CU, and the CU sends the third request to the near-real-time RIC through the E2 interface.

[0128] It can be understood that the AF side cannot identify the first network element in the first network, and therefore the first indication sent by the AF is used to indicate that the service corresponding to the first session is provided with AI computing assistance by the network (for example, an access network). When the network element X (an API network element or an SMO) or the first terminal receives the first indication, the first network accessed by the first terminal or the anchor point / target network (the first network) in the first session can be determined. The network element X (the API network element or the SMO) or the first terminal can send a third request to the first network element in the first network, and the third request is used to indicate that the first network provides AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session. When the first network element in the first network receives the third request, the first network element provides AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session according to the AI computing auxiliary strategy.

[0129] In the flow of FIG. 5, the AI-computed assistance policy information in step 550a and the first indication in step 570a can be sent separately or can be carried in one message. For example, the AF network element sends a message to the network element X, and the message includes the AI-computed assistance policy information and the first indication. Similarly, the AI-computed assistance policy information in step 560a and the third request in step 580a, or the AI-computed assistance policy information in step 550b and the first indication in step 570b, or the AI-computed assistance policy information in step 560b and the third request in step 580b, can also be sent separately or carried in one message, without limitation.

[0130] Example 1

[0131] In the scheme of the flow of FIG. 5, applied to the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 3a, the first network is the access network, and the first network element is the SU. Taking the API gateway as an example, as shown in FIG. 6, a flow diagram is provided, in which the SU actively reports the AI service capability to the API gateway, and the API gateway queries the service capability of the SU of the access network to which the first terminal accesses in the first request from the AI service capability reported by the SU when receiving the first request from the AF. The flow includes the following steps.

[0132] Step 610: One or more SUs send a capability report to the API gateway, and the capability report includes the AI service capability of the SU.

[0133] In a possible implementation manner, the SU in the access network can report the AI service capability of the SU to the API gateway through the SU_API interface. Alternatively, the SU can also report the AI service capability of the SU to the API gateway through other interfaces shown in FIG. 3a. For example, the AI service capability of the SU is reported to the API gateway through the itf-N interface of the OAM, or the UPF_API interface of the UPF, or the NEF_API interface of the NEF, and the like. In the flow of FIG. 6, the AI service capability of the SU can also be replaced by the AI service capability of the access network. For example, the AI service capability of the SU reported by the SU includes the AI model supported by the SU, or information such as the current load of the SU.

[0134] It can be understood that, in addition to the AI service capability, the capability report reported by the SU further includes at least one of the following: information of the SU, information of the CU to which the SU is connected, information of the access network device corresponding to the SU, information of the cell provided by the CU to which the SU is connected, and the like. For example, the information of the SU can be an ID of the SU, or transport network layer information of the SU, such as an IP address of the SU, or a URL address of the SU, and the like. The SU and the CU can be connected through an interface Si, and the information of the CU to which the SU is connected can be an IP address of the CU to which the SU is connected, or transport network layer information of the CU to which the SU is connected (such as an IP address of the CU, or a URL address of the CU, and the like). The access network device corresponding to the SU can be an access network device to which the SU belongs, and the information of the access network device corresponding to the SU can refer to an identifier of the access network device corresponding to the SU (such as an identifier of a base station), or transport network layer information of the access network device corresponding to the SU. The information of the cell of the CU to which the SU is connected can refer to an identifier of the cell provided by the CU to which the SU is connected.

[0135] It can be understood that, the API gateway can generate a SU AI service capability set according to one or more capability reports reported by the SU, and the SU AI service capability set is a possible implementation of the AI service capability set of the access network in the foregoing flow of FIG. 5. The SU AI service capability set includes one or more AI service capabilities of the SU, and each AI service capability of the SU corresponds to an identifier (or index) for identifying an AI service capability, which can be the foregoing information of the SU, information of the CU to which the SU is connected, information of the access network device corresponding to the SU, or information of the cell of the CU to which the SU is connected, and the like.

[0136] Step 620: A first session is established between the first terminal and the first server.

[0137] It can be understood that the first session is used for communication between the first terminal and the first server. For example, the first server is a server of a third-party application, for example, a server corresponding to a video application or a server corresponding to a game application. In the scenario of uplink communication, the first terminal transmits uplink data of the application to the first server by using the first session. In the scenario of downlink communication, the first server transmits downlink data of the application to the first terminal by using the first session. For example, the first server and / or the first terminal are deployed with an AI model, and AI-related uplink data and / or downlink data in the application can be transmitted by using the first session, for example, the AI-related uplink data and / or downlink data can be AI intermediate data or AI results. For example, the first terminal performs model inference by using the AI model to obtain AI results, and the first terminal sends the AI intermediate data to the first server by using the first session. The first server performs model inference on the AI intermediate data by using the AI model to obtain final AI calculation results. Further, the first server can send the final AI calculation results to the first terminal by using the first session. At this time, the first session can be referred to as an AI service-oriented PDU session.

[0138] The first session established in step 620 can not involve the SU. For example, the uplink path of the first session is specifically: the first terminal→RU→DU→CU→UPF→the first server, and the downlink path of the first session is specifically: the first server→UPF→CU→DU→RU→the first terminal.

[0139] Step 630: The AF network element sends a first request to the API gateway, and the first request is used to request AI service capabilities of the access network.

[0140] The first request can be referred to as a network capability query request, and the first request includes information of the first terminal. Optionally, the first request also includes information of the first session. In a possible implementation manner, if the AF network element hopes to migrate all or part of AI computing functions in the first server and / or the first terminal to the first network (namely, the access network) in a scenario, the AF network element can send the first request to the API gateway. More specifically, for example, when the load of the first server and / or the first terminal corresponding to the application of the AF network element is higher than a threshold, the AF network element can send the first request to the API gateway to query AI service capabilities of the access network. The AF network element can query the information of the first terminal of the application corresponding to the AF network element at the application layer, and further, can query the information of the first session between the first terminal and the first server for the application, and carries the information of the first terminal and / or the information of the first session in the first request.

[0141] In the embodiments of the present application, the first server can be deployed in the DN in the communication system shown in FIG. 1, and the first server can be a server of a certain third-party application. When the first server is registered to the network (DN), the control plane generates an AF network element for the application. In the description of the present application, "application" and "service" can be replaced with each other.

[0142] Step 640: The API gateway determines the ULI of the first terminal according to the information of the first terminal.

[0143] For example, the API gateway obtains the information of the first terminal in the first request. The API gateway initiates a location request to the NEF network element according to the information of the first terminal, to obtain the ULI of the first terminal. For example, the API gateway sends a location request to the NEF network element, and the location request includes the information of the first terminal. The NEF network element determines the ULI of the first terminal according to the information of the first terminal. For example, the NEF network element can obtain the ULI of the first terminal from the AMF network element. The NEF network element sends a location response to the API gateway, and the location response includes the ULI of the first terminal. For example, the ULI of the first terminal can refer to the information of the cell accessed by the first terminal, or the information of the access network device accessed by the first terminal, or the information of the SU of the access network device accessed by the first terminal, or the information of the CU of the access network device accessed by the first terminal, etc., without limitation.

[0144] Step 650: The API network element determines the AI service capability of the first SU according to the ULI of the first terminal and the AI service capability set of the SU.

[0145] For example, the API network element can query, according to the ULI of the first terminal, the AI service capability of the SU corresponding to the ULI of the first terminal in the AI service capability set of the SU, as the AI service capability of the first SU. It can be understood that the first SU is the SU of the access network accessed by the first terminal, and the AI service capability of the first SU is the AI service capability of the SU of the access network accessed by the first terminal. The AI service capability of the first SU is a possible implementation manner of the AI service capability of the first access network in the flow in FIG. 5. For example, the ULI of the first terminal is specifically: information of a cell accessed by the first terminal. The AI service capability set of the SU includes at least one AI service capability of the SU, and the identifier corresponding to each AI service capability of the SU is information of a cell provided by a CU connected to the SU. The API gateway queries, according to the information of the cell accessed by the first terminal, the AI service capability corresponding to the cell accessed by the first terminal in the AI service capability set of the SU, and the AI service capability of the cell accessed by the first terminal is the AI service capability of the first SU. Or, for another example, the ULI of the first terminal is specifically: information of an access network device accessed by the first terminal. The difference is that, at this time, the identifier corresponding to each AI service capability in the AI service capability set of the SU is: information of an access network device corresponding to the SU.

[0146] Step 660: The API gateway sends a first response to the AF network element, and the first response includes the AI service capability of the first SU.

[0147] The first response can be referred to as a network capability response.

[0148] Step 670: The AF network element determines an AI computing assistance strategy according to the AI service capability of the first SU.

[0149] The AI service capability of the first SU is specifically the AI service capability of the SU of the access network accessed by the first terminal. For example, the AI service capability of the first SU includes an AI model supported by the SU of the first access network accessed by the first terminal, and / or information such as a current load of the SU. The AF network element can determine the AI computing assistance strategy according to the AI service capability of the SU of the first access network accessed by the first terminal. For example, the AI computing assistance strategy includes migrating all or part of the AI computing function of the first server and / or the first terminal to the SU (i.e., the first SU) of the first access network, thereby reducing the AI computing load of the first server and / or the first terminal. In a possible implementation manner, the AI computing assistance strategy can be specifically an AI model segmentation strategy, and the AI model segmentation strategy is specifically migrating all or part of the function of the AI model in the first server and / or the first terminal to the first SU. For example, the first server is deployed with a model A with 100 layers; the AI service capability of the SU of the access network accessed by the first terminal includes that the SU supports the model A, and the current load of the SU is less than a threshold value, and then the AI computing assistance strategy determined by the AF network element can be migrating 50 layers of the model A deployed in the first server to the SU (i.e., the first SU) of the access network accessed by the first terminal.

[0150] Step 680: The AF network element initiates a quality of service (Qos) modification process of the first session.

[0151] For example, the AF network element sends a Qos modification request to the NEF network element through the API gateway, and the Qos modification request includes the Qos information of the first session modification. When the AI computing function of the first terminal and / or the first server is migrated to the SU of the access network accessed by the first terminal, the Qos of the first session between the first terminal and the first server may need to be modified accordingly, and therefore the Qos modification process of the first session needs to be initiated in the embodiments of the present application.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 6, the AF network element can send a Qos modification request of the first session to the gateway API through the service_API interface, wherein the Qos modification request of the first session comprises the first indication in addition to the Qos information modified by the first session. The first indication can be referred to as a network assistance indication (NW assistance indication, network, NW). The API gateway can obtain the first indication in the Qos modification request of the first session when receiving the Qos modification request of the first session. The API gateway sends a third request to the SU in the first access network accessed by the first terminal according to the first indication, as described in step 6010. Further, the gateway API sends the Qos modification request of the first session to the NEF network element. The NEF network element can initiate a Qos modification process of the first session when receiving the Qos modification request of the first session. In the Qos modification process of the first session, the NEF network element, the PCF network element, the SMF network element, the AMF network element, or the UPF network element are involved.

[0153] Step 690: Qos modification process of the first session.

[0154] Step 6010: The API network element sends a third request to the first SU.

[0155] For example, the third request can be referred to as a SU assistance request (SU assistance request), and the SU performs an AI computing assistance strategy when receiving the third request. It can be understood that the AF network element can notify the CU of the AI computing assistance strategy determined in step 670. For example, in a possible implementation manner, the AF network element can send the AI computing assistance strategy to the API gateway, and the API gateway sends the AI computing assistance strategy to the first SU. For example, the Qos modification request of the first session sent by the AF network element to the API gateway in step 680 further comprises information of the AI computing assistance strategy. In step 6010, the third request sent by the API gateway to the first SU comprises the AI computing assistance strategy. Alternatively, in another possible implementation manner, the AF network element sends the AI computing assistance strategy to the first terminal through the application layer, and the first terminal sends information of the AI computing assistance strategy to the SU.

[0156] It can be understood that in the process of FIG. 6, the process of the AF network element sending the first indication to the API gateway and the API gateway sending the third request to the first SU is illustrated. Alternatively, the AF can send the first indication to the first terminal through the application layer, and the first terminal sends the third request to the first SU when receiving the first indication to request the first SU to provide AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session.

[0157] Step 6011: The SU migrates the AI computing function of the first terminal and / or the first server through the CU / DU.

[0158] For example, taking the migration of the AI computing function of the first terminal as an example. Before step 6011 is performed, in the scenario of uplink transmission: an application of the first terminal generates an AI-related data, and the first terminal sends the AI-related data to the first server through a first session. The uplink path of the first session is specifically: the first terminal→RU→DU→CU→UPF→the first server. After step 6010 is performed, since the SU undertakes the AI computing function, when the CU receives the AI-related data of the first terminal, the AI-related data can be sent to the SU, the corresponding AI computing is performed by the SU, and then sent to the CU, and then sent to the first server by the CU through the UPF. That is, at this time, the uplink path of the first session is specifically: the first terminal→RU→DU→CU→SU→CU→UPF→the first server. Similarly, the downlink path of the first session can be: the first server→UPF→CU→SU→CU→DU→RU→the first terminal.

[0159] As shown in Fig. 7, the embodiment of the present application also provides another form of schematic diagram, specifically: the access network includes RU, DU, CU and SU, and the interface between the SU and the CU is Si. The SU reports the AI service capability of the SU to the API gateway through the SU_API interface. The AF network element sends a first request to the API gateway, and the API gateway obtains the ULI of the first terminal through the NEF network element according to the information of the first terminal included in the first request. The interface between the API gateway and the NEF network element is NEF_API. The API gateway determines the AI service capability of the first SU of the access network accessed by the first terminal according to the ULI of the first terminal, and reports the AI service capability of the first SU to the AF network element. The AF network element determines the AI computing assistance strategy according to the AI service capability of the first SU, and sends the AI computing assistance strategy to the first terminal through the application layer. The first terminal sends the AI computing assistance strategy to the SU. The AF network element sends a first indication to the API gateway, and the API gateway sends a third request to the SU to request the SU to provide AI computing assistance. Alternatively, the AF network element can send the first indication to the terminal through the application layer, and the terminal sends the third request to the SU, etc., which is not limited. The SU can perform AI computing assistance after receiving the third request. In the process of the SU performing AI computing assistance, the data transmission path between the first terminal and the first server is: the first terminal—RU—DU—CU—SU—CU—UPF—first server, which can be referred to the black thick line in Fig. 7. For an AI service of an application, the original AI computing function is borne by the terminal and the server, and the access network is used to bear the communication function. In the embodiment of the present application, the AI computing function is borne by the terminal, the server and the SU in the access network, and the CU and the DU in the access network bear the original transmission or communication function. Further, the AF network element can send a Qos modification request to the API gateway, and the API gateway sends a Qos modification request to the NEF gateway, and the NEF network element initiates a Qos modification process.

[0160] By the above design, the AI service capability of the SU in the access network is opened to the AF network element, and the AF network element migrates the AI computing function of the first terminal and / or the first server to the SU in the access network, thereby reducing the AI computing load of the first terminal and / or the first server, improving the response speed of the AI service, and improving the service experience of the user to the AI service. For example, if the AI computing load of the first terminal and / or the first server is too high, the data of the application or service corresponding to the first session may need to be queued for AI computing processing. After migrating all or part of the AI computing function of the first terminal and / or the first server to the SU, the waiting delay of the AI service data can be reduced, so that the AI service data can be timely processed, thereby improving the response speed and service experience of the AI service.

[0161] Example 2

[0162] With the scheme of the flow of FIG. 5, applied to the network open architecture shown in FIG. 3a, the first network is the access network, and the first network element is the SU. Taking the UPF as an example, as shown in FIG. 8, a flow diagram is provided. In the flow, when the UPF network element receives a first request from the AF network element, the UPF network element determines information of an anchor point or a target access network corresponding to a first session according to information of the first session included in the first request, and sends a request to the SU in the anchor point or the target access network, to request AI service capabilities of the SU, including:

[0163] Step 810: A first session is established between the first terminal and the first server.

[0164] Step 820: The AF network element sends a first request to the UPF network element. The first request is used to request AI service capabilities of the access network.

[0165] In a possible implementation, the AF network element sends the first request to the UPF network element through an API gateway. For example, an interface between the AF network element and the API gateway is a service_API interface, the AF network element sends the first request to the API gateway through the service_API interface, an interface between the API gateway and the UPF network element is a UPF_API, and the API gateway sends the first request to the UPF network element through the UPF_API interface. Alternatively, the AF network element can directly send the first request to the UPF network element, and the like, without limitation.

[0166] The first request includes information of the first session, and further includes information of the first terminal. The UPF network element determines the first session according to the information of the first session. Further, the UPF network element needs to combine the information of the first terminal when determining the first session. The UPF network element determines an anchor point or a target access network in the first session, and further determines a SU in the anchor point or the target access network, referred to as a first SU.

[0167] Step 830a: The UPF network element sends a second request to the first SU. The second request is used to request AI service capabilities of the first SU.

[0168] For example, the UPF network element can send the second request to the CU through an N3 interface, the CU sends the second request to the first SU through an Si interface, and the second request can be referred to as a RAN capability query. The first SU can obtain the AI service capabilities of the first SU when receiving the second request.

[0169] Step 830b: The first SU sends a second response to the UPF network element. The second response includes the AI service capabilities of the first SU.

[0170] Similarly, the SU sends a second response to the CU through the Si interface, and the CU sends the second response to the UPF network element through the N3 interface.

[0171] Step 840: The UPF network element sends a first response to the AF network element, and the first response includes the AI service capability of the first SU.

[0172] For example, the UPF network element sends the first response to the AF network element through the gateway API. For example, the UPF network element sends the first response to the gateway API through the UPF_API interface, and the gateway API sends the first response to the AF network element through the service_API interface. Alternatively, the UPF network element can directly send the first response to the AF network element, without limitation.

[0173] Step 850: The AF network element determines an AI computing assistance strategy according to the AI service capability of the first SU.

[0174] When determining the AI computing assistance strategy, the AF network element may need to adjust the Qos of the first session, and therefore, the AF network element can initiate a Qos modification request for modifying the Qos of the first session.

[0175] Optionally, step 860: The AF network element initiates a Qos modification request.

[0176] For example, the AF network element sends the Qos modification request to the NEF network element, and the Qos modification request includes the Qos information of the first session modification. For example, the AF network element sends the Qos modification request to the NEF network element through the API gateway, and the NEF network element initiates a Qos modification process of the first session.

[0177] Optionally, step 870: The Qos modification process of the first session.

[0178] In the flow of FIG. 8, the AF network element sends the first indication and / or the AI computing assistance strategy scheme, including:

[0179] Case #1, in a possible implementation manner:

[0180] Step 880a: The AF network element sends a first indication to the UPF network element, and the first indication is used to indicate that the service corresponding to the first session is provided with AI computing assistance by the access network.

[0181] For example, the AF network element can send the first indication to the UPF network element through the API gateway, or the AF network element can directly send the first indication to the UPF network element. It can be understood that step 880a can also be combined with step 860, and the Qos modification request sent by the AF network element to the API gateway in step 860 also includes the first indication, and at this time, step 880a can not exist.

[0182] Step 890a: The UPF network element sends a third request to the first SU, and the third request is used to request the first SU to provide AI computing assistance for services corresponding to the first session.

[0183] It can be understood that in this possible implementation manner: the AF network element sends a first indication to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element sends a third request to the first SU. The scheme of this possible implementation manner can also be used for: the AF network element sends an AI computing assistance policy to the first SU. For example, the AF network element sends the AI computing assistance policy to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element sends the AI computing assistance policy to the first SU.

[0184] Case #2, in another possible implementation manner:

[0185] Step 880b: The AF network element sends a first indication to the first terminal through an application layer.

[0186] Step 890b: The first terminal sends a third request to the first SU.

[0187] For example, the CU can send the third request to the first SU through an Si interface when receiving the third request.

[0188] It can be understood that in this possible implementation manner: the AF network element sends a first indication to the first terminal, and the first terminal sends a third request to the first SU. The scheme of this possible implementation manner can also be used for: the AF network element sends an AI computing assistance policy to the first SU. For example, the AF network element sends the AI computing assistance policy to the first terminal, and the first terminal sends the AI computing assistance policy to the first SU.

[0189] Step 8010: The first SU migrates the AI computing function of the first terminal and / or the first server through the CU / DU.

[0190] As shown in Fig. 9, another form of schematic diagram is provided in the embodiments of the present application, including: the AF network element sends a first request to the UPF network element, the first request being used for querying AI service capability of the first SU corresponding to the first session. The UPF network element sends a second request to the first SU through the CU of the access network, the second request being used for querying AI service capability of the first SU, and the AI service capability of the first SU is sent to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element sends the AI service capability of the first SU to the AF network element. The AF network element determines an AI computing assistance strategy according to the AI service capability of the first SU, and sends the AI computing assistance strategy to the first terminal through an application layer. Further, the AF network element can send a first indication to the UPF network element through an API gateway or directly. The UPF network element sends a third request to the first SU through the CU, or the AF network element can send a first indication to the first terminal through an application layer, and the first terminal sends a third request to the first SU. Similar to Fig. 7, in Fig. 9, the AI computing function of an application or service is borne by the terminal, the server and the SU in the access network, and the CU and the DU in the access network bear the communication function.

[0191] Through the above design, the AI service capability of the SU in the access network is opened to the AF network element, and the AF network element migrates the AI computing function of the first terminal and / or the first server to the SU in the access network, thereby reducing the AI computing load of the first terminal and / or the first server, improving the response speed of the AI service, and improving the service experience of the user on the AI service.

[0192] It can be understood that when the scheme of Fig. 6 or Fig. 8 flow is applied to the network opening architecture shown in Fig. 4, the SU can be replaced by the near-real-time RIC, and the gateway API can be replaced by the SMO.

[0193] Embodiment Two

[0194] In the scheme of embodiment two, the access network can open idle AI computing resources to the AF network element, the AF network element can subscribe to the idle AI computing resources of the access network, and the AF network element can send AI computing tasks to the access network through an API gateway or an SMO, etc., and the first network element (for example, the SU or the near-real-time RIC, etc.) in the access network uses the AI computing resources subscribed by the AF network element to execute the corresponding AI computing tasks, and the access network provides services to the outside with the idle AI computing resources, realizes secondary utilization of the idle AI computing resources, and improves the utilization rate of the AI computing resources.

[0195] For example, the AF network element can send a first request to the second network element, the first request including information of the first AI computing resource that the AF network element requests to subscribe. In response to the first request, the second network element can send a first response to the AF network element, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response including transport network layer information of a network element in the network that provides the first AI computing resource. Optionally, before the AF network element sends the first request, the second network element further sends a first report to the AF network element, the first report including information of a second AI computing resource that the network is capable of providing, the second AI computing resource being all or part of the first AI computing resource. It can be understood that the second network element is a gateway of the first network element in the network that provides the first AI computing resource. For example, the first network element is a SU, and the second network element is an API gateway. Alternatively, the second network element is a near-real-time RIC, and the first network element is an SMO.

[0196] It can be understood that the above scheme can be applied to an access network, a core network, or a transport network. That is, the second network element can report the second AI computing resource that the access network, the core network, or the transport network is capable of providing to the AF network element through the first report. The AF network element can send a first request to the second network element for subscribing to the first AI computing resource in the access network, the core network, or the transport network, and provide the transport network layer information of the network element in the access network, the core network, or the transport network that is capable of providing the first AI computing resource to the AF network element.

[0197] In the description of Embodiment Two, the network is mainly taken as an access network for example. It can be understood that the scheme of Embodiment Two can be applied to the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 3a, the first network element can be a SU, and the “AI computing resource that the network is capable of providing” in the above description refers to the AI computing resource that the SU in the access network is capable of providing. The second network element can be a gateway API. Alternatively, the scheme of Embodiment Two can be applied to the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 4, the first network element can be a near-real-time RIC, and the “AI computing resource that the network is capable of providing” in the above description refers to the AI computing resource that the near-real-time RIC in the access network is capable of providing. The second network element can be an SMO.

[0198] Taking the scheme of Embodiment Two as an example and applying it to the network exposure architecture shown in FIG. 3a, a flowchart is provided as shown in FIG. 10:

[0199] Step 1010: One or more SUs send a capability report to an API gateway.

[0200] For example, the SU sends a capability report to the API gateway through the SU_API interface, or the SU can send the capability report to the API gateway through other interfaces shown in FIG. 3a, etc., without limitation. The capability report includes information of AI computing resources provided by the SU. Further, the capability report also includes information of the SU providing the AI computing resources.

[0201] Step 1020: The API gateway sends a first report to the AF network element.

[0202] For example, the API gateway can send the first report to the AF network element through the service_API interface, and the first report can be referred to as an AI network capability report. The first report includes information of second AI computing resources provided by the SU. For example, the second AI computing resources provided by the SU can be: support model A, with a computing specification of 6 cores 8G, a bandwidth of 1M, and a time length of 1 year. It can be understood that the second AI computing resources provided by the SU can be idle AI computing resources of the SU.

[0203] In one possible implementation, the API gateway can report information of second AI computing resources provided by the SU to the AF network element as a whole network, which is referred to as reporting aggregated network capability by the API gateway. For example, the API gateway can integrate AI computing resources reported by multiple SUs together to form AI computing resources of the network as a whole, and report to the AF network element. This process can be described as: the second AI computing resources are reported as a whole network.

[0204] In another possible implementation, the API gateway can report information of second AI computing resources provided by the SU or a SU set to the AF network element as a granularity, which is referred to as reporting discrete network capability by the API gateway. The SU set includes one or more SUs. It can be understood that if the API gateway reports information of the second AI resources as a granularity of the SU or the SU set, the API gateway can send a first report for each SU or SU set, respectively. Further, the first report can include information of the corresponding SU or SU set. This process can be described as: the second AI computing resources are reported as a granularity of the SU or the SU set in the network.

[0205] Step 1030: The AF network element sends a first request to the API gateway, and the first request includes information of first AI computing resources requested to be subscribed by the AF network element.

[0206] For example, the AF network element can send a first request to the API gateway through the service_API interface, and the first request can be a service subscription request. It can be understood that the first AI computing resource is all or part of the second AI computing resource. For example, in step 1020, the second AI computing resource that the API gateway can report is: support model A, the computing specification is: 6 cores 8G, bandwidth 1M, and the time length is 1 year. Then, the AF network element can subscribe to part of the second AI computing resource, and the first AI computing resource subscribed by the AF network element is: model A, the computing specification is: 6 cores 8G, bandwidth 1M, and the time length is half a year.

[0207] In a possible implementation, the AF network element can subscribe to the first AI computing resource as a whole network, that is, the first AI computing resource is subscribed as a granularity of the whole network. Alternatively, the AF network element can subscribe to the first AI computing resource as a granularity of an SU or a SU set, that is, the first AI computing resource is subscribed as a granularity of the SU or the SU set. In a possible implementation, when the AF network element subscribes to the first AI computing resource as a granularity of the SU or the SU set, the AF network element can send a plurality of first requests to the API gateway, and each first request is used to request to subscribe to the first AI computing resource of the corresponding SU or SU set. Further, the first request includes identification information of the corresponding SU or SU set.

[0208] Step 1040: The API gateway sends a first response to the AF network element, and the first response includes transport network layer information of a network element providing the first AI computing resource in the access network.

[0209] For example, the API gateway can send the first response to the AF network element through the service_API, and the first response can be a service subscription response.

[0210] In a possible implementation, when the AF network element subscribes to the first AI computing resource as a whole network, the first network element includes the transport network layer information of the API gateway, for example, the IP address or the URL address of the API gateway. At this time, the API gateway is presented as a whole to the outside, and the AF network element can only obtain the information of the API GW, and cannot obtain the information of the access network or the SU connected to the API GW.

[0211] In another possible implementation, when the AF network element subscribes to the first AI computing resource as a granularity of the SU or the SU set, the first response includes the transport network layer information of the SU or the SU set providing the first AI computing resource, for example, the IP address or the URL address of the SU or the SU set.

[0212] For example, the first response sent by the API gateway includes an IP list, and the IP list includes at least one IP address of the SU, which can be an IP address allocated by the API gateway to the SU, so as to avoid that the third-party application AF network element obtains the actual IP address of the SU, and protect the privacy and security of the SU. It can be understood that there is a corresponding relationship between the IP address allocated by the API gateway to the SU and the actual IP address of the SU, and the API gateway can store the corresponding relationship. The IP address allocated by the API gateway to the SU can be referred to as the public network IP address of the SU, or the IP address of the SU in the public network, and the actual IP address of the SU can be referred to as the internal network IP address of the SU, or the IP address of the SU in the internal network. The external public network and the internal network can be isolated through the API gateway.

[0213] It can be understood that when the AF network element subscribes to the first AI computing resource in the granularity of the SU or the SU set, the AF network element can send multiple first requests to the API gateway, and each first request is used to request to subscribe to the first AI computing resource of the corresponding SU or SU set. Further, the first request also includes the identification information of the corresponding SU or SU set. For each first request, the API network element can reply a corresponding first response, and the first response includes the transport network layer information of the SU or SU set subscribed by the first request.

[0214] Step 1050: The AF network element sends an AI computing task to the API gateway.

[0215] For example, when the AF network element subscribes to the AI computing resource in the granularity of the network as a whole, the API network element also needs to perform decomposition of the AI computing task and determine the SU for executing each decomposed AI computing task when receiving the AI computing task. Or, when the AF network element subscribes to the AI computing resource in the granularity of the SU or the SU set, the AI computing task sent by the AF network element to the API gateway in step 1050 can carry the transport network layer address of the corresponding SU or SU set. For example, when the API network element receives the AI computing task and the IP address of the corresponding SU, the API gateway determines the actual IP address of the SU corresponding to the IP address according to the corresponding relationship of the IP address, and sends the corresponding AI computing task to the corresponding SU according to the actual IP address of the SU.

[0216] Optionally, step 1060: The AF network element decomposes the AI computing task and determines the SU corresponding to each decomposed AI computing task.

[0217] Step 1070: The API gateway sends the AI computing task to the SU.

[0218] For example, the API gateway establishes a data path with the SU to transmit the AI computing task. For example, the API gateway establishes the data path with the SU through a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). The SU can download the AI computing task through the established data path, execute the AI computing task, and feed back the corresponding AI computing result to the AF network element.

[0219] For the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, as shown in FIG. 11, the embodiment of the present application also provides another form of schematic diagram, which includes that the SU of the access network device (for example, gNB1 and gNB2) reports the AI service capability to the API gateway through the SU_API interface, the API gateway aggregates the AI service capability of each SU, and reports the AI service capability to the AF network element. The AF network element subscribes to the AI service capability of the network through the service_API interface, and the AF network element issues an AI computing task to the API gateway, and the API gateway issues the AI computing task to the corresponding SU, and the SU executes the corresponding AI computing task according to the first AI computing resource subscribed by the AF. In addition, the first server and the SU interact AI data in the process of executing the AI computing task, and the AI data is represented as data in FIG. 11. It can be understood that in the process that the AF network element sends the AI computing task to the SU through the API gateway: the AF network element can send the configuration of the AI model corresponding to the AI computing task to the SU through the API gateway. Further, the configuration of the AI model can be updated and the like.

[0220] It can be understood that the scheme of FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 can also be applied to the network opening architecture shown in FIG. 4. When applied to the network opening architecture shown in FIG. 4, the API gateway in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 is replaced by the SMO, and the SU is replaced by the near-real-time RIC.

[0221] Through the above design, the API gateway aggregates the AI computing resource of the SU, provides services to the outside, and the AF gateway subscribes to the AI computing resource of the SU through the service_API interface, realizes the secondary utilization of the idle AI computing resource of the SU, and improves the utilization rate of the AI computing resource.

[0222] It can be understood that each embodiment of the present application can be implemented alone or in combination, and the like, without limitation.

[0223] In the embodiments of the present application, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced from the perspective of interaction of terminals, access network devices, core network devices, servers and the like. In order to implement the functions in the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the terminal, the access network device, the core network device or the server and the like can include hardware structures and / or software modules to implement the above-mentioned functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules or hardware structures plus software modules. Whether a certain function in the above-mentioned functions is implemented in the form of hardware structure, software module or hardware structure plus software module depends on the design constraints of the specific application of the technical solution.

[0224] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatuses can implement one or more corresponding functions in the above-mentioned method embodiments. For example, the functions implemented by the AF network element or the network element X, and thus the beneficial effects possessed by the above-mentioned method embodiments can be achieved. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be the AF network element or the network element X, or a unit, a module or a component applied in the AF network element or the network element X (such as a chip, a chip system, a circuit or a processor and the like). In the description of the embodiments of the present application, a “unit” is taken as an example for description. For example, in the following description, the communication apparatus including a processing unit and a transceiving unit is taken as an example for illustration. It can be understood that the processing unit in the following can also be replaced by: a processing module or a processing component. The transceiving unit can also be replaced by: a transceiving module or a transceiving component. For example, the transceiving component can refer to a communication module.

[0225] As shown in FIG. 12, the communication apparatus 1200 includes a processing unit 1210 and a transceiving unit 1220.

[0226] Optionally, the transceiving unit 1220 can also be referred to as an output unit, an interface unit or a communication unit and the like. In a possible implementation manner, the transceiving unit 1220 includes at least one of a sending unit or a receiving unit. The sending unit and the receiving unit can be integrated together, or be two independent units and the like.

[0227] In a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus 1200 is used to implement the functions in the above-mentioned embodiment one. For example, the functions of the AF network element or the network element X in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 or FIG. 8 in the embodiment one are implemented. It can be understood that the network element X in FIG. 6 refers to the API gateway, and the network element X in FIG. 8 refers to the UPF network element.

[0228] When the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the function of the AF network element in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 or FIG. 8, specifically: the processing unit 1210 is configured to generate a first request; the transceiver 1220 is configured to send the first request, the first request comprising information of a first terminal and / or information of a first session; the transceiver 1220 is further configured to receive a first response, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response comprising information of an artificial intelligence, AI, service capability of a first network, the first network being a network accessed by the first terminal, the first session being a session used by the first terminal to communicate with a first server.

[0229] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1210 is further configured to determine an AI computing assistance strategy according to the AI service capability of the first network, the AI computing assistance strategy comprising migrating all or part of functions in AI computing functions located in the first server and / or the first terminal to a first network element of the first network. The transceiver 1220 is further configured to send information of the AI computing assistance strategy.

[0230] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 1220 is further configured to send a first indication, the first indication indicating that a service corresponding to the first session is provided with AI computing assistance by the network.

[0231] When the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the function of the network element X in FIG. 5, or the API gateway in FIG. 6, or the UPF network element in FIG. 8, specifically: the transceiver 1220 is configured to receive a first request, the first request comprising information of a first terminal and / or information of a first session, the first session being a session used by the first terminal to communicate with a first server; the processing unit 1210 is configured to generate a first response; the transceiver 1220 is further configured to send the first response in response to the first request, the first response comprising an artificial intelligence, AI, service capability of a first network, the first network being a network accessed by the first terminal.

[0232] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1210 is further configured to determine the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first terminal and / or the information of the first session.

[0233] In a possible implementation, when the processing unit 1210 is configured to determine the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first terminal, the processing unit 1210 is configured to: determine location information of the first terminal according to the information of the first terminal; and determine the AI service capability of the first network according to the location information of the first terminal and a set of AI service capabilities of networks, the set of AI service capabilities of networks comprising the AI service capability of the first network.

[0234] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1210, when determining the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first session, is specifically configured to: determine the first session according to the information of the first session; and send a second request to a first network element in the first network corresponding to the first session.

[0235] receive a second response from the first network element, the second response being a response to the second request, and the second response including the AI service capability of the first network element.

[0236] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1210, when determining the first session according to the information of the first session, is specifically configured to: determine the first session according to the information of the first session and the information of the first terminal.

[0237] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1200 further includes a transceiver 1220, which is configured to: receive a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate that the service corresponding to the first session is provided with AI computing assistance by a network; and send a third request, the third request being used to request the first network to provide the AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session.

[0238] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 1220 is further configured to: receive information of an AI computing assistance policy, the AI computing assistance policy including migration of all or part of functions in an AI computing function located in a first server and / or the first terminal to a first network element in the first network; and send the information of the AI computing assistance policy.

[0239] In another possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment two. For example, the functions of the AF network element or the API gateway in FIG. 10 in embodiment two are implemented.

[0240] When the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the functions of the second network element in the above-mentioned embodiment two, for example, the second network element can be the API gateway in FIG. 10, or an SMO, and specifically: the transceiver 1220 is configured to receive a first request, the first request including information of a first artificial intelligence (AI) computing resource requested to be subscribed; the processing unit 1210 is configured to generate a first response; and the transceiver 1220 is further configured to send the first response in response to the first request, the first response including transport network layer information of a network element in a network that provides the first AI computing resource.

[0241] In a possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed in a network as a whole, or is subscribed in a first network element or a first network element set in the network as a granularity.

[0242] In a possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a whole network, and the transport network layer information of the network element included in the first response is transport network layer information of a second network element, which is a gateway of a first network element providing the first AI computing resource in the network.

[0243] In a possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network, and the transport network layer information of the network element included in the first response is transport network layer information of the first network element or the first set of network elements.

[0244] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 1220 is further configured to send a first report, where the first report includes information of a second AI computing resource provided by the network.

[0245] In a possible implementation, the second AI computing resource is reported in a granularity of a whole network, or in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network.

[0246] When the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the function of the AF network element in Embodiment Two described above, for example, the function of the AF network element in FIG. 10, specifically: the processing unit 1210 is configured to generate a first request; the transceiver 1220 is configured to send the first request, where the first request includes information of a first artificial intelligence (AI) computing resource requested to be subscribed; and the transceiver 1220 is further configured to receive a first response, where the first response is a response to the first request, and the first response includes transport network layer information of a network element providing the first AI computing resource in the network.

[0247] In a possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a whole network, or in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network.

[0248] In a possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a whole network, and the transport network layer information of the network element included in the first response is transport network layer information of a second network element, which is a gateway of a first network element providing the first AI computing resource in the network.

[0249] In a possible implementation, the first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network, and the transport network layer information of the network element included in the first response is transport network layer information of the first network element or the first set of network elements.

[0250] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 1220 is further configured to receive a first report, where the first report includes information of a second AI computing resource provided by the network.

[0251] In a possible implementation, the second AI computing resource is reported in a granularity of a whole network, or in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network.

[0252] For more details of the processing unit 1210 and the transceiver 1220, refer to the descriptions of the method embodiments one and two above, which are not repeated here.

[0253] It can be understood that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division manner can be used. In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application can be integrated in one physical device (for example, in a processor), or each functional unit can be a separate physical device, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit for implementation. The integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware, or in the form of a software functional module, etc.

[0254] As shown in FIG. 13, the communication apparatus 1300 includes a processor 1310 and an interface circuit 1320. The processor 1310 and the interface circuit 1320 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1320 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1300 can further include a memory 1330, used to store instructions executed by the processor 1310 or to store input data required by the processor 1310 to execute instructions or to store data generated after the processor 1310 executes instructions.

[0255] When the communication apparatus 1300 is used to implement the method shown in the embodiments one or two, the processor 1310 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 1210, and the interface circuit 1320 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiver 1220.

[0256] When the above communication apparatus is a chip applied to an AF network element, the chip implements the functions of the AF network element in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information sent by a network element X to the AF network element through other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the AF network element; or the chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the AF network element, where the information is sent by the AF network element to the network element X.

[0257] When the communication device is a module applied to the network element X, the module implements the function of the network element X in the method embodiment. The module receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network element X, and the information is sent to the network element X. Alternatively, the module sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network element X, and the information is sent by the network element X to the AF network element. The module of the network element X here can be an API gateway, an SMO, or a UPF network element, etc.

[0258] The embodiment of the application further provides a communication device, which comprises a processor configured to implement the function of the AF network element or the network element X in the first embodiment, or the function of the AF network element or the second network element in the second embodiment. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory.

[0259] The embodiment of the application further provides a communication device, which comprises a processor and an interface circuit configured to receive a signal from another device outside the device and transmit the signal to the processor, or send a signal from the processor to another device outside the device, and the processor is configured to implement the function of the AF network element or the network element X in the first embodiment, or the function of the AF network element or the second network element in the second embodiment by means of a logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0260] The embodiment of the application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores instructions, and the instructions can also be referred to as a computer program, computer program code, etc. The instructions run on a computer, so that the computer executes the function of the AF network element or the network element X in the first method embodiment, or the function of the AF network element or the second network element in the second method embodiment.

[0261] The embodiment of the application further provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions run on a computer, the function of the AF network element or the network element X in the first method embodiment is implemented, or the function of the AF network element or the second network element in the second method embodiment is implemented.

[0262] The embodiment of the application further provides a chip or chip system, which comprises a processor coupled to a memory, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, so as to implement the function of the AF network element or the network element X in the first method embodiment, or the function of the AF network element or the second network element in the second method embodiment. Optionally, the chip or chip system further comprises the memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory.

[0263] It is to be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0264] The memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art.

[0265] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC.

[0266] In the above embodiments, 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 or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment or other programmable apparatus. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs or instructions can be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center through wired or wireless manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center and the like integrated with one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; or an optical medium, for example, a digital video disc; or a semiconductor medium, for example, a solid state disk. The computer readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0267] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: sending a first request, the first request comprising information of a first terminal and / or information of a first session; receiving a first response, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response comprising information of an artificial intelligence, AI, service capability of a first network, the first network being a network accessed by the first terminal, the first session being a session used by the first terminal to communicate with a first server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: determining an AI computing assistance policy according to the information of the AI service capability of the first network, the AI computing assistance policy comprising migrating all or part of AI computing functions located in the first server and / or the first terminal into a first network element of the first network; sending information of the AI computing assistance policy.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, Further comprising: sending a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate that a service corresponding to the first session is provided with AI computing assistance by a network.

4. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: receiving a first request, the first request comprising information of a first terminal and / or information of a first session, the first session being a session used by the first terminal to communicate with a first server; sending a first response in response to the first request, the first response comprising an artificial intelligence, AI, service capability of a first network, the first network being a network accessed by the first terminal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, Further comprising: determining the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first terminal and / or the first session.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The determining the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first terminal comprises: determining location information of the first terminal according to the information of the first terminal; determining the AI service capability of the first network according to the location information of the first terminal and a set of AI service capabilities of networks, the set of AI service capabilities of networks comprising the AI service capability of the first network.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein, The determining the AI service capability of the first network according to the information of the first session comprises: determining the first session according to the information of the first session; sending a second request to a first network element in a first network corresponding to the first session; receiving a second response from the first network element, the second response being a response to the second request, the second response comprising an AI service capability of the first network element.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The determining the first session according to the information of the first session comprises: determining the first session according to the information of the first session and the information of the first terminal.

9. The method of any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein, Further comprising: receiving a first indication, the first indication being used to indicate that a service corresponding to the first session is provided with AI computing assistance by a network; sending a third request, the third request being used to request the first network to provide AI computing assistance for the service corresponding to the first session.

10. The method of any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein, Further comprising: receiving information of an AI computing assistance policy, the AI computing assistance policy comprising migrating all or part of AI computing functions located in a first server and / or the first terminal into a first network element of the first network; sending information of the AI computing assistance policy.

11. A communication method, comprising: Comprising: receiving a first request, the first request comprising information of a first artificial intelligence, AI, computing resource requested to be subscribed; in response to the first request, sending a first response, the first response comprising transport network layer information of a network element providing the first AI computing resource in a network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a whole network, or in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a whole network, and the transport network layer information of the network element comprised in the first response is transport network layer information of a second network element, the second network element being a gateway of a first network element providing the first AI computing resource in the network.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network, and the transport network layer information of the network element comprised in the first response is transport network layer information of the first network element or the first set of network elements.

15. The method of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, Before the receiving the first request, further comprising: sending a first report, the first report comprising information of a second AI computing resource provided by the network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The second AI computing resource is reported in a granularity of a whole network, or in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network.

17. A method of communication, comprising: Comprising: sending a first request, the first request comprising information of a first artificial intelligence, AI, computing resource requested to be subscribed; receiving a first response, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response comprising transport network layer information of a network element providing the first AI computing resource in a network.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a whole network, or in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a whole network, and the transport network layer information of the network element comprised in the first response is transport network layer information of a second network element, the second network element being a gateway of a first network element providing the first AI computing resource in the network.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein, The first AI computing resource is subscribed in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network, and the transport network layer information of the network element comprised in the first response is transport network layer information of the first network element or the first set of network elements.

21. The method of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein, Before the sending the first request, further comprising: receiving a first report, the first report comprising information of a second AI computing resource provided by the network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The second AI computing resource is reported in a granularity of a whole network, or in a granularity of a first network element or a first set of network elements in the network.

23. A communications device, characterized by Comprising units for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or units for implementing the method according to any one of claims 4 to 10, or units for implementing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, or units for implementing the method according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

24. A communications device, characterized by A communication device comprising a processor configured to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 3, or to perform the method of any one of claims 4 to 10, or to perform the method of any one of claims 11 to 16, or to perform the method of any one of claims 17 to 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause a communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 3, or to perform the method of any one of claims 4 to 10, or to perform the method of any one of claims 11 to 16, or to perform the method of any one of claims 17 to 22.

26. A computer program product, characterised in that, A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 3, or to perform the method of any one of claims 4 to 10, or to perform the method of any one of claims 11 to 16, or to perform the method of any one of claims 17 to 22.

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