Communication method, first network device, first device, communication system, computer program product, and storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first network device, a first device, a communication system, and a storage medium. The method is executed by the first network device. The method comprises: performing transmission mode authorization for a first device, wherein the first device is a device that supports accessing at least two access networks; and the transmission mode comprises at least one of the following: a first mode, wherein the first mode is a mode that supports simultaneous use of two access networks for transmitting different services; and a second mode, wherein the second mode is a mode that supports use of only one access network for transmitting different services at the same time. The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be adapted to a communication mechanism incorporating a DS device.

Description

Communication method, first network device, first device, communication system, computer program product and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, a first network device, a first device, a communication system, a computer program product and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of communication technology, a device for realizing transmission control or transmission handover between two (3GPP, 3rd Generation Partnership Project) access networks, which can be connected to the same or different public land mobile networks (PLMN, Public Land Mobile Network), is introduced, for example, a dual 3GPP access device (exemplarily, which can be referred to as a DS (Dual steer) device).

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] After the introduction of the DS device, the communication mechanism of the network needs to be adjusted.

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first network device, a first device, a communication system, a computer program product and a storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method is performed by a first network device, and the method comprises:

[0007] Performing transmission mode authorization for a first device;

[0008] The first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks; and the transmission mode comprises at least one of the following:

[0009] A first mode, which is a mode supporting simultaneous transmission of different services using two access networks;

[0010] A second mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

[0011] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method is performed by a first device, and the method comprises:

[0012] Receiving first information sent by a first network device;

[0013] The first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result of performing transmission mode authorization; and the transmission mode includes at least one of the following:

[0014] The first mode is a mode supporting transmission of different services by simultaneously using two access networks;

[0015] The second mode is a mode supporting transmission of different services by using only one access network at the same time.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, and the method includes:

[0017] The first network device sends first information to the first device;

[0018] The first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result of performing transmission mode authorization; and the transmission mode includes at least one of the following:

[0019] The first mode is a mode supporting transmission of different services by simultaneously using two access networks;

[0020] The second mode is a mode supporting transmission of different services by using only one access network at the same time.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first network device is provided, and the first network device includes:

[0022] The processing module is configured to:

[0023] perform transmission mode authorization for the first device;

[0024] The first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks, and the transmission mode includes at least one of the following:

[0025] The first mode is a mode supporting transmission of different services by simultaneously using two access networks;

[0026] The second mode is a mode supporting transmission of different services by using only one access network at the same time.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first device is provided, and the first device includes:

[0028] The transceiver module is configured to:

[0029] receive first information sent by a network device;

[0030] The first device is a device supporting access performed on at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result obtained by performing a transmission mode authorization; the transmission mode includes at least one of the following:

[0031] The first mode is a mode supporting transmission of different services by simultaneously using two access networks;

[0032] The second mode is a mode supporting transmission of different services by using only one access network at the same time.

[0033] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, the communication system including a first network device and a first device, wherein the first network device is configured to perform the method of the first aspect, and the first device is configured to perform the method of the second aspect.

[0034] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first network device is provided, the first network device including:

[0035] one or more processors;

[0036] The first network device is configured to perform the communication method of the first aspect.

[0037] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a first device is provided, the first device including:

[0038] one or more processors;

[0039] The first device is configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect.

[0040] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing instructions, when the instructions are run on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the communication method provided by the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0041] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be adapted to the communication mechanism after the introduction of the DS device.

[0042] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure together with the specification.

[0044] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an example embodiment;

[0045] FIG. 1b is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an example embodiment;

[0046] FIG. 1c is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an example embodiment;

[0047] FIG. 2a is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0048] FIG. 3a is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0049] FIG. 3b is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0050] FIG. 4a is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0051] FIG. 4b is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0052] FIG. 5a is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0053] FIG. 6a is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 6b is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0055] FIG. 7a is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first network device according to an example embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 7b is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first device according to an example embodiment;

[0057] FIG. 8a is a schematic diagram of a structure of a UE according to an example embodiment;

[0058] FIG. 8b is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first network device, a first device, a communication system and a storage medium.

[0060] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, performed by a first network device, comprising:

[0061] performing transmission mode authorization for a first device;

[0062] wherein the first device is a device supporting performing access on at least two access networks; and the transmission mode comprises at least one of:

[0063] a first mode, the first mode being a mode supporting transmitting different services using two access networks simultaneously;

[0064] a second mode, the second mode being a mode supporting transmitting different services using only one access network at a same time.

[0065] In the above embodiments, the first network device can perform transmission mode authorization for the first device supporting performing access on at least two access networks, and authorize the first device to transmit services in the first mode and / or the second mode, so that the first device can explicitly and reliably transmit services based on the authorized transmission mode.

[0066] With reference to the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the performing transmission mode authorization for the first device comprises:

[0067] performing transmission mode authorization for the first device in a process of session establishment;

[0068] wherein the session comprises one of:

[0069] a first session, the first session being a session established through the first access network;

[0070] a second session, the second session being a session established through the second access network.

[0071] In the above embodiments, the process of session establishment can be reused to perform transmission mode authorization for the first device, and the authorization process is more secure and efficient.

[0072] With reference to the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0073] sending first information to the first device;

[0074] wherein the first information is used to indicate an authorization result obtained by performing transmission mode authorization.

[0075] In the above embodiments, after obtaining the authorization result by performing transmission mode authorization for the first device, the first device can be sent the authorization result obtained by performing transmission mode authorization in a timely manner through the first information.

[0076] With reference to the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0077] In the above embodiments, after receiving the first information, the first device can explicitly determine, based on the first information, that the authorized transmission mode is the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0078] In some embodiments, in combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, the sending the first information to the first device comprises:

[0079] In the process of session establishment, the first information is sent to the first device.

[0080] The session comprises one of:

[0081] The first session is a session established through a first access network.

[0082] The second session is a session established through a second access network.

[0083] In the above embodiments, the first information can be sent to the first device by reusing the session establishment process, so that the transmission of the first information is more secure and efficient.

[0084] In some embodiments, in combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

[0085] The second information sent by the first device is received.

[0086] The second information is used to request the first network device to authorize the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0087] In the above embodiments, since the first network device can receive the second information used to request the first network device to authorize the first mode and / or the second mode, the first mode and / or the second mode can be authorized based on the request of the first device, so that the needs of the first device can be better adapted.

[0088] In some embodiments, in combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, the second information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0089] In the above embodiments, the first network device first determines, based on the second information, that the first mode and / or the second mode is requested by the first device.

[0090] In some embodiments, in combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, the receiving the second information sent by the first device comprises:

[0091] In the process of session establishment, the second information sent by the first device is received.

[0092] The session comprises one of:

[0093] a first session, the first session being a session established through a first access network;

[0094] a second session, the second session being a session established through a second access network.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the process of session establishment can be reused to receive the second information sent by the first device, so that the transmission of the second information can be more efficient and secure.

[0096] In combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0097] In the second session establishment process, it is determined whether the transmission mode of the second information request is an authorized transmission mode in the first session establishment process;

[0098] If the transmission mode of the second information request is not an authorized transmission mode, it is determined that the second session establishment fails.

[0099] In the above embodiment, if the transmission mode of the second information request is not an authorized transmission mode, it is determined that the second session establishment fails in time, facilitating the first device to initiate a subsequent process.

[0100] In combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0101] sending third information to the first device;

[0102] The third information is used to indicate that the reason for the failure of the second session establishment is that the request transmission mode is inconsistent with the authorized transmission mode.

[0103] In the above embodiment, after determining that the second session establishment fails, the first network device sends third information to the first device in time, which is used to indicate that the reason for the failure of the second session establishment is that the request transmission mode is inconsistent with the authorized transmission mode, so that the first device can determine the specific reason for the failure of the second session establishment, and facilitate the first device to initiate a subsequent process.

[0104] In combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the performing of the transmission mode authorization includes:

[0105] performing the transmission mode authorization based on fourth information;

[0106] The fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0107] characteristic information of the first device, the characteristic information being used to indicate that the first device includes a single user equipment or the first device includes multiple user equipments;

[0108] the subscription information of the first device indicates a supported transmission mode;

[0109] the first device requests an authorized transmission mode;

[0110] an operator policy of a subscription operator.

[0111] In the above embodiments, the transmission mode authorization can be performed based on different fourth information, so that the authorization result is more accurate and reliable.

[0112] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method is performed by a first device, and the method comprises:

[0113] receiving first information sent by a first network device;

[0114] The first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result obtained by performing transmission mode authorization; the transmission mode comprises at least one of the following:

[0115] a first mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using two access networks at the same time;

[0116] a second mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

[0117] In combination with the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0118] In combination with the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the receiving of the first information sent by the first network device comprises:

[0119] receiving the first information sent by the first network device in a session establishment process;

[0120] The session comprises one of the following:

[0121] a first session, which is a session established through a first access network;

[0122] a second session, which is a session established through a second access network.

[0123] In combination with the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0124] sending second information to the first network device;

[0125] The second information is used to request the first network device to authorize the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0126] With reference to the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0127] With reference to the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the sending the second information to the first network device comprises:

[0128] sending the second information to the first network device during session establishment;

[0129] The session comprises one of:

[0130] a first session, the first session being a session established through a first access network;

[0131] a second session, the second session being a session established through a second access network.

[0132] With reference to the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0133] receiving third information sent by the first network device;

[0134] The third information is used to indicate that a reason for failure of establishment of the second session is that a requested transmission mode is inconsistent with an authorized transmission mode.

[0135] With reference to the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0136] determining whether to initiate a service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information.

[0137] With reference to the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the determining whether to initiate the service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information comprises:

[0138] determining whether to initiate the service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information based on fifth information;

[0139] The fifth information comprises at least one of:

[0140] a power level of the first device;

[0141] sixth information associated with the first device, the sixth information being used to determine whether a current radio access condition supports the authorized transmission mode.

[0142] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0143] The first network device sends first information to the first device;

[0144] The first device supports access on at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result obtained by performing transmission mode authorization; the transmission mode includes at least one of the following:

[0145] A first mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services by simultaneously using two access networks;

[0146] A second mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services by using only one access network at the same time.

[0147] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first network device, which includes:

[0148] A processing module configured to:

[0149] perform transmission mode authorization for the first device;

[0150] The first device supports access on at least two access networks, and the transmission mode includes at least one of the following:

[0151] A first mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services by simultaneously using two access networks;

[0152] A second mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services by using only one access network at the same time.

[0153] In a fifth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first device, which includes:

[0154] A transceiver module configured to:

[0155] receive first information sent by a network device;

[0156] The first device supports access on at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result obtained by performing transmission mode authorization; the transmission mode includes at least one of the following:

[0157] A first mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services by simultaneously using two access networks;

[0158] A second mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services by using only one access network at the same time.

[0159] In a sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system, the communication system comprising a first network device and a first device, the first network device being configured to implement the communication method provided in the first aspect, and the first device being configured to implement the communication method provided in the second aspect.

[0160] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first network device, the first network device comprising:

[0161] one or more processors;

[0162] The first network device is configured to implement the communication method provided in the first aspect.

[0163] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first device, the first device comprising:

[0164] one or more processors;

[0165] The first device is configured to implement the communication method provided in the second aspect.

[0166] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the communication method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0167] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, when the program product is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0168] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0169] In a twelfth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or a chip system. The chip or the chip system comprises processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0170] It can be understood that the above-mentioned first network device, first device, communication system, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip or chip system are all used to perform the method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved are referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0171] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first network device, a first device, a communication system and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the communication method and the information processing method, the information transmission method and the like can be replaced with each other, and the communication system and the information processing system and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0172] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing part of the steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, part or all of the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0173] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0174] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0175] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the elements expressed in singular form, such as "one", "a", "the", "above", "said", "preceding", "this" and the like, can represent "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one" and the like. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" and the like in English, the noun after the article can be understood as singular expression, or can be understood as plural expression.

[0176] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0177] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0178] In some embodiments, "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "in one case A, in another case B", "responsive to case A, responsive to case B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option), in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are performed).

[0179] In some embodiments, "A or B" and the like, can be interpreted to include both cases, A and B, in some embodiments, A (A is performed regardless of B), in some embodiments, B (B is performed regardless of A), in some embodiments, selected from the group consisting of A and B (the selection between A and B is an option).

[0180] In some embodiments, the prefix words "first", "second", and the like, are used only to distinguish different description objects, and do not limit the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the description objects, and the description of the description objects should be referred to the description in the claims or embodiments, and should not be construed as redundant limitations because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by them are in the same message or not, nor limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description object is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more, for example, "first device", in which the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the description object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, the description object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0181] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A", can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0182] In some embodiments, the terms "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0183] In some embodiments, the terms "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above", and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "fewer than", "fewer than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0184] In some embodiments, the apparatuses and devices can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and in some cases can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", and the like.

[0185] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus included in the network, such as an access network device, a core network device, and the like.

[0186] In some embodiments, an “access network device (AN device)” can also be referred to as a “radio access network device (RAN device),” a “base station (BS),” a “radio base station,” a “fixed station,” and in some embodiments can also be understood as a “node,” an “access point,” a “transmission point (TP),” a “reception point (RP),” a “transmission / reception point (TRP),” a “panel,” an “antenna panel,” an “antenna array,” a “cell,” a “macro cell,” a “small cell,” a “femto cell,” a “pico cell,” a “sector,” a “cell group,” a “serving cell,” a “carrier,” a “component carrier,” a “bandwidth part (BWP),” and the like.

[0187] In some embodiments, a "terminal" or "terminal device" can be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE), a "user terminal," a "mobile station" (MS), a "mobile terminal" (MT), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, and / or the like.

[0188] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained in compliance with laws and regulations of a country where a location is situated.

[0189] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained after consent of a user is obtained.

[0190] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in a table of embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and a combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0191] FIG. 1a is an architecture schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 1a, the communication system 100 includes a first device 101 and a first network device 102.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first device 101 can be a terminal.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first network device 102 can be an access network device or a core network device.

[0195] In some embodiments, the terminal includes at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a communication-capable automobile, a smart automobile, a tablet (Pad), a wireless transceiver-equipped computer, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0196] In some embodiments, the access network device can be at least one of a node or a device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, and can include an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an Open RAN, a Cloud RAN, a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0197] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be applied to an Open RAN architecture, in which case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0198] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the access network device, with some of the protocol layers being controlled by the CU and the rest of the protocol layers or all of the protocol layers being distributed in the DUs and controlled by the CU, but is not limited thereto.

[0199] In some embodiments, the core network device can be one device including one or more network elements, or can be multiple devices or device groups including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element can be virtual or physical. The core network includes at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next-generation core (NGC).

[0200] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0201] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1a or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1a are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1a, or can include other subjects other than those in FIG. 1a. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, and the connection relationship between the subjects is exemplary. The subjects can be connected or not connected, and the connection can be in any manner, can be direct connection or indirect connection, and can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0202] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based thereon, and the like. In addition, a plurality of systems can be combined (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0203] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical solutions of the present disclosure are described below through some exemplary embodiments:

[0204] In some embodiments, the Dualsteer device supports traffic steering and handover of user data (for different services) across two 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access networks connected to the same or different Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks. The following are examples of Dualsteer device support:

[0205] 1. Two New Radio (NR) or 5GC accesses in a single PLMN (Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) or Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN)), each access can be NR Terrestrial Network (TN) or NR Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN);

[0206] 2. Two NR or 5GC accesses in two different PLMNs (including two VPLMNs or VPLMN and HPLMN), each access is NR TN or NR NTN;

[0207] 3. NR or 5GC access and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) or Evolved Packet Core (EPC) access in two different PLMNs (including two VPLMNs or VPLMN and HPLMN);

[0208] 4. NR or 5GC access and E-UTRA or EPC access in a single PLMN (HPLMN or VPLMN);

[0209] See Figure 1b, which illustrates a Dualsteer architecture with two 3GPP accesses belonging to one PLMN.

[0210] See Figure 1c, which illustrates a Dualsteer architecture with two 3GPP accesses (one belonging to VPLMN and the other to HPLMN).

[0211] In some embodiments, a dual 3GPP access device (exemplarily, can be referred to as a DS (Dual steer) device) can be a single terminal with dual Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM).

[0212] In some embodiments, the DS device can be two independent terminals each with a single USIM.

[0213] In some embodiments, the DS device has two subscriptions or Subscription Permanent Identifiers (SUPIs) that share one subscription profile from the same operator.

[0214] In some embodiments, for any particular service, at any given time, the Dual steer device should use only a single 3GPP access network to send all traffic for that service.

[0215] In some embodiments, for the Dual steer device, transmission modes for simultaneous data traffic or non-simultaneous data traffic of different services on two networks need to be considered. For example, the simultaneous transmission mode allows service A traffic using one 3GPP access and service B traffic using another 3GPP access at the same time, while the non-simultaneous transmission mode allows only one 3GPP access to be used for traffic at any given time.

[0216] In some embodiments, for the case where the device is a single UE, the non-simultaneous data transmission mode is preferred. In the case where the device is two separate UEs, simultaneous data transmission can be used.

[0217] FIG. 2a is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, for a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0218] Step S2101: The first device sends second information to the first network device.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first network device receives the second information sent by the first device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first device is a device for implementing transmission control or transmission switching between two 3GPP access networks connected to the same or different PLMNs, for example, the first device can be a dual steer device. It should be noted that the dual steer device is not limited to be referred to as a dual 3GPP access device or a dual steering device or a dual control device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first network device can be a session management function (SMF), for example, a home network H-SMF. It should be noted that the network device in the present disclosure can also be referred to as a network element, a function or a network node, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0223] In some embodiments, the second information is used to request the first network device to authorize the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first mode is a mode of supporting simultaneous use of two access networks to transmit different services.

[0225] In some embodiments, the second mode is a mode of supporting use of only one access network to transmit different services at the same time.

[0226] In some embodiments, the second information contains information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0227] In some embodiments, the second information is received in a session establishment process.

[0228] In some embodiments, the session includes one of the following:

[0229] The first session is a session established through a first access network;

[0230] The second session is a session established through a second access network.

[0231] In some embodiments, the second session is established after the first session is established.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first session is a session established by UE1 of the first device.

[0233] In some embodiments, the second session is a session established by UE2 of the first device.

[0234] In some embodiments, the session is a protocol data unit (PDU) session.

[0235] Step S2102: The first network device performs transmission mode authorization.

[0236] In some embodiments, the transmission mode authorization is performed for the first device, and an authorization result is obtained.

[0237] In some embodiments, the transmission mode authorization is performed for the first device after the second information is received.

[0238] In some embodiments, the transmission mode includes at least one of the following:

[0239] A first mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services using two access networks at the same time;

[0240] A second mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

[0241] In some embodiments, the transmission mode authorization is performed for the first device in a process of session establishment.

[0242] In some embodiments, the session includes one of the following:

[0243] A first session, which is a session established through a first access network;

[0244] A second session, which is a session established through a second access network.

[0245] In some embodiments, the session is a PDU session.

[0246] In some embodiments, the transmission mode authorization is performed based on fourth information.

[0247] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0248] Feature information of the first device, which is used to indicate that the first device includes a single user equipment or the first device includes multiple user equipments (it should be noted that the first device includes a single user equipment or the first device includes multiple user equipments can be understood as having different capabilities);

[0249] Supported transmission modes indicated by subscription information of the first device;

[0250] Transmission modes requested by the first device to be authorized;

[0251] Operator policy of a subscription operator.

[0252] Step S2103: The first network device sends the first information to the first device.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first device receives the first information sent by the first network device.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate an authorization result of performing a transmission mode authorization.

[0255] In some embodiments, the authorization result is used to indicate that the first mode and / or the second mode is authorized.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first information is sent to the first device in a process of establishing a session.

[0258] In some embodiments, the session comprises one of:

[0259] a first session, the first session being a session established through a first access network;

[0260] a second session, the second session being a session established through a second access network.

[0261] In some embodiments, the session is a PDU session.

[0262] Step S2104: The first network device determines whether a transmission mode of the second information request is a transmission mode authorized in a process of establishing the first session.

[0263] In some embodiments, the determination of whether the transmission mode of the second information request is the transmission mode authorized in the process of establishing the first session is performed in a process of establishing the second session.

[0264] In some embodiments, if the transmission mode of the second information request is not the authorized transmission mode, it is determined that the establishment of the second session fails.

[0265] Step S2105: The first network device sends third information to the first device.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first device receives the third information sent by the first network device.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first network device determines that the establishment of the second session fails, and sends the third information to the first device.

[0268] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate that a reason for the establishment of the second session failing is that a requested transmission mode is inconsistent with an authorized transmission mode.

[0269] Step S2106: The first device determines whether to initiate service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first device determines whether to initiate service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information based on fifth information.

[0271] In some embodiments, the fifth information comprises at least one of:

[0272] The power of the first device;

[0273] Sixth information associated with the first device, wherein the sixth information is used to determine whether the current radio access condition supports the authorized transmission mode.

[0274] In some embodiments, the term "information" can be mutually replaced with the terms "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", "data", and the like.

[0275] In some embodiments, the term "send" can be mutually replaced with the terms "transmit", "report", "transport", and the like.

[0276] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can comprise at least one of steps S2101 to S2106. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2102 in combination with step S2103, step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 in combination with step S2102, step S2103 and step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 in combination with step S2103, step S2104, step S2105 and step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto. It should be noted that each step can be independently implemented, or in the case of no contradiction, the order can be arbitrarily exchanged and freely combined for implementation.

[0277] FIG. 3a is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a first network device, and the method comprises the following steps.

[0278] Step S3101: receiving second information sent by the first device.

[0279] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0280] Step S3102: performing transmission mode authorization.

[0281] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0282] Step S3103: sending first information to the first device.

[0283] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0284] Step S3104: determining whether the transmission mode requested by the second information is a transmission mode authorized in the first session establishment process.

[0285] The optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0286] Step S3105: sending third information to the first device.

[0287] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0288] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3101 to S3105. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3102 in combination with step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101 in combination with step S3102 and step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3102 in combination with step S3103, step S3104 and step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It should be noted that each step can be implemented independently, or in the case of no contradiction, the order can be changed and combined freely.

[0289] FIG. 3b is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3b, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which is performed by a first network device, and the above method includes:

[0290] Step S3201: performing transmission mode authorization for the first device.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks; and the transmission mode includes at least one of:

[0292] a first mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using two access networks at the same time;

[0293] a second mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

[0294] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 of FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0295] In some embodiments, the performing transmission mode authorization for the first device includes:

[0296] performing transmission mode authorization for the first device in a session establishment process;

[0297] The session includes one of:

[0298] a first session, which is a session established through a first access network;

[0299] a second session, which is a session established through a second access network.

[0300] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0301] sending first information to the first device;

[0302] wherein the first information is used to indicate an authorization result of performing a transmission mode authorization.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0304] In some embodiments, the sending first information to the first device comprises:

[0305] sending the first information to the first device in a process of session establishment;

[0306] wherein the session comprises one of:

[0307] a first session, the first session being a session established through a first access network;

[0308] a second session, the second session being a session established through a second access network.

[0309] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0310] receiving second information sent by the first device;

[0311] wherein the second information is used to request the first network device to authorize the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0312] In some embodiments, the second information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0313] In some embodiments, the receiving second information sent by the first device comprises:

[0314] receiving the second information sent by the first device in a process of session establishment;

[0315] wherein the session comprises one of:

[0316] a first session, the first session being a session established through a first access network;

[0317] a second session, the second session being a session established through a second access network.

[0318] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0319] In the second session establishment process, it is determined whether the transmission mode of the second information request is a transmission mode authorized in the first session establishment process;

[0320] If the transmission mode of the second information request is not an authorized transmission mode, it is determined that the second session establishment fails.

[0321] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0322] sending third information to the first device;

[0323] The third information is used to indicate that the reason for the failure of the second session establishment is that the requested transmission mode is inconsistent with the authorized transmission mode.

[0324] In some embodiments, the performing of the transmission mode authorization comprises:

[0325] performing the transmission mode authorization based on fourth information;

[0326] The fourth information comprises at least one of the following:

[0327] feature information of the first device, the feature information being used to indicate that the first device comprises a single user equipment or the first device comprises multiple user equipments;

[0328] supported transmission modes indicated by subscription information of the first device;

[0329] a transmission mode requested by the first device to be authorized;

[0330] an operator policy of a subscription operator.

[0331] FIG. 4a is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a first device, and the above method comprises:

[0332] Step S4101: sending second information to a first network device.

[0333] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0334] Step S4102: receiving first information sent by the first network device.

[0335] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0336] Step S4103: receiving third information sent by the first network device.

[0337] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0338] Step S4104: determining whether to initiate service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information.

[0339] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0340] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S4101 to S4104. For example, step S4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S4103 in combination with step S4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4101 in combination with step S4103 and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4102 in combination with step S4103 and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4101 in combination with step S4102, step S4103 and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto. It should be noted that each step can be independently implemented, or in the case of no contradiction, the order can be arbitrarily exchanged and freely combined for implementation.

[0341] FIG. 4b is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4b, the communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure is executed by a first device, and the above method includes:

[0342] Step S4201: receiving first information sent by a first network device.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorized result obtained by performing transmission mode authorization; the transmission mode includes at least one of the following:

[0344] The first mode is a mode supporting simultaneous transmission of different services using two access networks;

[0345] The second mode is a mode of supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

[0346] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved by FIG. 2a, which are not described herein again.

[0347] In some embodiments, the first information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0348] In some embodiments, the receiving the first information sent by the first network device comprises:

[0349] In the process of session establishment, the first information sent by the first network device is received.

[0350] The session comprises one of the following:

[0351] The first session is a session established through a first access network.

[0352] The second session is a session established through a second access network.

[0353] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0354] The second information is sent to the first network device.

[0355] The second information is used to request the first network device to authorize the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0356] In some embodiments, the second information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

[0357] In some embodiments, the sending the second information to the first network device comprises:

[0358] In the process of session establishment, the second information is sent to the first network device.

[0359] The session comprises one of the following:

[0360] The first session is a session established through a first access network.

[0361] The second session is a session established through a second access network.

[0362] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0363] The third information sent by the first network device is received.

[0364] The third information is used to indicate that the second session establishment fails because a request transmission mode is inconsistent with an authorized transmission mode.

[0365] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0366] Determining whether to initiate service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information.

[0367] In some embodiments, the determining whether to initiate service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information comprises:

[0368] Determining whether to initiate service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information based on fifth information;

[0369] The fifth information comprises at least one of:

[0370] The power of the first device;

[0371] Sixth information associated with the first device, wherein the sixth information is used to determine whether the current radio access condition supports the authorized transmission mode.

[0372] FIG. 5a is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is used for the communication system 100, and the method comprises one of the following steps:

[0373] Step S5101: The first network device sends first information to the first device.

[0374] In some embodiments, the first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result obtained by performing transmission mode authorization; the transmission mode comprises at least one of:

[0375] A first mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using two access networks at the same time;

[0376] A second mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

[0377] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of the step and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0378] In some embodiments, the above method can comprise the method of the above-mentioned communication system side, terminal side, network device side, and the like, which will not be described here.

[0379] For better understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is further illustrated below through some exemplary embodiments:

[0380] In some embodiments, the first network element (corresponding to the first network device) authorizes a transmission mode and sends the authorized transmission mode to the multi-connectivity device (corresponding to the first device); wherein the transmission mode at least includes one of the following: a concurrent transmission mode (corresponding to the first mode) indicating that different services can be transmitted using two access networks at the same time; a non-concurrent transmission mode (corresponding to the second mode) indicating that only one of the access networks can be used to transmit different services at the same time.

[0381] The multi-connectivity device at least supports simultaneous use of two 3GPP access networks.

[0382] In some embodiments, before the first network element authorizes the transmission mode, the method further comprises:

[0383] Receiving a transmission mode request (corresponding to the second information) from the multi-connectivity device, wherein the transmission mode request contains a request for concurrent transmission or non-concurrent transmission by the multi-connectivity device.

[0384] In some embodiments, the first network element authorizes the transmission mode according to at least one of the following information (corresponding to the fourth information):

[0385] The multi-connectivity device capability, wherein the capability indicates a single terminal device or a plurality of terminal devices;

[0386] The subscription information of the multi-connectivity device indicating the supported transmission mode;

[0387] The transmission mode requested by the multi-connectivity device;

[0388] The operation policy of the multi-connectivity device's subscription operator.

[0389] In some embodiments, the first network element authorizes a transmission mode and sends the authorized transmission mode to the multi-connectivity device at the time of establishing a first session. Wherein the first session is a session established through a first 3GPP access.

[0390] In some embodiments, the multi-connectivity device sends a transmission mode request in a first session establishment request.

[0391] In some embodiments, the first network element authorizes a transmission mode and sends the authorized transmission mode to the multi-connectivity device at the time of establishing a second session. Wherein the second session is a session established through a second 3GPP access. Before the second session, the multi-connectivity device has established the first session.

[0392] In some embodiments, in the second session establishment request, the multi-access device sends a transmission mode request.

[0393] In some embodiments, the first network element checks whether the transmission mode requested by the multi-access device conforms to the authorized transmission mode, and returns a second session establishment request failure if not.

[0394] In some embodiments, the second session establishment failure message further contains a cause value indicating transmission mode request failure.

[0395] In some embodiments, the multi-access terminal device decides whether to initiate a transmission mode corresponding to the authorized transmission mode.

[0396] In some embodiments, the multi-access terminal at least further decides whether to initiate a transmission mode corresponding to the authorized transmission mode according to one of the following information: power of the multi-access device; and wireless condition used by the multi-access device to determine whether the current wireless access supports the corresponding authorized transmission mode.

[0397] Example 1

[0398] Referring to FIG. 6a, a communication method is provided, which includes:

[0399] Step S6101: UE1 of the DualSteer device performs registration.

[0400] In some embodiments, UE1 of the DualSteer device registers with the 5GC through the access and mobility management function AMF1 (Access and Mobility Management Function) using SUPI1, and receives a DS user route selection policy (URSP, UE Route Selection Policy) rule.

[0401] Step S6102: UE1 sends a request message for session establishment.

[0402] In some embodiments, using SUPI1 and PDU session identification ID1, UE1 sends a PDU session establishment request message (corresponding to the second information) of the initial request type. If the DualSteer device has simultaneous transmission capability, a transmission mode indicating simultaneous transmission is requested in the request message.

[0403] Step S6103: Select SMF.

[0404] In some embodiments, the AMF selects an SMF1 (such as H-SMF) supporting dual connection control function.

[0405] Step S6104: The AMF sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request (corresponding to the second information) to the H-SMF.

[0406] In some embodiments, SUPI1, PDU session ID1 and the transmission mode (simultaneous transmission) are included in the request message and sent to the H-SMF.

[0407] Step S6105: The H-SMF retrieves session management subscription data from the Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0408] In some embodiments, if UE1 belongs to a Dualsteer device, the SUPI2 (DS SUPI2) of UE2 belonging to the same device is returned to the H-SMF. The transmission mode subscription of the Dualsteer device can be included in the session management subscription data.

[0409] Step S6106: The H-SMF authorizes the transmission mode request received from UE1.

[0410] In some embodiments, the transmission mode information in the session subscription data is used to indicate the operator policy whether simultaneous transmission is allowed, and the indication whether a single UE or two separate UEs can be considered for authorization.

[0411] Step S6107: The H-SMF sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response (corresponding to the first information) to the AMF1 via the V-SMF.

[0412] In some embodiments, if the simultaneous transmission is authorized by the H-SMF, a simultaneous transmission allowed indication is included in the message.

[0413] Step S6108: The H-SMF establishes a session management (SM) policy association, and includes the DS SUPI (SUPI2) in the request in addition to SUPI1. The Policy Control Function (PCF) provides policy and charging control (PCC) rules for the DS PDU session.

[0414] Step S6109: The H-SMF establishes an N4 session with the UPF. The H-SMF generates N4 rules similar to the MA PDU session.

[0415] Step S6110: The AMF1 sends a PDU session establishment accept to UE1, while sending a simultaneous transmission allowed indication (corresponding to the first information) to UE1.

[0416] Step S6111: H-SMF registers the PDU session to UDM.

[0417] Step S6112: If the DS device has not registered to SUPI2 by the second access, it registers and receives DS URSP rules in this step;

[0418] Step S6113: If the Dualsteer determines to use simultaneous transmission for service 1 and service 2 on both 3GPP accesses, it instructs the UE2 of the device to initiate PDU session 2 establishment.

[0419] In some embodiments, the determination process can be performed based on the information of simultaneous transmission allowed indication received in step S6110, whether each UE meets the power condition of simultaneous transmission, whether the radio condition of simultaneous transmission is allowed, etc.

[0420] Step S6114: UE2 of the device sends a PDU session 2 establishment request to AMF2. SUPI2, PDU session ID2 are contained in the message.

[0421] Step S6115: Select SMF.

[0422] In some embodiments, AMF2 selects V-SMF (e.g. SMF2) based on the current mechanism, and selects the same H-SMF based on PDU session ID 1 for the dualsteer device.

[0423] Step S6116: AMF2 sends Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request to V-SMF, and further sends Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request to H-SMF.

[0424] Step S6117: H-SMF obtains SM subscription data of the device, and determines whether simultaneous transmission is allowed.

[0425] In some embodiments, H-SMF obtains SM subscription data of the device, including DS SUPI (containing SUPI1), transmission mode subscription, etc.

[0426] In some embodiments, H-SMF checks whether the device is allowed to perform simultaneous transmission. If simultaneous transmission is not allowed, PDU session 2 establishment fails, and a cause value (corresponding to the third information) indicating that simultaneous transmission is not allowed is sent to the UE. Or H-SMF allows PDU session 2 establishment and releases PDU session 1. Otherwise, the following steps are performed.

[0427] Step S6118: Perform the other steps of Figure 4.3.2.2.1-1 in TS 23.502 for PDU Session 2 establishment.

[0428] Step S6119: AMF 2 sends a PDU Session 2 establishment accept message to UE 2 of the dual steer device.

[0429] Example 2

[0430] Referring to Figure 6b, a method of communication is provided that includes:

[0431] Step S6201: UE 1 of the dual steer device registers with the 5GC using SUPI 1 through AMF 1 and receives a DS URSP rule.

[0432] Step S6202: Send a PDU Session establishment request. UE 1 sends a PDU Session establishment request with SUPI 1, PDU Session ID 1, and request type as initial request.

[0433] Step S6203: Select SMF. AMF selects SMF 1 (H-SMF) that supports dual steer capability.

[0434] Step S6204: AMF sends a Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request to H-SMF. SUPI 1, PDU Session ID 1 are included in the message.

[0435] Step S6205: H-SMF retrieves SM subscription data from UDM.

[0436] In some embodiments, if UE 1 belongs to a dual steer device, the SUPI 2 (DS SUPI 2) of UE 2 that belongs to the same device is returned to the H-SMF. The transmission mode subscription of the dual steer device can be included in the SM subscription data.

[0437] Step S6206: H-SMF sends a Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext response to AMF 1 via V-SMF.

[0438] Step S6207: H-SMF establishes SM policy association and includes DS SUPI (SUPI 2) in the request in addition to SUPI 1. PCF provides PCC rules for the DS PDU Session.

[0439] Step S6208: H-SMF establishes N4 session with UPF. H-SMF generates N4 rules similar to MA PDU Session.

[0440] Step S6209: AMF1 sends PDU session establishment accept to UE1 of the dual steer device.

[0441] Step S6210: H-SMF registers the PDU session to UDM.

[0442] Step S6211: If the DS device has not registered to SUPI2 by the second access, it registers and receives the DS URSP rules in this step.

[0443] Step S6212: If the dual steer determines to use simultaneous transmission for service 1 and service 2 on both 3GPP accesses, it indicates the device’s UE2 to initiate PDU session 2 establishment.

[0444] In some embodiments, the determination procedure can be performed based on whether the device capability allows to use simultaneous transmission, whether the power condition of each UE meets the simultaneous transmission, whether the radio condition allows the simultaneous transmission, etc.

[0445] Step S6213: UE2 of the device sends PDU session2 establishment request to AMF2. The message contains SUPI2, PDU session ID2, transmission mode indicating the request of simultaneous transmission.

[0446] Step S6214: Select SMF. AMF2 selects V-SMF (SMF2) based on the current mechanism and the same H-SMF based on PDU session ID 1 for the dual steer device.

[0447] Step S6215: AMF2 sends Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request to V-SMF and further sends Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request to H-SMF.

[0448] In some embodiments, SUPI2, PDU session ID2 and transmission mode (simultaneous transmission) are contained in the request message and sent to H-SMF.

[0449] Step S6216: H-SMF authorizes the transmission mode request received from UE2.

[0450] In some embodiments, the transmission mode information in the SM subscription data, the operator policy indicating whether the simultaneous transmission is allowed, the indication whether a single UE or two separate UEs can be considered for authorization.

[0451] Step S6217: Perform other steps of Figure 4.3.2.2.1-1 in TS 23.502 for PDU session 2 establishment.

[0452] Step S6218: AMF2 sends a PDU session 2 establishment accept message to UE2 of the dualsteer device. The simultaneous transmission allowance indication (corresponding to the first information) is also sent to UE2.

[0453] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps, and optional implementation manners thereof, can be combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or can be combined with optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0454] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is also proposed, comprising units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (such as an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0455] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus includes a processor connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or realize the functions of each unit or module of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is, for example, a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the above units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship of the elements in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all units or modules can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part of the units or modules are implemented in the form of processor calling software, and the remaining part is implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0456] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0457] FIG. 7a is a structural schematic diagram of the first network device 7100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7a, the first network device 7100 can include at least one of a transceiver module 7101, a processing module 7102, and the like. Optionally, the transceiver module 7101 is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps, such as transmitting and / or receiving, performed by the first network device 7100 in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein. Optionally, the processing module 7102 is configured to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first network device 7100 in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein.

[0458] FIG. 7b is a structural schematic diagram of the first device 7200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7b, the first device 7200 can include at least one of a transceiver module 7201, a processing module 7202, and the like. Optionally, the transceiver module 7201 is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., receiving and / or transmitting) performed by the terminal 7200 in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 can include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module 7201 can be replaced by a transceiver. Optionally, the processing module 7202 is configured to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first device 7200 in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again.

[0459] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a module or can include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules perform all or part of the steps required to be performed by the processing module, respectively. Optionally, the processing module can be replaced by a processor.

[0460] FIG. 8a is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 8100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, or the like), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment or the like), a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, details of which can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0461] As shown in FIG. 8a, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be configured to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be configured to control the communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, or the like), execute programs, and process data of the programs. The communication device 8100 is configured to perform any of the above methods.

[0462] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 configured to store instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8102 can also be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0463] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps of transmitting and / or receiving in the above-described methods, and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0464] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms of transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, the terms of transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, and the terms of receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other.

[0465] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 can include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected with the memory 8102, and the interface circuit 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 can read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0466] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 can not be limited by Figure 8a. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally also include storage components for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) other, etc.

[0467] Figure 8b is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 8100 is a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 8200 shown in Figure 8b can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0468] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201, and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0469] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuits 8202 are connected with the memory 8203, and the interface circuits 8202 can be configured to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and the interface circuits 8202 can be configured to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0470] In some embodiments, the interface circuits 8202 perform at least one of the communication steps of sending and / or receiving in the above-described methods, and the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0471] In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be replaced by each other.

[0472] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8203 can be outside the chip 8200.

[0473] The disclosure also proposes a storage medium, and the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions run on the communication device 8100, the communication device 8100 performs any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited to this, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0474] The disclosure also proposes a program product, and when the program product is executed by the communication device 8100, the communication device 8100 performs any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0475] The disclosure also proposes a computer program, and when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer performs any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first network device, and the method comprises: performing transmission mode authorization for a first device; wherein the first device is a device supporting access over at least two access networks; and the transmission mode comprises at least one of the following: a first mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using two access networks simultaneously; a second mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The performing of the transmission mode authorization for the first device comprises: performing the transmission mode authorization for the first device in a session establishment process; wherein the session comprises one of the following: a first session, which is a session established through a first access network; a second session, which is a session established through a second access network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: sending first information to the first device; wherein the first information is used to indicate an authorization result obtained by performing the transmission mode authorization.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The sending of the first information to the first device comprises: sending the first information to the first device in a session establishment process; wherein the session comprises one of the following: a first session, which is a session established through a first access network; a second session, which is a session established through a second access network.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving second information sent by the first device; wherein the second information is used to request the first network device to authorize the first mode and / or the second mode.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The second information comprises information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The receiving of the second information sent by the first device comprises: receiving the second information sent by the first device in a session establishment process; wherein the session comprises one of the following: a first session, which is a session established through a first access network; a second session, which is a session established through a second access network.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method further comprises: determining, in the session establishment process, whether the transmission mode requested by the second information is a transmission mode authorized in the first session establishment process; if the transmission mode requested by the second information is not the authorized transmission mode, determining that the second session establishment fails.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The method further comprises: sending third information to the first device; wherein the third information is used to indicate that the reason for the failure of the second session establishment is that the requested transmission mode is inconsistent with the authorized transmission mode.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The performing of the transmission mode authorization comprises: performing the transmission mode authorization based on fourth information; wherein the fourth information comprises at least one of the following: feature information of the first device, which is used to indicate that the first device comprises a single user equipment or the first device comprises multiple user equipments; subscription information of the first device, which is used to indicate a supported transmission mode; a transmission mode requested by the first device to be authorized; an operator policy of a subscription operator.

12. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first device, and the method comprises: receiving first information sent by a first network device; wherein the first device is a device supporting access over at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result of performing transmission mode authorization; the transmission mode includes at least one of the following: a first mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using two access networks simultaneously; a second mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The first information includes information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The receiving first information sent by the first network device includes: receiving first information sent by a first network device during session establishment; wherein the session includes one of the following: a first session, which is a session established through a first access network; a second session, which is a session established through a second access network.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending second information to the first network device; wherein the second information is used to request the first network device to authorize the first mode and / or the second mode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The second information includes information of the first mode and / or the second mode.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The sending second information to the first network device includes: sending second information to the first network device during session establishment; wherein the session includes one of the following: a first session, which is a session established through a first access network; a second session, which is a session established through a second access network.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The method further includes: receiving third information sent by the first network device; wherein the third information is used to indicate that a reason for failure of establishing the second session is that a requested transmission mode is inconsistent with an authorized transmission mode.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: determining whether to initiate a service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The determining whether to initiate the service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information includes: determining whether to initiate the service based on the authorized transmission mode indicated by the first information based on fifth information; wherein the fifth information includes at least one of the following: a power of the first device; sixth information associated with the first device, wherein the sixth information is used to determine whether a current radio access condition supports the authorized transmission mode.

21. A method of communication, comprising: The method includes: a first network device sending first information to a first device; wherein the first device is a device supporting access over at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result of performing transmission mode authorization; the transmission mode includes at least one of the following: a first mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using two access networks simultaneously; a second mode, which is a mode supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

22. A first network device, comprising: The first network device includes: a processing module configured to: perform transmission mode authorization for a first device; wherein the first device is a device supporting access over at least two access networks; and the transmission mode includes at least one of the following: a first mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services using two access networks at the same time; a second mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

23. A first device, comprising: The first device comprises: a transceiver module configured to: receive first information sent by a network device; wherein the first device is a device supporting access on at least two access networks, and the first information is used to indicate an authorization result obtained by performing transmission mode authorization; the transmission mode comprises at least one of the following: a first mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services using two access networks at the same time; a second mode, which is a mode of supporting transmission of different services using only one access network at the same time.

24. A communication system, characterized by The communication system comprises a first network device and a first device, wherein the first network device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11, and the first device is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 12 to 20.

25. A first network device, comprising: The first network device comprises: one or more processors; wherein the first network device is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 11.

26. A first device, comprising: The first device comprises: one or more processors; wherein the first device is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 12 to 20.

27. A computer program product comprising computer programs or instructions, characterized in that, The computer program or instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 11, 12 to 20.

28. A storage medium, wherein, The storage medium stores instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 11 and / or 12 to 20.

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