Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a communication apparatus generating a first data packet, wherein the first data packet is a data packet of a first service; and the communication apparatus sending the first data packet on the basis of first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is used for configuring the sending of the data packet of the first service, the first service is a non-connectivity service, and the first service is provided by a first network element in a network. In the method, the communication apparatus can send the first data packet on the basis of the first configuration information, such that the first data packet can be processed by the first service in the network, and thus the network provides a non-connectivity service for a terminal device and the terminal device uses the non-connectivity service.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411075510.5, filed on August 6, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] A mobile network can establish a transmission channel for a terminal device, so that the terminal device and a data network (DN) can quickly and reliably transmit data packets of various different services. With the development of mobile networks, mobile networks not only need to provide connection (or transmission) services, but also need to further provide non-connection services such as computing, sensing, data processing, etc.

[0005] How to provide non-connection services for terminal devices, and how terminal devices use non-connection services, are technical problems that need to be solved. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus, which can provide non-connection services for terminal devices, and terminal devices use non-connection services.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus can be a terminal device, or a chip or chip system or circuit applied to a terminal device. The method comprises: generating, by the communication apparatus, a first data packet, the first data packet being a data packet of a first service; and transmitting, by the communication apparatus, the first data packet according to first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure transmission of the data packet of the first service, the first service belongs to non-connection services, and the first service is provided by a first network element in a network.

[0008] In the above solution, the communication apparatus can transmit the first data packet according to the first configuration information, so that the first data packet can be processed by the first service in the network, and the network can provide non-connection services for the terminal device and the terminal device can use non-connection services.

[0009] In a possible design, the first configuration information includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packet of the first service; accordingly, the communication apparatus can add the first identifier in the first data packet according to the first configuration information, and send the first data packet with the first identifier to the access network element, where the first identifier in the first data packet is used to identify that the first data packet is the data packet of the first service.

[0010] By this design, the access network element can identify that the first data packet corresponds to the first service based on the first identifier, and then can process the first data packet according to the relevant rule corresponding to the first service, thereby providing a support condition for the first data packet to be processed by the first service in the network. In addition, the communication apparatus and the access network element can transmit the data packet of the first service and the data packet of the connection service based on the same radio bearer when the access network element identifies the data packet of the first service based on the first identifier.

[0011] In a possible design, the first configuration information can include an identifier of a first radio bearer, where the first radio bearer is used to carry the data packet of the non-connection service; accordingly, the communication apparatus can send the first data packet based on the first radio bearer, where the first data packet includes the first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packet of the first service.

[0012] By this design, the communication apparatus and the access network element can transmit the data packet of the non-connection service and the data packet of the connection service based on different radio bearers respectively, and identify that the first data packet is the data packet of the first service through the first identifier.

[0013] In a possible design, the first configuration information can include an identifier of a first radio bearer, where the first radio bearer is used to carry the data packet of the first service; accordingly, the communication apparatus can send the first data packet based on the first radio bearer, where the first radio bearer is associated with the first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packet of the first service.

[0014] By this design, the communication apparatus and the access network element can transmit the data packet of the first service based on a dedicated radio bearer, and the communication apparatus can not need to carry the first identifier in the first data packet, and the access network element can identify that the first data packet is the data packet of the first service through the first radio bearer.

[0015] In a possible design, the communication apparatus can send a first request to a second network element, where the first request includes indication information of the first service, indication information of the first session, and indication information of the communication apparatus, and the first request is used to request to provide the first service for the communication apparatus in the first session; and the communication apparatus receives a first response from the second network element, where the first response is used to indicate a request result of the first service.

[0016] In this way, the network can provide the first service, and provide condition support for the subsequent communication device to use the first service.

[0017] In a possible design, the first response includes the first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packet of the first service. Accordingly, the communication device can determine the first configuration information according to the first response.

[0018] In this way, the communication device can obtain the first identifier.

[0019] In a possible design, the communication device further receives sixth information from the access network element, the sixth information being used to configure a radio bearer between the communication device and the access network element, and the sixth information includes an identifier of a first radio bearer, the first radio bearer being used to carry the data packet of the non-connection service or the first service; and the communication device determines the first configuration information according to the sixth information.

[0020] In this way, the subsequent communication device can determine the radio bearer used to send the data packet of the first service according to the first configuration information.

[0021] In a possible design, the communication device further sends a second data packet according to the second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure the data packet of the connection service; and the first data packet and the second data packet belong to the same service flow.

[0022] In this way, the non-connection service can be provided only for part of the data packets in the same service flow, the data is processed in a finer granularity than the service flow, and the flexibility of the scheme is improved.

[0023] In a possible design, the source address in the first data packet is a first address of the communication device, the source address in the second data packet is a second address of the communication device, and the first address and the second address are different.

[0024] In this way, when the address corresponding to the connection service (i.e., the second address) changes, the address corresponding to the first service (i.e., the first address) can not change, and the reliability of the network to provide the first service is improved.

[0025] In a possible design, the communication device further sends a fourth request to a third network element, the fourth request being used to request to establish a second session for the communication device, the fourth request including indication information of the communication device, indication information of the second session, and first indication information, the second session being used to provide the connection service, and the first indication information indicating that the second session supports the non-connection service; the communication device receives a fourth response from the third network element, the fourth response indicating whether the second session is successfully created; and the communication device determines second configuration information according to the fourth response.

[0026] In this way, the network can provide the connection service, and provide condition support for the subsequent communication device to use the non-connection service.

[0027] In a possible design, the first indication information includes indication information of the first service, and the first indication information specifically indicates that the second session supports the first service.

[0028] In a possible design, the first identifier is included in at least one of the fourth request and the fourth response, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packet of the first service.

[0029] In this way, the first identifier can be configured in the session establishment stage, and the subsequent communication apparatus can send the data packet of the first service based on the first identifier, so that the network can identify the data packet of the first service based on the first identifier.

[0030] In a possible design, the communication apparatus can further send capability information to at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element, the capability information being used to indicate whether the communication apparatus supports or agrees that the first service is executed in the network; the communication apparatus receives user policy configuration from at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element, the user policy configuration including authorization information, the authorization information indicating that the network side supports or agrees that the first service is executed in the network; and the communication apparatus determines to send the first data packet according to the first configuration information according to the user policy configuration.

[0031] In this way, the communication apparatus can process the first data packet using the first service provided by the network in the case that the communication apparatus has the capability and the network allows, thereby improving the reliability of the scheme.

[0032] In a possible design, the user policy configuration further includes user usage rules of the first service, and the user usage rules include the indication information of the first service.

[0033] In this way, the network can explicitly indicate the non-connection service authorized to be used by the communication apparatus, thereby further improving the reliability of the scheme.

[0034] In a possible design, the user usage rules further include one or more of the following:

[0035] indication information of an application on the communication apparatus that can use the first service;

[0036] a location at which the communication apparatus uses the first service;

[0037] a time at which the communication apparatus uses the first service;

[0038] an interface used by the communication apparatus to use the first service;

[0039] network resource information used by the communication apparatus to use the first service;

[0040] at least one of a source address and a destination address used by the communication apparatus to use the first service;

[0041] A scenario in which the communication apparatus uses the first service.

[0042] In a possible design, the communication apparatus can determine the first configuration information according to a user policy configuration.

[0043] For example, the first identification is included in the user policy configuration, and the first identification in the first configuration information is obtained from the user policy configuration.

[0044] For example, the first configuration information further includes at least one of authorization information in the user policy configuration and a user usage rule.

[0045] In this way, the first configuration information (such as the first identification) can be determined in the service authorization stage, and the communication apparatus can subsequently send the data packet of the first service based on the first configuration information, so that the network can identify the data packet of the first service.

[0046] In this way, the communication apparatus can flexibly select whether to place the processing of the uplink data packet to the network for execution (that is, use the first service provided by the network to process the first data packet), thereby improving the flexibility of the scheme.

[0047] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a second network element, a chip or a chip system or circuit in the second network element, and the like, and the second network element is a network element (such as an x service management function (XMF)) for controlling or managing a first service. The method includes: receiving, by the second network element, a first request from a communication apparatus; wherein the first request includes indication information of the first service, indication information of a first session, and indication information of the communication apparatus, the first request is used to request to provide the first service for the communication apparatus in the first session, and the first service belongs to a non-connection service; generating, by the second network element, a request result of the first service, and sending, by the second network element, a first response to the communication apparatus, the first response is used to indicate the request result of the first service.

[0048] In the above scheme, the second network element can enable the first service based on the first request, thereby providing support for the network to provide the first service subsequently.

[0049] In a possible design, the first response includes a first identification, and the first identification is used to identify a data packet of the first service.

[0050] In this way, the communication apparatus can send the data packet of the first service according to the first identification, thereby improving the reliability of the communication.

[0051] In a possible design, the second network element can send, to the first network element, an execution rule of the first service according to at least one of an execution policy of the first service and subscription data of the first service, where the first network element is configured to provide the first service, the execution rule of the first service includes the first identifier, and further includes at least one of a transmission parameter and a processing parameter of the first service; and the at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data of the first service includes the at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter of the first service.

[0052] In this way, the execution rule executed by the first network element when providing the first service subsequently meets the at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data of the first service, and the reliability of communication is further improved.

[0053] In a possible design, the second network element determines the first network element according to at least one of an execution policy of the first service and subscription data of the first service.

[0054] In this way, the first network element providing the first service subsequently meets the at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data of the first service, and the reliability of communication is further improved.

[0055] In a possible design, the second network element can send, to the fourth network element, a second request according to the first request, where the second request includes indication information of the first service, the second request is used to request an execution policy of the first service, and the second network element receives the execution policy of the first service from the fourth network element. The second network element can also send, to the fifth network element, a third request according to the first request, where the third request includes the indication information of the first service, the third request is used to request subscription data of the first service, and the second network element receives the subscription data of the first service from the fifth network element.

[0056] Of course, the above is only an example of the second network element obtaining the at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data of the first service, and actual manners are not limited thereto.

[0057] In a possible design, the indication information of the first session is associated with indication information of a second session, the second session is used to transmit a data packet of a connection service, the second request further includes at least one of the indication information of the first session and indication information of the communication device, the at least one of the indication information of the first session and the indication information of the communication device is used to determine an execution policy of the second session, and the execution policy of the first service matches the execution policy of the second session.

[0058] In this way, it can be ensured that the execution parameters of the connection service and the non-connection service match, and the reliability of communication is further improved.

[0059] In a possible design, the third request further includes at least one of indication information of the first session and indication information of the communication apparatus, and the at least one of the indication information of the first session and the indication information of the communication apparatus is used to determine subscription data of the second session, and the subscription data of the first service matches the subscription data of the second session.

[0060] In this way, the execution parameters of the connection service and the non-connection service can be matched, and the reliability of communication is further improved.

[0061] In a possible design, the second network element can further send, to the third network element, third information according to at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data of the first service, where the third information includes indication information of the first network element; the second network element receives fourth information from the third network element, where the fourth information includes indication information of the sixth network element; and the second network element sends fifth information to the first network element, where the fifth information includes the indication information of the sixth network element.

[0062] In this way, the first network element and the sixth network element can learn the indication information of each other, and a connection is established, thereby guaranteeing establishment of a transmission channel corresponding to the first service.

[0063] In a possible design, the third information further includes a transmission parameter of the first service; the fourth information includes confirmation information, where the confirmation information indicates that the sixth network element supports the transmission parameter of the first service; or the fourth information and the fifth information further include the transmission parameter of the first service supported by the sixth network element.

[0064] In this way, the transmission parameter of the connection service and the first service on the same section can be matched, and the reliability of communication is further improved.

[0065] In a possible design, the second network element can acquire the indication information of the third network element from at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element according to at least one of the indication information of the communication apparatus and the indication information of the first session.

[0066] In this way, the second network element can determine the third network element, and interact with the third network element.

[0067] In a possible design, the fourth information further includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify a data packet of the first service.

[0068] In a possible design, the third information further includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify a data packet of the first service.

[0069] In a possible design, the second network element generates the first identifier according to the first request.

[0070] In a possible design, the second network element can further send, to the first network element, the first address and the second address of the communication apparatus, the first address corresponding to the first service, and the second address corresponding to the connection service; and the first request further includes the second address.

[0071] In this way, the communication apparatus can use different source addresses to send data packets for the connection service and the first service respectively, and the flexibility of the solution is improved.

[0072] In a possible design, the second network element sends, to an access network element to which the communication apparatus belongs, the second information, and the second information includes configuration information of the first session, for example, includes indication information of the communication apparatus and indication information of the first session.

[0073] In this way, the subsequent access network element can configure a radio bearer according to the second information, and the access network element is facilitated to forward data packets of the first service (or the first session).

[0074] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to an access network element, a chip or a chip system or a circuit in the access network element, and the second network element is a network element that controls or manages a first service, and the method includes the following steps: the access network element receives first information and second information; the first information includes configuration information of a second session, and the second session is used to provide a connection service for a communication apparatus; the second information includes configuration information of a first session, and the first session is used to provide a first service for the communication apparatus, and the first service belongs to a non-connection service; the access network element establishes an association relationship between the first session and the second session; and the access network element configures a radio bearer between the communication apparatus and the access network element according to the association relationship.

[0075] In the above solution, the access network element can establish an association relationship between the first session that provides the first service and the second session that provides the connection service, and configure a radio bearer according to the association relationship, so that the access network element can subsequently forward data packets of the first service and data packets of the connection service, and the reliability of communication is improved.

[0076] In a possible design, the configuration information of the first session includes indication information of the first session, and the configuration information of the second session includes indication information of the second session. When the indication information of the first session is the same as the indication information of the second session, the access network element establishes the association relationship between the first session and the second session; or when the second information further includes the indication information of the second session, the access network element establishes the association relationship between the first session and the second session.

[0077] In this way, the manner in which the access network element determines the association between the first session and the second session is specified, and the reliability of the solution is further improved.

[0078] In a possible design, the access network element can configure one radio bearer for the non-connection service (or the first service) and the connection service.

[0079] In this case, the access network element can receive, from the communication apparatus, a first data packet of the first service based on the radio bearer, and receive a second data packet of the connection service based on the radio bearer; the access network element can determine, according to the first identifier in the first data packet, that the first data packet is the data packet of the first service, and send the first data packet to the first network element that carries the first session.

[0080] In a possible design, the access network element can configure a first radio bearer for all sessions corresponding to the non-connection service (or the non-connection service), and configure a second radio bearer for the second session (or the connection service).

[0081] In this case, the access network element can receive, from the communication apparatus, a data packet of the non-connection service based on the first radio bearer, and receive a data packet of the connection service based on the second radio bearer. The data packet of the first service, such as the first data packet, can carry a first identifier, which identifies that the first data packet is the data packet of the first service; the access network element can determine, according to the first identifier in the first data packet, that the first data packet is the data packet of the first service, and send the first data packet to the first network element that carries the first session.

[0082] In a possible design, the first information and the second information further include a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packet of the first service; the access network element can configure a first radio bearer for the first service (or the first session) and a second radio bearer for the connection service (or the second session), and the first radio bearer is associated with the first identifier.

[0083] In this case, the first radio bearer is dedicated to the first service, the access network element can receive, from the communication apparatus, a first data packet of the first service based on the first radio bearer, and receive a second data packet of the connection service based on the second radio bearer; the access network element can determine, based on the first radio bearer, that the first data packet is the data packet of the first service, and send the first data packet to the first network element that carries the first session after adding the first identifier in the first data packet.

[0084] In a possible design, after receiving the second data packet from the communication apparatus, the access network element sends the second data packet to the sixth network element that carries the second session; wherein the first data packet and the second data packet belong to the same service flow.

[0085] In this way, the non-connection service can be provided for only part of the data packets in the same service flow, the data is processed in a finer granularity than the service flow, and the flexibility of the scheme is improved.

[0086] In a possible design, the source address in the first data packet is a first address of the communication apparatus, and the source address in the second data packet is a second address of the communication apparatus, the first address being different from the second address.

[0087] In this way, when the address corresponding to the connection service (that is, the second address) changes, the address corresponding to the first service (the first address) can not change, and the reliability of the network providing the first service is improved.

[0088] In a possible design, the second information further includes a transmission parameter of the first service; and the access network element can send, based on the transmission parameter of the first service, the uplink data packet of the first service to the first network element bearing the first session.

[0089] In this way, the transmission effect of the first service can be ensured.

[0090] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a first network element, a chip or a chip system or a circuit in the first network element, and the like, the first network element being a network element (for example, an x service processing function (XPF)) that executes a first service, the method including: receiving, by the first network element, an execution rule of the first service from a second network element; wherein the execution rule of the first service includes a first identifier, and further includes at least one of a transmission parameter and a processing parameter of the first service, the first identifier being used to identify a data packet of the first service, the first service being provided by the first network element, and the first service belonging to a non-connection service; and processing and forwarding, by the first network element, the data packet of the first service according to the execution rule of the first service.

[0091] In the above scheme, the first network element can receive the execution rule of the first service from the second network element, and process and forward the data packet of the first service based on the execution rule of the first service, thereby implementing the provision of the first service for the communication apparatus.

[0092] In a possible design, the first network element receives the first data packet from the access network element, the first data packet including the first identifier; matches, according to the first identifier in the first data packet, to the execution rule of the first service; processes the first data packet according to the processing parameter in the execution rule, and forwards the processed first data packet to the sixth network element according to the transmission parameter in the execution rule.

[0093] This design manner explicitly shows the process of identifying and processing, by the first network element, the uplink data packet of the first service, and improves the reliability of the network providing the first service.

[0094] In a possible design, the first network element can receive a third data packet from the sixth network element, the third data packet including the first identifier; match to the execution rule of the first service according to the first identifier in the third data packet; process the third data packet according to the processing parameter in the execution rule, and forward the processed third data packet to the access network element according to the transmission parameter in the execution rule.

[0095] The design manner explicitly shows the process of identifying and processing the downlink data packet of the first service by the first network element, and improves the reliability of providing the first service by the network.

[0096] In a possible design, the first address of the communication apparatus is included in the first data packet received by the first network element from the access network element, and the second address of the communication apparatus is included in the first data packet sent by the first network element to the sixth network element. The second address of the communication apparatus is included in the third data packet received by the first network element from the sixth network element, and the first address of the communication apparatus is included in the third data packet sent by the first network element to the access network element; wherein the first address corresponds to the first service, and the second address corresponds to the connection service.

[0097] In this way, when the address corresponding to the connection service (i.e., the second address) changes, the address corresponding to the first service (i.e., the first address) can not change, thereby improving the reliability of providing the first service by the network. In addition, the first network element converts the address in the data packet, thereby ensuring the continuity of the service of the terminal device and the data network.

[0098] In a possible design, the first network element can further receive the first address and the second address from the second network element.

[0099] In this way, the first network element is provided with conditional support for subsequent conversion of the first address and the second address.

[0100] In a possible design, the first network element can further receive fifth information from the second network element, the fifth information including indication information of the sixth network element.

[0101] In this way, the first network element can establish a connection with the sixth network element, thereby providing conditional support for subsequent data transmission between the first network element and the sixth network element.

[0102] In a possible design, the fifth information further includes transmission parameters of the first service supported by the sixth network element; and the first network element can update the execution rule of the first service according to the transmission parameters of the first service supported by the sixth network element.

[0103] In this way, the transmission parameters of the connection service and the first service on the same section can be matched, thereby further improving the reliability of communication.

[0104] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be applied to a sixth network element, a chip or a chip system or circuitry, etc. in the sixth network element. The sixth network element is a network element (e.g., a user plane function (UPF)) that performs a connection service. The method includes: receiving, by the sixth network element, an execution rule of a second session from a third network element, the execution rule of the second session including a first rule, the first rule being used for at least one of splitting and converging a data packet of the connection service and a data packet of a non-connection service; and performing, by the sixth network element, the at least one of splitting and converging the data packet of the connection service and the data packet of the non-connection service according to the first rule.

[0105] In the above solution, the sixth network element performs the at least one of splitting and converging the data packet of the connection service and the data packet of the non-connection service according to the first rule, which can provide the connection service and the non-connection service flexibly based on the requirement of the communication device.

[0106] In a possible design, the sixth network element performs the at least one of splitting and converging the data packet of the connection service and the data packet of the non-connection service according to the first rule, including at least one of: receiving, by the sixth network element, a third data packet from a data network, and forwarding, by the sixth network element, the third data packet to the first network element according to the first rule; and receiving, by the sixth network element, a first data packet from the first network element, and forwarding, by the sixth network element, the first data packet to the data network according to the first rule.

[0107] In this way, the uplink data and the downlink data can be transmitted to the first network element for processing.

[0108] In a possible design, the first rule includes a first identifier, the first identifier being used for identifying the data packet of the non-connection service; and the first data packet further includes the first identifier. Correspondingly, the forwarding, by the sixth network element, the third data packet to the first network element according to the first rule includes: adding, by the sixth network element, the first identifier in the third data packet according to the first rule, and transmitting, by the sixth network element, the third data packet with the added first identifier to the first network element.

[0109] In this way, the first network element can correctly identify the data packet of the first service, and the reliability of the network in providing the first service is further improved.

[0110] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be applied to a third network element, a chip or a chip system or a circuit in the third network element, and the third network element is a network element (e.g., a session management function (SMF)) that controls a connection service. The method includes: receiving, by the third network element, a fourth request from a communication device, the fourth request being used to request establishment of a second session for the communication device, the fourth request including indication information of the communication device, indication information of the second session, and first indication information, the second session being used to provide the connection service, and the first indication information indicating that the second session supports a non-connection service; configuring, by the third network element, an execution rule of the second session, the execution rule of the second session including a first rule, the first rule being used for at least one of splitting and converging a data packet of the connection service and a data packet of the non-connection service; and sending, by the third network element, a fourth response to the communication device, the fourth response indicating whether the second session is successfully created.

[0111] In the above solution, the third network element can configure a rule (i.e., the first rule) for at least one of splitting and converging a data packet of the connection service and a data packet of the non-connection service for the sixth network element in a session establishment process corresponding to the connection service, thereby providing support for subsequent enabling of the first service and improving the efficiency of enabling the first service.

[0112] In a possible design, the first indication information includes indication information of the first service, the first service belongs to the non-connection service, and the first indication information specifically indicates that the second session supports the first service.

[0113] In this way, the third network element can select the sixth network element that supports connection to a network element for providing the first service in the process of establishing the session, thereby improving the efficiency of enabling the first service.

[0114] In a possible design, the third network element determines the sixth network element that carries the second session according to the fourth request, and the sixth network element supports connection to a first network element for providing the non-connection service.

[0115] In a possible design, the third network element can send a fifth request to a fourth network element according to the fourth request, the fifth request including the indication information of the communication device, the indication information of the second session, and the first indication information, the fifth request being used to request a session policy of the communication device, and the second network element receiving the session policy of the communication device from the fourth network element. The second network element can also send a sixth request to a fifth network element according to the fourth request, the sixth request including the indication information of the communication device, the indication information of the second session, and the first indication information, the sixth request being used to request subscription data of the communication device, and the second network element receiving the subscription data of the communication device from the fifth network element. Further, the third network element can determine the sixth network element that carries the second session according to at least one of the session policy of the communication device and the subscription data of the communication device.

[0116] In this way, the sixth network element carrying the second session can meet the requirement of at least one of the session policy of the communication device and the subscription data of the communication device, and the reliability of communication is further improved.

[0117] In a possible design, the third network element configures the execution rule of the second session according to the fourth request, including: the third network element sends the execution rule of the second session to the sixth network element.

[0118] In this way, the sixth network element can provide the connection service according to the execution rule of the second session.

[0119] In a possible design, the first rule includes the first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packet of the non-connection service.

[0120] In this way, the sixth network element can perform at least one of identification and processing on the data packet of the non-connection service based on the first identifier.

[0121] In a possible design, the fourth request includes the first identifier; or,

[0122] The first identifier is included in at least one of the session policy of the communication device and the subscription data of the communication device; or,

[0123] The first identifier is configured by the third network element; or,

[0124] The first identifier is provided by the second network element.

[0125] Of course, the above are only some examples of the source of the identifier, and the actual implementation is not limited thereto.

[0126] In a possible design, the fourth response further includes the first identifier.

[0127] In this way, the communication device or the access network element can obtain the first identifier.

[0128] In a possible design, the third network element receives third information from the second network element, the third information including indication information of the first network element; the third network element controls the sixth network element to establish a connection with the first network element according to the address of the first network element; and the third network element sends fourth information to the second network element, the fourth information including indication information of the sixth network element.

[0129] In this way, the sixth network element and the first network element can establish a connection.

[0130] In a possible design, the third information further includes a transmission parameter of the first service; the second session supports the transmission parameter of the first service, and the fourth information further includes confirmation information, where the confirmation information indicates that the first network element supports the transmission parameter of the first service; or the second session does not support the transmission parameter of the first service, and the fourth information further includes a transmission parameter of the first service supported by the first network element.

[0131] In this way, it is guaranteed that the transmission parameters of the connection service and the first service on the same section are matched, and the reliability of communication is further improved.

[0132] In a possible design, the third network element updates an execution rule of the second session according to the transmission parameter of the first service.

[0133] In this way, it is guaranteed that the transmission parameters of the connection service and the first service on the same section are matched, and the reliability of communication is further improved.

[0134] In a possible design, the third information or the fourth information further includes a first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify a data packet of a non-connection service associated with the second session.

[0135] In a possible design, the third network element can further send, to the access network element, first information, where the first information includes configuration information of the second session, for example, can include indication information of the communication apparatus and indication information of the second session.

[0136] In this way, the subsequent access network element can configure a radio bearer according to the first information, and the access network element forwards the data packet of the connection service (or the second session) conveniently.

[0137] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a module or unit or means for performing the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0138] For example, the apparatus can include:

[0139] a processing module, configured to: generate a first data packet, where the first data packet is a data packet of a first service;

[0140] a transceiver, configured to: send the first data packet according to first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to configure sending of the data packet of the first service, the first service belongs to a non-connection service, and the first service is provided by a first network element in a network.

[0141] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a module or unit or means for performing the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0142] For example, the apparatus can include:

[0143] a transceiver module, configured to: receive, by the second network element, a first request from the communication apparatus; wherein the first request comprises indication information of a first service, indication information of a first session, and indication information of the communication apparatus, the first request is used to request to provide the first service for the communication apparatus in the first session, and the first service belongs to a non-connection service;

[0144] a processing module, configured to: generate a request result of the first service;

[0145] the transceiver module is further configured to: send a first response, the first response is used to indicate the request result of the first service.

[0146] optionally, the apparatus further comprises a processing module, configured to: process the first request, and generate the first response.

[0147] In a ninth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a module or unit or means for performing the method in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect.

[0148] Exemplarily, the apparatus can comprise:

[0149] a transceiver module, configured to: receive first information and second information; the first information comprises configuration information of a second session, the second session is used to provide a connection service for the communication apparatus; the second information comprises configuration information of a first session, the first session is used to provide a first service for the communication apparatus, and the first service belongs to a non-connection service;

[0150] a processing module, configured to: establish an association relationship between the first session and the second session; and configure a radio bearer between the communication apparatus and an access network element according to the association relationship.

[0151] In a tenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a module or unit or means for performing the method in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0152] Exemplarily, the apparatus can comprise:

[0153] a transceiver module, configured to: receive execution rules of a first service from a second network element; wherein the execution rules of the first service comprise a first identifier, and at least one of transmission parameters and processing parameters of the first service, the first identifier is used to identify a data packet of the first service, the first service is provided by a first network element, and the first service belongs to a non-connection service;

[0154] a processing module, configured to: process and forward the data packet of the first service according to the execution rules of the first service.

[0155] In an eleventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises modules or units or means for performing the method in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect.

[0156] In an example, the apparatus can comprise:

[0157] The transceiver is configured to receive execution rules of the second session from the third network element, the execution rules of the second session comprising the first rule, the first rule being used for at least one of splitting and converging the data of the connection service and the data packets of the non-connection service.

[0158] The processing module is configured to perform at least one of splitting and converging the data packets of the connection service and the data packets of the non-connection service according to the first rule.

[0159] In a twelfth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises modules or units or means for performing the method in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0160] In an example, the apparatus can comprise:

[0161] The transceiver is configured to receive a fourth request from the communication apparatus, the fourth request being used for requesting to establish the second session for the communication apparatus, the fourth request comprising indication information of the communication apparatus, indication information of the second session and first indication information, the second session being used for providing the connection service, the first indication information indicating that the second session supports the non-connection service.

[0162] The processing module is configured to configure execution rules of the second session, the execution rules of the second session comprising the first rule, the first rule being used for at least one of splitting and converging the data packets of the connection service and the data packets of the non-connection service.

[0163] The transceiver is further configured to send a fourth response to the communication apparatus, the fourth response indicating whether the second session is successfully created.

[0164] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises at least one processor and a communication interface connected with the at least one processor; the at least one processor executes instructions stored in a memory, so that the apparatus performs the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect or the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect or the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect through the communication interface.

[0165] Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises the memory.

[0166] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, having stored therein computer programs or instructions which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method recited in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect or the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect or the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0167] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, having stored therein instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method recited in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect or the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect or the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0168] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising:

[0169] The communication device sends a fourth request, and the third network element receives the fourth request. The fourth request is used to request establishment of a second session for the communication device. The fourth request comprises indication information of the communication device, indication information of the second session, and first indication information. The second session is used to provide a connection service. The first indication information indicates that the second session supports a non-connection service.

[0170] The third network element configures an execution rule of the second session. The execution rule of the second session comprises a first rule. The first rule is used for at least one of splitting and converging a data packet of the connection service and a data packet of the non-connection service.

[0171] The third network element sends a fourth response, and the communication device receives the fourth response. The fourth response indicates whether the second session is successfully created.

[0172] The communication device sends a first request, and the second network element receives the first request. The first request comprises indication information of a first service, indication information of a first session, and indication information of the communication device. The first request is used to request the communication device to be provided with the first service in the first session. The first service belongs to a non-connection service.

[0173] The second network element generates a request result of the first service, and sends a first response to the communication device. The communication device receives the first response. The first response is used to indicate the request result of the first service.

[0174] In a seventeenth aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising:

[0175] The communication device sends a first data packet according to first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is used for configuring the sending of a data packet of a first service, the first service belongs to a non-connection service, and the first service is provided by a first network element in the network;

[0176] The access network element receives the first data packet, and sends the first data packet to the first network element;

[0177] The first network element processes the first data packet according to an execution rule corresponding to the first service;

[0178] The first network element sends the processed first data packet to a sixth network element, and the sixth network element receives the processed first data packet;

[0179] The sixth network element sends the processed first data packet to a data network.

[0180] In an eighteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the communication device of the first aspect, the communication device of the second aspect, the communication device of the third aspect, and the communication device of the sixth aspect.

[0181] In a nineteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the communication device of the first aspect, the communication device of the third aspect, the communication device of the fourth aspect, and the communication device of the fifth aspect.

[0182] In a twentieth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the communication device of the first aspect, the communication device of the second aspect, the communication device of the third aspect, the communication device of the fourth aspect, the communication device of the fifth aspect, and the communication device of the sixth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0183] FIG. 1 is a network architecture diagram of a communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0184] FIG. 2 is a network architecture diagram of a communication system provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0185] FIG. 3A is an example diagram of a U-plane channel and an X-plane channel;

[0186] FIG. 3B is another example diagram of a U-plane channel and an X-plane channel;

[0187] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0188] FIG. 5 is an architecture diagram of a possible protocol stack to which embodiments of the present application are applicable;

[0189] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0190] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0191] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0192] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0193] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0194] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0195] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0196] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0197] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0198] It can be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or the like means any combination of the items, including any combination of single item or multiple items, for example, at least one of a, b or c, which can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or b and c, or a and c, or a and b and c.

[0199] In addition, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers "first", "second", etc. mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, time sequence, priority or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first priority criterion and the second priority criterion are only used to distinguish different criteria, and do not mean that the contents, priority or importance of the two criteria are different.

[0200] The steps marked with dashed lines in the drawings herein are optional steps.

[0201] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system. The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other communication systems, for example, a public land mobile network (PLMN) system, a long term evolution advanced (LTE-A) system, a 5th generation (5G) system, a new radio (NR) system, a machine to machine (M2M) system, or other future communication systems, and the like, or other various wireless communication systems using wireless access technologies, and the like, all of which can use the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

[0202] Referring to FIG. 1, a network architecture diagram of a communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable is shown, and the network functions and entities included in the system mainly include: a terminal device (user equipment, UE), a (radio) access network ((R)AN) network element, a user plane function (UPF) network element, a data network (DN), an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, an application function (AF) network element, a unified data management (UDM) network element, a network exposure function (NEF) network element, a network repository function (NRF) network element, and the like.

[0203] Terminal device: can also be referred to as user equipment, terminal, mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable device, vehicle, unmanned aerial vehicle, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, mechanical arm, smart home device, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the terminal.

[0204] Access network element: can also be referred to as access network device, RAN entity or access node or RAN node, etc., which constitutes a part of the communication system to help the terminal realize wireless access.

[0205] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in the present application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The RAN node in the present application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0206] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of functions of a base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0207] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0208] Data network: a data network that provides service to a user, and generally a client is located at a terminal device and a server is located at the data network. The data network can be a private network, such as a local area network, can be an external network not under the control of an operator, such as the Internet, or can be a dedicated network jointly deployed by operators, such as a network that provides IP multimedia core network subsystem (IMS) services.

[0209] Session Management Function network element: mainly used for session management, IP address allocation and management of terminal devices, selection of manageable user equipment plane functions, policy control, or termination of charging function interfaces, and downlink data notification, etc. In 5G, the session management function network element can be an SMF network element, and in future communications, the session management function network element can still be an SMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0210] Access and Mobility Management Function network element: mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc., which can be, for example, a mobility management entity (MME) function in a 4G communication network or an AMF network element in a 5G network. In future communications, the access and mobility management function network element can still be an AMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0211] Policy Control Function network element: a control plane function provided by an operator, used to provide a session management function network element with policies for a session (such as a protocol data unit (PDU) session). The policy can include charging-related policies, quality of service (QoS)-related policies, and authorization-related policies, etc. In 5G, the policy control function network element can be a PCF network element, and in future communications, the policy control function network element can still be a PCF network element, or have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0212] Unified Data Management network element: used to handle user identification, subscription, access authentication, registration, or mobility management, etc. In 5G, the unified data management network element can be a UDM network element, and in future communications, the unified data management network element can still be a UDM network element, or have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0213] Application Function network element: used for data routing for application influence, access network exposure function, or policy control interaction with the policy framework, etc. In 5G, the application function network element can be an AF network element, and in future communications, the application function network element can still be an AF network element, or have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0214] User Plane Function network element: used for packet routing and forwarding, or QoS processing of user plane data, etc. In 5G, the user plane function network element can be a UPF network element, and in future communications, the user plane function network element can still be a UPF network element, or have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0215] Network exposure function network element: used for safely opening services and capabilities provided by 3GPP network functions to the outside. In 5G, the network exposure function network element can be an NEF network element, and in future communications, the network exposure function network element can still be an NEF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0216] Network storage function network element: used for saving the description information of network function entities and services provided by the network function entities, and supporting service discovery, network element entity discovery and other functions. In 5G, the network storage function network element can be an NRF network element, and in future communications, the network storage function network element can still be an NRF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0217] It can be understood that other network elements can be included in the above network architecture in actual application, which are not limited in the present application.

[0218] It should be noted that in the present application, the names of various network elements are only examples, and the present application does not exclude the case that the various network elements are named otherwise and the functions of the various network elements are merged. With the evolution of technology, any device or network element that can realize the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is within the protection scope of the present application.

[0219] It should be understood that the interface names between the various network elements in FIG. 1 are only examples, and the names of the interfaces in the specific implementation can be other names, which are not limited in the present application. In addition, the names of the messages (or signaling) transmitted between the above-mentioned various network elements are also only examples, and do not constitute any limitation on the functions of the messages themselves.

[0220] For ease of description, in the following, each network element can be expressed by its corresponding English abbreviation, for example, the session management function network element is expressed by "SMF".

[0221] In the above communication system, the mobile network (which can be simply referred to as network) undertakes the work of providing connection services for terminal devices, that is, establishing a transmission channel (or transmission pipe, transmission path or forwarding path, etc.) so that the terminal device and the DN can quickly and reliably transmit various different service data packets. It can be understood that the transmission channel referred to herein refers to the transmission path between the terminal device and the DN. For example, the terminal device can establish a session (such as a PDU session) with the UPF, and then provide connection services for the terminal device based on the session to achieve quick and reliable transmission of data packets between the terminal device and the DN.

[0222] With the continuous development of mobile networks, mobile networks not only need to provide connection services (or transmission services), but also need to further provide some non-connection services (or new services), such as computing, sensing, data processing, etc.

[0223] For example, the data packet of a certain type of service provided by the DN has a large data volume, to improve transmission efficiency, the terminal device can compress the data packet before transmission to reduce data transmission volume and improve transmission efficiency. However, in some scenarios, for example, the terminal device does not have such compression processing capability, or the terminal device is insufficient in power, and the like, this solution is not applicable. In these scenarios, if the processing function can be moved to the network side (such as the core network) to be executed, the problem of being unable to provide the non-connectivity service for the terminal device can be well solved.

[0224] For example, for a video rendering service, if the terminal device offloads (or moves up) the rendering calculation processing capability of the video to the network side, the processing requirement of the terminal device on local computing power can be reduced, which is beneficial to the terminal device with low hardware quality to obtain better video service experience, and in addition, the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced.

[0225] For example, the terminal device has model training and inference capability of a small model, and the network side has a large model with more parameters. The terminal device can interact with the large and small models of the network side, move (or offload) part of the model training and inference processing to the network side for execution, thereby improving the processing capability of the model of the terminal device on the artificial intelligence (AI) service.

[0226] However, there is no clear solution to how to provide the non-connectivity service for the terminal device in the mobile network, and how the terminal device uses the non-connectivity service provided by the mobile network.

[0227] In view of this, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are provided, which can achieve the effects of providing the non-connectivity service for the terminal device in the network, and using the non-connectivity service provided by the mobile network by the terminal device.

[0228] Referring to FIG. 2, a network architecture diagram of a communication system is provided in the embodiments of the present application, the system superimposes a control function network element and a processing function network element of the non-connectivity service in the mobile network (such as the network shown in FIG. 1), for example, an x service management function (XMF) network element and an x service processing function (XPF) network element. The XMF is used to control or manage the non-connectivity service, and the XPF is used to execute the non-connectivity service. For example, the XMF can select or schedule the XPF to provide the non-connectivity service for the user based on the request of the user.

[0229] The non-connectivity service in this document is a service provided by a mobile network when a terminal device performs a processing function (e.g., calculation, sensing, data processing, etc.) in the mobile network. In addition, the non-connectivity service can also be a processing service or a connectivity enhancement service, i.e., the data packet of the non-connectivity service is not a data packet terminated in the mobile communication network, but a data packet from or to a DN.

[0230] Correspondingly, the connectivity service in this document is a service that provides a transmission function, e.g., transmitting a data packet from a terminal device to a DN or transmitting a data packet from a DN to a UE, and the mobile network can not perform the processing corresponding to the non-connectivity service on the data packet during the transmission.

[0231] In a specific implementation, the XMF can be a physical entity alone or integrated with other network elements (e.g., SMF or XPF, etc.) in the same physical entity, which is not limited in this application; the XPF can be a physical entity alone or integrated with other network elements (e.g., UPF or XMF, etc.) in the same physical entity, which is not limited in this application.

[0232] When there are multiple different non-connectivity services, different non-connectivity services can correspond to different or the same XPF, e.g., one XPF performs one non-connectivity service, or one XPF performs multiple different non-connectivity services. When there are multiple different non-connectivity services, different non-connectivity services can correspond to different or the same XMF, e.g., one XMF controls or manages one non-connectivity service, or one XMF controls or manages multiple non-connectivity services, and one XMF can schedule one or more XPFs.

[0233] It can be understood that the XPF and XMF are only examples of possible names, and other names can also be used, which is not limited in this application. For ease of description, the connectivity service provided by the UPF can be referred to as a “U-plane service”, and the non-connectivity service provided by the XPF can be referred to as an “X-plane service”; the transmission channel corresponding to the non-connectivity service can be referred to as an “X-plane channel” (or X-plane transmission channel or X-plane path or X-plane transmission path, etc.), and the transmission channel corresponding to the connectivity service can be referred to as a “U-plane channel” (or U-plane path).

[0234] The communication system shown in FIG. 2 can provide non-connectivity services for terminal devices by setting XMF and XPF.

[0235] In the communication system shown in FIG. 2, the X-plane channel can have one or more possible implementation manners.

[0236] In one possible example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the U-plane channel is UE-RAN-UPF-DN, and the X-plane channel is UE-RAN-XPF-UPF-DN. In this example, the RAN can be directly connected to the XPF, and the data packet of the non-connection service can be directly transmitted between the RAN and the XPF.

[0237] In another possible example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the U-plane channel is UE-RAN-UPF-DN, and the X-plane channel is UE-RAN-UPF-XPF-UPF-DN. In this example, the data packet needs to be forwarded by the UPF when transmitted between the RAN and the XPF. In addition, the RAN can not be aware of both the U-plane and the X-plane connection channels, and the RAN can only maintain one U-plane connection channel, and the implementation on the RAN side is simple.

[0238] The X-plane channel and the U-plane channel can be located in the same session (such as a PDU session) or in different sessions, without limitation.

[0239] Before using the non-connection service, the terminal device needs to enable the network to provide the non-connection service (such as the network establishing the X-plane transmission channel). The following describes how the terminal device enables the network to provide the non-connection service.

[0240] Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. The method can be applied to the system shown in FIG. 2, and the method specifically includes steps S101-S110.

[0241] S101, the communication device sends a first request to a second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the first request.

[0242] The communication device can be a terminal device; or the communication device can be located in the terminal device, for example, the communication device is a chip in the terminal device; or the communication device is a chip or a communication module that can be applied to the terminal device; the present application does not limit this.

[0243] The second network element is a control function network element of the non-connection service, that is, the second network element is a network element for controlling or managing the non-connection service, for example, the second network element is the XMF exemplified above.

[0244] The first request is used to request to provide a first service for the communication device in a first session. The first request can include indication information of the first service, indication information of the first session, and indication information of the communication device. In an alternative implementation, the indication information of the first service can also be carried by a message name, for example, the first request is a first service request message, and the first service request message does not additionally carry the indication information of the first service, and the receiving end (such as the second network element) can determine the first service according to the first service request message.

[0245] The first service belongs to a non-connection service, or the first service is one of multiple non-connection services, for example, the non-connection service includes but is not limited to computing, sensing, or data processing, and the first service is one of the non-connection services.

[0246] In an embodiment of the present application, a session providing a non-connection service can be referred to as a non-connection session or an X-plane session. For example, the first session is a non-connection session or an X-plane session.

[0247] The indication information of the first service can be an identification (ID) of the first service or destination address information of the first service, and is not limited. The indication information of the first session can be a session ID of the first session, and is not limited. The indication information of the communication device can be an identification of the communication device or an IP address of the communication device, and is not limited.

[0248] In an embodiment of the present application, when the communication device is a terminal device, or when the communication device is a chip or a module in the terminal device, “XX of the communication device” can also be described as “XX of the terminal device”, for example, the identification of the communication device can be described as the identification of the terminal device. It should be understood that “in an embodiment of the present application” means not limited to the current embodiment, and other embodiments are also applicable.

[0249] In one possible scenario, after the first request is sent from the communication device, the first request can be forwarded to the first network element via the access network element.

[0250] In another possible scenario, after the first request is sent from the communication device, in addition to being forwarded via the access network element, the first request is also forwarded to the first network element via other network elements (such as AMF, SMF, etc.).

[0251] In one possible design, after receiving the first request, the second network element can configure the execution rule of the first service according to the first request. The execution rule of the first service is the execution rule of the first service provided by the network (specifically, the network element (such as XPF) providing the first service in the network) for the user, for example, the execution rule of the first service is used for the first network element to process and forward the data packet of the first service. In addition, since the first service is provided through the first session, in some embodiments, the execution rule of the first service can also be described as the execution rule of the first session.

[0252] In one possible scenario, in addition to controlling or managing non-connection services, the second network element is also used to execute non-connection services, for example, the XPF and the XMF are combined into one network element (i.e., the second network element), and the second network element can locally configure the execution rule of the first service.

[0253] In another possible scenario, the second network element is configured to control or manage the non-connectivity service, the first network element is configured to perform the non-connectivity service, the first network element and the second network element are different, for example, the second network element is an XMF and the first network element is an XPF, and the XMF and the XPF are separately arranged, and the second network element needs to configure the execution rule of the first service on the first network element. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the method can further include S106:

[0254] S106. The second network element sends the execution rule of the first service to the first network element. Accordingly, the first network element receives the execution rule of the first service.

[0255] Through S106, the first network element can provide the first service for the communication apparatus according to the execution rule of the first service in the future, for example, at least one of forwarding and processing of the data packet of the first service is performed according to the execution rule of the first service.

[0256] In an embodiment of the present application, the execution rule of the first service can include the first identifier, and at least one of the processing parameter and the transmission parameter of the first service.

[0257] The first identifier is used to identify the data packet of the first service, so that the network element (such as the first network element) providing the first service in the future can identify the data packet of the first service according to the first identifier.

[0258] The first identifier includes but is not limited to one or more of the following:

[0259] 1) identification of a service flow;

[0260] For example, a service flow ID or an APP ID.

[0261] In this case, the data packet belonging to the service flow needs to perform the first service.

[0262] 2) identification of a data flow;

[0263] For example, an IP address, a port number, etc.

[0264] In this case, the data packet belonging to the data flow needs to perform the first service.

[0265] 3) identification of a QoS flow;

[0266] For example, a QoS flow ID (QFI).

[0267] In this case, the data packet belonging to the QoS flow needs to perform the first service.

[0268] 4) special identifier.

[0269] In one possible example, the special identifier is a newly defined service flow identifier, which is different from the identifiers of the existing service flows in the network. The service flow identifier can be used to identify a sub-service flow separated from one or more original service flows, so that the sub-service flow marked by the special identifier can correspond to the first service, while the other sub-service flows still correspond to the connection service. The service flow identifier can be used to identify one or more sub-service flows separated from one or more original service flows.

[0270] In another possible example, the special identifier is a newly defined data flow identifier, which is different from the identifiers of the existing data flows in the network. The data flow identifier can be used to identify a sub-data flow separated from one or more original data flows, so that the sub-data flow marked by the special identifier can correspond to the first service, while the other sub-data flows still correspond to the connection service. The data flow identifier can be used to identify one or more sub-data flows separated from one or more original data flows.

[0271] In yet another possible example, the special identifier is a newly defined QoS flow identifier, which is different from the identifiers of the existing QoS flows in the network. The QoS flow identifier can be used to identify a sub-QoS flow separated from one or more original QoS flows, so that the sub-QoS flow marked by the special identifier can correspond to the first service, while the other sub-QoS flows still correspond to the connection service. The QoS flow identifier can be used to identify one or more sub-QoS flows separated from one or more original QoS flows.

[0272] Of course, the actual implementation of the special identifier is not limited to the above three examples.

[0273] The transmission parameter of the first service is, for example, a QoS parameter (including, for example, but not limited to, bandwidth, delay, packet loss rate, or priority) used for transmission. The processing parameter of the first service is, for example, a QoS parameter (including, for example, but not limited to, computing resource size, algorithm type, etc.) used for processing, so that the network element (such as the first network element) that provides the first service subsequently can process the data packet of the first service according to the processing parameter of the first service, and transmit the data packet of the first service according to the transmission parameter of the first service.

[0274] In one possible design, before the second network element sends the execution rule of the first service to the first network element, the second network element can also perform network element selection to select the first network element.

[0275] In one possible implementation, the second network element can select the first network element according to at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data. For example, the at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data includes information (such as indication information including the first network element) of a network element supporting the first service, and the second network element selects the first network element according to the information.

[0276] In a possible scenario, the second network element locally stores at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service, and the second network element can read at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service from the local.

[0277] In another possible scenario, the second network element can obtain at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service from another network element.

[0278] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, after S101 and before S106, steps S102-S105 of obtaining the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service can also be performed.

[0279] S102. The second network element sends a second request to a fourth network element according to the first request. Correspondingly, the fourth network element receives the second request.

[0280] The second request includes indication information of the first service, and the second request is used to request the execution policy of the first service. The fourth network element can be any network element that stores the execution policy of the first service, for example, a PCF.

[0281] The execution policy of the first service is an execution policy used to process or execute the first service, for example, can include at least one of a transmission parameter and a processing parameter of the first service, and the like. In specific implementation, the execution policy of the first service can have different at least one of a transmission parameter and a processing parameter based on specific service content provided by the first service, for example, if the first service is a computing service, the execution policy of the first service can include a processor size (such as a configuration, a number, and the like) of the computing service, a speed, a computing model, an execution time, and the like; if the first service is a data processing service, the execution policy corresponding to the first service can include a data processing manner of the data processing service, a data storage capacity, and the like; if the first service is a perception service, the execution policy of the first service can include a perception accuracy and a perception range of the perception service. It can be understood that in specific implementation, the first service can not be limited to the service content described above. In addition, the execution policy of the first service can also not be limited to including the above content, and can also include a data transmission QoS of the first service, a charging policy, and the like.

[0282] S103. The fourth network element sends the execution policy of the first service to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the execution policy of the first service.

[0283] S104. The second network element sends a third request to a fifth network element according to the first request. Correspondingly, the fifth network element receives the third request.

[0284] The third request includes indication information of the first service, and the third request is used to request the subscription data of the first service. The fourth network element can be any network element that stores the subscription data of the first service, for example, a UDM.

[0285] The subscription data of the first service, for example, includes at least one of whether the communication device is allowed to use the first service, a transmission parameter and a processing parameter that can be used by the first service, and the like, without limitation. Examples of the at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter can be referred to the examples above, and will not be described in detail herein.

[0286] In S105, the fifth network element sends the subscription data of the first service to the second network element. Accordingly, the second network element receives the subscription data of the first service.

[0287] It can be understood that the present application does not limit the order of S102-S103 and S104-S105. For example, S104-S105 is executed before S102-S103, or S104-S105 is executed after S102-S103, or S104-S105 is executed simultaneously with S102-S103.

[0288] Of course, S102-S105 is only an example, and the manner in which the second network element obtains the at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service is not limited thereto.

[0289] After the second network element obtains the at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service, the second network element can also configure the execution rule of the first service according to the at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service, for example, binding at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter in the at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service (such as a QoS parameter for transmission, a QoS parameter for processing, and the like) to a specific traffic flow or data flow. For example, the at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter is bound to the flow corresponding to the first identifier (such as a data flow composed of a data packet carrying the first identifier), that is, the at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter is mapped to the flow corresponding to the first identifier, that is, the flow corresponding to the first identifier meets the at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter. The specific implementation manner can be that the execution rule of the first service includes the first identifier and the at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter. Subsequent network elements (such as the first network element) that identify the data packet identified by the first identifier need to process or transmit according to the execution rule of the first service.

[0290] In a possible design, the first session is associated with the second session, or the indication information (such as a session identifier) of the first session is associated with the indication information (such as a session identifier) of the second session, wherein the second session is used to transmit data packets of the connection service.

[0291] In the embodiments of the present application, the session that provides the connection service can be referred to as a connection session or a U-plane session, and the like. For example, the second session is a connection session or a U-plane session.

[0292] Specifically, the first session being associated with the second session can mean that the first session and the second session respectively provide an X-plane transmission channel (or non-connection service) and a U-plane transmission channel (or connection service) for the same communication device; or that the first session and the second session respectively provide X-plane service and U-plane service for the same communication device; or that the first session and the second session are two different transmission channels corresponding to the same session; or that the first session and the second session are two sub-sessions corresponding to different transmission channels separated from the same session.

[0293] In a specific implementation, the first session and the second session can correspond to the same or different indication information, i.e., the indication information of the first session can be the same as or different from the indication information of the second session.

[0294] When the indication information of the first session is different from the indication information of the second session, the first session and the second session can be directly distinguished based on the indication information of the session, and the indication information of the first session and the indication information of the second session (or the first session and the second session) correspond to different logical transmission channels, e.g., the first session corresponds to a first logical transmission channel, and the second session corresponds to a second logical transmission channel. It can be understood that the logical transmission channel refers to a logical transmission channel between the communication device and the DN. Different logical transmission channels transmit different network services, e.g., the second logical transmission channel corresponds to the U-plane service, and the first logical transmission channel corresponds to the X-plane service.

[0295] When the indication information of the first session is the same as the indication information of the second session, the session indicated by the indication information provides a connection service, and the session indicated by the indication information is the second session, and the session indicated by the indication information provides a non-connection service, and the session indicated by the indication information is the first session. Alternatively, when the indication information of the first session is the same as the indication information of the second session, the first session and the second session can be respectively understood as a logical transmission channel providing a non-connection service and a logical transmission channel providing a connection service in the same session between the communication device and the DN, e.g., the first session corresponds to a first logical transmission channel (corresponding to the X-plane service) in the session, and the second session corresponds to a second logical transmission channel (corresponding to the U-plane service) in the session. In this case, the first session can be jointly indicated based on the indication information indicating the same session and the indication information of the first logical transmission channel, and the second session can be jointly indicated based on the indication information indicating the same session and the indication information of the second logical transmission channel.

[0296] It can be understood that when the first session and the second session are used for the same service communication between the communication device and the DN (for example, corresponding to the same APP ID), the first session and the second session can be considered as belonging to the same session (for example, two sub-sessions in the same session (for example, a PDU session)), or the first session and the second session can be considered as two different sessions for the same service, and the embodiments of the present application do not make any limitation.

[0297] In the case that the first session is associated with the second session, it is necessary to ensure that the transmission parameters of the first session match the transmission parameters of the second session (for example, the priority of the data packet, the bandwidth, etc.). It can be understood that the transmission parameters of the first session matching the transmission parameters of the second session can mean that the transmission parameters of the first session are the same as the transmission parameters of the second session, or the transmission parameters of the first session are within the same range as the transmission parameters of the second session, etc., and the present application does not make any limitation.

[0298] As an optional implementation, the execution policy of the first service (for example, the transmission parameters in the execution policy of the first service) can be matched with the execution policy of the second session (for example, the transmission parameters in the execution policy of the second session). The subscription data of the first service (for example, the transmission parameters in the subscription data of the first service) can be matched with the subscription data of the second session (for example, the transmission parameters in the subscription data of the second session), so as to ensure that the transmission parameters of the first session match the transmission parameters of the second session.

[0299] In a possible example, the first request can carry the execution parameters of the second session (the execution parameters are determined according to at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the second session, and the execution parameters are specifically, for example, transmission parameters), so that when the second network element obtains at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service, it can determine at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service that matches the execution parameters of the second session, so that the execution policy of the first service matches the execution policy of the second session, and the subscription data of the first service matches the subscription data of the second session.

[0300] In another possible example, in the S102, the second network element can carry at least one of the indication information of the first session and the indication information of the communication device in the second request, and then the fourth network element (for example, a PCF) first determines the execution policy of the second session according to at least one of the indication information of the first session and the indication information of the communication device, and then determines the execution policy of the first service according to the execution policy of the second session, so that the execution policy of the first service matches the execution policy of the second session.

[0301] Optionally, the fourth network element can establish and maintain an association between the execution policy of the first service and the execution policy of the second session, and update the execution policy of the second session in synchronization according to the association when the execution policy of the first service is updated, or update the execution policy of the first service in synchronization according to the association when the execution policy of the second session is updated.

[0302] Similarly, in S104, the second network element can carry at least one of the indication information of the first session and the indication information of the communication apparatus in the third request, so that the fifth network element (such as UDM) can first determine the subscription data of the second session according to at least one of the indication information of the first session and the indication information of the communication apparatus, and then determine the subscription data of the first service according to the subscription data of the second session, so that the subscription data of the first service matches the subscription data of the second session. The fifth network element can also establish an association between the subscription data of the first service and the subscription data of the second session, and update the subscription data of the second session in synchronization according to the association when the subscription data of the first service is updated, or update the subscription data of the first service in synchronization according to the association when the subscription data of the second session is updated.

[0303] In a possible design, when the sixth network element and the first network element are deployed separately, the second network element can also interact with a third network element to enable the sixth network element to establish a connection with the first network element. The third network element is a network element for controlling or managing a connection service, or in other words, the third network element is a network element for controlling the sixth network element, and the sixth network element is a network element for providing a connection service, for example, the sixth network element is a network element for carrying the second session. For example, the sixth network element is a UPF in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B, and the first network element is an XPF in FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B.

[0304] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, after S106 and before S111, steps S107-S109 can also be performed to enable the sixth network element to establish a connection with the first network element:

[0305] S107. The second network element sends third information to the third network element according to at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data of the first service. Correspondingly, the third network element receives the third information.

[0306] The third information includes indication information of the first network element (such as an identifier, an address, or a port of the first network element).

[0307] Optionally, the second network element can obtain the indication information of the third network element from at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element according to at least one of the indication information of the communication apparatus and the indication information of the first session.

[0308] In a particular implementation, the second network element can initiate a request to at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element to obtain the indication information of the third network element. Alternatively, the second network element can obtain the indication information of the third network element at the same time when obtaining at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data. For example, the second network element can carry at least one of the indication information of the communication device and the indication information of the first session in the second request, and the fourth network element can send the indication information of the third network element to the second network element at the same time when sending the execution policy of the first service to the second network element. The second network element can carry at least one of the indication information of the communication device and the indication information of the first session in the third request, and the fifth network element can send the indication information of the third network element to the second network element at the same time when sending the subscription data of the first service to the second network element.

[0309] Of course, in addition to obtaining the indication information of the third network element from at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element, the second network element can also obtain the indication information of the third network element from other access network elements or core network elements such as RAN or AMF.

[0310] S108, the third network element sends fourth information to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the fourth information.

[0311] The fourth information includes the indication information of the sixth network element (such as the identifier, address or port of the sixth network element).

[0312] S109, the second network element sends fifth information to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the fifth information.

[0313] The fifth information includes the indication information of the sixth network element.

[0314] Through S107-S109, the sixth network element and the first network element obtain the indication information of each other, so that they can establish a connection with each other.

[0315] Optionally, the third information further includes a transmission parameter of the first service, and the third network element can determine whether the sixth network element supports the transmission parameter in the third information after receiving the third information.

[0316] If the sixth network element supports the transmission parameter, the fourth information can carry confirmation information indicating that the sixth network element supports the transmission parameter of the first service. If the sixth network element does not support the transmission parameter, the third network element can feed back a transmission parameter of the first service supported by the sixth network element, for example, the fourth information and the fifth information further include the transmission parameter of the first service supported by the sixth network element, so that the first network element can update the execution rule of the first service based on the transmission parameter of the first service supported by the sixth network element. As shown in FIG. 4, the method can further include:

[0317] S110, the second network element updates the execution rule of the first service to the first network element.

[0318] In practice, S109 and S110 can also be combined into one step, for example, the second network element sends fifth information to the first network element, and the fifth information includes the updated execution rule of the first service and the indication information of the sixth network element.

[0319] It can be understood that when the data packet of the first service passes through the first identifier, the first network element (such as XPF) and the sixth network element (UPF) need to obtain the first identifier first, and then the first network element (such as XPF) and the sixth network element (UPF) can perform at least one of identification and processing on the data packet of the first service according to the first identifier.

[0320] In a possible scenario, when the first identifier is configured by the third network element, the third network element can transmit the first identifier to the second network element, so that the second network element configures the first identifier to the first network element. The third network element can transmit to the second network element in the above step S108, for example, the fourth information also includes the first identifier, or transmits to the second network element through other information, or separately transmits the first identifier to the second network element, without limitation.

[0321] In another possible scenario, when the first identifier is configured by the second network element, the second network element can transmit the first identifier to the third network element, so that the third network element configures the first identifier to the sixth network element. The second network element can transmit to the third network element in the above step S107, for example, the third information also includes the first identifier, or transmits to the third network element through other information, or separately transmits the first identifier to the third network element, without limitation.

[0322] In a possible design, the method can further include: the second network element sends the first address and the second address of the communication device to the first network element, the first address corresponds to the first service (i.e. X-plane service), and the second address corresponds to the connection service (i.e. U-plane service).

[0323] Specifically, for the U-plane service and the X-plane service, the communication device can use the first address and the second address as the source address to send the data packet respectively. The second network element can make the first network element replace the first address in the data packet with the second address before forwarding the data packet to the sixth network element by providing the first address and the second address to the first network element.

[0324] The first address can be configured by the second network element, or provided by other network elements (such as PCF), or provided by the communication device (for example, the first request also includes the first address), without limitation.

[0325] The second network element can obtain the second address from the communication device (for example, the first request also includes the second address), or obtain the second address from other network elements (such as SMF) (for example, the fourth information also includes the second address), without limitation.

[0326] Thus, when the address (i.e., the second address) corresponding to the U-plane service of the communication device changes, the address (the first address) corresponding to the X-plane service of the communication device can not change, better ensuring the separation effect of the X-plane and the U-plane, and meanwhile ensuring the continuity of the service of the communication device and the data network.

[0327] It can be understood that in the accompanying drawings shown in FIG. 4, after the second network element obtains at least one of the execution policy and the subscription data of the first service (i.e., S102-S105), the second network element first sends the execution rule of the first service to the first network element (i.e., S106), and after the third network element and the second network element interact (i.e., S107-S109), the execution rule of the first service is updated again (i.e., S110), which is equivalent to that the first network element configures the execution rule of the first service to the second network element twice (i.e., S106 and S110). In actual application, S106 and S110 can be combined into one step, for example, S102-S105 do not execute S106, and directly execute S107-S109, and then the second network element sends the execution rule of the first service to the first network element, that is, the first network element can only configure the execution rule of the first service to the second network element once.

[0328] S111, the second network element generates a request result of the first service, and sends a first response to the communication device. Correspondingly, the communication device receives the first response.

[0329] The first response is used to indicate the request result of the first service. For example, the first response indicates that the communication device requests the first service successfully or fails. The first response can carry the indication information of the first session, the indication information of the communication device, and the like. The first response also carries the indication information of the first service; or the message name of the first response indicates the first service.

[0330] Optionally, the second network element can send the first response only when the communication device requests the first service successfully.

[0331] When the first response indicates that the communication device requests the first service successfully, the communication device can subsequently use the first service provided by the network according to the demand. For example, the data packet is sent to the network, and the data packet is processed by the first service in the network.

[0332] In one possible scenario, after the first response is sent from the second network element, it is forwarded to the communication device via the access network element. In another possible scenario, after the first response is sent from the second network element, it is forwarded to the communication device via other network elements (such as SMF) in addition to the access network element.

[0333] In a possible design, the communication apparatus can determine the first configuration information according to the first response, or determine part of the first configuration information, the first configuration information being used for configuring the communication apparatus to send a data packet of the first service, and optionally, the first configuration information can also be used for configuring the communication apparatus to receive the data packet of the first service. Accordingly, the communication apparatus can subsequently perform sending, receiving, or the like of the data packet of the first service according to the first configuration information.

[0334] For example, the first response can include the first identifier, and accordingly, the first configuration information can include the first identifier, and the communication apparatus can carry the first identifier in the data packet of the first service when sending the data packet of the first service, to indicate that the data packet is the data packet of the first service.

[0335] For example, the first response can further include a transmission parameter of the first service, such as a QoS parameter (i.e., what QoS parameter is needed to be used by the data packet of the first service), a QFI (i.e., what QFI is needed to be used to identify the data packet of the first service), and the like. Accordingly, the first configuration information can include the transmission parameter of the first service. The communication apparatus can send the data packet of the first service based on the transmission parameter of the first service when sending the data packet of the first service.

[0336] For example, the first response can further include destination address information of the first service, such as indication information (e.g., address or identifier of the first network element) of the first network element providing the first service. Accordingly, the first configuration information can include the destination address information of the first service. The communication apparatus can send the data packet of the first service based on the destination address information of the first service when sending the data packet of the first service. For example, the data packet can carry the destination address information of the first service.

[0337] For example, if the communication apparatus needs to interact with the first network element through an independent service flow, the first response can further configure the communication apparatus with separate network layer information, such as at least one of address information and port number of the communication apparatus carried in the data packet when transmitting the data packet of the first service, and at least one of source address information and port number in the uplink data packet of the first service, destination address and destination port number in the downlink data packet of the first service, and the like. Accordingly, the first configuration information can include at least one of the source address information and the port number, and the like. The communication apparatus can subsequently send the data packet of the first service based on the at least one of the source address information and the port number, and the like.

[0338] For example, the first response can further include execution parameters of specific service data, e.g., if the first service is data storage and reading, the execution parameters can be the amount of data that can be stored or read per second (i.e., the rate of data service), the total amount of data that can be stored, the application that can use the first service, and corresponding service parameters, etc. Correspondingly, the first configuration information can further include the execution parameters. The subsequent communication device can send the data packet of the first service based on the execution parameters.

[0339] For example, if the communication device uses the first service in the manner of application programming interface (API) invocation, the first response can further carry API information that the communication device can invoke and corresponding service parameters. Correspondingly, the first configuration information can further include the API information that the communication device can invoke and the corresponding service parameters. The subsequent communication device can send the data packet of the first service based on the API information and the corresponding service parameters.

[0340] Of course, the above are only some examples, and the actual implementation is not limited thereto.

[0341] In a possible design, as shown in FIG. 4, the method further includes:

[0342] S112, the second network element sends second information to an access network element to which the communication device is connected. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the second information.

[0343] The second information includes configuration information of the first session, and is used for the access network element to perform air interface configuration related to the first service, e.g., configuring a radio bearer used for transmitting the data packet of the first service. For example, the second information specifically includes indication information of the communication device, indication information of the first session, and the first identifier.

[0344] Optionally, the second information can further include transmission parameters (e.g., QoS parameters) of the first session, and is used for the access network element to subsequently transmit the data packet of the first service.

[0345] Optionally, if the first network element and the access network element are directly connected on the X2 interface (as shown in FIG. 3A), the second information can further include indication information (e.g., IP address, port number, or network element identifier, etc.) of the first network element (e.g., XPF), and is used for the access network element to establish a connection with the first network element, i.e., to establish a direct connection link between the access network element and the first network element.

[0346] Optionally, if the indication information of the first session is different from the indication information of the second session, the second information can further include the indication information of the second session.

[0347] It can be understood that, when configuring the air interface, the access network element considers the second session-related configuration information (e.g., the first information in step S208 below) in addition to the first session-related configuration information. The source and specific content of the second session-related configuration information can be referred to the detailed content in step S208 below.

[0348] For example, after receiving the first information and the second information, the access network element first establishes an association relationship between the first session and the second session, and then configures the radio bearer between the communication device and the access network element according to the association relationship. The first information includes the configuration information of the second session, such as the indication information of the communication device and the indication information of the second session, and the second session is used to provide a connection service for the communication device. The second information includes the configuration information of the first session, such as the indication information of the communication device and the indication information of the first session, and the first session is used to provide a first service for the communication device, and the first service belongs to a non-connection service.

[0349] The access network element establishes the association relationship between the first session and the second session, which can specifically include: when the indication information of the first session is the same as the indication information of the second session, the access network element establishes the association relationship between the first session and the second session; or, when the second information further includes the indication information of the second session, the access network element establishes the association relationship between the first session and the second session.

[0350] When the indication information of the first session is different from the indication information of the second session (e.g., the session identifiers are different), the access network element establishes different contexts for the first session and the second session respectively, and reflects the association relationship by saving the indication information of the opposite session in the respective context, i.e., the context of the first session includes the indication information of the second session, and the context of the second session includes the indication information of the first session.

[0351] When the indication information of the first session is the same as the indication information of the second session (e.g., the session identifiers are the same), the access network element establishes the same context for the first session and the second session, and reflects the association relationship by saving the connection information (e.g., the port number) of the corresponding X-plane service and the connection information (e.g., the port number) of the corresponding U-plane service in the context respectively, and when the session communicates using the connection information of the X-plane service, the session is the first session, and when the session communicates using the connection information of the U-plane service, the session is the second session.

[0352] When there are multiple non-connection service processing links in a non-connection service session (such as the first session), the session can be associated with multiple links between the access network element and the first network element. Similarly, when multiple non-connection service sessions of a user, or non-connection service sessions of multiple users, multiplex a connection between an access network element and the first network element, the multiple sessions can be associated with a link between the access network element and the first network element.

[0353] In specific implementations, when the access network element configures the radio bearer between the communication device and the access network element according to the association relationship, the access network element can configure the same radio bearer for the first session and the second session, or configure different radio bearers for the first session and the second session. In the case of the same radio bearer, the radio bearer for the first session can be shared by multiple non-connection services, for example, a first radio bearer and a second radio bearer are configured, the first radio bearer is used to transmit data packets of non-connection services (including data packets of the first session), and the second radio bearer is used to transmit data packets of connection services (including data packets of the second session). In the case of different radio bearers, the radio bearer for the first session can be dedicated to the first service, for example, a first radio bearer and a second radio bearer are configured, the second radio bearer is used to transmit data packets of connection services (including data packets of the second session), and the first radio bearer is used to transmit data packets of the first service (i.e., data packets of the first session), wherein the first radio bearer is associated with the first identifier. It can be understood that the first radio bearer being associated with the first identifier means that data packets transmitted through the first radio bearer are identified by the first identifier when transmitted in the core network.

[0354] The access network element configuring the radio bearer between the communication device and the access network element can include the access network element sending configuration information of the radio bearer to the communication device, and the communication device receiving the configuration information of the radio bearer. Optionally, the communication device can determine the first configuration information or part of the first configuration information according to the configuration information of the radio bearer received from the access network element. Further optionally, the communication device can determine the second configuration information or part of the second configuration information according to the configuration information of the radio bearer received from the access network element. For example, when the first session and the second session multiplex the same set of radio bearers, the configuration information of the radio bearer includes an identifier of a radio bearer, and the first configuration information and the second configuration information both include the identifier of the radio bearer. For example, when the first session and the second session use different radio bearers respectively, the configuration information of the radio bearer includes an identifier of a first radio bearer and an identifier of a second radio bearer (it can be understood that the identifier of the first radio bearer and the identifier of the second radio bearer are sent separately at different times, or they can be sent simultaneously, which is not limited), the first configuration information includes the identifier of the first radio bearer, and the second configuration information includes the identifier of the second radio bearer.

[0355] When the first session and the second session reuse the same set of radio bearers, for data transmission between the communication device and the first network element, the communication device and the access network element can be enhanced by adding a new service flow and data radio bearer (DRB) mapping relationship between the SDAP protocol layer, which is used to instruct the RAN to perform data splitting.

[0356] When the first session and the second session use two independent bearers, for data transmission between the communication device and the first network element, a new sublayer can be defined on the air interface, which is used to indicate the mapping relationship between the non-connected service flow and the air interface bearer.

[0357] Through the above scheme, the communication device (such as UE) requests the network to provide a non-connected service (such as a first service) based on the first session, which can enable the network to provide the non-connected service for the communication device, such as configuring the RAN, XPF, UPF and other network elements of the network, thereby establishing an X-plane channel.

[0358] After the X-plane channel is established, the communication device can transmit data packets of the first service on the X-plane channel with the DN. The protocol stack used in this transmission process can be as shown in FIG. 5. The English abbreviations of the protocol layers shown in FIG. 5 are explained as follows:

[0359] HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP);

[0360] APP: application (APP);

[0361] IP: internet protocol (IP);

[0362] UDP: user datagram protocol (UDP);

[0363] SDAP: service data adaption protocol (SDAP);

[0364] NSAP: Native Service Adaptation Protocol (NSAP);

[0365] PDCP: packet data convergence protocol (PDCP);

[0366] XSAP: X Service Adaptation Protocol (NSAP);

[0367] GTP-U: GPRS tunnelling protocol user plane (GTP-U);

[0368] GPRS: general packet radio service (GPRS);

[0369] NAT: network address translation (NAT)

[0370] RLC: radio link control (RLC);

[0371] MAC: media access control (MAC);

[0372] PHY: physical (PHY).

[0373] The relevant description of the protocol stack shown in Fig. 5 is as follows:

[0374] (1) The independent transport layer and application layer protocol stack can be used between the UE and the XPF for transmitting and processing service data;

[0375] (2) The XSAP layer between the RAN and the XPF is used for transmitting data between the RAN and the XPF, and the XSAP can use the GTP-U or other transmission protocols;

[0376] (3) The processing and reconstruction of data packets are completed by the XPF, and then the XPF sends the data to the UPF after re-packetizing the data;

[0377] (4) If multiple XPFs need to be processed, the anchor UPF or the XPF is responsible for the mapping of multiple XPFs and PDU addresses;

[0378] For example, if the address information 1 in the PDU layer corresponds to the XPF 1, the data packet of the address information 1 in the PDU layer is bound to the GPT-U interface corresponding to the XPF 1, and if the address information 2 in the PDU layer corresponds to the XPF 2, the data packet of the address information 2 in the PDU layer is bound to the GTP-U interface corresponding to the XPF 2. It is equivalent to that one U-plane session can be bound to multiple X-plane sessions.

[0379] (5) The wireless bearer configuration between the UE and the RAN:

[0380] X-plane and U-plane share the same set of radio bearers: an additional indication can be added in the SDAP (for connection, identified by QFI) protocol layer, for RAN to distinguish the data packets of non-connection services and the data packets of connection services, such as adding a first identifier in the data packets of non-connection services; or,

[0381] X-plane and U-plane use different radio bearers respectively: a new NSAP sublayer is used to indicate the information of processing data flow, and the data packets of non-connection services and the data packets of connection services are respectively mapped to corresponding bearers.

[0382] (6) Between the UE and the XPF, the source address used by the UE can be the address used by the second session (such as the second address), or the address dedicated to the first session, such as the first address allocated by the XMF. When the XPF reconstructs the data packet, the source address is changed from the first address to the second address.

[0383] It can be understood that FIG. 5 is only one possible example, and is not limited thereto in practice.

[0384] The above introduces the scheme of how to enable the network to provide non-connection services (the network establishes an X-plane transmission channel), and the following introduces the scheme of how to enable the network to provide connection services (the network establishes a U-plane transmission channel).

[0385] Referring to FIG. 6, a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. The method can be applied to the system shown in FIG. 2, and the method specifically includes steps S201-S205:

[0386] S201, the communication device sends a fourth request to the third network element. Correspondingly, the third network element receives the fourth request;

[0387] In a specific implementation, the fourth request sent by the communication device can be forwarded to the third network element via the RAN network element.

[0388] The fourth request is used to request the establishment of a second session for the communication device, and the second session is used to provide connection services (i.e., the first session corresponds to a U-plane transmission channel). The fourth request includes indication information of the communication device and indication information of the second session. The indication information of the second session can be a session identifier of the second session, without limitation. The indication information of the communication device can be an identifier of the communication device or an IP address of the communication device, without limitation.

[0389] The fourth request can be a session establishment request message or a session change request message, or the fourth request is carried in the session establishment request message or the session change request message.

[0390] In a possible design, the fourth request can further include first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the second session supports a non-connectivity service, or in other words, the second session is associated with a session (e.g., the first session) that provides the non-connectivity service. The second session supports the non-connectivity service, including that a sixth network element (e.g., a UPF) that carries the second session supports connection to a first network element (e.g., a XPF) that carries the first session, or in other words, the sixth network element (e.g., a UPF) that provides the non-connectivity service supports connection to the first network element that provides the connectivity service.

[0391] Optionally, the first indication information can include indication information of a first service, and the first service belongs to the non-connectivity service (i.e., the first service is a specific non-connectivity service), and the first indication information specifically indicates that the second session supports the first service (or in other words, the second session is associated with the first service).

[0392] In specific implementation, the first indication information can be implemented as a specific message name in addition to being carried as a signal element in the fourth request, for example, the first indication information is a session establishment request message or a session change request message, a computing service session (or connectivity) establishment request message, a data service session (or connectivity) establishment request message, and the like, without limitation. The fourth request carries the message name, or the name of the first request is the message name.

[0393] In a possible design, the fourth request can further carry indication information of a service flow provided by the communication apparatus and required to be offloaded. In other words, the communication apparatus indicates that the service flow can be offloaded. The offloaded service flow refers to data in the service flow that can be transmitted on an X-plane channel and data in the service flow that can be transmitted on a U-plane channel.

[0394] In a possible design, the fourth request can further carry indication information of a service flow of the non-connectivity service, i.e., the communication apparatus can indicate a service flow that needs to be transmitted to the first network element for processing through the X-plane channel. For example, the indication information can be the first identifier as described above, i.e., the service flow carrying the first identifier needs to be transmitted to the first network element for processing through the X-plane channel.

[0395] In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the fourth request, the third network element can obtain at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication apparatus, and configure the execution rule of the second session according to the at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication apparatus.

[0396] The session policy of the communication device includes session-related policy information, such as whether the communication device is allowed to use the connection service (or whether the terminal device is allowed to establish a session corresponding to the connection service), at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter of the session of the communication device, and the like. The subscription data of the communication device can include, for example, whether the communication device is allowed to use the connection service (or whether the communication device is allowed to access), at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter that can be used after the communication device accesses the network, and the like. For examples of at least one of the transmission parameter and the processing parameter, refer to the examples above, which will not be described in detail here.

[0397] In a possible scenario, the second network element locally stores at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device, and the second network element can read at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device from the local.

[0398] In another possible scenario, the second network element obtains at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device from other network elements. For example, the second network element can obtain the session policy (for example, the policy control and charging (PCC) rule) of the communication device from the fourth network element, and obtain the subscription data of the communication device from the fifth network element. The obtaining process is shown in S202-S205 in FIG. 6, for example:

[0399] S202. The third network element sends a fifth request to the fourth network element according to the fourth request. Correspondingly, the fourth network element receives the fifth request.

[0400] The fifth request is used to request the session policy of the communication device. The fifth request can include the indication information of the communication device and the indication information of the second session.

[0401] Optionally, if the first indication information is carried in the fourth request, the first indication information can also be carried in the fifth request, so that the fourth network element feeds back the session policy related to the non-connection service.

[0402] S203. The fourth network element sends the session policy of the communication device to the communication device. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the session policy of the communication device.

[0403] S204. The second network element sends a sixth request to the fifth network element according to the fourth request, and the fifth network element receives the sixth request.

[0404] The sixth request is used to request the subscription data of the communication device. The sixth request can include the indication information of the communication device, the indication information of the second session, and the first indication information.

[0405] Optionally, if the first indication information is carried in the fourth request, the first indication information can also be carried in the sixth request, so that the fifth network element feeds back the subscription data related to the non-connectivity service.

[0406] S205, the fifth network element sends the subscription data of the communication device to the communication device. Accordingly, the second network element receives the subscription data of the communication device.

[0407] Of course, the above S202-S205 are only examples, and the actual second network element can also obtain at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device from other network elements.

[0408] S206, the third network element configures the execution rule of the second session.

[0409] It can be understood that the execution rule of the second session is the execution rule of the network (specifically, the sixth network element (such as UPF) in the network that provides the connectivity service for the user) for providing the connectivity service for the user, for example, the execution rule of the second session is used for the sixth network element to forward the data packet of the connectivity service.

[0410] Specifically, the third network element can configure the execution rule of the second session according to at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device. For example, at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device can carry authorization of whether the communication device can use the connectivity service. When the communication device is authorized to use the connectivity service, the third network element configures the execution rule of the second session.

[0411] At least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device can also carry the execution parameter of the second session, such as a transmission parameter, specifically, for example, a QoS parameter for transmission, a processing parameter, specifically, for example, a QoS parameter for processing, etc. Accordingly, the execution rule of the second session configured by the third network element includes the execution parameter of the second session. For example, the communication device binds the QoS parameter in at least one of the session policy and the subscription data to the QoS flow of the second session, that is, the QoS flow of the second session conforms to the QoS parameter.

[0412] Optionally, when the fourth request carries the first indication information, at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device can also carry indication information of authorization of whether the communication device can use the non-connectivity service (specifically, for example, the first service). Further optionally, when at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device carries the indication information of authorization of whether the communication device can use the non-connectivity service, at least one of the session policy and the subscription data of the communication device can also carry application information (such as APP ID or APP address, etc.) that can use the non-connectivity service.

[0413] Optionally, when the first indication information is carried in the fourth request, the execution rule of the second session can further include a first rule, the first rule being used for at least one of splitting and converging the data packets of the connection service and the data packets of the non-connection service. In this way, the subsequent sixth network element can perform at least one of splitting and converging the data packets of the connection service and the data packets of the non-connection service according to the first rule, and the specific process can refer to related embodiments such as FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

[0414] Specifically, the first rule includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packets of the non-connection service. In this way, the subsequent sixth network element can identify or process the data packets of the non-connection service according to the first identifier, thereby providing conditional support for at least one of splitting and converging the data packets of the connection service and the data packets of the non-connection service.

[0415] The source of the first identifier can have various implementation manners, and the following examples are given:

[0416] Example 1: The first identifier is provided by the communication device, for example, the fourth request can carry the first identifier.

[0417] Example 2: The first identifier is provided by the PCF or the UDM, for example, the first identifier is included in at least one of the session policy of the communication device and the subscription data of the communication device.

[0418] Example 3: The first identifier is configured by the third network element, for example, the SMF generates the first identifier.

[0419] Example 4: The first identifier is provided by the second network element (such as XMF).

[0420] It can be understood that in example 4, the first identifier can be sent by the second network element to the third network element when the second network element and the third network element interact. For example, in combination with the steps of S107-S108, the third information or the fourth information further includes the first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packets of the non-connection service associated with the second session. In this case, the execution rule configured in S206 can not include the first identifier, and the third network element updates the first identifier to the execution rule of the second session after obtaining the first identifier.

[0421] Referring to S206A-S206B in FIG. 6, an example of the process in which the third network element configures the execution rule of the second session can include:

[0422] A. The third network element determines the sixth network element carrying the second session according to at least one of the session policy of the communication device and the subscription data of the communication device.

[0423] For example, the information (e.g., the indication information of the sixth network element) supporting connection to the network element providing the non-connectivity service is included in at least one of the session policy of the communication device and the subscription data of the communication device, and when the first indication information is carried in the fourth request, the third network element selects the sixth network element supporting connection to the first network element providing the non-connectivity service according to the above information, e.g., the selected UPF can be connected to the XPF.

[0424] B. The third network element sends the execution rule of the second session to the sixth network element, and accordingly, the sixth network element receives the execution rule of the second session. In this way, the subsequent sixth network element can forward the data packet of the non-connectivity service according to the execution rule of the second session.

[0425] S207. The third network element sends the fourth response to the communication device. Accordingly, the communication device receives the fourth response.

[0426] The fourth response indicates whether the second session is successfully created. When the second session is successfully created, the communication device can subsequently use the connectivity service according to the second session to transmit the data packet with the data network. The fourth response can include the indication information of the second session and the indication information of the communication device.

[0427] In one implementation, the fourth response indicates that the second session is successfully created, i.e., the third network element feeds back the fourth response only when the second session is successfully created, and does not feed back the fourth response when the second session fails to be created. In another implementation, the fourth response includes information indicating whether the second session is successfully created, e.g., the information is 1 bit, and the bit is 1 when the second session is successfully created, and the bit is 0 when the second session fails to be created. Of course, this is only an example, and the actual implementation is not limited thereto.

[0428] Optionally, when the fourth request carries the indication information of the first service, the fourth response can also carry the indication information of the first service. In one possible scenario, the fourth response is sent from the third network element and forwarded to the communication device via the access network element. In another possible scenario, the fourth response is sent from the third network element and forwarded to the communication device via other network elements (e.g., SMF) in addition to the access network element.

[0429] Further, the communication device can also determine the second configuration information or part of the second configuration information according to the fourth response, so that the communication device can send the data packet of the connection service according to the second configuration information, and optionally, the communication device can also receive the data packet of the connection service according to the second configuration information. For example, the fourth response can include the transmission parameter of the second session (or the connection service), such as the QoS parameter (i.e., what QoS parameter is needed for the data packet of the second session (or the connection service)), the QFI (i.e., what QFI should be used to identify the data packet of the second session (or the connection service)), and the like. When the communication device sends the data packet of the second session (or the connection service), the data packet is sent based on the transmission parameter of the second session (or the connection service).

[0430] Optionally, when the fourth response carries the information related to the first service, the communication device can also determine the first configuration information or part of the first configuration information according to the fourth response, so that the communication device sends or receives the data packet of the first service according to the first configuration information. For example, the fourth response also includes the first identifier, and the first identifier in the first configuration information can be obtained from the fourth response.

[0431] In a possible design, as shown in FIG. 6, the method can further include:

[0432] S208. The third network element sends the first information to the access network element. Correspondingly, the access network element receives the first information.

[0433] The first information includes the configuration information of the second session, which can be used by the access network element to perform the air interface configuration related to the connection service, for example, to configure the radio bearer for transmitting the data packet of the connection service. For example, the first information can specifically include the indication information of the communication device and the indication information of the second session. Optionally, the first information can also include the execution parameter of the second session, such as the QoS parameter. Optionally, when the fourth request carries the indication information of the first service, the first information can also include the indication information of the first service. Optionally, if the first identifier is configured by the network in the creation process of the second session, the first information can also include the first identifier. The process of the access network element performing the air interface configuration can refer to the related description in the foregoing S112, which is not repeated here.

[0434] In a possible design, when the third network element receives the information related to the first service from the second network element, the execution rule of the second session can be updated according to the information related to the first service:

[0435] S209. The third network element updates the execution rule of the second session.

[0436] For example, in combination with S107-S108 above, the third network element can perform S209 after receiving the third information.

[0437] For example, the third information includes the indication information of the first network element, the third network element can send the indication information of the first network element to the sixth network element, so that the sixth network element establishes a connection with the first network element; the third information includes the transmission parameter of the first service, the third network element can update the transmission parameter of the second session according to the transmission parameter of the first service, and so on.

[0438] Through the above scheme, the network can provide a connection service (the network establishes a U-plane transmission channel). In this process, configuration related to non-connection services can also be performed, such as configuring the first rule, allocating the first identifier, and the like, which provides support for enabling the network to provide non-connection services in the future.

[0439] In a possible design, before the communication apparatus sends the first request or the fourth request, the communication apparatus also reports its capability information to the network, and after receiving the authorization of the non-connection service issued by the network, the first request or the fourth request is sent.

[0440] As shown in FIG. 7, the specific process can include:

[0441] S200a, the communication apparatus sends capability information to at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element, and correspondingly, at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element receives the capability information.

[0442] The capability information is used to indicate whether the communication apparatus supports or agrees that the non-connection service is executed in the network, or the capability information is used to indicate whether the communication apparatus supports offloading (or moving up) the non-connection service to the network for execution, and the like.

[0443] Optionally, the capability information can include indication information of the communication apparatus supporting or agreeing that the non-connection service is executed in the network, for example, the capability information includes the indication information of the first service, indicating that the communication apparatus supports or agrees that the non-connection service is executed in the network.

[0444] S200b, at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element sends a user policy configuration to the communication apparatus, and correspondingly, the communication apparatus receives the user policy configuration.

[0445] The user policy configuration includes authorization information, which indicates that the network side supports or agrees that the non-connection service is executed in the network. Subsequently, the communication apparatus can determine to send the uplink data packet (such as the first data packet in the following) according to the first configuration information according to the user policy configuration.

[0446] Optionally, the user policy configuration further includes a user usage rule of the first service, and the user usage rule includes indication information of the first service. The user usage rule can further include one or more of the following:

[0447] indication information of an application of the first service that can be used on the communication device (such as an identifier of the application, address information of the application, etc.);

[0448] a location (such as a geographic area, a cell identifier, a tracking area identifier, etc.) where the communication device uses the first service;

[0449] a time (such as a time window, a time length, etc.) when the communication device uses the first service;

[0450] an interface (such as a 5G interface, a 6G interface, a satellite interface, a non-3GPP interface, through a relay interface, a PC5 interface, etc.) used by the communication device to use the first service;

[0451] network resource information (such as a PLMN ID, a NPN ID, a slice identifier, a subnetwork identifier, etc.) used by the communication device to use the first service;

[0452] at least one of a source address and a destination address (the source address is, for example, the first address described above) used by the communication device to use the first service;

[0453] a scenario (such as an energy-saving scenario, which can be used when the terminal has low power) in which the communication device uses the first service.

[0454] In this way, the communication device can be enabled to use the network to provide the non-connected service when the network side supports or agrees to perform the non-connected service on the network, which can improve the reliability of the scheme.

[0455] Optionally, the communication device can further determine the first configuration information or part of the first configuration information according to the user policy configuration. For example, the first configuration information includes a first identifier, and the first identifier in the first configuration information can be obtained from the user policy configuration. For example, the first configuration information further includes at least one of the authorization information and the user usage rule.

[0456] The above describes a scheme for enabling the network to provide a connected service and a scheme for enabling the network to provide a non-connected service. The above schemes can be implemented separately or in combination, which is not limited here. Two possible combination examples are given below:

[0457] Example 1: As shown in FIG. 8, a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application can be applied to the system shown in FIG. 2, and the method includes:

[0458] S300a, the communication device sends capability information to at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element, and correspondingly, at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element receives the capability information;

[0459] S300b, at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element sends a user policy configuration to the communication device, and correspondingly, the communication device receives the user policy configuration, wherein the user policy configuration comprises authorization information;

[0460] S300a-S300b in FIG. 8 take the communication device interacting with the fourth network element as an example, and are not limited thereto in practice.

[0461] S301, the communication device sends a session establishment request to the third network element according to the user policy configuration, and correspondingly, the third network element receives the session establishment request;

[0462] The session establishment request herein corresponds to the fourth request in the foregoing. The session establishment request carries indication information of the UE, indication information of the second session, and first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates that the second session to be established needs to support a non-connection service.

[0463] S302-S305, the third network element acquires at least one of session policy and subscription data of the communication device;

[0464] S306, the third network element configures an execution rule of the second session;

[0465] S307, the third network element sends a session establishment response to the communication device, and correspondingly, the communication device receives the session establishment response;

[0466] The session establishment response herein corresponds to the fourth response in the foregoing.

[0467] S308, the third network element sends second information to the access network element, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the second information.

[0468] The specific implementation process of S301-S308 can refer to the implementation of the corresponding steps in S201-S208.

[0469] At this point, the U-plane path is established, and the U-plane path is shown in FIG. 3A, for example.

[0470] S309, the communication device sends a first service request to the second network element, and correspondingly, the second network element receives the first service request;

[0471] The first service request herein corresponds to the first request in the foregoing. The first service request comprises indication information of the first service, indication information of the first session, and indication information of the communication device. The first service is used to request to provide the first service for the communication device in the first session.

[0472] S310-S313, the second network element acquires at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data;

[0473] S314, the second network element configures the execution rule of the first service;

[0474] S315, the second network element sends the third information to the third network element, and correspondingly, the third network element receives the third information;

[0475] S316, the third network element updates the execution rule of the second session according to the third information;

[0476] S317, the third network element sends the fourth information to the second network element, and correspondingly, the second network element receives the fourth information;

[0477] S318, the third network element updates the execution rule of the first service according to the fourth information;

[0478] S319, the third network element sends the first service response to the communication device, and correspondingly, the communication device receives the first service response;

[0479] S320, the third network element sends the first information to the access network element, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the first information.

[0480] The specific implementation process of S309-S320 above can refer to the implementation of the corresponding steps in S201-S209 and S107-S110 above.

[0481] The first service response here corresponds to the first response above. The first service response indicates the request result of the first service, for example, request success.

[0482] So far, the X-plane path establishment is completed, and the X-plane path is, for example, shown in FIG. 3A.

[0483] In the above embodiment, the communication device enables the non-connection service to initiate two requests, the first request is used to establish a session that can support the non-connection service, complete the establishment of the U-plane path, and the second request is used to request the non-connection service, complete the establishment of the X-plane path, and finally enable the network to provide the non-connection service.

[0484] Example 1, as shown in FIG. 9, is a flowchart of another communication method provided by the embodiment of the application, which can be applied to the system shown in FIG. 2, and the method comprises:

[0485] S400a, the communication device sends capability information to at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element, and correspondingly, at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element receives the capability information;

[0486] S400b, at least one of the fourth network element and the fifth network element sends a user policy configuration, and correspondingly, the communication apparatus receives the user policy configuration, wherein the user policy configuration comprises authorization information;

[0487] S400a-S400b in FIG. 9 take the communication apparatus interacting with the fourth network element as an example, and are not limited thereto in practice.

[0488] S401, the communication apparatus sends a session establishment request to the third network element according to the user policy configuration, and correspondingly, the third network element receives the session establishment request;

[0489] The session establishment request herein corresponds to the fourth request in the foregoing. The session establishment request carries indication information of the UE and indication information of the second session.

[0490] The first indication information can be carried in the session establishment request, or the first indication information can not be carried.

[0491] S402-S405, the third network element obtains at least one of the session policy of the communication apparatus and the subscription data;

[0492] S406, the third network element configures an execution rule of the second session;

[0493] It can be understood that when the first indication information is not carried in the session establishment request, the content of the execution rule of the second session herein can be irrelevant to the non-connection service, for example, the first identifier can not be included.

[0494] S407, the third network element sends a session establishment response to the communication apparatus, and correspondingly, the communication apparatus receives the session establishment response;

[0495] The session establishment response herein corresponds to the fourth response in the foregoing.

[0496] S408, the third network element sends second information to the access network element, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the second information.

[0497] The specific implementation process of S401-S408 can refer to the implementation of the corresponding steps in S201-S208.

[0498] At this point, the U-plane path is established, and the U-plane path is shown in FIG. 3B, for example.

[0499] S409A, the communication apparatus sends a session change request to the third network element, and correspondingly, the third network element receives the session change request;

[0500] The session change request comprises an identifier of the second session and a first service request. The session change request is used to request to change the second session, for example, to change the second session to support the non-connection service.

[0501] S409B, the third network element sends the first service request, and correspondingly, the second network element receives the first service request;

[0502] The first service request herein corresponds to the first request in the foregoing. The first service request comprises indication information of the first service, indication information of the first session, and indication information of the communication apparatus. The first service is used to request to provide the first service for the communication apparatus in the first session.

[0503] S410-S413, the second network element acquires at least one of an execution policy of the first service and subscription data;

[0504] S414, the second network element configures an execution rule of the first service;

[0505] S415, the second network element sends third information to the third network element, and correspondingly, the third network element receives the third information;

[0506] S416, the third network element updates the execution rule of the second session according to the third information;

[0507] S417, the third network element sends fourth information to the second network element, and correspondingly, the second network element receives the fourth information;

[0508] S418, the third network element updates the execution rule of the first service according to the fourth information;

[0509] S419A, the third network element sends the first service response, and correspondingly, the second network element receives the first service response;

[0510] S419B, the second network element sends a session change response, and correspondingly, the communication apparatus receives the session change response.

[0511] S420, the second network element sends the first information to the access network element, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the first information.

[0512] The specific implementation process of S409A-S409B, S402-S408, S419A-S419B, and S420 can refer to the implementation of the corresponding steps in S201-S209 and S107-S110 in the foregoing.

[0513] The first service response herein corresponds to the first response in the foregoing. The first service response indicates a request result of the first service, for example, a request success.

[0514] Up to now, the X-plane path is established, and the X-plane path is shown in FIG. 3B, for example.

[0515] In the above example, the communication device enabling the non-connection service can only initiate one request, i.e. the session change request, to complete the establishment of the X interface path directly on the basis of the existing U interface path, and finally enable the network to provide the non-connection service.

[0516] The above introduces the scheme of how to enable the network to provide the non-connection service, and the following introduces the method executed by each device or network element in the system for transmitting (which can be understood as including sending, or including receiving, or including sending and receiving) the data packet when the communication device uses the non-connection service.

[0517] The communication device:

[0518] The data packet of the first service and the data packet of the connection service can be respectively sent to the data network according to different configuration information, so that the data packet of the first service is transmitted through the X interface channel, and the data packet of the connection service is transmitted through the U interface channel:

[0519] 1) When the communication device needs to send an uplink data packet (such as a first data packet) of a first service to the data network, the communication device generates the first data packet; the communication device sends the first data packet according to first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure the sending of the data packet of the first service, the first service belongs to the non-connection service, and the first service is provided by a first network element in the network.

[0520] For example, the communication device determines which radio bearer to use to send the data packet of the first service according to the first configuration information; the communication device determines the encapsulation method of the data packet of the first service or encapsulates what content according to the first configuration information; the communication device determines what kind of QoS parameter to use to send the data packet of the first service according to the first configuration information, and the like.

[0521] For example, if the non-connection service and the connection service multiplex the same radio bearer, the communication device can add a first identifier in the first data packet, and send the first data packet with the first identifier to the access network element through the radio bearer, so that the access network element can determine that the first data packet is the data packet of the first service according to the first identifier; if all non-connection services multiplex the same set of radio bearers, the communication device can add a first identifier in the first data packet, and send the first data packet with the first identifier to the access network element through the radio bearer, so that the access network element can determine that the first data packet is the data packet of the first session (or the first service) according to the first identifier; if the first service has a dedicated radio bearer, the communication device can send the first data packet based on the dedicated radio bearer of the first service, such as a first radio bearer, the first radio bearer is associated with the first identifier, and the access network element can determine that the first data packet is the data packet of the first service according to the first radio bearer.

[0522] 2) When the communication device needs to send an uplink data packet (e.g., the second data packet) of the connection service to the data network, the communication device can send the second data packet according to the second configuration information, wherein the second configuration information is used to configure the sending of the data packet of the connection service.

[0523] For example, the communication device determines which radio bearer to use to send the data packet of the connection service according to the second configuration information; the communication device determines the encapsulation manner of the data packet of the connection service or what to encapsulate according to the second configuration information; the communication device determines what QoS parameter to use to send the data packet of the connection service according to the second configuration information, and so on.

[0524] Optionally, the first data packet and the second data packet can belong to the same service flow. It can be understood that the same service flow can refer to a flow in which the communication device communicates with the DN in the same service. For example, the first data packet and the second data packet correspond to the same APP ID.

[0525] Alternatively, the first data packet and the second data packet belong to the same session. It can be understood that the data corresponding to the same service between the communication device and the DN is transmitted in the same session.

[0526] In this way, more fine-grained division of the service flow can be achieved, so that the data in the same service flow (or the same session) goes through different transmission channels (e.g., the X-plane channel and the U-plane channel).

[0527] Optionally, when the communication device sends the uplink data packet, different source addresses can be used for the X-plane channel and the U-plane channel, for example, the source address in the first data packet is a first address of the communication device, and the source address in the second data packet is a second address of the communication device, and the first address and the second address are different.

[0528] The process of the communication device receiving the downlink data packet is the reverse process of the communication device sending the uplink data packet, so it can be referred to the sending process of the uplink data packet, which will not be described in detail here.

[0529] The access network element:

[0530] The behavior of the access network element receiving the uplink data packet corresponds to the behavior of the communication device sending the uplink data packet.

[0531] 1) If the X-plane path and the U-plane path are as shown in FIG. 3A: if the access network element receives a data packet of the first service, e.g., the first data packet, the first data packet is forwarded to the first network element (i.e., the XPF); if the access network element receives a data packet of the connection service, e.g., the second data packet, the second data packet is forwarded to the sixth network element (i.e., the UPF).

[0532] Exemplarily, for the first data packet, if the first session and the second session multiplex the same set of radio bearers, the access network element receives the first data packet based on the radio bearers, and determines that the first data packet corresponds to the first service (i.e., the first data packet is a data packet of the first service) according to the first identifier in the first data packet, and then sends the first data packet to the first network element bearing the first session; if the first session and the second session use different radio bearers respectively, the access network element receives the first data packet from the communication device based on the first radio bearers, determines that the first data packet corresponds to the first service, and then sends the first data packet to the first network element bearing the first session after adding the first identifier in the first data packet.

[0533] For the second data packet, if the first session and the second session multiplex the same set of radio bearers, the access network element receives the second data packet based on the radio bearers, and determines that the second data packet corresponds to the connection service according to that there is no first identifier in the second data packet, and then sends the second data packet to the sixth network element bearing the second session; if the first session and the second session use different radio bearers respectively, the access network element receives the second data packet from the communication device based on the second radio bearers, determines that the second data packet corresponds to the connection service, and then sends the second data packet to the sixth network element bearing the second session.

[0534] Optionally, the access network element can send the uplink data packet of the first service to the first network element based on the transmission parameter of the first service. The access network element sends the uplink data packet of the connection service to the sixth network element based on the transmission parameter of the connection service.

[0535] 2) If the X-plane path and the U-plane path are as shown in FIG. 3B: if the access network element receives a data packet of the first service, such as the first data packet, the access network element forwards the first data packet to the sixth network element (i.e., the UPF); if the access network element receives a data packet of the connection service, such as the second data packet, the access network element forwards the second data packet to the sixth network element (i.e., the UPF).

[0536] Exemplarily, for the first data packet, if the first session and the second session multiplex the same set of radio bearers, the access network element receives the first data packet based on the radio bearers, and determines that the first data packet corresponds to the first service (i.e., the first data packet is a data packet of the first service) according to the first identifier in the first data packet, and then sends the first data packet to the first network element bearing the first session; if the first session and the second session use different radio bearers respectively, the access network element receives the first data packet from the communication device based on the first radio bearers, determines that the first data packet corresponds to the first service, and then sends the first data packet to the first network element bearing the first session after adding the first identifier in the first data packet.

[0537] For the second data packet, if the connection service and the non-connection service multiplex the same set of radio bearers, the access network element receives the second data packet based on the radio bearers, and determines that the second data packet corresponds to the connection service according to the absence of the first identifier in the second data packet, and then sends the second data packet to the sixth network element; if the connection service and the non-connection service use different radio bearers respectively, the access network element receives the second data packet from the communication device based on the second radio bearers, and determines that the second data packet corresponds to the connection service, and the access network element sends the second data packet to the sixth network element.

[0538] Optionally, the access network element can send the uplink data packet of the first service to the sixth network element based on the transmission parameter of the first service. The access network element sends the uplink data packet of the first service to the sixth network element based on the transmission parameter of the connection service.

[0539] Similarly, the first data packet and the second data packet can belong to the same service flow. The source address in the first data packet is the first address of the communication device, and the source address in the second data packet is the second address of the communication device, and the first address and the second address are different.

[0540] The process of the access network element receiving the downlink data packet is the reverse process of the access network element sending the uplink data packet, so the sending process of the uplink data packet can be referred to, which will not be expanded here.

[0541] The sixth network element: The sixth network element can at least one of the first rule for the connection service and the non-connection service data packet flow and convergence.

[0542] 1) If the X-plane path and the U-plane path are as shown in FIG. 3A:

[0543] The sixth network element receives the downlink data packet of the first service from the data network, such as the third data packet; the sixth network element forwards the third data packet to the first network element according to the first rule.

[0544] The sixth network element receives the uplink data packet of the first service from the first network element, such as the first data packet; the sixth network element forwards the first data packet to the data network according to the first rule.

[0545] Optionally, the sixth network element receives the third data packet from the data network without the first identifier. After the sixth network element receives the third data packet from the data network, the sixth network element can add the first identifier in the third data packet according to the first rule, and then send the third data packet with the first identifier to the first network element.

[0546] 2) If the X-plane path and the U-plane path are as shown in FIG. 3B:

[0547] The sixth network element receives a downlink data packet of the first service from the data network, such as a third data packet; the sixth network element forwards the third data packet to the first network element according to the first rule; and the sixth network element receives the processed third data packet from the first network element and sends the processed third data packet to the access network element.

[0548] The sixth network element receives an uplink data packet of the first service from the first network element, such as a first data packet; the sixth network element forwards the first data packet to the data network according to the first rule; and the sixth network element receives the processed first data packet from the first network element and sends the processed first data packet to the data network.

[0549] Optionally, the sixth network element receives the third data packet without the first identifier from the data network. After receiving the third data packet from the data network, the sixth network element can add the first identifier to the third data packet according to the first rule, and then send the third data packet with the added first identifier to the first network element.

[0550] The first network element:

[0551] 1) If the X-plane path and the U-plane path are as shown in FIG. 3A:

[0552] The first network element receives an uplink data packet of the first service from the access network element, such as a first data packet, the first data packet including a first identifier; the first network element matches the execution rule of the first service according to the first identifier in the first data packet; and the first network element processes the first data packet according to the processing parameter in the execution rule and forwards the processed first data packet to the sixth network element according to the transmission parameter in the execution rule.

[0553] The first network element receives a downlink data packet of the first service from the sixth network element, such as a third data packet, the third data packet including a first identifier; the first network element matches the execution rule of the first service according to the first identifier in the third data packet; and the first network element processes the third data packet according to the processing parameter in the execution rule and forwards the processed third data packet to the access network element according to the transmission parameter in the execution rule.

[0554] Optionally, if the source address in the first data packet received by the first network element from the access network element is a first address of the communication device, the first network element replaces the first address with a second address, so that the source address in the first data packet sent by the first network element to the sixth network element is the second address, to facilitate the sixth network element to identify the first data packet according to the second address. Similarly, the destination address in the third data packet received by the first network element from the sixth network element is the second address of the communication device, and the first network element replaces the second address with the first address before sending the third data packet to the access network element. In this way, the continuity of the service between the communication device and the data network can be ensured.

[0555] 2) If the X-plane path and the U-plane path are as shown in FIG. 3B:

[0556] The first network element receives an uplink data packet of the first service, such as a first data packet, from the sixth network element, and the first data packet includes the first identifier; the first network element matches the execution rule of the first service according to the first identifier in the first data packet; and the first network element processes the first data packet according to the processing parameter in the execution rule, and returns the processed first data packet to the sixth network element according to the transmission parameter in the execution rule.

[0557] The first network element receives a downlink data packet of the first service, such as a third data packet, from the sixth network element, and the third data packet includes the first identifier; the first network element matches the execution rule of the first service according to the first identifier in the third data packet; and the first network element processes the third data packet according to the processing parameter in the execution rule, and returns the processed third data packet to the sixth network element according to the transmission parameter in the execution rule.

[0558] The complete forwarding process of data is exemplified below in combination with FIG. 3A.

[0559] As shown in FIG. 10, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the system shown in FIG. 2, includes the following steps.

[0560] S501, the communication device sends a first data packet according to first configuration information, and correspondingly, an access network element receives the first data packet;

[0561] S502, the access network element sends the first data packet to a first network element, and correspondingly, the first network element receives the first data packet;

[0562] S503, the first network element processes the first data packet according to an execution rule of the first service;

[0563] S504, the first network element sends the first data packet to the sixth network element, and correspondingly, the sixth network element receives the first data packet;

[0564] S505, the sixth network element forwards the first data packet to a data network, and correspondingly, the data network receives the first data packet.

[0565] S506, the communication device sends a second data packet according to second configuration information, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the second data packet;

[0566] S507, the access network element sends the second data packet to the sixth network element, and correspondingly, the sixth network element receives the second data packet;

[0567] S508, the sixth network element forwards the second data packet to the data network, and correspondingly, the data network receives the second data packet.

[0568] It can be understood that the present application does not limit the sequence of S501-S505 and S506-S508.

[0569] The forwarding process of the downlink data is the inverse process of the uplink data forwarding, and will not be described in detail.

[0570] The complete forwarding process of the data is described below with reference to FIG. 3B.

[0571] Referring to FIG. 11, a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application can be applied to the system shown in FIG. 2, and the method includes the following steps.

[0572] S601, the communication device sends a first data packet according to first configuration information, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the first data packet;

[0573] S602, the access network element sends the first data packet to a sixth network element, and correspondingly, the sixth network element receives the first data packet;

[0574] S603, the sixth network element forwards the first data packet to a first network element, and correspondingly, the first network element receives the first data packet;

[0575] S604, the first network element processes the first data packet according to an execution rule of a first service;

[0576] S605, the first network element returns the processed first data packet to the sixth network element, and correspondingly, the sixth network element receives the processed first data packet;

[0577] S606, the sixth network element forwards the processed first data packet to a data network, and correspondingly, the data network receives the processed first data packet.

[0578] S607, the communication device sends a second data packet according to second configuration information, and correspondingly, the access network element receives the second data packet;

[0579] S608, the access network element sends the second data packet to the sixth network element, and correspondingly, the sixth network element receives the second data packet;

[0580] S609, the sixth network element forwards the second data packet to the data network, and correspondingly, the data network receives the second data packet.

[0581] It can be understood that the present application does not limit the sequence of S601-S606 and S607-S609.

[0582] The forwarding process of the downlink data is the inverse process of the uplink data forwarding, and will not be described in detail.

[0583] It can be understood that the embodiments described above can be implemented independently or in combination, without limitation.

[0584] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the device provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0585] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which comprises a module / unit / means for executing the method performed by any network function and entity in the above method embodiments. The module / unit / means can be implemented by software or hardware, or the corresponding software can be executed by hardware.

[0586] For example, referring to FIG. 12, the device can comprise a transceiver module 701 and a processing module 702.

[0587] The transceiver module 701 can execute the method steps performed by any device or network element in the above method embodiments under the control of the processing module 702.

[0588] The more detailed description of the transceiver module 701 and the processing module 702 can be directly obtained by referring to the related description in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0589] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, as shown in FIG. 13, comprising: at least one processor 801; and a communication interface 803 connected with the at least one processor 801; the at least one processor 801 executes the instructions stored in the memory 802, so that the device executes the method steps performed by any device or network element in the above method embodiments through the communication interface 803.

[0590] Optionally, the memory 802 is located outside the device.

[0591] Optionally, the device comprises the memory 802, the memory 802 is connected with the at least one processor 801, and the memory 802 stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 801. FIG. 13 shows that the memory 802 is optional for the device with a dashed line.

[0592] The processor 801 and the memory 802 can be coupled through an interface circuit or integrated together, which is not limited here.

[0593] The specific connection medium between the processor 801, the memory 802 and the communication interface 803 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. In FIG. 13, the processor 801, the memory 802 and the communication interface 803 are connected through a bus 804, and the bus is represented by a thick line in FIG. 13. The connection mode between other components is only schematically illustrated, and is not limited. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For convenience, only one thick line is used to represent the bus in FIG. 13, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0594] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor which is implemented by reading software code stored in a memory.

[0595] For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0596] It should be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (DR RAM).

[0597] It should be noted that when the processor is a general processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated in the processor.

[0598] It should be noted that the memory described in the present application is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0599] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium for storing instructions, when the instructions are executed, the method performed by any of the apparatuses or network elements in the above method embodiments is realized.

[0600] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application also provide a chip coupled with a memory, for reading and executing program instructions stored in the memory, to realize the method performed by any of the apparatuses or network elements in the above method embodiments.

[0601] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product containing instructions, when the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer executes the method performed by any of the apparatuses or network elements in the above method embodiments.

[0602] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, system or computer program product. Therefore, the present application can be in the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can be in the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer usable program code.

[0603] The present application is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams according to the methods, devices (systems) and computer program products of the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combination of flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, an embedded processor or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a means for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0604] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flowchart or flowsheets and / or block or blocks of the block diagrams.

[0605] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart or flowsheets and / or block or blocks of the block diagrams.

[0606] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present application are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the application can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The communication device generates a first data packet, the first data packet being a data packet of a first service; The communication device transmits the first data packet according to first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is used for configuring transmission of the data packet of the first service, the first service belonging to a non-connection service, and the first service being provided by a first network element in a network. The method of claim 1, wherein The first configuration information comprises a first identifier, the first identifier being used for identifying the data packet of the first service. The communication device transmits the first data packet according to the first configuration information, comprising: The communication device transmits the first data packet to an access network element, wherein the first data packet comprises the first identifier. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein The first configuration information comprises an identifier of a first radio bearer, wherein the first radio bearer is used for carrying the data packet of the non-connection service. The communication device transmits the first data packet according to the first configuration information, comprising: The communication device transmits the first data packet based on the first radio bearer. The method of claim 3, wherein The first radio bearer is used for carrying the data packet of the first service, and the first radio bearer is associated with the first identifier. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The communication device transmits a first request to a second network element, wherein the first request comprises indication information of a first service, indication information of a first session, and indication information of the communication device, and the first request is used for requesting the first service to be provided to the communication device in the first session; The communication device receives a first response from the second network element, the first response being used for indicating a request result of the first service. The method of claim 5, wherein The first response comprises a first identifier, the first identifier being used for identifying the data packet of the first service. The method further comprises that the communication device determines the first configuration information according to the first response. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: The communication device receives sixth information from an access network element, the sixth information being used for configuring a radio bearer between the communication device and the access network element, and the sixth information comprises an identifier of a first radio bearer, the first radio bearer being used for carrying the data packet of the non-connection service or the first service; The communication device determines the first configuration information according to the sixth information. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The communication device transmits a second data packet according to second configuration information, wherein the second configuration information is used for configuring transmission of a data packet of a connection service; The first data packet and the second data packet belong to data packets of a same service flow. The method of claim 8, wherein The method further comprises: The communication device transmits a fourth request to a third network element, the fourth request being used for requesting a second session to be established for the communication device, and the fourth request comprises indication information of the communication device, indication information of the second session, and first indication information, the second session being used for providing a connection service, and the first indication information indicating that the second session supports the non-connection service; The communication device receives a fourth response from the third network element, the fourth response indicating whether the second session is successfully created; The communication device determines the second configuration information according to the fourth response. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The second network element receives a first request from the communication device; wherein the first request comprises indication information of a first service, indication information of a first session, and indication information of the communication device, the first request is used to request to provide the first service for the communication device in the first session, and the first service belongs to a non-connection service; The second network element generates a request result of the first service; and The second network element sends a first response to the communication device, the first response is used to indicate the request result of the first service. The method of claim 10, wherein The first response comprises a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify a data packet of the first service. The method as claimed in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second network element sends execution rules of the first service to a first network element according to at least one of an execution policy of the first service and subscription data of the first service, wherein the first network element is used to provide the first service, the execution rules of the first service comprise the first identifier, and at least one of transmission parameters and processing parameters of the first service; and the at least one of the execution policy of the first service and the subscription data of the first service comprises at least one of the transmission parameters and the processing parameters of the first service. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprise: The access network element receives first information and second information; the first information comprises configuration information of a second session, and the second session is used to provide a connection service for a communication device; and the second information comprises configuration information of a first session, and the first session is used to provide a first service for the communication device, and the first service belongs to a non-connection service; The access network element establishes an association relationship between the first session and the second session; And The access network element configures a radio bearer between the communication device and the access network element according to the association relationship. The method of claim 13, wherein The configuration information of the first session comprises first session indication information, and the configuration information of the second session comprises second session indication information; The access network element establishes the association relationship between the first session and the second session, comprising: When the first session indication information is the same as the second session indication information, the access network element establishes the association relationship between the first session and the second session; Or, When the second information further comprises the second session indication information, the access network element establishes the association relationship between the first session and the second session. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein The access network element configures the radio bearer between the terminal and the access network element according to the association relationship, comprising: The access network element configures the same radio bearer for the first session and the second session. The method according to any one of claims 13-15, characterized in that Further comprise: The access network element receives a first data packet from the communication device based on the radio bearer; The access network element determines, according to a first identifier in the first data packet, that the first data packet is a data packet of the first service; The access network element sends the first data packet to a first network element carrying the first session. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein The first identifier is further comprised in at least one of the first information and the second information, and the first identifier is used to identify the data packet of the first service. The access network element configures a first radio bearer for the first session and a second radio bearer for the second session, the first radio bearer being associated with the first identifier. The method of claim 17, wherein Further comprising: The access network element receives a first data packet from the communication device based on the first radio bearer; The access network element determines that the first data packet is a data packet of the first service; The access network element sends the first data packet to a first network element carrying the first session after adding the first identifier in the first data packet. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The first network element receives execution rules of a first service from a second network element, wherein the execution rules of the first service comprise a first identifier, and at least one of transmission parameters and processing parameters of the first service, the first identifier being used to identify data packets of the first service, the first service being provided by the first network element, and the first service belonging to a non-connection service; The first network element processes and forwards data packets of the first service according to the execution rules of the first service. The method of claim 19, wherein The first network element processes and forwards data packets of the first service according to the execution rules of the first service, comprising at least one of: The first network element receives a first data packet from an access network element, the first data packet comprising the first identifier; matches the execution rules of the first service according to the first identifier in the first data packet; processes the first data packet according to the processing parameters in the execution rules, and forwards the processed first data packet to a sixth network element according to the transmission parameters in the execution rules; The first network element receives a third data packet from a sixth network element, the third data packet comprising the first identifier; matches the execution rules of the first service according to the first identifier in the third data packet; processes the third data packet according to the processing parameters in the execution rules, and forwards the processed third data packet to the access network element according to the transmission parameters in the execution rules. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The sixth network element receives execution rules of a second session from a third network element, the execution rules of the second session comprising a first rule, the first rule being used for at least one of splitting and converging data packets of a connection service and data packets of a non-connection service; The sixth network element performs at least one of splitting and converging data packets of a connection service and data packets of a non-connection service according to the first rule. The method of claim 21, wherein The sixth network element performs at least one of splitting and converging data packets of a connection service and data packets of a non-connection service according to the first rule, comprising at least one of: The sixth network element receives a third data packet from a data network; and the sixth network element forwards the third data packet to the first network element according to the first rule; The sixth network element receives a first data packet from a first network element; The sixth network element forwards the first data packet to a data network according to the first rule. The method of claim 22, wherein The first rule comprises a first identifier, the first identifier being used to identify data packets of the non-connection service; The first data packet further comprises the first identifier; The sixth network element forwards the third data packet to the first network element according to the first rule, including that the sixth network element adds the first identifier in the third data packet according to the first rule, and sends the third data packet with the first identifier to the first network element. A communication method characterized by comprising: Including: The third network element receives a fourth request from the communication device, the fourth request being used to request to establish a second session for the communication device, the fourth request including indication information of the communication device, indication information of the second session, and first indication information, the second session being used to provide a connection service, and the first indication information indicating that the second session supports a non-connection service; The third network element configures an execution rule of the second session, the execution rule of the second session including a first rule, the first rule being used to at least one of split and converge data packets of the connection service and data packets of the non-connection service; The third network element sends a fourth response to the communication device, the fourth response indicating whether the second session is successfully created. The method of claim 24, wherein The first indication information includes indication information of a first service, the first service belonging to the non-connection service, and the first indication information specifically indicating that the second session supports the first service. The method of claim 24 or 25, wherein The third network element configures the execution rule of the second session according to the fourth request, including: The third network element sends the execution rule of the second session to the sixth network element. The method of any one of claims 24-26, wherein The first rule includes a first identifier, the first identifier being used to identify the data packets of the non-connection service. The method of any one of claims 24-26, wherein Also including: The third network element receives third information from a second network element, the third information including indication information of the first network element; The third network element controls the sixth network element to establish a connection with the first network element according to an address of the first network element; The third network element sends fourth information to the second network element, the fourth information including indication information of the sixth network element. The method of any one of claims 24-28, wherein Also including: The third network element sends first information to an access network element, the first information including configuration information of the second session. A communication device, characterized by A module for performing the method of any one of claims 1-9, or a module for performing the method of any one of 10-12, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 13-18, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 19-20, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 21-23, or a module for performing the method of any one of 24-29. A communication device, characterized by Including: At least one processor; And A communication interface in communication connection with the at least one processor; The at least one processor causes the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9, or the method of any one of claims 10-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-18, or the method of any one of claims 19-20, or the method of any one of claims 21-23, or the method of any one of claims 24-29, by executing instructions stored in the memory. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein The communication apparatus further includes the memory. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized by The storage medium has stored therein a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a communication apparatus, implement the method of any one of claims 1-9, or the method of any one of claims 10-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-18, or the method of any one of claims 19-20, or the method of any one of claims 21-23, or the method of any one of claims 24-29. A computer program product, characterized by The computer program product has stored therein instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9, or the method of any one of claims 10-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-18, or the method of any one of claims 19-20, or the method of any one of claims 21-23, or the method of any one of claims 24-29.

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