Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a first sensing network element acquiring first data from an AF network element, and acquiring a first sensing result determined on the basis of first sensing data detected by an access network device; the first sensing network element associating the first sensing result with the first data to obtain second data; and a terminal acquiring the second data from the first sensing network element. It can be seen that, in the solutions in the embodiments of the present application, it is unnecessary to expose a sensing result to a third-party AF network element, and the terminal can directly acquire the second data from the first sensing network element located in a core network, so that the delay of acquiring the second data by the terminal can be reduced.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411052969.3, filed on July 31, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] In wireless communication systems, the use of higher frequency bands, such as millimeter waves or even terahertz, by access network devices makes it possible to achieve radar-like functionality. Similar to radar detecting targets, access network devices can use the transmission, reflection, and scattering of radio waves to sense the physical world, acquiring sensory measurement information such as the target's type, location, speed, and angle. This sensory measurement information can also be called the sensing result. How the terminal acquires data that correlates the sensing result with the underlying data is a research direction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, wherein the execution subject of the method is a first sensing network element, or a module, unit, or component (e.g., a chip, chip system, processor, circuit, or others) applied in the first sensing network element, comprising: receiving first data from an application function network element; associating a first sensing result with the first data to obtain second data, wherein the first sensing result is determined based on the first sensing data detected by the access network device, the first sensing result includes information about a terminal-associated target, the first data and the first sensing result both correspond to a first service, and / or, the timestamps corresponding to the first data and the first sensing result are the same, or the difference between the timestamps corresponding to the first data and the first sensing result is less than or equal to a first threshold; and sending the second data to the terminal.

[0006] Through the above design, the first sensing network element obtains first data from the application function (AF) network element and obtains a first sensing result determined based on the first sensing data detected by the access network device; the first sensing network element associates the first sensing result and the first data to obtain second data; the terminal obtains the second data in the first sensing network element. It can be seen that in the scheme of this embodiment, there is no need to expose the sensing result to a third-party AF network element, and the terminal can directly obtain the second data in the first sensing network element located in the core network, which can reduce the latency for the terminal to obtain the second data.

[0007] In one possible implementation, determining the first sensing result includes: receiving first sensing data from the access network device; and determining the first sensing result based on the first sensing data.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a first request from the terminal, the first request being used to request the sensing service of the first service; and sending a first response to the terminal, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response including the address information of the first sensing network element.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first request includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first service, a first instruction, a second instruction, the location information of the terminal, the identifier of the terminal, or a third instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to instruct the association of the first sensing result and the first data, the second instruction is used to instruct the establishment of a user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal, and the third instruction is used to instruct the transmission of the second sensing result through the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0010] In one possible implementation, determining the first sensing result includes: receiving the first sensing result from a second sensing network element. For example, the second sensing network element receives first sensing data from an access network device; the second sensing network element determines the first sensing result based on the first sensing data; and the second sensing network element sends the first sensing result to a first sensing network element. For example, the second sensing network element is a network element responsible for sensing data processing functions, such as a sensing processing function (SPF) network element; the first sensing network element is a network element that associates the sensing result obtained by the second sensing network element with the corresponding data, such as a sensing result storage / synthesis function (SRSF) network element.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving a second request from a third sensing element, the second request being used to request the association of the first sensing result and the first data.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the second request includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first service, a first instruction, location information of the terminal, or an identifier of the terminal, wherein the first instruction is used to indicate the association of the first perception result and the first data.

[0013] In one possible implementation, sending the second data to the terminal includes: sending the second data to the terminal via a user plane channel, wherein the user plane channel refers to the user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0014] With the above design, since the amount of associated second data is usually large, the first sensing network element can transmit the second data to the terminal through the user plane channel, which can meet the data transmission requirements of the second data.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a second sensing result to the terminal via a control plane channel, wherein the second sensing result is determined based on second sensing data detected by the access network device, and the control plane channel refers to the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0016] Through the above design, the second sensing result can be a real-time / dynamic sensing result of the target associated with the terminal. The first sensing network element sends the dynamic / real-time second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel. For example, since control plane messages have a higher priority and lower latency, sending the real-time / dynamic second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel by the first sensing network element can improve the transmission speed of the sensing result.

[0017] The second aspect, a method corresponding to the first aspect, with beneficial effects similar to the first aspect, provides a communication method. The execution subject of this method is a terminal, or a module, unit, or component applied in the terminal, including: receiving second data from a first sensing network element, the second data being obtained by associating a first sensing result with first data, the first sensing result being determined based on first sensing data detected by an access network device, the first sensing result including information about a target associated with the terminal, the first data being data from an application function network element, the first data and the first sensing result both corresponding to a first service, and / or, the timestamps corresponding to the first data and the first sensing result are the same, or the difference between the timestamps corresponding to the first data and the first sensing result is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0018] In one possible implementation, before receiving the second data from the first sensing network element, the method further includes: sending a first request, the first request being used to request a first service; receiving a first response, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response including address information of the first sensing network element, the first sensing network element being a network element that associates the first sensing result with the first data.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first request includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first service, a first instruction, a second instruction, the location information of the terminal, the identifier of the terminal, or a third instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to instruct the association of the first sensing result and the first data, the second instruction is used to instruct the establishment of a user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal, and the third instruction is used to instruct the transmission of the second sensing result through the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0020] In one possible implementation, receiving the second data from the first sensing network element includes: receiving the second data from the first sensing network element through a user plane channel, wherein the user plane channel is established based on the address of the first sensing network element.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a second sensing result from the first sensing network element via a control plane channel, wherein the second sensing result is determined based on second sensing data from the access network device, and the control plane channel refers to the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0022] Thirdly, as a counterpart to the first or second aspect, with beneficial effects comparable to the first aspect, a communication method is provided. The executing entity of this method is a sensing and control function network element, or a module, unit, or component applied within the sensing and control function network element. This method includes: receiving a first request from a terminal, the first request being used to request subscription to a sensing service of a first service; sending a first response to the terminal, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response including address information of a first sensing network element, the address information of the first sensing network element being used to establish a user plane channel between the terminal and the first sensing network element, the user plane channel being used by the first sensing network element to transmit second data to the terminal, the second data being obtained by associating a first sensing result and the first data, the first sensing result being determined based on first sensing data detected by an access network device, the first sensing result including information about targets associated with the terminal, the first data being data from an application function network element, the first data and the first sensing result corresponding to the first service, and / or, the timestamps corresponding to the first data and the first sensing result are the same, or the difference between the timestamps corresponding to the first data and the first sensing result is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first request includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first service, a first instruction, a second instruction, the location information of the terminal, the identifier of the terminal, or a third instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to instruct the association of the first sensing result and the first data, the second instruction is used to instruct the establishment of a user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal, and the third instruction is used to instruct the transmission of the second sensing result through the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0024] In one possible implementation, before sending the first response to the terminal, the method further includes: determining the first sensing network element based on the identifier of the first service and / or the location information of the terminal.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the method further includes sending a second request to the first sensing network element, the second request being used to request the first sensing network element to associate the first sensing result with the first data.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the second request includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first service, a first instruction, location information of the terminal, or an identifier of the terminal, wherein the first instruction is used to indicate the association of the first perception result and the first data.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first information from an application function network element, the first information including first data; and sending the first data to the first sensing network element.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the first information further includes the identifier of the first service and / or the location information corresponding to the first data, and further includes: determining the first sensing network element based on the identifier of the first service and / or the location information corresponding to the first data.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a third request to the second sensing network element, the third request being used to request the establishment of a channel between the first sensing network element and the second sensing network element, the channel being used by the second sensing network element to transmit the first sensing result to the first sensing network element, the third request including the address information of the first sensing network element;

[0030] A third response is received from the second sensing network element. The third response is a response to the third request and is used to indicate that the channel between the first sensing network element and the second sensing network element has been successfully established.

[0031] Fourthly, an apparatus is provided capable of implementing the method described in the first aspect. For example, the apparatus includes modules, units, or components that perform the method described in the first aspect. Specifically, the modules, units, or components can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0032] In one design, the device includes a unit that performs the method described in the first aspect.

[0033] In one design, the device includes a processor for implementing the method of the first aspect described above. Optionally, the device further includes a memory, with the processor coupled to the memory, the processor executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, such that the device implements the method of the first aspect described above.

[0034] In one design, the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other devices outside the device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other devices outside the device. The processor implements the method of the first aspect described above through logic circuits or executing code instructions.

[0035] In one design, the device may be the first device, or a module, unit, or component (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, or processor, etc.) that corresponds one-to-one with the first device to perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the first device.

[0036] Fifthly, an apparatus is provided capable of implementing the method of the second aspect described above. For example, the apparatus includes modules, units, or components that perform the method described in the second aspect. Specifically, the modules, units, or components can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0037] In one design, the device includes a unit that performs the method described in the second aspect.

[0038] In one design, the device includes a processor for implementing the method of the second aspect described above. Optionally, the device further includes a memory, with the processor coupled to the memory, the processor executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, such that the device implements the method of the second aspect described above.

[0039] In one design, the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other devices outside the device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other devices outside the device. The processor implements the method of the second aspect described above through logic circuits or executing code instructions.

[0040] In one design, the device can be a second device, or a module, unit, or component (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, or processor, etc.) that corresponds one-to-one with the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect in the second device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the second device.

[0041] Sixthly, an apparatus is provided capable of implementing the method of the third aspect described above. For example, the apparatus includes modules, units, or components corresponding to the execution of the method described in the third aspect. The modules, units, or components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0042] In one design, the device includes a unit that performs the method described in the third aspect.

[0043] In one design, the device includes a processor for implementing the method of the third aspect described above. Optionally, the device further includes a memory, with the processor coupled to the memory, the processor executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, such that the device implements the method of the third aspect described above.

[0044] In one design, the device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other devices outside the device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other devices outside the device. The processor implements the method of the third aspect described above through logic circuits or executing code instructions.

[0045] In one design, the device may be a third device, or a module, unit, or component (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, or processor, etc.) that corresponds one-to-one with the method / operation / step / action described in the third aspect within the third device, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the third device.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of any one of the first to third aspects described above.

[0047] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the methods of any one of the first to third aspects to be performed.

[0048] A ninth aspect provides a chip including a processor for implementing the methods of any one of the first to fifth aspects described above. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory, the processor being coupled to the memory, the processor executing a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, such that the chip implements the methods of any one of the first to third aspects described above.

[0049] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a first communication device and a second communication device; wherein the first communication device is used to implement the method of the first aspect; the second communication device is used to implement the method of the second aspect; optionally, it further comprises: a third communication device; the third communication device is used to implement the method of the third aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figures 2, 3, 5 and 7 are schematic flowcharts provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figures 4 and 6 are schematic diagrams of the architecture provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figures 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams of the apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0054] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific operating methods and functional descriptions in the method embodiments can also be applied to the device embodiments or system embodiments.

[0055] In this application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates that the preceding and following related objects have a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B, or C" or similar expressions can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C, where A, B, and C can be singular or plural.

[0056] In the embodiments of this application, the various numerical designations are used for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic. The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" used in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and do not limit the size, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. In the description of the embodiments of this application, performing some operations under "a condition" can be replaced with performing some operations after "a condition". For example, when the SF network element receives a first request including a first instruction, it associates the first sensing result and the first data, which can be replaced with: after the SF network element receives a first request including a first instruction, it associates the first sensing result and the first data. It is understood that the descriptions in different processes in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 7 below can be referred to and referenced in each other.

[0057] Figure 1 illustrates a possible, non-limiting communication system. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1000 includes: a terminal, a radio access network (RAN), and a core network (CN).

[0058] 1. Terminal.

[0059] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can also be called 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. This application does not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0060] 2. RAN.

[0061] 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 (5 th RAN100 can be a generation (5G) mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (such as a future communication network). RAN100 can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0062] 1) Terrestrial network (TN).

[0063] The RAN includes at least one RAN node, which can be of the same type or different types. Terminals connect to the RAN node wirelessly. The RAN node connects to the core network wirelessly or via a wired connection. Core network equipment in the core network and RAN nodes in the RAN can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0064] In one possible scenario, a 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 base station in a future communication network, or an access node in a WiFi system. A RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application embodiment can be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node in this application embodiment can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node functions.

[0065] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0066] It is understood that CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open-CU (open-CU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open-DU (open-DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open-CU-CP (open-CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open-CU-UP (open-CU-UP, O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open-RU (open RU, O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0067] RAN nodes and terminals can be fixed or mobile. RAN nodes and terminals can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the application scenarios of RAN nodes and terminals. RAN nodes and terminals can be deployed in the same or different scenarios; for example, RAN nodes and terminals can be deployed simultaneously on land; or RAN nodes can be deployed on land and terminals on water, etc., and so on.

[0068] RAN nodes and terminals can communicate using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. For example, RAN nodes and terminals can communicate using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0069] 2) Non-terrestrial network (NTN).

[0070] RAN comprises satellites and ground stations. Satellites are deployed in space, while ground stations are deployed on the ground. A ground station can be understood as a base station deployed on the ground, and may also be called a gateway station (GW). The link between a satellite and a terminal is called the user link, the link between a satellite and a ground station is called the feeder link, and the link between different satellites is called the inter-satellite link. Satellite operating modes include transparent and regenerative.

[0071] When the satellite operates in transparent transmission mode, it has signal relay capabilities, and the ground station possesses all or part of the functions of a base station; the ground station can be considered a base station. It is understood that a ground station can be a single device (e.g., a macro base station or a micro base station), or it can consist of multiple RAN nodes (e.g., CU and DU) implementing the corresponding functions; see the preceding explanation for details. Alternatively,

[0072] When a satellite operates in regenerative mode, it has the ability to process digital signals and possesses all or part of the functions of a base station; thus, the satellite can be considered a base station. Furthermore, regenerative mode can be further subdivided into: all base station functions are deployed on the satellite, referred to as "all base station functions (e.g., CU and DU) on satellite"; or, some base station functions are deployed on the satellite, referred to as "partial base station functions (e.g., DU) on satellite," while the remaining base station functions (e.g., CU) are implemented at the ground station.

[0073] RAN nodes, satellites, and ground stations constitute part of a communication system, used to help terminals achieve wireless access. RAN nodes can also be called access network equipment, RAN entities, or access nodes. In the following description of this application, unless otherwise specified, the equipment that helps terminals achieve wireless access will be described as "access network equipment." In an access network service architecture, "access network equipment" can also be replaced by access network function (ANF) network elements.

[0074] 3. Core network.

[0075] The core network includes user plane function (UPF) network elements, access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, application function (AF) network elements, network exposure function (NEF) network elements, and sensing function (SF) network elements.

[0076] Optionally, the communication system 1000 also includes a DN (Network Controller). Terminals, access network equipment, UPF (User Plane Function) elements, and DNs are generally referred to as user plane functions and entities. User data streams can be transmitted through the user plane channel established between the terminal and the DN. Other network elements in the communication system 1000, such as AMF (Active Aspect Facility) and SF (Active SF) elements, can be referred to as control plane functions and entities, primarily responsible for authentication and authorization, registration management, session management, mobility management, and policy control, thereby achieving reliable and stable transmission of user plane data streams.

[0077] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the terminal and the AMF network element can interact via the N1 interface, and the messages exchanged between them can be called N1 messages. For example, non-access stratum (NAS) messages are transmitted in the control plane channel via the N1 interface. Similarly, the interfaces between the access network device and the AMF network element, and between the access network device and the UPF network element, are the N2 interface and the N3 interface, respectively, and the messages exchanged between them can be called N2 messages and N3 messages, respectively. The interface between the UPF network element and the DN is the N6 interface, and the interface between different UPF network elements is the N9 interface, and the messages exchanged between them can be called N6 messages and N9 messages, etc. There are no restrictions on the interface between the UPF network element and the SF network element. In the scenario where the control plane and user plane of the SF network element are separated, its interface with the UPF network element can be seen in Figure 6 below.

[0078] Optionally, the core network may also include other network elements. These include, for example, session management function (SMF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) network elements, network slice selection function (NSSF) network elements, unified data management (UDM) network elements, authentication server function (AUSF) network elements, network repository function (NRF) network elements, unified data repository (UDR) network elements, and network data analytics function (NWDAF) network elements.

[0079] It is understood that the names of the network elements in the core network are not limited. For example, in a 5G communication system, the network element that implements the signaling processing part is called an AMF network element. In future communication systems, the network element that implements the above functions can also be called by other names, etc., without limitation. In the following description, the names of the network elements in 5G are mainly used as examples to describe the scheme of the embodiments of this application.

[0080] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of core network elements can also be executed by modules, units, or components (such as chips, chip systems, processors, circuits, or others) within the core network elements. A chip system is composed of chips and may also include chips and other discrete devices. The functions of access network equipment can also be executed by modules, units, or components (such as chips) within the access network equipment, or by a control subsystem that includes access network equipment functions. This control subsystem, including access network equipment functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The functions of a terminal can also be executed by modules, units, or components (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0081] It is understandable that terminals, access network equipment, core network elements, etc., can be referred to as communication devices. For example, a terminal can be understood as a communication device with terminal functions, access network equipment can be understood as a communication device with base station functions, and core network elements can be understood as devices with core network element functions.

[0082] In this embodiment, the access network device can serve as a sensing and measurement node / device. For example, the sensing network element can configure the access network device to perform sensing services; the access network device performs detection based on the configuration to obtain sensing data. For example, the access network device emits an electromagnetic signal, which, upon reaching a target, is reflected by the target to form a reflected signal. The access network device receives the reflected signal, which can serve as one method of sensing data. The access network device sends the sensing data to the sensing network element, which analyzes the sensing data to obtain sensing results. For example, the sensing results include information such as the target's position, speed, angle, and trajectory.

[0083] In one possible implementation, the perception result can be associated with the first data to obtain the second data. Optionally, the second data is the final business data. The solution of this application embodiment can be applied to various business scenarios. For example, in the scenario of autonomous driving, the perception result can be associated with basic map data or environmental data to obtain a high-precision map or environmental map (or digital twin, physical world twin, or digital twin of the physical world, etc.), thereby assisting the terminal (such as a car, robot, etc.) in autonomous driving, navigation, or obstacle avoidance. Alternatively, in the application scenario of low-altitude autonomous flight of UAVs, the perception result can be associated with basic flight path information to obtain the final flight path map or environmental map (or digital twin, physical world twin, or digital twin of the physical world, etc.), thereby realizing low-altitude autonomous flight, navigation, or obstacle avoidance. In one possible implementation:

[0084] 1. AF network elements or operation administration and maintenance (OAM) network elements can send sensing requests to sensing network elements.

[0085] 2. Based on the sensing request, the sensing network element configures the access network device to execute sensing services.

[0086] 3. The access network device performs detection / sensing based on the configuration, obtains the first sensing data, and reports the first sensing data to the sensing network element.

[0087] 4. The sensing network element analyzes and processes the first sensing data to obtain the first sensing result;

[0088] 5. The sensing element sends the first sensing result to the AF element.

[0089] In this process, the AF (Analog-First-Pass) network element correlates the first perception result and the first data to obtain the second data. It can be understood that the first data can be data correlated with the first perception result, and this first data can be provided by the AF network element. For example, in an autonomous driving scenario, the first data could be the basic map data or environmental data mentioned above. Similarly, in a scenario of low-altitude autonomous flight of a drone, the first data could be basic flight path information. In one interpretation, the AF network element sends the second data to the server corresponding to the AF in the DN (Data Node); or, in another interpretation, the AF network element itself is the server corresponding to the DN. The terminal obtains the second data from the DN, for example, data corresponding to a high-precision map.

[0090] In the above scheme, the sensing network element sends the first sensing result to the AF network element, which then performs the association between the first sensing result and the first data to generate the second data. The AF network element then sends the second data to the server corresponding to the AF (or the AF network element itself is a server in the DN). The terminal obtains the second data from the server. The data open path is relatively long, which may result in a high latency for the terminal to obtain the second data.

[0091] In view of the above, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus. In this method: a first sensing network element obtains first data from an AF network element and obtains a first sensing result determined based on the first sensing data detected by the access network device; the first sensing network element associates the first sensing result and the first data to obtain second data; and a terminal obtains the second data from the first sensing network element. It can be seen that in the solution of this application embodiment, there is no need to expose the sensing result to a third-party AF network element, and the terminal can directly obtain the second data from the first sensing network element located in the core network, which can reduce the latency for the terminal to obtain the second data.

[0092] Understandably, in an architecture where the control plane and user plane of a sensing network element are not separated, the first sensing network element can be a single, integrated network element that can simultaneously implement both control plane and user plane functions. For example, the first sensing network element could be the SF network element in the flowchart of Figure 3 below. Alternatively, in an architecture where the control plane and user plane of a sensing network element are separated, the first sensing network element can be a network element that implements user plane functions. For example, the first sensing network element could be the SPF network element in the flowchart of Figure 5 below, or the SRSF network element in the flowchart of Figure 7 below.

[0093] It is understood that the solutions in this application can be applied to various business scenarios, such as autonomous driving, automatic navigation, automatic cruise, automatic road patrol, or low-altitude autonomous flight (also known as the automatic or autonomous flight of drones) in smart transportation, smart low-altitude airspace, or smart parks. In this application embodiment, the high-precision map service for autonomous driving scenarios and the route map service for low-altitude autonomous flight scenarios are mainly used as examples for illustration.

[0094] In the descriptions of the processes in Figures 2, 3, 5, and 7 of the embodiments of this application, the executing entity can be a terminal, access network equipment, core network element, or a module, unit, or component (e.g., chip, chip system, processor, circuit, or others) within the terminal, access network equipment, or core network element. The following description uses a terminal, access network equipment, or core network element as examples of executing entities. When the executing entity is a module, unit, or component within the terminal, access network equipment, or core network element, receiving / transmitting can be understood as input / output; that is, the module communicates with other modules or components of the terminal, access network equipment, or core network element. Furthermore, the processing performed by a single executing entity can also be divided into multiple executing entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated.

[0095] Figure 2 is a schematic interactive diagram of the communication method 2000 provided in an embodiment of this application. It is understood that steps 210 to 230 are merely illustrative of the communication method 2000 and should not be construed as limiting the communication method 2000. Steps 210 to 230 can be broken down into more steps or combined into fewer steps, and the order of steps 210 and 230 is not restricted.

[0096] Step 210: The AF network element sends the first data, and the first sensing network element receives the first data.

[0097] In some descriptions, "first data" can be replaced with: related data, environmental data, background data, background environmental data, basic data, static data, quasi-static data, basic map data, basic road data, dynamic traffic rule data, flight route data, or basic flight route data, etc. In one possible implementation, in the scenario of high-precision map services for autonomous driving, the AF network element is the AF network element corresponding to the map provider and / or government, and the first data is the data provided by the map provider and / or government, for example, it includes: static road information and / or dynamic traffic rule information (such as traffic light information, etc.). Alternatively, in one possible implementation, in the scenario of flight route maps for low-altitude autonomous flight, the first data is the basic flight route data provided by the low-altitude autonomous flight provider / government.

[0098] It is understandable that for a single service (e.g., the first service), multiple AF network elements can send first data to the first sensing network element. For example, for a high-precision map service, the AF network element corresponding to the map provider can send basic map data to the first sensing network element; the AF network element corresponding to the government can send dynamic traffic rule data to the first sensing network element. Then, in step 220, the first sensing network element associates the first sensing result with the basic map data and the traffic rule data. For example, in one possible implementation, the first sensing network element first associates the basic map data and the traffic rule data to generate related associated data; then, the first sensing network element associates the first sensing result with the aforementioned associated data to generate second data.

[0099] In one possible implementation, the AF (AF-based) network element can directly send the first data to the first sensing network element. Alternatively, the AF network element can be a third-party AF network element, which sends the first data to the first sensing network element through the NEF (Non-Frequency) network element. For example, the AF network element sends the first data to the NEF network element, and the NEF network element forwards the first data to the first sensing network element. Optionally, the AF network element can periodically or based on triggers to send the first data to the first sensing network element to update the first data.

[0100] Step 220: The first sensing element associates the first sensing result and the first data to determine the second data.

[0101] In some descriptions, "association" can also be replaced with "fusion". For example, associating the first sensing result and the first data can be replaced with: fusing the first sensing result and the first data. In some descriptions, "first sensing result" can be replaced with: the result obtained from basic cellular sensing, or simply cellular sensing result. "Sensing data" can be replaced with: data obtained based on cellular sensing, or simply cellular sensing data; for example, first sensing data can be replaced with: first cellular sensing data, and second sensing data can be replaced with: second cellular sensing data. Alternatively, sensing data can be replaced with: sensing measurement data, synesthetic measurement data, etc., without limitation. For example, first sensing data can be replaced with: first sensing measurement data, first synesthetic measurement data, and second sensing data can be replaced with: second sensing measurement data, second synesthetic measurement data, etc. "Second data" can be replaced with: sensing-associated data, sensing-fused data, sensing result and associated data, sensing result and background data ("background data" can be replaced with other names for "first data") associated / fused data, or sensing result fused data. In some descriptions, "data" can also be replaced with "information"; for example, "first data" can be replaced with "first information", and "second data" can be replaced with "second information".

[0102] In one possible implementation, the access network device sends first sensing data to the first sensing network element. The first sensing network element determines the first sensing result based on the first sensing data, as detailed in Figure 3 or Figure 5 below.

[0103] In another possible implementation, the access network device sends first sensing data to the second sensing network element, and the second sensing network element determines the first sensing result based on the first sensing data; the second sensing network element sends the first sensing result to the first sensing network element, and correspondingly, the first sensing network element receives the first sensing result from the second sensing network element, as detailed in Figure 7 below.

[0104] For example, an access network device, acting as a sensing and measurement device / node, is deployed along a roadside. It can sense information about surrounding targets and send the first sensing data obtained through sensing to a first sensing network element / second sensing network element. The first sensing network element / second sensing network element determines a first sensing result based on the first sensing data. For instance, the first sensing network element / second sensing network element analyzes and processes the first sensing data to determine the first sensing result. This first sensing result includes information about targets related to the terminal. In one understanding, this information can be understood as information about traffic participants within the terminal's driving or navigating range. For example, information such as the position, speed, angle, or driving trajectory of traffic participants within the terminal's driving or navigating range. Furthermore, the information about targets related to the terminal can also include: the time information of the terminal's passage through the current road or route, or congestion information of the terminal's current road or route. It is understood that the first sensing network element / second sensing network element can obtain congestion information of the terminal's current road or route based on the information of traffic participants within the terminal's driving or navigating range. Furthermore, by combining this information with the terminal's historical driving experience, the time information of the terminal's passage through the current road or route can be obtained.

[0105] In this embodiment of the application, the first data and the first perception result satisfy at least one of the following:

[0106] 1. Both the first data and the first perception result correspond to the first service;

[0107] 2. The timestamps corresponding to the first data and the first sensing result are the same, or the difference between the timestamps corresponding to the first data and the first sensing result is less than or equal to a first threshold. The first threshold can be preset or indicated to the first sensing network element by other network elements, without restriction.

[0108] For example, the first perception network element can associate perception results and data of the same service type (e.g., the first service). For instance, it can associate the first perception result and the first data corresponding to high-precision map services in an autonomous driving scenario. Or, it can associate the first perception result and the first data corresponding to route map services in a low-altitude autonomous flight scenario. Taking high-precision map services in an autonomous driving scenario as an example: the first perception result is at least one piece of information such as the type, location, speed, or trajectory of traffic participants on a certain road / region, and the first data is the base map data corresponding to that road / region. The first perception network element can associate the two, for example, based on the location of the traffic participants, marking the location of the traffic participants in the base map data corresponding to the first data with at least one piece of information such as the type, speed, or trajectory. Alternatively, the first perception network element can associate the two based on the timestamp corresponding to the first perception result and the timestamp corresponding to the first data. For example, the first perception network element associates first perception results and first data with the same timestamp or a timestamp difference less than or equal to a first threshold. Alternatively, the first perception network element can combine the two to associate the perception result and the data. For example... When associating sensing results and data of the same service type, the first sensing network element also considers timestamp information. For example, among sensing results and data of the same service type, those with the same timestamp or a difference less than a first threshold are selected for association.

[0109] Step 230: The first sensing network element sends the second data, and the terminal receives the second data.

[0110] For example, the first sensing network element can send second data to the terminal through a user plane channel; correspondingly, the terminal receives the second data from the first sensing network element through a user plane channel. Here, the user plane channel refers to the user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "user plane channel" can be replaced with: user plane connection, data plane channel, data plane connection, user plane application layer channel / connection, or data plane application layer channel / connection. In the description of the embodiments of this application, the descriptions of "user plane" and "data plane," and "channel" and "connection," can be interchanged and are not distinguished.

[0111] Further, optionally, the first sensing network element can send the second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel; correspondingly, the terminal receives the second sensing result from the first sensing network element through the control plane channel. Here, the control plane channel refers to the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "control plane channel" can be replaced with: control plane connection.

[0112] In one possible implementation, during the information transmission between the first sensing network element and the terminal via the control plane channel, this information can be forwarded by the AMF network element. For example, the first sensing network element sends a second sensing result to the AMF network element via the control plane channel, and the AMF network element forwards the second sensing result to the terminal via the control plane channel. This implementation is primarily described in the following description of the embodiments of this application. Alternatively, the first sensing network element can directly send the corresponding information to the terminal via the control plane channel. For example, the first sensing network element can directly send the second sensing result to the terminal via the control plane channel.

[0113] The second sensing result is determined based on second sensing data from the access network device. For example, in one possible implementation: the access network device sends the second sensing data to the first sensing network element; the first sensing network element determines the second sensing result based on the second sensing data, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5. Alternatively, the access network device sends the second sensing data to the second sensing network element; the second sensing network element determines the second sensing result based on the second sensing data; the second sensing network element sends the second sensing result to the first sensing network element, and the first sensing network element receives the second sensing result from the second sensing network element.

[0114] In one interpretation, the "target" associated with the second data is dynamic, and at least one piece of information about the "target," such as its position, velocity, or trajectory, changes in real-time / dynamically. After the first sensing network element sends the second data (e.g., data corresponding to a high-precision map) to the terminal via the user plane channel: for dynamic / real-time information about the "target," it can send it to the terminal via the control plane channel, allowing the terminal to update the relevant information about the "target" in real time. The first sensing network element sends the second sensing result to the terminal via the control plane channel. Because the information in the control plane has a higher priority, its transmission speed is faster, and its latency is lower, transmitting the real-time second sensing result via the control plane allows the terminal to update the information of the corresponding dynamic target in real time. Alternatively, the first sensing network element can also send the second sensing result to the terminal via the user plane channel, without restriction.

[0115] Example 1

[0116] In one possible implementation, the first sensing network element is a single, integrated network element. For example, the first sensing network element in the process shown in Figure 2 can be called an SF network element: the SF network element correlates the first sensing result and the first data to obtain second data. The SF network element then sends the second data to the terminal through the user plane channel. In other words, the SF network element can correlate the first sensing result and the first data, and expose the resulting second data to the terminal. Furthermore, the SF network element sends the second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel.

[0117] Figure 3 is a schematic interactive diagram of the communication method 3000 provided in an embodiment of this application. It is understood that steps 310 to 380 are merely illustrative of the communication method 3000 and should not be construed as limiting the communication method 3000. Steps 310 to 380 can be broken down into more steps or combined into fewer steps, and the order of steps 310 to 380 is not limited.

[0118] Step 310: The AF network element sends the first data, and the SF network element receives the first data.

[0119] For example, an AF network element can directly send the first data to an SF network element, or a third-party AF network element can send the first data to an SF network element through a NEF network element, without any restrictions.

[0120] In one possible implementation, the AF element can be the provider of the first data:

[0121] Optionally, in addition to providing the first data, the AF network element may also provide an identifier corresponding to the first data. The identifier corresponding to the first data includes at least one of the following: a service type (e.g., first service) identifier (identity, ID), an association identifier, a service association identifier, a session association identifier, or an AF identifier, etc.; the SF network element associates the first data with its corresponding sensing result (e.g., the first sensing result) based on the aforementioned identifier.

[0122] For example, in addition to providing the first data, the AF network element can also provide the timestamp corresponding to the first data, or the first data itself may contain a timestamp; the SF network element associates the first data with its corresponding sensing result (such as the first sensing result) based on the timestamp corresponding to the sensing data and the timestamp corresponding to (or contained in) the first data, for example, if the timestamps of the two are the same or the interval is within a certain range. Here, the interval between the timestamps of the first data and the first sensing result being within a certain range can be understood as: the difference between the two timestamps is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0123] For example, SF network elements can associate the first data and the first sensing result based on the identifier and timestamp. For instance, the identifiers corresponding to the first data and the first sensing result are the same, and their timestamps are the same or within a certain interval.

[0124] In one possible implementation, the first data, the corresponding identifier, and the corresponding timestamp can be carried in a single message and sent to the SF network element. For example, the AF network element sends first information to the SF network element, the first information including the first data. Optionally, the first information also includes the corresponding identifier and / or the corresponding timestamp. Optionally, the first information can be called associated information. Alternatively, the AF network element can send the first data, the corresponding identifier, or the corresponding timestamp separately to the SF network element, without restriction.

[0125] Step 320: The access network device sends the first sensing data, and the SF network element receives the first sensing data.

[0126] In one possible implementation, the access network device transmits an electromagnetic signal. When this signal reaches the target, it is reflected by the target to form a reflected signal. The access network device receives the reflected signal, and the data corresponding to the reflected signal is called sensing data, such as first sensing data or second sensing data as described below. It is understood that in autonomous driving / low-altitude autonomous flight scenarios, the aforementioned "target" can be a traffic participant within the terminal's driving / flight range.

[0127] Step 330: The SF network element determines the first sensing result based on the first sensing data.

[0128] For example, the SF network element analyzes and processes the first perception data to obtain the first perception result. For example, in an autonomous driving / low-altitude autonomous flight scenario, the SF network element analyzes and processes the first perception data to obtain the first perception result. The first perception result includes at least one of the following information about the aforementioned "target": type, location, speed, angle, or trajectory. The trajectory includes the target's historical trajectory and / or the predicted trajectory of the target. Furthermore, based on the aforementioned target information, congestion information of the terminal's driving road / route can be determined. Furthermore, combined with the terminal's historical driving experience, the time information of the terminal's passage through the current road / route can be determined. In other words, the first perception result also includes: congestion information of the terminal's driving road / route, and / or the time information of the terminal's passage through the current road / route, etc.

[0129] Step 340: The SF network element correlates the first sensing result and the first data to obtain the second data.

[0130] For example, SF network elements can associate the first sensing result and the first data with information such as identifier and / or timestamp to obtain the second data.

[0131] In one possible implementation, the SF network element can associate the first sensing result with the identifier corresponding to the first data. For example, sensing results and data with consistent identifiers can be associated together. Optionally, the identifier can be at least one of the following: service type identifier, association identifier, service association identifier, session association identifier, or AF identifier, etc.

[0132] For example, the process by which an SF network element obtains the identifier of the first data includes: the first information sent by an AF network element to the SF network element carries not only the first data but also an identifier corresponding to the first data. As mentioned above, optionally, this identifier may include at least one of the following: a service type identifier, an association identifier, a service association identifier, a session association identifier, or an AF identifier. The above identifier can be understood as the identifier corresponding to the first data. Alternatively, when the SF network element receives the first information including the first data, it can identify which specific AF network element the first information originates from, thereby obtaining the identifier corresponding to the first data. For example, if a certain AF network element is specifically responsible for a certain type of service, the SF network element obtains the service type identifier based on the correspondence between the AF network element and the service type identifier.

[0133] For example, the process by which an SF network element obtains the identifier corresponding to the first sensing result includes: in addition to sending the first sensing data to the SF network element, the access network device also sends its corresponding identifier to the SF network element. For example, the first sensing data and the identifier corresponding to the first sensing data can be carried in the same information or sent separately, without restriction. Optionally, similarly, the identifier corresponding to the first sensing data may include at least one of the following: service type identifier, association identifier, service association identifier, session association identifier, or AF identifier, etc. Alternatively, when the SF network element receives the first sensing data, it can identify the source end (i.e., the access network device) corresponding to the first sensing data and further identify the identifier corresponding to the source end. For example, the source end is only responsible for a certain service type, or the source end serves a certain AF, or the source end is pre-configured with a corresponding association identifier, etc. The identifier corresponding to the source end (i.e., the access network device) can be understood as: the identifier corresponding to the first sensing result.

[0134] In another possible implementation, the SF network element can associate the first sensing result with the first data based on the timestamp corresponding to the first sensing result and the timestamp corresponding to the first data. For example, the SF network element can associate first sensing results with the same timestamp or whose timestamp intervals are within a certain range with the first data. It is understood that when the AF network element sends the first data to the SF network element, it can also send its corresponding timestamp information, or the first data itself may include a timestamp; therefore, the SF network element can obtain the timestamp of the first data. When the access network device sends the first sensing data to the SF network element, it can also send the timestamp corresponding to the first sensing data to the SF network element. Since the first sensing result is determined based on the first sensing data, the SF network element can use the timestamp corresponding to the first sensing data as the timestamp corresponding to the first sensing result. Alternatively, the SF network element can associate the first sensing result with the first data based on the identifier and timestamp information. For example, it can associate sensing results with the same identifier and the same timestamp or whose intervals are within a certain range with the first data.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the terminal may send a first request to the SF network element, the first request being used to request the sensing service of a first service. In response to the first request, the SF network element may send a first response to the terminal, the first response including the address information of the SF network element. Based on the address of the SF network element, the terminal requests the SF network element to establish a user plane channel between the terminal and the SF network element, and the SF network element establishes the user plane channel between the terminal and the SF network element. The SF network element sends associated second data to the terminal through the user plane channel. Further, the SF network element may send a second sensing result to the terminal through a control plane channel or a user plane channel. Specifically, refer to steps 350 to 380:

[0136] Step 350: The terminal sends the first request, and the SF network element receives the first request.

[0137] The first request is used to request sensing data for the first service. Optionally, the first request may be referred to as a sensing service request. In one possible implementation, the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0138] 1. Identification of the primary business.

[0139] In some descriptions, the identifier of the first service can be replaced with: an identifier of the service type, or an indication corresponding to the service requested by the terminal, referred to simply as a service request indication, such as the indication corresponding to the high-precision map service in an autonomous driving scenario. It is understood that if the first request itself represents the first service, then the identifier of the first service may not be included in the first request. For example, the first request might be a perception service request, used to request the acquisition of the second data corresponding to the first service from the SF network element.

[0140] 2. First instruction.

[0141] The first instruction is used to instruct the association of the first sensing result and the first data. In some descriptions, the first instruction can be replaced by: data association instruction, or simply association instruction, or data fusion instruction, or simply fusion instruction. In one possible implementation, the SF network element can associate the first sensing result and the first data upon receiving a first request including the first instruction. Alternatively, in step 340, the SF network element performs the association of the first sensing result and the second data, etc., without limitation.

[0142] 3. Second instruction.

[0143] The second instruction is used to instruct the establishment of a user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal. In some descriptions, the second instruction can be replaced with: user plane channel establishment instruction. It is understood that if the first request itself represents the second instruction, then the first request may not include the second instruction. For example, if it is predefined that the SF network element and the terminal use a user plane channel to transmit associated second data, then when the SF network element receives the first request, it can explicitly use the user plane channel to transmit the associated second data.

[0144] 4. Terminal location information.

[0145] In one possible implementation, the terminal's location information can refer to location information defined by 3GPP, such as the identifier of the cell the terminal accesses, like the physical cell identifier (PCI), or the tracking area (TA) identifier corresponding to the terminal. Alternatively, the terminal's location information can refer to the terminal's geographic location information, such as at least one of the terminal's longitude, latitude, or altitude. This location information can be carried in the first request sent by the terminal to the SF network element; that is, the terminal's location information is included in the first request. Alternatively, the AMF network element is responsible for forwarding the first request sent by the terminal to the SF network element, and the AMF network element can add the terminal's location information to the first request when forwarding it to the SF network element. Of course, the AMF network element can also send the terminal's location information to the SF network element separately, without including it in the first request. In one possible implementation, the SF network element associates the first sensing result and the first data based on the terminal's location information. For example, the SF network element determines the area where the terminal is located based on the terminal's location information and associates the first sensing result and the first data of the corresponding area. For example, an SF network element determines that the terminal is located in region A based on the terminal's location information. The SF network element can choose to correlate the first sensing result corresponding to region A with the first data corresponding to region A to obtain second data. This second data can be correlated data corresponding to region A. For example, the second data could be data from a high-precision map service corresponding to region A, or it could be data from a flight route map corresponding to region A.

[0146] 5. Terminal identification.

[0147] The SF network element can determine the control plane channel or user plane channel corresponding to the terminal based on the terminal's identifier, and transmit the corresponding information to the terminal through the channel. For example, in a scenario where the second sensing result is transmitted through the control plane channel, the first request includes the terminal's identifier. When the SF network element obtains the terminal's identifier in the first request, it determines the control plane channel corresponding to the terminal based on the identifier and sends the second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel. Alternatively, in a scenario where the second data or second sensing result is transmitted through the user plane channel, the first request includes the terminal's identifier. For example, when the SF network element obtains the terminal's identifier in the first request, it determines the corresponding user plane channel based on the identifier and sends the second data or second sensing result to the terminal through the user plane channel.

[0148] In one possible implementation, the terminal's identifier can be replaced with the terminal's address information. In another possible implementation, the terminal's identifier can be an identifier assigned to the terminal by the AMF network element; for example, this identifier could be called a perception association identifier. For instance, when the terminal sends a first request to the SF network element, the AMF network element forwards it, adding the terminal's identifier to the first request before sending it to the SF network element. Alternatively, the AMF network element can send the terminal's identifier separately to the SF network element; in this case, the first request may not include the terminal's identifier.

[0149] 6. Third instruction.

[0150] The third instruction is used to indicate the transmission of the second sensing result through the control plane channel. In some descriptions, the third instruction can be replaced with: sensing result subscription instruction. Alternatively, when the first request itself can represent the third instruction, the third instruction may not be included in the first request. For example, it is predefined that an SF network element transmits the real-time second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel. When the SF network element receives the first request, it knows, according to the predefined method, that it needs to transmit the second sensing result through the control plane channel. In this case, the third instruction may not be included in the first request. Alternatively, in the scenario where the second sensing result is transmitted through the user plane channel, the third instruction is not included in the first request.

[0151] In some descriptions, the "third instruction" may be referred to as dynamic data elements subscribed to based on the control plane. Of course, if the terminal wishes to transmit dynamic data (e.g., second sensing results) through the control plane channel, the third instruction will be included in the first request; otherwise, the third instruction may not be included in the first request.

[0152] Step 360: The SF network element sends the first response, and the terminal receives the first response.

[0153] The first response is the response to the first request, and the first response includes the address information of the SF network element. Optionally, the first response can be called: perception service response; step 350 can be replaced by: when the SF network element receives the first request, it responds to the first request by sending the first response.

[0154] In one possible implementation, the terminal and the SF network element can transmit a first request and a first response via a control plane channel. For example, in step 350, the terminal sends a first request to the SF network element via the control plane channel. Further, the terminal can send the first request to the SF network element via an AMF network element. For example, in step 360, the SF network element sends a first response to the terminal via the control plane channel. Further, the SF network element can send a first response to the terminal via an AMF network element, and so on.

[0155] Step 370: Establish a user plane channel between the terminal and the SF network element, and the terminal obtains the associated second data through the user plane channel.

[0156] In one possible implementation, upon receiving the first response, the terminal obtains the address information of the SF network element from the first response. Based on the address information of the SF network element, the terminal sends a user plane channel establishment request to the SF network element, which can be simply referred to as the fourth request. Upon receiving the fourth request, the SF network element establishes a user plane channel between the terminal and the SF network element. The SF network element then sends associated second data to the terminal through the user plane channel.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the SF network element can periodically send associated second data to the terminal via the user plane channel. Alternatively, the SF network element can send second data to the terminal once triggered by certain conditions. For example, when the SF determines or detects that the terminal has moved to a new area, it sends the second data associated with that area to the terminal. For instance, when the SF determines or detects that the terminal has moved to area A, it sends the second data associated with area A to the terminal. Further, when the SF determines or detects that the terminal has moved to area B, it sends the second data associated with area B to the terminal. The terminal updates itself in real time based on the received second data.

[0158] In one possible implementation, the path for the SF network element to send the second data to the terminal is: SF network element—UPF network element—access network equipment—terminal. Since the terminal obtains the second data from the SF network element in the core network, the path is shorter and the latency is lower compared to the terminal obtaining the second data from the server located in the DN.

[0159] Optionally, in step 380: the SF network element sends the second sensing result through the control plane channel, and the terminal receives the second sensing result through the control plane channel.

[0160] In one possible implementation, the SF network element sends a control plane subscription response / notification via a control plane channel. This response / notification includes a second sensing result. For example, the second sensing result includes information about a target associated with the terminal, such as the target's position, angle, speed, or trajectory. The terminal can update the target information in the second data in real time based on the second sensing result. It is understood that the SF network element can periodically send the second sensing result to the terminal to periodically update the target information in the second data. Alternatively, when the SF network element detects / determines a dynamic change in the target, it sends the corresponding second sensing result to that target via the control plane channel. In some descriptions, the second sensing result may be referred to as: dynamic data element.

[0161] It is understandable that the second perception result can be a real-time / dynamic perception result of the target associated with the terminal. In one possible implementation, the SF network element sends the associated second data to the terminal through the user plane channel. Since the amount of associated second data is usually large, the user plane channel can meet the transmission requirements of the second data. The SF network element sends dynamic / real-time second perception results to the terminal through the control plane channel. For example, since control plane messages have higher priority and lower latency, sending real-time / dynamic second perception results to the terminal through the control plane channel can improve the transmission speed of the perception results. In one possible implementation, the second perception result can be carried in NAS messages. For example, in the scenario of high-precision map services for autonomous driving, the SF network element transmits associated second data (e.g., data corresponding to the high-precision map) to the terminal through the user plane channel. Since the "target" associated with the terminal in the high-precision map is usually dynamic, its corresponding information is dynamically changing. For example, the "target" refers to traffic participants, and the position, speed, angle, and driving trajectory of traffic participants within the terminal's driving range are dynamically / real-time changing. The access network device can perform real-time sensing / detection of the aforementioned dynamic targets and send the obtained second sensing data to the SF network element. Based on the real-time / dynamic second sensing data, the SF network element can obtain the real-time / dynamic second sensing result of the target. The SF network element transmits the dynamic second sensing result of the target to the terminal in real time. Since the control plane channel is faster than the user plane channel, in this embodiment, the SF network element transmits the real-time / dynamic second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel. The terminal updates the "target" information in the high-precision map in real time based on the real-time / dynamic second sensing result.

[0162]

Example 2

[0163] In one possible implementation, the control plane and user plane of the sensing network element are separated. For example, the network element corresponding to the control plane is called a sensing control function (SCF) network element. In some descriptions, "SCF network element" can be replaced with: sensing management function, or sensing management control function. The network element corresponding to the user plane is called a sensing processing function (SPF). In some descriptions, "SPF network element" can be replaced with: sensing user plane function, or sensing data processing function, etc. In this architecture where the control plane and user plane of the sensing network element are separated, the SPF network element can correlate or fuse the first sensing result and the first data to obtain the second data. The SPF network element can send the second data to the terminal through the user plane channel between the SPF network element and the terminal. Furthermore, the SPF network element can send the second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel between the SPF network element and the terminal. In the flow of Figure 5 below, the "first sensing network element" in the flow of Figure 2 is used as an example for illustration.

[0164] As shown in Figure 4, an architecture is provided where the control plane and user plane of a sensing network element are separated, including: a terminal, a UPF network element, an access network device, an SPF network element, an SCF network element, an AMF network element, a NEF network element, and an AF network element. In Figure 4, solid lines represent user plane connections, and dashed lines represent control plane connections. It can be seen that the user plane channel includes: terminal—UPF network element—SPF network element. It is understood that the access network device is also included between the terminal and the UPF network element in the user plane channel. In this embodiment, the SPF network element sends second data to the terminal in the user plane channel. The AF network element can send first data to the SPF network element in the control plane channel, or the AF network element can send first data to the SPF network element via the NEF network element in the control plane channel, or the AF network element can send first data to the SPF network element via the SCF network element in the control plane channel, etc. The terminal sends a first request to the SCF network element via the AMF network element in the control plane channel; the SCF network element sends a first response to the terminal via the AMF network element in the control plane channel. The channel between the access network device and the SPF network element can also be called the sensing channel. The access network device sends sensing data to the SPF network element through this channel.

[0165] Figure 5 is a schematic interactive diagram of the communication method 5000 provided in an embodiment of this application. It is understood that steps 500 to 5010 are merely illustrative of the communication method 5000 and should not be construed as limiting the communication method 5000. Steps 500 to 5010 can be broken down into more steps or combined into fewer steps, and the order of steps 500 to 5010 is not limited.

[0166] Optionally, in step 500: an access network device establishes a channel with the SPF network element. This channel is used for the access network device to send sensing data (such as the first sensing data and the second sensing data below) to the SPF network element. The SPF network element can determine the corresponding sensing result based on the sensing data.

[0167] In some descriptions, the "channel" established between the access network device and the SPF network element can be replaced with: connection, transmission channel, user plane channel / connection, sensing channel, probe channel, etc. In one possible implementation, the channel between the access network device and the SPF network element is established by triggering the establishment of the first request sent by the terminal in step 550, or by triggering the establishment of the AF network element, or by triggering the establishment of the OAM network element, without limitation.

[0168] Taking the terminal sending a first request to trigger the establishment of a channel as an example: In step 550 below, the terminal sends a first request to the SCF network element. Based on the first request, the SCF network element sends a second request to the SPF network element. When the SPF network element receives the second request, it can establish a channel between the SPF network element and the access network device. The access network device sends sensing data to the SPF network element through the corresponding channel. The SPF network element determines the sensing result based on the sensing data.

[0169] Taking the establishment of a channel triggered by an OAM network element / AF network element as an example: the OAM network element / AF network element sends a request to the SCF network element; based on the request, the SCF network element configures the SPF network element and the access network device to perform sensing services; the access network device and the SPF network element establish the above-mentioned channel; the access network device sends sensing data to the SPF network element through this channel; the SPF network element determines the sensing result based on the sensing data.

[0170] Step 510: The AF network element sends the first data, and the SPF network element receives the first data.

[0171] In one possible implementation, the AF network element is a third-party AF network element that sends the first data to the SPF network element through the NEF network element. For example, the AF network element sends the first data to the NEF network element, and the NEF network element forwards the first data to the SPF network element.

[0172] For example, an AF network element sends first information to a NEF network element, the first information including first data. Further, the first information also includes an identifier corresponding to the first data, a timestamp corresponding to the first data (or the first data itself includes a timestamp), and area information corresponding to the first data. The identifier corresponding to the first data is used to associate the first data with the first sensing result corresponding to the identifier. For example, the identifier corresponding to the first data could be: a service type (e.g., first service) identifier, an association identifier, a service association identifier, a session association identifier, or an AF network element identifier, etc. The timestamp of the first data is used to associate the first data with the first sensing result that meets the timestamp condition. The area information corresponding to the first data is used to identify the area corresponding to the first data. The NEF network element can determine the SPF network element based on the identifier corresponding to the first data and / or the area information corresponding to the first data. Then, the NEF network element sends the first data and the identifier of the first data to the corresponding SPF network element. For example, the NEF network element can send second information to the corresponding SPF network element, the second information including the first data and the identifier corresponding to the first data. Alternatively, the NEF network element can send the first data and the identifier corresponding to the first data to the SPF network element separately, etc., without restriction. Understandably, if the first data itself does not include a timestamp, the NEF network element or the SCF network element (described below) will need to send the timestamp corresponding to the first data to the SPF network element. A similar process will follow below, assuming the first data itself includes a timestamp, and will not be further explained.

[0173] For example, multiple SPF network elements are configured, each serving a different area. Each SPF network element is used to correlate the sensing results and data of its corresponding area. The NEF network element can determine its corresponding SPF network element based on the area information corresponding to the first data. Alternatively, multiple SPF network elements are configured, each serving a different service. Each SPF network element is used to correlate the sensing results and data of its corresponding service. The NEF network element can determine its corresponding SPF network element based on the service type corresponding to the first data. Alternatively, the NEF network element can combine both of the above, i.e., determine the corresponding SPF network element based on the area information and the identifier corresponding to the first data.

[0174] In another possible implementation, the AF network element can send the first data to the SPF network element through the SCF network element. For example, the AF network element sends the first data to the SCF network element, and the SCF network element forwards the first data to the SPF network element.

[0175] For example, an AF network element sends third information (or, this information may be called first information) to an SCF network element. The third information includes first data. Further, the third information also includes an identifier corresponding to the first data and area information corresponding to the first data. Alternatively, the AF network element can send the above three information separately to the SCF network element. The SCF network element can determine the corresponding SCF network element based on the area information and / or the identifier corresponding to the first data; and send the first data and the identifier corresponding to the first data to the corresponding SCF network element. For example, an SCF network element sends fourth information to an SCF network element. The fourth information includes the first data and the identifier corresponding to the first data. Alternatively, the SCF network element can send the first data and the identifier corresponding to the first data separately to the SCF network element, without restriction.

[0176] In some descriptions, the regional information corresponding to the first data can also be described as: the location information corresponding to the first data. The identifier corresponding to the first data can be described as: the identifier of the first service corresponding to the first data.

[0177] Step 520: The access network device sends the first sensing data, and the SPF network element receives the first sensing data.

[0178] Step 530: The SPF network element determines the first sensing result based on the first sensing data.

[0179] In one possible implementation, if a channel has been established between the access network device and the SPF network element, the access network device sends first sensing data to the SPF network element through this channel. Further, the SPF network element determines the first sensing result based on the first sensing data; alternatively, if a channel has not been established between the access network device and the SPF network element, the access network device sends the first sensing data to the SPF network element only after the corresponding channel has been established. In another possible implementation, when the SPF network element receives the terminal's first request, it configures the SPF network element to establish a corresponding channel with the access network device.

[0180] Step 540: The SPF network element correlates the first sensing result and the first data to determine the second data.

[0181] In one possible implementation, the SPF network element can obtain the identifier corresponding to the first sensing result and the identifier corresponding to the first data, as described above. The SPF network element can associate the first sensing result and the first data with the same identifier to obtain the second data. And / or, the SF network element associates the first data with its corresponding sensing result (such as the first sensing result) based on the timestamp in the sensing data and the timestamp corresponding to (or contained in) the first data, for example, if the timestamps of the two are the same or the interval is within a certain range.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the SPF network element may perform the association of the first sensing result and the first data in step 540; or, when the SPF network element receives the second request in step 570, it may perform the association of the first sensing result and the first data according to the instruction of the first instruction included in the second request, without limitation.

[0183] Step 550: The terminal sends the first request, and the SCF network element receives the first request.

[0184] The first request is used to request sensing data for the first service. The content of the first request can be referred to in the description of Figure 3. Optionally, the first request may be called a sensing service request.

[0185] In one possible implementation, multiple SPF network elements are configured. The SCF network element can select the corresponding SPF network element from among the multiple SPF network elements based on the terminal's location information and / or the identifier corresponding to the first service included in the first request. Then, in step 580, the first response sent by the SCF network element to the terminal includes the address information of the SPF network element. Based on the address information of the SPF network element, the terminal requests to establish a user plane channel with that SPF network element.

[0186] For example, an SCF network element can select the corresponding SPF network element based on the terminal's location information. For instance, each SPF network element serves a different area. The SCF network element determines the area where the terminal is located based on the terminal's location information and then selects the SPF network element that serves that area.

[0187] For example, an SCF network element can select the corresponding SPF network element based on the identifier of the first service. For instance, each SPF network element corresponds to a different service type. The SCF network element determines the associated SPF network element to execute the first service based on the identifier of the first service. Alternatively, an SCF network element can combine the terminal's location information and the identifier of the first service to select the corresponding SPF network element. For example, the SCF network element selects the corresponding SPF network element based on the terminal's location information and the identifier of the first service. For instance, the SCF network element determines the area where the terminal is located based on the terminal's location information; further, it selects the SPF network element responsible for associating the first service from among the SPF network elements corresponding to that area.

[0188] In another possible implementation, the SCF network element does not perform the process of selecting the SPF network element. There are no restrictions on whether the first request includes the terminal's location information and / or the identifier of the first service.

[0189] For example, an SCF network element may be responsible for or manage multiple SPF network elements. When the SCF network element receives a first request, it sends the address information of the multiple SPF network elements it is responsible for to the terminal. For example, in step 580, the first response sent by the SCF network element to the terminal includes the address information of multiple SPF network elements. The terminal can select the address information of one SPF network element from the multiple SPF network element address information and request the establishment of a user plane channel based on that SPF network element address information. For example, the terminal can select the SPF network element responsible for the terminal area.

[0190] For example, if an SCF network element is responsible for or manages an SPF network element, then upon receiving the first request, the SCF network element can send the address information of the SPF network element it manages to the terminal. For instance, in step 580, the first response sent by the SCF network element to the terminal includes the address information of the SPF network element it manages.

[0191] Optionally, in step 560: the SCF network element determines the corresponding SPF based on the terminal location information and / or the identifier of the first service included in the first request.

[0192] Step 570: The SCF network element sends a second request, and the SPF network element receives the second request.

[0193] The second request is used to request the SPF network element to correlate the first sensing result and the first data. For example, the second request includes at least one of the following:

[0194] 1. Identification of the primary business.

[0195] In one possible implementation, the SPF network element can associate the first sensing data and the first data based on the identifier of the first service. For example, when the SPF network element receives a second request, it determines the first sensing result and the first data corresponding to the first service. The SPF network element associates the first sensing result and the first data corresponding to the first service to determine the second data. It is understood that if the second request itself can represent the first service, then the identifier of the first service may not be included in the second request.

[0196] 2. First instruction.

[0197] The first instruction is used to instruct the association of the first sensing result and the first data. In one possible implementation, the SPF network element associates the first sensing result and the first data in step 540 to obtain the second data. Alternatively, when the SPF network element receives the second request, it associates the first sensing result and the first data according to the instruction of the first instruction included in the second request to obtain the second data. It is understood that if the second request itself can represent the first instruction, then the second request may not include the first instruction.

[0198] 3. Terminal location information.

[0199] In one possible implementation, the SPF network element can fuse the first sensing result and the first data based on the terminal's location information. For example, the SPF network element determines the area where the terminal is located based on the terminal's location information; further, the SPF network element determines the first sensing result and the first data corresponding to that area; the SPF network element associates the first sensing result and the first data corresponding to that area to obtain the second data. It is understood that if the SPF network element does not consider the terminal's location information when fusing the first sensing result and the first data, then the second request may not include the terminal's location information.

[0200] 4. The identifier of the terminal.

[0201] In one possible implementation, the SPF network element determines the corresponding user plane channel based on the terminal's identifier and sends the second data or second sensing result to the terminal through the user plane channel. Alternatively, the SPF network element determines the corresponding control plane channel based on the terminal's identifier and sends the second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel. In another possible implementation, the terminal's identifier is sent to the SCF network element by the AMF network element when forwarding the first request, and the SCF network element then sends it to the SPF network element through the second request in step 570. For example, when the AMF network element forwards the terminal's first request to the SCF network element, it adds the terminal's identifier to the first request; the first request received by the SCF includes the terminal's identifier, and the SCF network element sends the terminal's identifier to the SPF network element through the second request in step 570.

[0202] Step 580: The SPF network element sends the first response, and the terminal receives the first response.

[0203] The first response includes the address information of the SPF network element. Optionally, the first response may be referred to as the awareness service response.

[0204] Step 590: Establish a user plane channel between the terminal and the SPF network element, and the terminal obtains the associated second data through the user plane channel.

[0205] In one possible implementation, the terminal requests the SPF network element to establish a user plane channel based on the address information of the SPF network element included in the first response; the SPF network element establishes a user plane channel between the SPF network element and the terminal based on the request; and the SPF network element sends associated second data to the terminal through the user plane channel.

[0206] Optionally, in step 5010: the SPF network element sends the second sensing result through the control plane channel, and the terminal receives the second sensing result through the control plane channel.

[0207] In one possible implementation, the SPF network element receives second sensing data from the access network device through a corresponding channel; the SPF network element determines the second sensing result based on the second sensing data. The SPF network element sends the second sensing result to the terminal through the control plane channel, as described in step 5010; alternatively, the SPF network element can send the second sensing result to the terminal through the user plane channel, without limitation.

[0208]

Example 3

[0209] In one possible implementation, the control plane and user plane of the sensing network element are separated. The network element corresponding to the control plane is called an SCF network element, and the network element corresponding to the user plane is called an SPF network element. In the flowchart of Embodiment 2 (Figure 5), the SPF network element performs the association between the first sensing result and the first data. In Embodiment 3, a new independent network element is added, which performs the association between the first sensing result and the first data. For example, this network element can be called: Sensing Result Storage / Synthesist Function (SRSF) network element, Sensing Result Processing network element, Sensing Result Fusion network element, Sensing Comprehensive Processing network element, Sensing Result Storage network element, Sensing Storage network element, Sensing Result Association network element, or Sensing Association network element, etc. Or, in the future, this network element can also be called: Twin Service network element, Environment Modeling network element, Digital Twin Service network element, Physical Environment Twin Network element, Physical World Twin Service network element, etc. In this embodiment, the independent network element is referred to as an SRSF network element for illustration. In the process described in Figure 7 below, we will take the “first sensing element” in the process of Figure 2 as the SRSF element, the “second sensing element” as the SPF element, and the “third sensing element” as the SCF element as an example.

[0210] As shown in Figure 6, a network architecture is provided, including: a terminal, access network equipment, UPF network element, SPF network element, SRSF network element, AMF network element, SCF network element, NEF network element, and AF network element. The interfaces between the various network elements can be referred to the description in Figure 6.

[0211] In one possible implementation, the SRSF network element can perform the association between the first sensing result and the first data to generate second data. The SRSF network element sends the second data to the terminal through a user plane channel. For example, the transmission path of this user plane channel includes: SRSF network element—UPF network element—access network device—terminal. There is a channel between the access network device and the SPF. The access network device sends sensing data to the SPF network element through this channel. The SPF network element determines the sensing result based on the sensing data and sends the sensing result (e.g., the first sensing result) to the SRSF network element. The AF network element can send the first data to the SRSF network element through the NEF network element. The terminal sends a first request to the SCF network element through the access network device and the AMF network element. The SCF network element sends a first response to the terminal through the AMF network element and the access network device. It is understood that although two "access network devices" are schematically drawn in Figure 6, these two access network devices are actually one access network device, which is the access network device currently accessed by the terminal. On the user plane, the access network device is connected to the UPF network element; on the control plane, the access network device is connected to the AMF network element.

[0212] Figure 7 is a schematic interactive diagram of the communication method 7000 provided in an embodiment of this application. It is understood that steps 700a to 790 are merely illustrative of the communication method 7000 and should not be construed as limiting the communication method 7000. Steps 700a to 790 can be broken down into more steps or combined into fewer steps, and the order of steps 700a to 790 is not limited.

[0213] Optionally, in step 700a: an access network device establishes a channel with the SPF network element. This channel is used for the access network device to send sensing data to the SPF network element, and the SPF network element can determine the corresponding sensing result based on the sensing data.

[0214] For details of step 700a, please refer to the description of step 500 in Figure 5.

[0215] Step 700b: Establish a node-level connection between the SRSF network element and the SCF network element, or register the SRSF network element's capabilities and service area information with the NRF network element.

[0216] For example, if a node-level connection is established between an SRSF network element and an SCF network element, the SCF network element can query the SRSF network element for information such as its service area and / or service type, thus allowing the SCF network element to select the corresponding SRSF network element. Alternatively, the SCF network element can query the SRSF network element's service area and / or service type based on its NRF network element registration information, without any restrictions.

[0217] Step 710: The AF network element sends the first data, and the SRSF network element receives the first data.

[0218] In one possible implementation, the AF network element is a third-party AF network element, which sends the first data to the SRSF network element through the NEF network element.

[0219] For example, the AF network element sends fifth information to the NEF network element. This fifth information includes the first data, the identifier corresponding to the first data, and the area information corresponding to the first data. Optionally, this fifth information can be called association information. Alternatively, the AF network element can send the above three information separately to the NEF network element, without restriction.

[0220] For example, the NEF network element selects the corresponding SRSF network element based on the area information corresponding to the first data and / or the identifier corresponding to the first data. For example, in this embodiment, multiple SRSF network elements are configured, each responsible for a different area. The NEF network element can then select the SRSF responsible for that area based on the area information corresponding to the first data. Alternatively, the NEF network element selects the corresponding SRSF network element based on the identifier corresponding to the first data. As mentioned above, the identifier of the first data can be: the service type identifier corresponding to the first data, the identifier of the AF network element, or an association identifier, etc. For example, in this embodiment, multiple SRSF network elements are configured, each responsible for different types of services. The NEF network element selects the SRSF network element responsible for the current service. Alternatively, the NEF network element selects the corresponding SRSF network element based on the area information corresponding to the first data and the identifier corresponding to the first data, without limitation.

[0221] For example, when a NEF network element receives first data from an AF network element, it sends the first data to all SRSF network elements under its jurisdiction. Alternatively, in a scenario where there is one SRSF network element in this embodiment, the NEF network element sends the first data to that SRSF network element. In this case, there is no restriction on whether the fifth information includes the identifier corresponding to the first data and / or the area information corresponding to the first data.

[0222] In another possible implementation, the AF network element sends the first data through the SCF network element. For example, the AF network element sends the first data to the SCF network element, and the SCF network element forwards the first data to the SPF network element.

[0223] For example, the AF network element sends sixth information to the SCF network element. This sixth information includes first data, the identifier corresponding to the first data, and the area information corresponding to the first data. Optionally, the sixth information can be called association information. Alternatively, the AF network element can send the above three information separately to the SCF network element, without restriction. The SCF network element selects the corresponding SRSF network element based on the area information and / or the identifier corresponding to the first data; the SCF network element can then send the first data to the selected SRSF network element. Alternatively, the SCF network element sends the first data to multiple SRSF network elements under its jurisdiction. Alternatively, in this embodiment, if there is only one SRSF network element, the SCF network element sends the first data to that SRSF network element. In the last two cases, the SCF network element does not need to select the corresponding SRSF network element. There is no restriction on whether the sixth information includes the identifier of the first data and / or the area information corresponding to the first data.

[0224] The SCF network element can send a third request to the SPF network element, which includes the address information of the SRSF network element. For example, the address information of the SRSF network element included in the third request can be: the address information of the SRSF network element selected by the SCF network element; or, the address information of multiple SRSF network elements managed by the SCF network element; or, in the case of setting up one SRSF network element in this embodiment, it can be the address information of that single SRSF network element. The third request is used to request the establishment of a channel between the SRSF network element and the SPF network element. When the SPF network element receives the third request, it can establish a channel between the SRSF network element and the SPF network element. Optionally, this channel can be called: a transmission channel, a user plane channel, a user plane connection, a data plane channel, or a data plane connection, etc. This channel is used by the SPF network element to transmit sensing results to the SRSF network element. The SPF network element sends a third response to the SCF network element. The third response is a response to the third request and is used to indicate that the channel between the SRSF network element and the SPF network element has been successfully established. See steps 720a to 720c below for details.

[0225] Step 720a: The SCF network element sends a third request, and the SPF network element receives the third request.

[0226] The third request is used to request the establishment of a channel between the SRSF network element and the SPF network element. Optionally, the third request may be a storage channel establishment request, which includes the address information of the SRSF.

[0227] In one possible implementation, the SCF network element triggers step 720a upon receiving the first data. Alternatively, the OAM network element triggers the SCF network element to send an execution step 720a. For example, the OAM network element sends a request or instruction to the SCF network element to request or instruct the establishment of a channel between the SRSF network element and the SPF network element, at which point the SCF network element executes step 720a. Alternatively, the SCF network element executes step 720a upon receiving the first request described in step 740 below, etc., without limitation.

[0228] Step 720b: Establish a channel between the SPF network element and the SRSF network element. This channel is used for the SPF network element to send sensing results to the SRSF network element.

[0229] For example, the SPF network element receives the first sensing data from the access device, processes the first sensing data, and determines the first sensing result; through this channel, the SPF network element sends the first sensing result to the SRSF network element.

[0230] Furthermore, the SPF network element can also receive second sensing data from access network equipment. The SPF network element processes the second sensing data to determine the second sensing result. Through this channel, the SPF network element sends the second sensing result to the SRSF network element.

[0231] Step 720c: The SPF network element sends the third response, and the SCF network element receives the third response.

[0232] Optionally, the third response can be called a storage channel establishment response. The SPF network element uses this third response to notify the SCF network element that the aforementioned channel has been successfully established.

[0233] Step 730: The SRSF network element correlates the first sensing result and the first data to obtain the second data.

[0234] It is understandable that, in step 730, the SRSF network element can associate the first sensing result and the first data. Alternatively, in step 760, when the SRSF network element receives the second request sent by the SCF network element, it can perform the association of the first sensing result and the first data according to the instruction included in the second request, without any restrictions.

[0235] Step 740: The terminal sends the first request, and the SCF network element receives the first request.

[0236] Optionally, the first request may be referred to as a perception service request. The purpose of the first request and the contents included in the first request can be found in the description of step 350 in Figure 3.

[0237] Optionally, in step 750: the SCF network element determines the corresponding SRSF network element based on the identifier of the first service and / or the location information of the terminal.

[0238] For example, the SCF network element determines the region to which the terminal belongs based on the terminal's location information; further, it selects the SRSF network element serving that region. As another example, in step 750, the SCF network element can determine the SRSF network element associated with executing the first service based on the identifier of the first service.

[0239] Step 760: The SCF network element sends a second request, and the SRSF network element receives the second request.

[0240] The second request is used to request the SRSF network element to associate the first sensing result and the first data. For example, the second request includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first service, a first indication, the location information of the terminal, or the identifier of the terminal, wherein the first indication is used to instruct the association of the first sensing result and the first data. A description of the information included in the second request can be found in step 570 of the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0241] Step 770: The SCF network element sends a first response, and the terminal receives the first response. The first response includes the address information of the SRSF network element determined by the SCF network element for performing the association.

[0242] Optionally, the first response may be referred to as a sense service response. Upon receiving the first response, the terminal may request the establishment of a user plane channel between itself and the SRSF network element based on the address information of the SRSF network element included in the first response. The SRSF network element establishes the user plane channel and sends associated second data to the terminal through the user plane channel, as described in step 780.

[0243] Step 780: Establish a user plane channel between the terminal and the SRSF network element, and the terminal obtains the second data through this user plane channel.

[0244] Optionally, in step 790: the SRSF network element sends the second sensing result through the control plane channel, and the terminal receives the second sensing result through the control plane channel.

[0245] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by this application are described from the perspective of interaction between the terminal and the sensing network element. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal and the sensing network element may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the design constraints of the specific application of the technical solution.

[0246] Based on the same conceptual framework as the above-described method embodiments, Figures 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of this application. These communication devices can realize the functions implemented by terminals or sensing network elements in the above-described method embodiments, and therefore may achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above-described method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device may be a terminal or sensing network element, or a unit, module, or component (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, processor, or others) applied in a terminal or sensing network element. In the following description, the term "unit" will be used as an example. For example, in the following description, the communication device will be described as including a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit in the following description may also be replaced by: a processing module or a processing component, etc. The transceiver unit may also be replaced by: a transceiver unit or a transceiver component. For example, a transceiver component may refer to a communication module.

[0247] As shown in Figure 8, the communication device 8000 includes a processing unit 8010 and a transceiver unit 8020. Optionally, the transceiver unit 8020 may also be referred to as an output unit, an interface unit, or a communication unit, etc. In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 8020 includes at least one of a transmitting unit or a receiving unit. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be integrated together, or they may be two independent units, etc.

[0248] For example, the communication device 8000 is used to implement the function of the first sensing network element in Figure 2, or to implement the function of the SF network element in Figure 3, or to implement the function of the SPF network element in Figure 5, or to implement the function of the SRSF network element in Figure 7. Specifically:

[0249] The transceiver unit 8020 is used to receive first data from the application function network element; the processing unit 8010 is used to associate the first sensing result and the first data to obtain second data, wherein the first sensing result is determined based on the first sensing data detected by the access network device, the first sensing result includes information of the terminal-associated target, and both the first data and the first sensing result correspond to the first service; the transceiver unit 8020 is also used to send the second data to the terminal.

[0250] In one possible implementation, when determining the first sensing result, the processing unit 8010 includes: controlling the transceiver unit 8020 to receive first sensing data from the access network device; and determining the first sensing result based on the first sensing data.

[0251] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 8020 is further configured to: receive a first request from the terminal, the first request being for requesting the sensing service of the first service; and send a first response to the terminal, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response including the address information of the first sensing network element.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the first request includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first service, a first instruction, a second instruction, the location information of the terminal, the identifier of the terminal, or a third instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to instruct the association of the first sensing result and the first data, the second instruction is used to instruct the establishment of a user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal, and the third instruction is used to instruct the transmission of the second sensing result through the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0253] In one possible implementation, when determining the first sensing result, the processing unit 8010 includes controlling the transceiver unit 8020 to receive the first sensing result from the second sensing network element.

[0254] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 8020 is further configured to receive a second request from a third sensing network element, the second request being used to request the association of the first sensing result and the first data.

[0255] In one possible implementation, the second request includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first service, a first instruction, location information of the terminal, or an identifier of the terminal, wherein the first instruction is used to indicate the association of the first perception result and the first data.

[0256] In one possible implementation, when the transceiver unit 8020 sends the second data to the terminal, it includes: sending the second data to the terminal through a user plane channel, wherein the user plane channel refers to the user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 8020 is further configured to: send a second sensing result to the terminal via a control plane channel, the second sensing result being determined based on second sensing data detected by the access network device, wherein the control plane channel refers to the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0258] For example, the communication device 8000 is used to implement the functions of the terminal in Figures 2, 3, 5, or 7 above, specifically:

[0259] The transceiver unit 8020 is used to receive second data from the first sensing network element. The second data is obtained by associating the first sensing result and the first data. The first sensing result is determined based on the first sensing data detected by the access network device. The first sensing result includes information about the terminal-associated target. The first data is data from the application function network element. Both the first data and the first sensing result correspond to the first service.

[0260] In one possible implementation, before receiving the second data from the first sensing network element, the transceiver unit 8020 is further configured to: send a first request, the first request being used to request a first service; and receive a first response, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response including address information of the first sensing network element, the first sensing network element being a network element that associates the first sensing result with the first data.

[0261] In one possible implementation, the first request includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first service, a first instruction, a second instruction, the location information of the terminal, the identifier of the terminal, or a third instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to instruct the association of the first sensing result and the first data, the second instruction is used to instruct the establishment of a user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal, and the third instruction is used to instruct the transmission of the second sensing result through the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0262] In one possible implementation, when the transceiver unit 8020 receives second data from the first sensing network element, it includes: receiving the second data from the first sensing network element through a user plane channel, wherein the user plane channel is established based on the address of the first sensing network element.

[0263] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 8020 is further configured to: receive a second sensing result from the first sensing network element via a control plane channel, the second sensing result being determined based on second sensing data from the access network device, wherein the control plane channel refers to the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0264] For example, the communication device 8000 is used to implement the function of the SCF in Figure 5 or Figure 7 above, specifically:

[0265] The transceiver unit 8020 is configured to receive a first request from a terminal, the first request being for requesting subscription to the sensing service of a first service; the transceiver unit 8020 is also configured to send a first response to the terminal, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response including address information of a first sensing network element, the address information of the first sensing network element being used to establish a user plane channel between the terminal and the first sensing network element, the user plane channel being used by the first sensing network element to transmit second data to the terminal, the second data being obtained by associating a first sensing result and the first data, the first sensing result being determined based on the first sensing data detected by the access network device, the first sensing result including information of the target associated with the terminal, the first data being data from an application function network element, and the first data and the first sensing result corresponding to the first service.

[0266] In one possible implementation, the first request includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first service, a first instruction, a second instruction, the location information of the terminal, the identifier of the terminal, or a third instruction, wherein the first instruction is used to instruct the association of the first sensing result and the first data, the second instruction is used to instruct the establishment of a user plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal, and the third instruction is used to instruct the transmission of the second sensing result through the control plane channel between the first sensing network element and the terminal.

[0267] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 8010 is configured to determine the first sensing network element based on the identifier of the first service and / or the location information of the terminal.

[0268] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 8020 is further configured to send a second request to the first sensing network element, the second request being used to request the first sensing network element to associate the first sensing result with the first data.

[0269] In one possible implementation, the second request includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first service, a first instruction, location information of the terminal, or an identifier of the terminal, wherein the first instruction is used to indicate the association of the first perception result and the first data.

[0270] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 8020 is further configured to: receive first information from the application function network element, the first information including first data; and send the first data to the first sensing network element.

[0271] In one possible implementation, the first information further includes the identifier of the first service and / or the location information corresponding to the first data. The processing unit 8010 is further configured to determine the first sensing network element based on the identifier of the first service and / or the location information corresponding to the first data.

[0272] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 8020 is further configured to: send a third request to the second sensing network element, the third request being used to request the establishment of a channel between the first sensing network element and the second sensing network element, the channel being used by the second sensing network element to transmit the first sensing result to the first sensing network element, the third request including the address information of the first sensing network element; and receive a third response from the second sensing network element, the third response being a response to the third request, the third response being used to indicate that the channel between the first sensing network element and the second sensing network element has been successfully established.

[0273] It is understood that the division of units in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, the functional units in this application embodiment can be integrated into a physical device (e.g., in a processor), or each functional unit can be a separate physical device, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module, etc.

[0274] As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 9000 includes a processor 9010 and an interface circuit 9020. The processor 9010 and the interface circuit 9020 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 9020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 9000 may also include a memory 9030 for storing instructions executed by the processor 9010, or storing input data required by the processor 9010 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 9010 executes instructions.

[0275] When the communication device 9000 is used to implement the methods shown in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 7, the processor 9010 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 8010, and the interface circuit 9020 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 8020.

[0276] When the aforementioned communication device is a module applied to the first sensing network element or sensing control function network element, the module implements the functions of the first sensing network element or sensing control function network element in the above method embodiments. For example, the module receives information from other modules in the first sensing network element, which is information sent by the terminal to the first sensing network element; or, the module sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the first sensing network element, which is information sent by the first sensing network element to the terminal. Here, the module of the first sensing network element can be a chip of the first sensing network element or other modules; the module of the sensing control function network element can be a chip of the sensing control function network element or other modules.

[0277] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal, the chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information sent to the terminal by the first sensing network element through other modules in the terminal (such as an RF module or antenna); or, the chip sends information to other modules in the terminal (such as an RF module or antenna), which is information sent by the terminal to the first sensing network element or sensing control function network element.

[0278] This application embodiment also provides a communication device, which includes a processor. The processor is used to implement the functions of the terminal or the first sensing network element in FIG2, or to implement the functions of the terminal or the SF network element in FIG3, or to implement the functions of the terminal, SPF network element or SCF network element in FIG5, or to implement the functions of the terminal, SRSF network element or SCF network element in FIG7.

[0279] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, a processor coupled to the memory, and the processor executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory to implement the functions of the terminal or first sensing network element in Figure 2, or the terminal or SF network element in Figure 3, or the terminal, SPF network element, or SCF network element in Figure 5, or the terminal, SRSF network element, or SCF network element in Figure 7. Optionally, the communication device can be a chip or a chip system.

[0280] This application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other devices outside the device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other devices outside the device. The processor, through logic circuits or executing code instructions, is used to implement the functions of the terminal or first sensing network element in FIG2, or the terminal or SF network element in FIG3, or the terminal, SPF network element, or SCF network element in FIG5, or the terminal, SRSF network element, or SCF network element in FIG7. Optionally, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system.

[0281] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which may also be referred to as computer programs, computer program code, etc. These instructions, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the functions of the terminal or first sensing network element in Figure 2, or the terminal or SF network element in Figure 3, or the terminal, SPF network element, or SCF network element in Figure 5, or the terminal, SRSF network element, or SCF network element in Figure 7.

[0282] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, they implement the functions of the terminal or first sensing network element in Figure 2, or the terminal or SF network element in Figure 3, or the terminal, SPF network element or SCF network element in Figure 5, or the terminal, SRSF network element or SCF network element in Figure 7.

[0283] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0284] The memory in the embodiments of this application may be random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), register, hard disk, portable hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art.

[0285] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC.

[0286] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center integrating one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0287] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: receiving first data from an application function network element; associating a first perception result and the first data to obtain second data, the first perception result being determined according to first perception data detected by an access network device, the first perception result comprising information of a terminal-associated target, the first data corresponding to the first perception result both corresponding to a first service; sending the second data to the terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Determining the first perception result comprises: receiving first perception data from the access network device; determining the first perception result according to the first perception data.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, Further comprising: receiving a first request from the terminal, the first request being used for requesting a perception service of the first service; sending a first response to the terminal, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response comprising address information of a first perception network element.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first request comprises at least one of the following: an identifier of the first service, a first indication, a second indication, location information of the terminal, an identifier of the terminal, or a third indication, the first indication being used for indicating the association of the first perception result and the first data, the second indication being used for indicating the establishment of a user plane channel between the first perception network element and the terminal, and the third indication being used for indicating the transmission of a second perception result through a control plane channel between the first perception network element and the terminal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, Determining the first perception result comprises: receiving the first perception result from a second perception network element.

6. The method of claim 1, 2, or 5, wherein, Further comprising: receiving a second request from a third perception network element, the second request being used for requesting the association of the first perception result and the first data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The second request comprises at least one of the following: an identifier of the first service, a first indication, location information of the terminal, or an identifier of the terminal, the first indication being used for indicating the association of the first perception result and the first data.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The sending of the second data to the terminal comprises: sending the second data to the terminal through a user plane channel, the user plane channel being a user plane channel between the first perception network element and the terminal.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, Further comprising: sending a second perception result to the terminal through a control plane channel, the second perception result being determined according to second perception data detected by an access network device, the control plane channel being a control plane channel between the first perception network element and the terminal.

10. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: receiving second data from a first perception network element, the second data being obtained by associating a first perception result and first data, the first perception result being determined according to first perception data detected by an access network device, the first perception result comprising information of a terminal-associated target, the first data being data from an application function network element, the first data and the first perception result both corresponding to a first service.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, Before receiving the second data from the first perception network element, further comprising: sending a first request, the first request being used for requesting a first service; receiving a first response, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response comprising address information of the first awareness network element, the first awareness network element being a network element that associates the first awareness result and the first data.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first request comprises at least one of the following: an identifier of the first service, a first indication, a second indication, location information of the terminal, an identifier of the terminal, or a third indication, the first indication being used to indicate that the first awareness result and the first data are associated, the second indication being used to indicate that a user plane channel between the first awareness network element and the terminal is established, and the third indication being used to indicate that a second awareness result is transmitted through a control plane channel between the first awareness network element and the terminal.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The receiving of the second data from the first awareness network element comprises: receiving the second data from the first awareness network element through a user plane channel, the user plane channel being established according to the address of the first awareness network element.

14. The method of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein, Further comprising: receiving a second awareness result from the first awareness network element through a control plane channel, the second awareness result being determined according to second awareness data from an access network device, and the control plane channel being a control plane channel between the first awareness network element and the terminal.

15. A method of communication, comprising: Comprise: receiving a first request from a terminal, the first request being used to request to subscribe to an awareness service of a first service; sending a first response to the terminal, the first response being a response to the first request, the first response comprising address information of a first awareness network element, the address information of the first awareness network element being used to establish a user plane channel between the terminal and the first awareness network element, the user plane channel being used for the first awareness network element to transmit second data to the terminal, the second data being obtained by associating a first awareness result and first data, the first awareness result being determined according to first awareness data detected by an access network device, the first awareness result comprising information of a terminal-associated target, and the first data being data from an application function network element, the first data and the first awareness result corresponding to the first service.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The first request comprises at least one of the following: an identifier of the first service, a first indication, a second indication, location information of the terminal, an identifier of the terminal, or a third indication, the first indication being used to indicate that the first awareness result and the first data are associated, the second indication being used to indicate that a user plane channel between the first awareness network element and the terminal is established, and the third indication being used to indicate that a second awareness result is transmitted through a control plane channel between the first awareness network element and the terminal.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, Before the sending of the first response to the terminal, further comprising: determining the first awareness network element according to the identifier of the first service and / or the location information of the terminal.

18. The method of any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein, Further comprising: sending a second request to the first awareness network element, the second request being used to request the first awareness network element to associate the first awareness result and the first data.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The second request comprises at least one of the following: The identity of the first service, the first indication, the location information of the terminal, or the identity of the terminal, the first indication being used for indicating the association of the first sensing result and the first data.

20. The method of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein, Further comprising: receiving first information from an application function network element, the first information comprising first data; sending the first data to the first sensing network element.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The first information further comprises an identity of the first service and / or location information corresponding to the first data, and further comprising: determining the first sensing network element according to the identity of the first service and / or the location information corresponding to the first data.

22. The method of any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein, Further comprising: sending a third request to a second sensing network element, the third request being used for requesting to establish a channel between the first sensing network element and the second sensing network element, the channel being used for the second sensing network element to transmit the first sensing result to the first sensing network element, the third request comprising address information of the first sensing network element; receiving a third response from the second sensing network element, the third response being a response to the third request, the third response being used for indicating that the channel between the first sensing network element and the second sensing network element is established successfully.

23. A communications device, characterized by comprising units for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

24. A communications device, characterized by comprising a processor configured to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

25. A communications device, characterized by comprising units for implementing the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

26. A communications device, characterized by comprising a processor configured to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

27. A communications device, characterized by comprising units for implementing the method according to any one of claims 15 to 22.

28. A communications device, characterized by comprising a processor configured to cause the communication apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 15 to 22.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored instructions, when the instructions are executed, causing a communication apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 15 to 22.

30. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises instructions, when the instructions are executed, causing a communication apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, or to perform the method according to any one of claims 15 to 22.

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