Assistance data broadcasting method, location management function network element, and electronic device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and relates to an assistance data broadcasting method, a location management function network element, and an electronic device. The assistance data broadcasting method comprises: sending, to an access and mobility management function network element, a subscription to the number of user equipments requiring assistance data; and receiving update information for the number of user equipments requiring the assistance data, the update information being sent by the access and mobility management function network element.

Description

Broadcasting method of assistance data, location management function network element and electronic device

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to the application with the Chinese application number 202411088500.5 and the filing date of August 8, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a broadcasting method of assistance data, a location management function network element and a computer readable storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0004] The network side sends network assistance data related to positioning to a user equipment (UE) to assist the UE in positioning and improve positioning accuracy and reliability.

[0005] In related technologies, a location management function (LMF) frequently updates network assistance information related to positioning to an access and mobility management function (AMF), a radio access network node (RAN Node) and a UE. SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a broadcasting method of assistance data is provided, applied to a location management function network element, comprising: sending, to an access and mobility management function network element, a subscription of a number of user equipments requiring assistance data; receiving update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data sent by the access and mobility management function network element.

[0007] In some embodiments, the update information includes an added number of user equipments requiring assistance data compared to the last time the access and mobility management function network element sent update information, and the broadcasting method of assistance data further comprises: determining a current number of user equipments requiring assistance data according to the added number of user equipments.

[0008] In some embodiments, the update information includes a current number of user equipments requiring assistance data.

[0009] In some embodiments, the broadcasting method of assistance data further comprises: determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the update information.

[0010] In some embodiments, determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the update information comprises: determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to a current number of user equipments that need assistance data.

[0011] In some embodiments, the current number of user equipments that need assistance data comprises at least one of a total number of user equipments that need assistance data, a number of user equipments of a first priority among user equipments that need assistance data, a number of user equipments of a second priority, and a number of user equipments of a third priority, wherein the first priority is higher than the second priority, and the second priority is higher than the third priority, and the determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the current number of user equipments that need assistance data comprises at least one of: determining to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments that need assistance data exceeds a first threshold; determining to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments that need assistance data exceeds a second threshold and a proportion of user equipments of the first priority among user equipments that need assistance data exceeds a first proportion threshold; and determining to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments that need assistance data exceeds a third threshold and a proportion of user equipments of the second priority among user equipments that need assistance data exceeds a second proportion threshold.

[0012] In some embodiments, the current number of user equipments that need assistance data comprises at least one of a total number of user equipments that need assistance data, a number of user equipments of a first priority among user equipments that need assistance data, a number of user equipments of a second priority, and a number of user equipments of a third priority, wherein the first priority is higher than the second priority, and the second priority is higher than the third priority, and the determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the current number of user equipments that need assistance data comprises at least one of: determining not to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments that need assistance data does not exceed a first threshold; determining not to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments that need assistance data does not exceed a second threshold and a proportion of user equipments of the first priority among user equipments that need assistance data does not exceed a first proportion threshold; determining not to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments that need assistance data does not exceed a third threshold and a proportion of user equipments of the second priority among user equipments that need assistance data does not exceed a second proportion threshold; and determining not to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments that need assistance data does not exceed a fourth threshold and a proportion of user equipments of the third priority among user equipments that need assistance data exceeds a third proportion threshold.

[0013] In some embodiments, the determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the update information comprises: determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to at least one of information related to the assistance data obtained from an application function network element, information related to the assistance data obtained from a network management system, and the update information.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for broadcasting assistance data is provided, which is applied to an access and mobility management function network element, and comprises: receiving subscription of a number of user equipments requiring assistance data from a location management function network element; and sending update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data to the location management function network element in a case where the number of user equipments requiring assistance data changes to reach a specified condition.

[0015] In some embodiments, the update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data is used by the location management function network element to determine whether to broadcast the assistance data.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for communication is provided, which is applied to a user equipment, and comprises: receiving assistance data broadcasted by the method for broadcasting assistance data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a location management function network element is provided, comprising: a sending module configured to send subscription of a number of user equipments requiring assistance data to an access and mobility management function network element; and a receiving module configured to receive update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data sent by the access and mobility management function network element.

[0018] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, an access and mobility management function network element is provided, comprising: a receiving module configured to receive subscription of a number of user equipments requiring assistance data sent by a location management function network element; and a sending module configured to send update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data to the location management function network element in a case where the number of user equipments requiring assistance data changes to reach a specified condition.

[0019] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment is provided, comprising: a receiving module configured to receive assistance data, wherein whether to broadcast the assistance data is determined by a location management function network element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure according to update information.

[0020] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a memory; and

[0021] a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to perform the method of broadcasting assistance data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure or the method of communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0022] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, having stored thereon computer program instructions, which when executed by a processor, implement the method of broadcasting assistance data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure or the method of communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer program instructions, which when executed by a processor, implement the method of broadcasting assistance data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure or the method of communication according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0025] The present disclosure can be more clearly understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the following drawings of which:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of the method of broadcasting assistance data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the method of broadcasting assistance data according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a method of communication according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows an interaction diagram of the method of broadcasting assistance data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a positioning management function network element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an access and mobility management function network element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a user equipment according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an electronic device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a computer system for implementing some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and numerical values of components and steps set forth in these embodiments are not limiting to the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0036] It should be understood that the sizes of the various portions shown in the drawings are shown for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting to the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way limiting to the scope of the disclosure and its applications or uses.

[0038] Techniques, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art can not be discussed in detail herein, but should be considered as part of the description.

[0039] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely illustrative and not as a limitation. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments can have different values.

[0040] It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters refer to like items throughout the drawings, and once an item is defined in one drawing, it need not be discussed further in subsequent drawings.

[0041] In the related art, the location management function network element (LMF) frequently updates the location-related network assistance information to the AMF, the RAN Node, and multiple UEs. However, maintaining high-frequency updates requires a large amount of signaling and network transmission resources. Especially in the early stage of deployment, when the number of UEs is not large, high-frequency broadcasting is very inefficient.

[0042] To this end, the present application provides a broadcast method of assistance data, a location management function network element, and an electronic device, which can improve the efficiency of broadcasting.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of a broadcast method of assistance data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the broadcast method of assistance data includes steps S11-S13. In some embodiments, the broadcast method of assistance data is performed by a location management function network element.

[0045] In step S11, a subscription for the number of user equipment that needs assistance data is sent to an access and mobility management function network element.

[0046] The "assistance data" is also referred to as network assistance data or positioning assistance data.

[0047] The user equipment requiring assistance data is user equipment requiring the use of assistance data.

[0048] In some embodiments, the current number of user equipment requiring assistance data includes at least one of the total number of user equipment requiring assistance data, the number of user equipment of a first priority among the user equipment requiring assistance data, the number of user equipment of a second priority among the user equipment requiring assistance data, and the number of user equipment of a third priority among the user equipment requiring assistance data, wherein the first priority is higher than the second priority, and the second priority is higher than the third priority.

[0049] For example, the number of user equipment requiring assistance data can include the total number of user equipment of all priorities, or the number of user equipment of one or several priorities, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit this. The first priority is, for example, a high priority, the second priority is, for example, a medium priority, and the third priority is, for example, a low priority. The low-priority device is, for example, an Internet of Things device.

[0050] The LMF can subscribe to the number of user equipment requiring assistance data managed by each AMF respectively.

[0051] In some embodiments, the subscription to the number of user equipment requiring assistance data includes a notification condition. The specified condition includes, for example, that the number of user equipment requiring assistance data managed by a certain AMF exceeds 5, or that a certain AMF adds 1 user equipment requiring assistance data. The AMF reports the corresponding event (the number of user equipment) to the LMF when the specified condition is met.

[0052] In step S12, the update information of the number of user equipment requiring assistance data sent by the access and mobility management function network element is received.

[0053] For example, the AMF has a cache function of counting and quantity information of user equipment related to assistance data. After the LMF subscribes to the quantity information of user equipment from the AMF, the AMF monitors the quantity of user equipment. When the quantity of user equipment changes, the AMF feeds back the change of the quantity of user equipment to the LMF.

[0054] If a default condition is set, or the subscription to the number of user equipment requiring assistance data includes a notification condition, the AMF feeds back the change of the quantity of user equipment to the LMF when the quantity of user equipment changes meets the condition. For example, when the number of user equipment requiring assistance data managed by a certain AMF exceeds 5, the LMF determines to broadcast assistance data. For another example, when a certain AMF adds 1 user equipment requiring assistance data, the LMF determines to broadcast assistance data.

[0055] In some embodiments, according to the update information, it is determined whether to broadcast the assistance data.

[0056] For example, for each AMF, the LMF determines whether to send assistance data to the AMF according to the update information of each AMF, so that the user equipment managed by the AMF receives the assistance data.

[0057] In some embodiments, the update information includes the number of newly added user equipment related to the assistance data compared with the last time the access and mobility management function network element sends the update information, and the method of broadcasting the assistance data further includes: determining the current number of user equipment that needs assistance data according to the number of newly added user equipment.

[0058] For example, the AMF notifies the LMF of at least one of the following: the number of newly added user equipment that needs assistance data; the number of newly added user equipment of the first priority that needs assistance data; the number of newly added user equipment of the second priority that needs assistance data; and the number of newly added user equipment of the third priority that needs assistance data. The "number of newly added" refers to the number of newly added compared with the last time the AMF notifies the LMF.

[0059] The LMF determines whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the current number of user equipment that needs assistance data. For example, the LMF adds a counting function and a cache function for the number information, and accumulates the calculation according to the number changes notified by the AMF. The LMF determines the number of user equipment that needs assistance data according to the number calculated after the last notification of the AMF and the number of newly added this time.

[0060] In some embodiments, the update information includes the current number of user equipment that needs assistance data.

[0061] For example, the AMF notifies the LMF of at least one of the following: the total number of user equipment that needs assistance data; the number of user equipment of the first priority that needs assistance data; the number of user equipment of the second priority that needs assistance data; and the number of user equipment of the third priority that needs assistance data.

[0062] The LMF determines whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the current number of user equipment that needs assistance data. For example, the LMF can directly determine whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the above number notified by the AMF without calculation.

[0063] In some embodiments, determining whether to broadcast the assistance data based on the current number of user equipments in need of the assistance data comprises at least one of: determining to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments in need of the assistance data exceeds a first threshold; determining to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments in need of the assistance data exceeds a second threshold and the proportion of user equipments in need of the assistance data of a first priority exceeds a first proportion threshold; and determining to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments in need of the assistance data exceeds a third threshold and the proportion of user equipments in need of the assistance data of a second priority exceeds a second proportion threshold.

[0064] For example, if the total number of user equipments exceeds a first threshold, such as 5, 10, 100, etc., it is determined to broadcast the assistance data. The assistance data can also be broadcasted if the total number of user equipments exceeds a certain value and the proportion of high priority and / or medium priority users is high.

[0065] In some embodiments, determining whether to broadcast the assistance data based on the current number of user equipments in need of the assistance data comprises at least one of: determining not to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments in need of the assistance data does not exceed a first threshold; determining not to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments in need of the assistance data does not exceed a second threshold and / or the proportion of user equipments in need of the assistance data of a first priority does not exceed a first proportion threshold; determining not to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments in need of the assistance data does not exceed a third threshold and / or the proportion of user equipments in need of the assistance data of a second priority does not exceed a second proportion threshold; and determining not to broadcast the assistance data if the total number of user equipments in need of the assistance data does not exceed a fourth threshold and the proportion of user equipments in need of the assistance data of a third priority exceeds a third proportion threshold. The second threshold and the third threshold are greater than the first threshold, for example.

[0066] For example, if the total number of user equipments is small, it is determined not to broadcast the assistance data. The LMF can also consider the priority of user equipments, for example, if the proportion of high priority user equipments is small and the total number of user equipments is not large enough, it is determined not to broadcast the assistance data. If the proportion of low priority user equipments is large and the total number of user equipments is not large enough, it is determined not to broadcast the assistance data.

[0067] By considering the priority of user equipments, it is determined whether to broadcast the assistance data. More timely and accurate positioning support can be provided for high / medium priority user equipments. Moreover, the over-occupation of resources can be reduced when there are fewer high / medium priority user equipments.

[0068] The priority of the above-mentioned multiple conditions can be preset. For example, if the conditions of broadcasting and not broadcasting the assistance data are both met, and the priority of the condition of not broadcasting the assistance data is higher, the assistance data is not broadcasted.

[0069] The LMF can also determine whether to enable the broadcast of the assistance data directly according to the number of high / medium priority user equipment. For example, if the number of high priority user equipment using the assistance data is greater than p, it is determined to enable the broadcast of the assistance data, otherwise it is determined to not enable the broadcast of the assistance data. Alternatively, if the total number of user equipment using the assistance data is greater than s, and the number of high priority user equipment using the assistance data is greater than t, it is determined to enable the broadcast of the assistance data, otherwise it is determined to not enable the broadcast of the assistance data.

[0070] In some embodiments, determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the update information comprises: determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to at least one of the information related to the assistance data obtained from the application function network element, the information related to the assistance data obtained from the network management system, and the update information.

[0071] The network management system is, for example, an operation, administration, and maintenance (OA&M) network element.

[0072] The information of the OA&M (for example, the OA&M can stipulate that the broadcast is performed at least once a day, etc.), the information of the AF (for example, the AF can stipulate to keep broadcasting for certain subscription services, etc.) are considered at the same time as the number of user equipment, and the broadcast opportunity is comprehensively judged, so that the broadcast opportunity is more accurately controlled.

[0073] The LMF can be additionally configured with configuration information, and the LMF determines whether to perform the above-mentioned steps S11-S12 according to the configuration information. For example, if the configuration information indicates that the broadcast frequency needs to be controlled, the LMF sends a subscription to the AMF and performs the above-mentioned steps S11-S12. If the configuration information indicates that the broadcast frequency does not need to be controlled, the LMF does not perform the above-mentioned steps S11-S12.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a broadcast method of assistance data according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 2, the broadcast method of assistance data comprises steps S21-S22. In some embodiments, the broadcast method of assistance data is performed by an access and mobility management function network element.

[0076] In step S21, a subscription of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data is sent to the location management function network element. The subscription includes, for example, a subscription requirement of the number.

[0077] In step S22, in the case that the number of user equipments requiring assistance data changes to reach a specified condition, update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data is sent to the location management function network element.

[0078] For example, the AMF determines that a user equipment requires to use assistance data according to a request of the user equipment, and counts the user equipment requiring to use assistance data. The AMF can send update information to the location management function network element in the case that the number of user equipments changes, or can send update information to the location management function network element in the case that the number of user equipments changes reaches a certain condition.

[0079] In some embodiments, the update information is used by the location management function network element to determine whether to broadcast assistance data.

[0080] FIG. 3 illustrates a communication method according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the communication method is performed by a user equipment.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication method includes: step S31, receiving assistance data broadcasted by the broadcast method of assistance data according to any of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] For example, the user equipment sends a request to the AMF, and receives the assistance data after the LMF determines to broadcast the assistance data.

[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates an interaction diagram of the broadcast method of assistance data according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 4, the broadcast method of assistance data includes events 101-108.

[0085] Event 101, the LMF sends a subscription of information of user equipments requiring network assistance data, such as the total number of user equipments, the number of high-priority user equipments, etc., to the AMF.

[0086] Event 102, the AMF sends a subscription notification to the LMF when a trigger condition is reached. The trigger condition is, for example, the total number of user equipments reaches a certain value, the number of high-priority user equipments reaches a certain value, etc.

[0087] Event 103, the LMF determines whether to broadcast network assistance data according to the information of user equipments obtained from the AMF.

[0088] Event 104, the LMF invokes a Namf_Communication_NonUeN2MessageTransfer service operation to the AMF to request that the network assistance, e.g., the number of user equipment using assistance data managed by a certain AMF is less than 5 / 10 / 100, the LMF does not send assistance data to the AMF. The service operation includes a network assistance data message and a target NG-RAN node identity. The network assistance data message contains optional encrypted assistance data. The LMF can send one or more sets of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) assistance data to the target NG-RAN node.

[0089] Event 105, the AMF forwards the network assistance data message to the target NG-RAN node indicated in event 104 in an N2 transport message. The AMF includes a routing identifier in the N2 transport message to identify the LMF.

[0090] Event 106, the NG-RAN node includes the assistance data in the broadcasted network assistance data message.

[0091] Event 107, the target NG-RAN node can return feedback on the broadcast of assistance information to the AMF in a network assistance feedback message, while including the routing identifier in event 105 in an N2 transport message.

[0092] Event 108, the AMF invokes a Namf_Communication_NonUeN2InfoNotify service operation to the LMF. The service operation includes the network assistance data feedback message received in event 107.

[0093] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the LMF subscribes to and receives user equipment related quantity information from the AMF. The LMF determines whether to broadcast assistance data according to the quantity information, thereby controlling the number of broadcasts, improving broadcast efficiency, and reducing resource consumption.

[0094] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a positioning management function network element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 5, the positioning management function network element 5 includes a sending module 51 and a receiving module 52.

[0096] The sending module 51 is configured to send a subscription to the number of user equipment that need assistance data to the access and mobility management function network element, e.g., perform step S11 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0097] The receiving module 52 is configured to receive the update information on the number of user equipments requiring assistance data sent by the access and mobility management function network element, for example, performing step S12 shown in FIG. 2.

[0098] In some embodiments, the positioning management function network element 5 further comprises a determining module 53 configured to determine whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the update information.

[0099] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an access and mobility management function network element according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 6, the access and mobility management function network element comprises a receiving module 61 and a sending module 62.

[0101] The receiving module 61 is configured to receive the subscription of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data sent by the positioning management function network element, for example, performing step S21 shown in FIG. 2.

[0102] The sending module 62 is configured to send the update information on the number of user equipments requiring assistance data to the positioning management function network element in case that the number of user equipments requiring assistance data changes reaches a specified condition, for example, performing step S22 shown in FIG. 2.

[0103] The update information is used for the positioning management function network element to determine whether to broadcast the assistance data.

[0104] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a user equipment according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 7, the user equipment comprises a receiving module 71.

[0106] The receiving module 71 is configured to receive the assistance data, wherein whether the assistance data is broadcasted is determined by the positioning management function network element according to any of some embodiments of the present disclosure according to the update information, for example, performing step S31 shown in FIG. 3.

[0107] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an electronic device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 8, the electronic device 8 comprises a memory 81 and a processor 82 coupled to the memory 81, the memory 81 is used to store a method of broadcasting assistance data. The processor 82 is configured to execute the method of broadcasting assistance data in any of some embodiments of the present disclosure based on the instructions stored in the memory 81.

[0109] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a computer system for implementing some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 9, the computer system 90 can be in the form of a general- purpose computing device. The computer system 90 includes a memory 910, a processor 920, and a bus 900 that couples the different system components.

[0111] The memory 910 can include, for example, system memory, non-volatile storage media, and the like. The system memory stores, for example, an operating system, application programs, a Boot Loader, and other programs such as a broadcast method that executes auxiliary data in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The system memory can include volatile storage media, such as random access memory (RAM) and / or cache memory. The non-volatile storage media stores, for example, instructions that implement the broadcast method that executes auxiliary data in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The non-volatile storage media includes, but is not limited to, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, flash memory, and the like.

[0112] The processor 920 can be implemented with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, and the like discrete hardware components. Accordingly, each module such as a determination module and a judgment module can be implemented by a central processing unit (CPU) running instructions in the memory that perform the corresponding steps, or by a dedicated circuit that performs the corresponding steps.

[0113] The bus 900 can use any of a variety of bus structures. For example, the bus structure includes, but is not limited to, an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, a microchannel architecture (MCA) bus, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus.

[0114] The computer system 90 can also include an input / output interface 930, a network interface 940, a storage interface 950, and the like. These interfaces 930, 940, 950, and the memory 910 and the processor 920 can be connected through the bus 900. The input / output interface 930 can provide a connection interface for display, mouse, keyboard, and the like input / output devices. The network interface 940 provides a connection interface for various networking devices. The storage interface 950 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as floppy disks, U disks, SD cards, and the like.

[0115] Here, various aspects of the present disclosure are described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatuses and computer program products according to embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each block of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

[0116] These computer readable program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor produce the device that implements the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0117] These computer readable program instructions can also be stored in computer readable memory that can direct computers or other programmable data processing devices to function in a

[0118] The present disclosure can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both software and hardware aspects.

[0119] By the broadcasting method of auxiliary data, the positioning management function network element and the electronic device in the above embodiments, the efficiency of broadcasting is improved.

[0120] Thus far, the broadcasting method of auxiliary data, the positioning management function network element and the electronic device according to the present disclosure have been described in detail. In order to avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure, some details well-known in the art are not described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein according to the above description.

Claims

1. A method for broadcasting assistance data, applied to a location management function network element, comprising: sending, to an access and mobility management function network element, a subscription for a number of user equipments requiring assistance data; receiving, from the access and mobility management function network element, updated information for the number of user equipments requiring assistance data.

2. The broadcasting method of ancillary data according to claim 1, wherein, The updated information comprises an increased number of user equipments requiring assistance data compared to the last time the access and mobility management function network element sent updated information, and the method further comprises: determining a current number of user equipments requiring assistance data based on the increased number of user equipments.

3. The broadcasting method of assistance data according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The updated information comprises the current number of user equipments requiring assistance data. 4.The method of claim 2 or 3, further comprising: determining whether to broadcast the assistance data based on the updated information.

5. The broadcasting method of ancillary data according to claim 4, wherein, Determining whether to broadcast the assistance data based on the updated information comprises: determining whether to broadcast the assistance data based on the current number of user equipments requiring assistance data.

6. The broadcasting method of ancillary data according to claim 5, wherein, The current number of user equipments requiring assistance data comprises at least one of a total number of user equipments requiring assistance data, a number of user equipments of a first priority level among the user equipments requiring assistance data, a number of user equipments of a second priority level, and a number of user equipments of a third priority level, wherein the first priority level is higher than the second priority level, and the second priority level is higher than the third priority level, and determining whether to broadcast the assistance data based on the current number of user equipments requiring assistance data comprises at least one of: determining to broadcast the assistance data when the total number of user equipments requiring assistance data exceeds a first threshold value; determining to broadcast the assistance data when the total number of user equipments requiring assistance data exceeds a second threshold value, and a proportion of user equipments of the first priority level among the user equipments requiring assistance data exceeds a first proportion threshold value; determining to broadcast the assistance data when the total number of user equipments requiring assistance data exceeds a third threshold value, and a proportion of user equipments of the second priority level among the user equipments requiring assistance data exceeds a second proportion threshold value.

7. The broadcasting method of assistance data according to claim 5, wherein the current number of user equipments in need of assistance data comprises at least one of a total number of user equipments in need of assistance data, a number of user equipments of a first priority among user equipments in need of assistance data, a number of user equipments of a second priority, a number of user equipments of a third priority, wherein, The first priority level is higher than the second priority level, and the second priority level is higher than the third priority level, and determining whether to broadcast the assistance data based on the number of user equipments requiring assistance data comprises at least one of: determining not to broadcast the assistance data when the total number of user equipments requiring assistance data does not exceed the first threshold value; determining not to broadcast the assistance data when the total number of user equipments requiring assistance data does not exceed the second threshold value, and the proportion of user equipments of the first priority level among the user equipments requiring assistance data does not exceed the first proportion threshold value; determining not to broadcast the assistance data when the total number of user equipments requiring assistance data does not exceed the third threshold value, and the proportion of user equipments of the second priority level among the user equipments requiring assistance data does not exceed the second proportion threshold value; determining not to broadcast the assistance data when the total number of user equipments requiring assistance data does not exceed a fourth threshold value, and a proportion of user equipments of the third priority level among the user equipments requiring assistance data exceeds a third proportion threshold value.

8. The broadcasting method of ancillary data according to claim 4, wherein, The determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to the update information comprises: determining whether to broadcast the assistance data according to at least one of information related to the assistance data obtained from an application function network element, information related to the assistance data obtained from a network management system, and the update information. 9.A method for broadcasting assistance data, applied to an access and mobility management function network element, comprising: receiving a subscription of a number of user equipments requiring assistance data from a location management function network element; sending update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data to the location management function network element in a case where the number of user equipments requiring assistance data changes to reach a specified condition.

10. The broadcast method of ancillary data according to claim 9, wherein, The update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data is used by the location management function network element to determine whether to broadcast the assistance data. 11.A method for communication, applied to a user equipment, comprising: receiving assistance data broadcasted by the method for broadcasting assistance data according to any one of claims 1-10. 12.A location management function network element, comprising: a sending module configured to send a subscription of a number of user equipments requiring assistance data to an access and mobility management function network element; a receiving module configured to receive update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data sent by the access and mobility management function network element. 13.An access and mobility management function network element, comprising: a receiving module configured to receive a subscription of a number of user equipments requiring assistance data sent by a location management function network element; a sending module configured to send update information of the number of user equipments requiring assistance data to the location management function network element in a case where the number of user equipments requiring assistance data changes to reach a specified condition. 14.A user equipment, comprising: a receiving module configured to receive assistance data, wherein whether the assistance data is broadcasted is determined by a location management function network element according to update information. 15.An electronic device, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to execute a method for broadcasting assistance data according to any one of claims 1-10 or a method for communication according to claim 11 based on instructions stored in the memory. 16.A computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by a processor, implementing a method for broadcasting assistance data according to any one of claims 1-10 or a method for communication according to claim 11. 17.A computer program product comprising computer program instructions, the computer program instructions, when executed by a processor, implementing a method for broadcasting assistance data according to any one of claims 1-10 or a method for communication according to claim 11. 18.A computer program, comprising: instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for broadcasting assistance data according to any one of claims 1-10 or a method for communication according to claim 11.

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